CRYSTAL BALLS AND CRYSTAL GAZING 179
announced the approaching accession of Septimius Severus (146-211) and the dethronement of Didius Julianus.5
An
indication that the usage of divination by means of a silver cup
existed among the primitive Hebrews has been found in the story of
Joseph and his brethren. In Genesis xliv, 1-5, we read that Joseph
concealed a silver cup in the sack of grain borne away by Benjamin,
making of this a pretext for requiring the return of his brethren. He
sent messengers to overtake them and directed them to demand the return
of the cup, using these words: "Is not this it in which my lord
drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth?"
The
Arabic author, Haly Abou Gefar, tells of a golden ball used by "the
Magi, followers of Zoroaster," in their incantations. It was incrusted
with celestial symbols and set with a sapphire, and one of these
magicians, after attaching it to a strip of bullhide, swung it around,
reciting at the same time various spells and incantations.6 Probably
the magician, by fixing his gaze upon the brilliant revolving sphere,
gradually fell into a hypnotic trance, during which visions appeared to
him. These he could afterward interpret to those who had sought his aid
to read the future, or obtain information regarding things that were
happening for away.
An
important side-light on the beliefs of Western Europe, in the fifth
century, regarding crystal-gazing, is afforded by one of the canons of
the synod held about 450 a.d. by
.St. Patrick and the bishops Auxilius and Isser-nanus. Here it is
decreed that any Christian who believes there is a Lamia (or witch) in
the mirror is to be anathe-
B Spartiani, " Vita Didii Juliani," cap 7.
* Reichelti, " De amuletis," Argentorati, 1676, p. 36.
