the metals, and, it is important to note, the order of the densities
of these metals, which might possibly have been known to them, is by
no means the same as the order of their atomic weights. Whether the
fact indicates a real relationship between the planets and the metals,
or whether there is some other explanation, I am not prepared to say.
Certainly some explanation is needed: to say that the fact is
mere coincidence is unsatisfactory, seeing that the odds against,
not merely this, but any such regularity occurring by chance--as
calculated by the mathematical theory of probability--are 119 to 1.


All the instruments employed in the art had to be specially prepared
and consecrated. Special robes had to be worn, perfumes and
incense burnt, and invocations, conjurations, _etc_., recited,
all of which depended on the planet ruling the operation.
A description of a few typical talismans in detail will not here
be out of place.

In _The Key of Solomon the King_ (translated by S. L. M. MATHERS,
1889)[1] are described five, six, or seven talismans for each planet.
Each of these was supposed to have its own peculiar virtues, and many
of them are stated to be of use in the evocation of spirits. The
majority of them consist of a central design encircled by a verse of
Hebrew Scripture. The central designs are of a varied character,
generally geometrical figures and Hebrew letters or words, or magical
characters. Five of these talismans are here portrayed, the first
three described differing from the above. The translations of the
Hebrew verses, _etc_., given below are due to Mr MATHERS.