The book of talismans, amulets and zodiacal gems

The book of talismans, amulets, and zodiacal gems by Pavitt and Pavitt is an occult reference work written in the early 20th century. It explores the meanings, uses, and reputed powers of talismans, amulets, and zodiacal stones across civilizations, blending symbolism, astrology, and anecdotal evidence with historical notes and illustrations. The opening of this work sets out the authors’ aims and sources, noting the difficulty of identifying ancient stones and the overlap of astrology, language, and tradition. It then surveys the long-held belief in the psychic and magnetic influence of gems, introduces an “etheric” view of vibrations, and recounts a psychometry episode to illustrate stone “vibrations.” A clear distinction is drawn between talismans (to attract and empower) and amulets (to avert harm), before moving through a richly illustrated tour of early symbols: the axe and arrow-head, the Swastika, the serpent, and the interlaced triangles; the Tau Cross; the Buddhist mantra Aum Ma Ni Pad Me Hum; and Indian protectors like Ganesa and Hanuman with Buddha’s Eight Emblems. Chinese and Japanese charms follow—Pa-kwa trigrams, five bats, phoenix, dragon, money sword, jade, longevity robes, carp, Hotei, mitsudomoe, fans, keys, anchors, and household protections—linked to luck, health, and longevity. The section concludes with an extensive introduction to Egyptian belief and funerary practice, explaining the Ka and the Book of the Dead, and cataloging central amulets—the Ankh, Menat, plumes, Nefer, cartouche, Bes, Tat, heart, Isis’s buckle, scarab, Eye amulet, Two Fingers, collar, Sma, and the ladder—each tied to specific virtues like life, truth, stability, protection, resurrection, and passage to the blessed realms. (This is an automatically generated summary.)