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DISSERTATION VIII.

ON

TALISMANS AND TALISMANIC FIGURES.

THE HE almost universal prevalence of Idolatry in the early ages of the world, was accompanied in most countries by the dedication of representative images, to the deities they worshipped. The sun, and the moon, and the stars, the first objects of idolatrous veneration, had their representative idols, supposed to be under the special influence of the planetary bodies to which they were dedicated, and possessing through that influence a prophetic and powerful character. The astronomical pursuits of the Chaldeans, and other oriental nations, aided the influence of idolatry, and soon introduced the science of Astrology in all its ramifications, and induced the construction of horoscopical and talismanical images and figures. Figures of this description are termed (magan) by the Hebrews;-by (tzelmenia), image or figure by the Chaldeans, Egyptians, and Persians;-on (talizmam) or by (tzalimam) by the Arabians;-and σToxa (stoikeia) by the Greeks.-The Hebrew term Magan, properly signifies a paper, or other material, drawn or engraved with the letters composing the sacred name Jehovah or with other characters, and improperly applied to astrological representations, because, like the letters composing the Incommunicable Name, they were supposed to serve as a buckler or defence against sickness, lightning and tempest.*

* Gaffarel. Curiositez Inouyes, ch. vi. pp. 106--111, 8vo. 1650.

TALISMANS AND TALISMANIC FIGURES.

113

A Persian writer, quoted by Dr. Hyde, defines the Telesm or Talisman to be "a piece of art compounded of the celestial powers and elementary bodies, appropriated to certain figures and positions, and purposes, and times contrary to the usual manner;" and Maimonides remarks, images or idols were called Tzelamim, not from their figure or form, but from the power or influence which was supposed to

reside in them.*

The first construction of astrological or talismanic images, most probably arose from the wish of the idolaters to represent the planets during their absence from the horizon, that they might at all times have the opportunity of worshipping either the planetary body itself, or its representative. Their astrologers therefore, who appropriated particular colours, metals, stones, trees, &c. to the respective planets, formed images of such materials as were appropriated to the planets they were designed to represent, and constructed them when the planets were in their exaltation, and in a happy conjunction with other heavenly bodies; after which, they attempted, by incantatory rites, to inspire the fabricated symbols with the power and influence of the planets themselves.†-Manilius, a Latin poet, who lived in the reign of Augustus, wrote an astrological poem, still exant, explaining and defending the science and votaries of astrology. He supposes Mercurius Trismegistus to have been the inventor of Astronomy, and that the science being afterwards cultivated by the oriental princes and priests, they introduced Astrology as the result and perfection of their studies:

* Maimon. More Nevoch. Part I. c. i, p. 2.-Hyde, Syntagma, a Greg. Sharpe, Tom. i. p. 500, Oxon. 1767, 4to.

Pocockii Specimen Hist. Arab. note, p. 140.- Hyde, De Veter. Persar. Relig. Cap. v. pp. 126-134.-Young On Idolatrous Corruptions, vol. i. p. 113.

SUCH were those wondrous men who first from far
Look'd up, and saw Fates hanging at each Star:
Their thoughts extended did at once comprise
Ten thousand revolutions of the skies;

They mark'd the influence, and observ'd the power
Of every Sign, and every fatal Hour;

What Tempers they bestow'd, what Fortunes gave,
And who was doom'd a King, who born a Slave;
How aspects vary, and their change creates,
Though little, great variety in fates.

Thus when the Stars their mighty round had run
And all were fix'd whence first their race begun,
What hints Experience did to search impart
They join'd, and Observation grew to Art;
Thus rules were fram'd, for by example shown

They knew what would be, from what had been done;
They saw the stars their constant round maintain,

Perform their course, and then return again;

They on their Aspects saw the Fates attend,

Their change or their Variety depend,

And thence they fix'd unalterable laws,

Settling the same effect on the same cause.

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The God or Reason which the Orbs doth move,
Makes things below depend on signs above;
Though far remov'd, though hid in shades of night,
And scarce to be descried by their own light;
Yet nations own, and men their influence feel;
They rule the public and the private Will.

