PLANETARY AND ASTRAL INFLUENCES 345
cause of the periodic eclipses of the Sun and Moon.10 As
the stone was sacred to this malevolent influence, we need not be
surprised that it was believed to avert misfortune, for nothing was so
effective against the lesser spirits of evil as an evil genius of great
power.
According
to the Hindu mystics it was very lucky to have a turquoise at hand at
the time of the new moon, for whoever, after first looking at the moon
on the pratipada (the first day after new-moon), should cast his eyes upon a turquoise, was destined to enjoy immeasurable wealth.11
