The inquirer, whilst thinking earnestly upon the matter he wishes resolved by the wheel, must choose a number out of the above Table.
This is better done with the eyes closed, and the number pricked out with a pin, so that there may be no premeditation in the choice. To this number, thus chosen, the inquirer must add the number answering to the first letter of his first name, which number is seen in the wheel itself where the numbers are above the letters of the alphabet. To this number must be added the number of the day of the week on which the question is asked and of the planet ruling that day. Then add all these numbers together and divide the sum by 30 as often as it can be done. Then look for that number which is the remainder in the inner circle of the wheel; observing in what part of the wheel it falls should there happen to be no remainder, then the number 30 must be looked for. If the question to be propounded should be whether anything about to be undertaken will succeed or not, should the number fall in the upper part of the wheel the matter will have a happy issue; but if, on the contrary, the number appears on the lower part of the wheel the thing in question will not be a success. In any question where time is concerned as, for instance, as regarding how long or how short shall be the matter in hand it must be borne in mind that the numbers in the right half of the wheel represent long time—that is, that the event about which the question is asked will be some time before it comes to pass; whilst those in the left half of the wheel signify short time—and so, whether for good or evil, shall the business quickly or slowly come to pass.
All questions are thus to be asked but one, and that is, whether a sick person shall recover or die; in which case, after proceeding to add the numbers of the Christian name, the day of the week and the planet, the number representing the Moon's age on the day the question is asked must also be added; for example, if a person whose name is Veronica—asks on a Wednesday, 20th day of the Moon, if a sick friend should live or die, and chooses from the Table the number of 23, the matter would be worked thus:—
| Number chosen | 23 |
| Number answering to the letter V | 9 |
| Number answering to Wednesday | 102 |
| Number answering to the planet Mercury | 114 |
| Number of the age of the Moon | 20 |
| 268 |
This, divided by 30, leaves 28 remainder, which will be found to fall in the unfortunate part of the wheel, showing that her friend will not recover.
The following table of the mystical numbers representing the planets, and also those belonging to the days of the week which each planet governs, is of much importance in working the wheel:—
| Planets. | Days of the Week. | |||
 | Saturn | 55 | Saturday | 45 |
 | Jupiter | 78 | Thursday | 31 |
 | Mars | 39 | Tuesday | 52 |
 | Sun | 34 | Sunday | 106 |
 | Venus | 45 | Friday | 68 |
 | Mercury | 114 | Wednesday | 102 |
 | Moon | 45 | Monday | 52 |
These several numbers attributed to the days of the week, as well as those of the planet ruling the day, are of very ancient origin and are, probably, as well as the wheel itself, a relic of former traditional foreknowledge by lots and numbers.
There are certain days, however, which are evil days, on which no question should be asked of the wheel of Pythagoras. These days are as follows:—
- Of January, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th and 11th.
- Of February, the 7th, 13th, 17th and 19th.
- Of March, the 13th, 15th and 16th.
- Of April, the 5th and 14th.
- Of May, the 8th and 14th.
- June has but one ill day, which is the 6th.
- July has two, the 16th and the 19th.
- August has also only two, the 8th and 16th.
- September has three, the 1st, 15th and 16th.
- October has only one ill day, which is the 16th.
- November has two, the 15th and 16th.
- December has three, the 6th, 7th and 11th.