CHAPTER III.

An ^strofiottitcar Measure^
WHAT IS CHANCE? THE " JOKER " AND ITS VALUE. THE SOLAR YEAR.
HANCE is defined as accident, or " to hap- pen without assignable cause." For thousands of years men supposed that the elements com- bined in chance proportions, and they never dreamed that chemistry was an exact science. The stars of heaven were supposed to move about or stand still (?) as " chance " directed. But it is now known that no such thing exists as chance, at least in regard to the majority of things, and we know that nothing comes by chance.
A true mystic recognizes this at a glance. Those who are not mystics have no use for this book, or the " re- ligion of the stars."
THE JESTER OR JOKER.
A strange fact has been found out by the mystic brotherhood within a few months regarding the " Joker," as it is called.
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 35
A few years ago some unknown genius invented it with the object evidently of adding interest to certain games. The first inventor placed all the four quarter emblems, hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades upon the card and made it a universal trump card.
THE KING S JESTER.
It really " took " but little with the general public, and is usually thrown away. Its presence in a test book will invalidate every calculation and render an emblem reading null and void. Emblematically speaking, it seems to be all right, as it was the custom of ancient kings and queens to keep a jester.
In serious aflPairs this joker counted as nothing, and strange to say, as an astronomical emblem it counted the same. His solar value being zero. But the brother- hood begins to see a hidden meaning to this court fool, after all the " throwing out " he has been subjected to. He represents the /owr quarters by virtue of his four suits
36 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
and the center or place of kings by his court value, making what is called the five points. This really rep- resents five quarters, in number symbolism.
If such should be a fact, the test book would repre- sent the entire motion of the earth about the sun, or the astronomical year, 52 weeks, plus one and one-fourth days. Then from another standpoint, which seems to bear out the view already taken, we have the reckoning of the spot values of all the cards as follows:
The four Kings 4x18 - . . = 52 " " Queens 4x12 - - =48
" " Knaves 4x11 - - - =44
" " Tens 4x10 - - - = 40
" " Nines 4x9 - - = 36
32 other spot cards - - =144
The Joker - - - = H
Total =3651 Exactly the days in a solar year.
If this is " chance " as remarked by the immortal Kepler, " it comes so near a law as to set one thinking." Again, we have the rulings of each card under each of the planets; 7 times 52, plus 5 quarters making up the year complete.
We have now considered the various properties of the test book, and before proceeding to deeper studies will simply explain that the word " test," means to prove, measure, weigh and try.
All dictionaries agree in saying that the word "test" comes from the root " taste," and the reader is requested to observe how occultly the writer of Revelations brings
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 37
out the fact that he alluded to the " little book " when he speaks of the " taste " being " sweet as honey."
Looked at from the ordinary point of view, it is absurd to speak of " tasting " a book, but when we under- stand that the Mystic Brother " tested " it when he " devoured " it, as so many others have done since then, we see the very beautiful manner in which he concealed his language.
The Bible is full of these sealed messages, which can only be read by the initiated.
The word " testament " was taken from this same root, and the Christian regards his new testament as a tes- ter of the truth.
Candid reader, which book has the best right to the name ?
In my humble opinion the answer is an easy one to give.
ASTRAL NUMBERS OF THINGS.
Everything that exists, large or small, possesses a num- ber that exactly gives a mathematical expression of the thing itself.
If the constitution of the thing is complex, the number is complex.
If it be simple in constitution, the astral number is simple.
AS AN ILLUSTRATION.
Oxygen has for its number - - 1030
Hydrogen has for its number - - - 212
Nitrogen has for its number - - 1969
Carbon has .for its number - - - 1050
These numbers are nearly simples, except that the combining force numbers are included.
Water is a compound of hydrogen 2 equations, oxygen
38 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
one. Its number is 1010, being less even than one of its constituents. This is caused through the suppression of the combining force numbers.
