192 THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES
Not
only the quality of the crystal had to be considered, but also its
support and surroundings. Of this we have an interesting instance in
the case of Dr. Dee's crystal. In one of his manuscripts is recorded
the fact that on the 10th of March, 1582, Kelley saw in the crystal a
representation of the form and arrangement of the table on which it
should be set; particular instructions on the matter were also directly
imparted to the scryer by the angel Uriel. The table was to be square,
measuring two cubits each way and two cubits in height; and it was to
have four feet. The material was to be "swete wood" and upon it was to
be placed the Sigillum Dei (Seal of God) impressed upon the purest,
colorless wax, the disk being 1-1/8 inches thick and 9 inches in
diameter. It bore a cross and the magic letters A. G. L. A., a
transliteration into Roman characters of the initials of the Hebrew
words signifying "Thou are great forever, 0 Lord." Four other and
smaller seals were to be provided, one to be placed under each leg of
the table; each of these seals being impressd with gRometrical figures
within or upon which were the seven sacred names of God and the names
of the seven angels ruling the seven planetary heavens; Zabothiel,
Zedekiel, Madiniel, Semeliel [Semeshiel], Nogabiel, Corabiel [Cocabiel]
and Levaniel, the angels, respectively, of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the
Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon. There then appeared to the scryer the
figure of the table with the crystal resting upon it. Of this it is
said:25
"Under
the table did seeme to be layd red sylk to lye four square somewhat
broader than the table, hanging down with four knops or tassells at the
four corners
25 See B. M. Dalton's notes in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, 2d ser., vol. xxi, 380-383. Sloane MS. A. 3188.
