𝐈𝐝𝐲𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬
Poems and drawings by 𝖬𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝖠. 𝖫𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗒
Paradise, O Paradise!
Is it in a maiden's eyes?
Yes, for Heaven's sun and dew fell in them as she came through. Borne of Angels to the earth on the morning of her birth. From its skies of shadeless blue, from the stones of wondrous hue. Builded in its shining walls, fell the light that sometimes falls from the inner Paradise far within a woman's eyes.
In the development of the study of Magic, an art descended from the elder Egypt and the Magi - some leading principles were formulated,- as certain precious stones or metals were the same with certain planets, or certain magic numbers - one "astral" element pervading them all. The result was that upon these gems especially were marked, incantations and the burning of incense, the signs of planets, spirits, names of Gods &c., and were then considered to be a protection against evil spirits and misfortune, or a charm bringing wealth, friends and power. At this day, in Poland, the stone that belongs to one's nativity is held in high esteem as a personal possession, and an amulet made of the gems of each month is a priceless treasure. So that which is a religious rite among the Arabs becomes a superstition among the Western peoples, to whom it was doubtless brought by the Knights Templars.
But the most that remains to us of the occult philosophies of the East is the spirit of poetry that pervaded them, and which has escaped the decay of magic, as the poetic myths of the Greeks have outlived their religion. In the pages that follow I have attempted to recall something of this subtle spirit, which, like a precious stone that holds its own peculiar hue for ages, is all the more beautiful for receiving and reflecting the light of today.
New York, March, 1885.
M.A.L.
𝐈𝐝𝐲𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 by 𝖬𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝖠. 𝖫𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗒, 1885. 𝔾𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕝𝕖𝕕𝕘𝕖 & 𝕊𝕠𝕟 (NY), 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕒𝕕𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕃𝕦𝕕𝕘𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℍ𝕚𝕝𝕝 (London) Lithographed by 𝕁𝕦𝕝𝕚𝕦𝕤 𝔹𝕚𝕖𝕟 & ℂ𝕠.
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