Of course, a general treatment of this branch of the subject is out of place here, as it will require a large book to treat astro-chemistry alone, as it requires.
Not only physical things have these numbers, but abstracts, such as certain dates or periods of time have their expressions in numbers.
Thus we have the nativity numbers, the environment numbers, and the astral numbers of persons.
These numbers are useful in many mathematical cal- culations in the occult line.
The writer's nativity number is 644699; a very peculiar one, by the way, as will be seen upon close examination.
THE SPIRIT OF NUMBERS.
Every number, however large, has its spirit or occult root, which brings the expression of the number down to certain bounds, within the powers of expression in tables and books.
If the number of the physical is small, the spirit may be much larger than the number.
The spirit numbers may be taken on a high scale and so consist of several figures, but the one used by the Brotherhood of Magic is the one found by means of the number 9, called the N*^ root by some.
The spirit root of a number is equal to the N*^ root of one-ninth of the number, plus ten times the enumer- ator of any fraction that may arise from the division of the number by nine.
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 39
To obtain this spirit by an easy method, simply divide the number by nine, reduce the quotient to the N*^ root and place the remainder, if any, to the left of it.
Example. What is the spirit root of 1844? Ans. 86.
Found as follows: 9)1844(204=6
18
36
86
The N**! root is found by adding the figures composing a number together, continuously until but one figure remains.
The N*^ root has by itself many wonderful qualities, which I may speak of and illustrate further, before thi? work is ended.
SPIRITS AND IfUMBERS OF THE MYSTIC EMBLEMS.
Like everything else the " Mystic Test Book " has its number, its spirit root and its environment number. Not only this, but each card has its individual number, spirit and environment. Each card has its solar value which is constant, like the astral number of a person.
The spirit number or root of a card is obtained from the solar value; so the spirit is a constant. But all other values, spirits and numbers change all the time as the earth changes its polarity.
Emblems change values from day to day, from hour to hour, from minute to minute, and one value changes every five seconds.
THE EMBLEM VALUE OF CARDS.
Hearts=0 Clubs=13 Diamonds=26 Spades=39.
40 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK
These values are called " suit values." The "quarter values " of the same are:
1:2:3:4
The "spot valyies" are the numbers of the spots on each card.
But, Knaves count as 11, Queens as 12 and Kings as 13.
These spot values added together for the whole test book^364. This is equal to the cards in the book multiplied by the 7 planets.
7 times 52=364. Add the "Joker " or " Jester " which represents the four quarters and the sun, and is equal to five-fourths, and we get 365^, the days in a year.
It is a remarkable fact that on the 31st of December the Jester rules supreme, even the " Members of the Court " bow to him.
When we take out 52 weeks from our year, we have the same " day " left on our hands.
THE SOLAR VALUE OF THE CARDS
is found by adding the spot value to the suit value.
The spirit root of this solar value is the "spirit of the emblem."
TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE FOLLOWING CARDS:
r
V
0^0
0 0
O 0
Spot value
5
8
12
10
4
Suit value
0
26
13
39
26
Solar value
5
34
25
49
30
Spirit value
50
73
72
45
33
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 41
Observe how very different the spirits are from the other values, as I have some strange facts to present in relation to this later on.
SYMBOLISM OF THE SUITS.
Now, each emblem in the Mystic Test Book has a nature, or characteristic, corresponding to one of the planets in both the suit and spots.
Venus and Mercury rule hearts.
Mars and Earth rule clubs.
Jupiter and Neptune rule diamonds.
Saturn and Uranus rule spades.
But these couplets of planets do not give the same characteristic to the same emblem.
While Yenus rules an emblem from a point of friendship and love. Mercury rules it from a point of passion.
Mars rules clubs mainly from the point of lawsuits, quarrels and heat; while Terra rules in clubs from the standpoint of knowledge.
Jupiter cards, diamonds, indicate wealth.
Neptune cards, diamonds, indicate commerce.