Landseer (Sabæan Researches, pp. 54, 60) supposes that many of the ancient engraved Babylonian or Chaldean Signets, still preserved in the cabinets of the curious, were originally designed as horoscopical representations of the heavens at the time of the birth of the original possessor, though destitute of any astral or magical influence. But although Landseer and some others suppose, that the ancient Chaldeans or Babylonians attributed no special or amuletic influence to these Signets; it is certain that extraordinary

• Manilius, B. I. p. 4, and B. II. p. 52, London, 1697, 8vo.

power or influence was attributed, generally, to images or figures formed or fabricated according to astrological principles. Tradition states that Terah, the father of Abra ham, was a maker of "Talismans, or little images framed in some planetary hour;" and to which were attributed certain occult and mysterious influences, as is evidenced by the tale connected with this traditon, and frequently related by writers on Hebrew Antiquities, from the Bereshith Rabba, and other collections of Rabbinical Traditions.*

* The following is the elegant version of it given by Hurwitz, in his interesting collection of Jewish Apologues and" Hebrew Tales :”—

"TERAH, the father of Abraham, was not only an idolater, but a manufacturer of idols, which he used to expose for public sale. Being obliged one day to go out on particular business, he desired Abraham to superintend for him. Abraham obeyed reluctantly." What is the price of that god ?," asked an old man who had just entered the place of sale, pointing to an ido to which he took a fancy.-" Old man," said Abraham, "may I be permitted to ask thine age!"-"Three-score years," replied the age-stricken idolater." Three-score years!" exclaimed Abraham,-" and thou wouldest worship a thing that has been fashioned by the hands of my father's slaves within the last four-and-twenty hours!- Strange! that a man of sixty should be willing to bow down his grey head to a creature of a day!”—The man was overwhelmed with shame, and went away. After this, there came a sedate and grave matron, carrying in her hand a large dish with flour. "Here," said she, "have I brought an offering to the gods. Place it before them, Abraham, and bid them be propitious to me."-" Place it before them thyself, foolish woman !," said Abraham: "thou wilt soon see how greedily they will devour it." She did so. In the mean time, Abraham took a hammer, broke the idols in pieces; all excepting the largest, in whose hands he placed the instrument of destruction. TERAH returned, and, with the utmost surprise and consternation, beheld the havoc amongst his favourite gods. "What is all this, Abraham? What profane wretch has dared to use our gods in this manner?," exclaimed the infatuated and indignant TERAH.-"Why should I conceal any thing from my father?," replied the pious son. "During thine absence, there came a woman with yonder offering to the gods. She placed it before them. The younger gods, who, as may well be supposed, had not tasted food for a long time, greedily stretched forth their hands, and began to eat before the old god had given them permission. Enraged at their boldness, he rose, took the hammer, and punished them for their want of respect."-" Dost thou mock me? Wilt thou deceive thy aged father?," exclaimed Terah, in a vehement rage.-" Do I then not know that

The learned Gregory supposes, that Telisms or magical images owed their origin to the false views entertained by the Gentile nations respecting the Brazen Serpent erected in the Wilderness :-"The Astrologers," says he, "had perceived that this God" (i. e. the God of the Jews) "had been pleased with the Brazen Serpent, which Moses the Talisman (so they would account him) set up upon a pole in the wilderness, (Numbers xxi. 8.,) and I need not stick to affirm, that the Brazen Serpent against the Fiery Serpents was the first occasion (I say not given, but) taken of all these Talismanical practices."*—But whether this erudite writer be correct or not in his conjectures, as to the origin of Telesms or Talismans, it is certain such images, constructed under certain positions of the heavens, were very generally used amongst the ancient nations, as the means of protection and safety, both to cities and persons. The Rabbis affirm that the Blind and the Lame mentioned 2 Sam. v. 6-8, were images written upon with the oath which Abraham and Isaac made to Abimelech, and that they were called "Blind" and "Lame," because "they had eyes and saw not, they had feet and walked not.”+ They were, therefore, most probably "Stoichioda or Constillated Images of Brass, set up in the recess of the fort, called in scorn, (as they were hated by David's soul,) the Blind and the Lame; yet so surely entrusted with the keeping of the place, that if they did not hold it out, the Jebusites said they should not come into the house, that is, they would

they can neither eat, nor stir, nor move?"-" And yet," rejoined Abraham, "thou payest them divine honours-adorest them-and wouldest have me worship them!" It was in vain Abraham thus reasoned with his idolatrous parent. Superstition is ever both deaf and blind. His unnatural father delivered him over to the cruel tribunal of the equally idolatrous NIMROD. But a more merciful Father-the gracious and blessed Father of us allprotected him against the threatened danger; and Abraham became the father of the faithful." (Hurwitz's Hebrew Tales, p. 139: London, 1826, 8vo.) Gregory's (John) Works, c. viii. p. 41, London, 1671, 4to.

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Ibid, c. vii. p. 34.

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