Madame Blavatsky relates stories of the Shamans of Tartary who carried carnelians under their left arms, and by employing these stones in certain ways they were enabled to separate the astral from the physical body. The carnelian was used by them in certain magical work and was reputed to be a stone of wonderful power. It is significant that these Shamans carried the carnelians on their left sides, near the great Sun of the human body—the heart. Madame Blavatsky herself possessed a carnelian to which special virtue was attached. She was born when the Sun was in the sign of the Lion, and the carnelian was therefore one of her chief talismanic gems. The carnelian was called the Stone of the Martyrs. It is said to bestow the power to see into the astral plane if, when placed before a light for about four minutes, it is steadily gazed upon. Considering the powerful effect the Sun has on the carnelian, it were best that, if phenomena of this order are to be obtained through the agency of such an instrument, the stone be first exposed to the rays of the Sun. It is inadvisable, however, to look directly at the sun with the naked eye. The carnelian is said to bring content to the wearer, and Albertus Magnus said that it made the soul happy, drove away the evil effects of sorcery, witchcraft, enchantment and fear. It was the stone of the victor and of victory, and was used as a charm against bad temper—for bad temper according to the masters is a form of black magic. Black magic was evilly directed in the light of a waning moon, and it was detected by the varying sheen of the protective carnelian or sard. Also in dreams the stone was a symbol that evil thoughts were being directed against the dreamer. It represented the magical force of Faith and the weakening folly of scepticism in the Rosicrucian mysteries. Medicinally the stone was used to stop bleedings, and in the Middle Ages it was administered in powdered form. At this period it was stated that the yellow variety was the gem for Dies Solis or Sunday. Both the carnelian and sard are attached to the zodiacal Leo, the Mansion of the Sun, and the connection apart from tradition is proven scientifically by the effect of the solar rays on the stone itself. It is said to promote coolness in argument and dignity in dispute, and the Muhammedan tradition tells that Muhammad held that to procure contentment and blessings, it was necessary with right mind to Allah, to wear a carnelian. CATSEYE “_The Catseye is one of the jewels of which the Singhalese are especially proud._” TENNENT’S “CEYLON.”