Saturn cards, spades, from a standpoint of death.
Uranus cards, spades, from a point of labor.
GEOMETKICAL SYMBOLISM.
We have briefly glanced at the symbolism of the suits, or spot emblems and the numbers in the foregoing remarks. We will now consider the occult meanings of the geometrical form of the single tcards and co-ordinates. The co-ordinate of any card in spot value is one con- taining an equal number of spots. The co-ordinate card in sijirit, is one having a spirit value equal to the solar
42 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
value of the other. The following couplets are co-ordi- nate in spirit and solar values.
Solar value card leading in each couple.
0 0 0 0
, -1
♦ 4 ♦a*
4 4
4^4
V
4 4 t ♦
The first two being double co-ordinates, the only such in the Test Book. Co-ordinates in spirit and suit are common : the second couplet being an example.
ILLUSTRATION OF GEOMETEIC SYMBOLISM.
D D O
D D O
o o o o o o
« » » « » »
« » ♦
Emblems of Monotomj. Trouble. Change.
This row of cards represent a personal " path of life."
By laying out the actual emblems from the Test Book as represented here, one can observe the symbolism to better advantage.
The sixes show a life, for a time, moving in straight lines, with nothing out of the usual routine. But at the fourth card an obstacle comes in the way, trouble comes. The five shows a change, as it represents a cross, X, in one's path; the lines change in one's life and a journey perhaps removes the person from the preceding monotony.
These are the general characteristics of those cards, the variations coming from the planets they rule under at the time
The twos indicate unions or Joinings; bargains between two persons. Co-partnership and letters passing from person to person.
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 43
Threes indicate indecision, or a place where two ways open before one, as if the spot in the center was the person
ILLUSTRATION OF UNIONS AND INDECISIONS.
«
0
♦
♦ ♦
0 0
9
6
♦
0
♦
♦
0
, ♦
6
and the other spots the two ways leading in two directions.
POWER, DEVELOPEMENT AND SUCCESS.
V
0^0
6^6
0^0
This entire row represents symmetrical fullness or round- ing out, just as the spots are arranged on the emblems.
The eights indicate power to overcome obstacles, spiritual advancement and numbers of persons, congregations or gatherings of people.
The tens represent success, as if one stood in the open space between the spots, surrounded with success upon all sides.
The geometrical form on the nines is a representation of a path with a disappointing obstacle in the center. Approach from either end and it bars your progress. You are dis- appointed and turned back.
The seven is a trouble, from one ivmj only. Approach it from another direction and trouble disappears.
By these few illustrations, which should be carefully studied by the student of card delineation, we have shown that the geometrical forms have a meaning of their own.
44
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
THE COURT OF DISAPPOIJS'TMENT AND TROUBLE.
♦ 4k
0 0
4 ♦
9 9l
0^0
6"6
A
0 0
♦ ♦)
6 ^
Some of our students have been at a loss to understand how it could be, that seven, a sacred number representing spirit, should indicate trouble. The explanation is this: The spiritual and material are, as one might say, antipodes of each other. Sevens do not indicate spiritual trouble, but mateuial. Some of the most advanced persons, in a spiritual way, have the most trouble from material sur- roundings and environments, being antagonistic to their na- tures. This is a natural law, and I can advise all, from my own experience, that, if they wish to become rich in this world's goods, they had better let their spiritual nature remain undeveloped and dwarfed. A " mystic " lays up his treasure in heaven and not upon earth.
He deals in coin that can be taken out with him into the grander life beyond the grave, and he knows full well that " shrouds have no pockets "
THE TEST BOOK IN ITS RELATION'S TO TIME AND MAGNETIC
FORCES.
The first form of the Test Book is known as the "solar"
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 45
book or the natural order book. In this book each emblem occupies a place corresponding to its own value.
TO FOKM A NATURAL TEST BOOK.
