September Esoterica from the Archives: Pustahas, Chinese Military Astrology, and The Golden Wheel of Fortune
Pustahas, Magic Books of the Toba Batak Tribe
I love these Pustah books, and their unique binding. They're magic books, made from a long, thin strip of tree bark that's folded like an accordion to create pages. They were used by Datus (spiritual leaders/sorcerers), and their disciples, from the Toba Batak Tribe of North Sumatra. Each book imparted specialized knowledge, such as ways to protect against evil, magic spells, divination, and identifying the most successful days for religious ceremonies and travel.
Chinese Military Astrology Book: Classified Divinations on Military Affairs
Astrology is the basis for divination and magic practices across many cultures, and in the past it was used more for predicting less-personal events than modern astrology is known for. Chinese astrology, which differs from western astrology by being based on philosophical principles like yin/yang, was banned in pre-common era China for private individuals, under the threat of severe punishment. Only the Imperial court were allow to practice, and used it for predicting major events.
In the Ming Dynasty, when this 1597 CE book was written, private practice of astrology was banned as well. This classified book was written specifically for giving advice to commanders for making Military decisions, based on the position of the stars. It spans 6 volumes with 200,000 characters, and is separated into the following categories: wind, clouds, fog, rainbows, rain, thunder, frost, moon, sun, constellations, stars, five planets, time of the day, astrological talismans for casting spells, and magic arts in Taoist witchcraft.
The Golden Wheel of Fortune
The Golden Wheel of Fortune is a divination tool found in the book "A handbook of cartomancy, Fortune-telling and occult divination" by Arthur Edward Waite, published under the questionable pseudonym "Grand Orient". Waite claims that the wheel is translated from latin and has been used since the Middle Ages, including by famous 18th Century Occultist Count Cagliostro.
To tell your fortune, you place a paper copy of it face down & prick the back with a needle. Flip the paper over to see the number you hit, and then find the corresponding message in the book. The messages are related to the typical concerns of divination: money, sex, relationships, and health.
I've included a link below to a printable copy of the wheel and it's corresponding fortunes, if you want to play at home. Some of the fortunes are pretty grim (like "26. You have many enemies, who will endeavour to make you unhappy"), so if you're superstitious or nervous, DO NOT play. Have fun and good, luck!