Pile the first quarter cards, hearts, face up from ace to king. Do the same with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter emblems, ending with king of spades. The emblems are now in the natural order according to the Zodiac.
RULING EMBLEMS.
In every pack of cards, no matter how much or by Avhom shuffled, mixed or cut, there are seven cards that rule under the seven planets. These rulers change in accordance with the occult principles of time and the magnetism of the person or persons handling them.
There are several ways of finding these ruling emblems by mathematical process and psychic powers, but the most ready means is to find them by the following easy mechanical process.
When the book is fully prepared by any process required, begin at the top of the book, which is alwaijs the hack of the cards and deal them into 7 piles one by one, finishing each pile as you go. Begin at Mercury.
Mer.
Ven. Mars Jup.
9
a
9 9 6 6
2.7 2 3 7
The figures under each card show how many cards are to be placed in that pile.
The cards given are the rulers in a natural order, or solar
46 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
book. The cards on top of each pile are represented as turned over face up.
Lay off each ruling card to the right of the pile; place the pile on top of it and pile them all on Neptune pile in regular order from Uranus to Mercury.
Now quadrate the book as per instructions given else- vrhere, and as many times as you please, and you will find that unless the book is shuffled or cut, these rulers always come under the seven planets when spread again. Not always the same planets, but they are all there.
By an examination of the cards in each pile you will find that every card, other than these 7 rulers, have been scattered, to the " four winds of heaven," symbolically speaking, by the quadration. Make 2 quadrates and each of these rulers rules under same planet as in a solar book.
By keeping up the quadrating until you have covered the degree in one quarter of the Zodiac, that is 90 quadrates, you will find every emblem in its original solar place.
So far, we have only the results of pure mathematical principles; but the moment we introduce persona/ magyietism and the actions of individuals under the astral forces prevail- ing at the time, we have new elements which must be taken into consideration.
Let a person ^'cut" the Test Book, which is performed by taking a portion of the book off from the top, placing it upon the table and placing the remaining part upon it, and a change takes place along the whole line, with a new set of emblems in the ruling places.
Let a person shuffle or mix the cards up for a period of 60 seconds and the place of every emblem corresponds to his
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 47
personal magnetism. Let liim cut the book so prepared, 8 times in succession, with just 20 seconds interval between, and the ruling places are occupied by the cards ruling at the time, under the seven planets.
Now, quadrate the book and lay it out in the grand spread and every card in the Test Book comes under the planet where it rules with that person at the time, past, present or future, according to whether the planetary efiEect represented by it is at maximum, waxing or waning.
The lay outs or " grand spreads " in this book are illustra- tions of actual quadrates from time shuffles and cuts, in regular order on selected minutes. They are nearly all from my own magnetism; as it is necessary to have a set all by one person, of at least 52 lay outs in order to make a study of the subject.
At first sight any lay out seems to have no particular plan or form, illustrating the action of fixed laws. But the more you study these lay outs the greater will your wonder be at the evidences of an occult force back of the emblems.
Examine the spreads in this book and compare them one by one, and you will soon begin to observe the pecu- liar movements of certain ruling cards of co-ordinate values in spirit and solar values, as well as spots.
Then shuffle a book, cut it as instructed, quadrate it, spread it as hereinafter taught and observe the same evidences of law with yourself. Notice the peculiar group- ing of the colors. The light and dark shades in your life, the couplets of co-ordinating emblems, et.c, etc. You will soon begin to see that there is a "spirit behind the cards " that can and does make itself manifest.
48 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
The quadrations used as illustrations in this work are made at certain selected hours, minutes and seconds and then assorted according to the magnetic effects.
No other person would produce spreads exactly like these, but the general effect is the same and from these spreads calculations and prognostications can be made for any person or persons.
One spread is given for the culmination of each minute, with the sun card progressing according to the solar values.
The following plate shows the arrangement of a grand spread with particular reference to the planetary rulings and the lines denoting the three periods of time, past, present and future. The two perpendicular lines upon the right and part of the third denoting the past. The center line and part of each line to the right and left of it belongs in the present effect, which covers a few days of time, or the effect of the present aspect upon the person. The rows of hearts and clubs, and part of the diamond row refer to the future. This layout is not a quadrate, being simply arranged to show the first 7 spot value cards under the planets of same number, in order to familiarise the student with the number and rotation of the planets. Upon the right the cards are partly arranged in a form to indicate the planets they each rule under the strongest. Thus the kings are under Jupiter denoting power and rule.
Tens under Uranus denoting success. Nines under Saturn indicating disappointment.
Queens under Venus the female planet and ruler of love. Of course this is all from a symbolical point of view only.
• ••*
FUTURE.
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. PRESENT.
49
• •••
>
a
3 O
9
111
:t
w
9
4
Ul
>
6
/^ ^
9

6
2
6
C? 9
a:
u
1-
^
6 6
9 9
oc
D f-
9

6 6
[9 9
U3
Z
6 ^
ce
3
Ci 6
9 9
7
.9
3 H
6 6
a
z
6 Ci
PLANETARY, LIFE AND TIME LINES OF GRAND SPREAD.
Perpendicular rows are life lines; horizontal, planet a r if ; top line, sun cards; the middle one being the solar time card.
50 THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
The student is advised though, to make a study of this plate in order to become perfectly familiar with the planetary lines and other items mentioned. The suits upon the right indicate the characteristic suits of the planets at the other end of the horizontal lines, an explanation of which has been heretofore given.
DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING THE TEST BOOK.
The person who is to receive the reading we will call C, The one who is to give the reading we will call B.
1st. C thoroughly shuffles and mixes the cards, in any way most natural to him, for just one minute; B holding a watch and keeping the time, which should be started on an even minute if possible.
2nd. At the end of one minute C places the book upon the sun and cuts it once immediately. The cut is performed by taking off a portion of the emblems, laying them upon the cloth and placing the balance of the book thereon.
3rd. At just 20 seconds later C is directed by B to cut again, which must be done exactly on time to secure correct results. At the end of 20 seconds more C cuts for the third and last time. The book is now ready for
THE PLANETARY CUTTING.
Although a reading can be given upon an ordinary table, experts always use a Zodiac table cloth, when one is obtainable. When the Zodiac is not used, the piles of cards are laid about the table in as near a circle about the central pile as is convenient.
4th. C cuts a few cards from the top of the center or sun pile and places them in the house of the Zodiac corresponding
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK. 51
to his month of birth. If no Zodiac is used C must fix a point on the table as his birth month.
5th. He then cuts off some more cards and places them in any house he feels impressed to put them in.
6th. C repeats this operation until he has 7 piles around the circle, the last pile consuming the last of the sun cards. If the cards in the sun pile run out before the seven piles are completed, C must cut some off from the pile already in the circle to make up the number.
/v/^\ \
PI ^^
^%*
jvlV^;^>^ ^
THE ZODIAC TABLE CLOTH USED IN HEADINGS.
There must always be a distinct pile of two or more cards for each of the seven planets, or the results are loorthless.
DEAWING THE RULING EMBLEMS. MARRIED MALES.
7th. C must now begin at the pile of cards nearest to Aries, or the first pile to the right of the lower Celestial Meridian, select one card from the pile, make a record of it upon a paper or tablet and place the card face down upon the sun. He then passes on in the direction the
52
THE MYSTIC TEST BOOK.
months run and does the same for each pile in succession, until he has seven cards piled upon the sun.
8th. If the person is unmarried, he must begin at exactly the opposite polarity, or the house of Libra, September, and proceed as directed in section 7.
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS ORDER.
Females, if single, should begin at Virgo, or August, and draw in retrograde to the months. Married females should begin at Pisces, February, and draw in retrograde order, but in all other respects in the same manner as set forth in