Concerning the Pillars of Seth (see fig. 237), Josephus asserts that No. I was existent in his time. It is a Caba

listic tradition that No. 2 was destroyed in the Deluge. Notice also their resemblance to the Phallus or Phallos, Lingam or Lingham. Lithoi Ll-th-oi.

=

Figs. 239, 240, represent, under different aspects, the armed Abraxas, the chief deity of the Gnostics.

In fig. 239

(All the above are different versions of the Phallus, with its meanings.)

he is displayed with characteristics of Apollo, or the Sun rising in the East, in the quadriga, or four-horsed chariot.

THE GNOSTIC ABRAXAS.

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Fig. 240: "Abraxas brandishing his whip, as if chasing away the evil genii. On his shield, the titles IY. IAQ. Neat work. Green jasper" (The Gnostics, p. 201).

The "Uraon," or winged solar disc, or egg, from which issue, on reversed sides, the two emblematical asps, has

C A B A W

Fig. 239.

TAW

Fig. 240.

certain characteristics which ally it with the "Scarabæus." Both Uræon and Scarabæus are symbols continual on the fronts of the Egyptian temples, and they are principally placed over the portals: they are talismans or charms.

Fig. 248: "Osiris," or the "Old Man;' a terminal figure. At the foot, the celestial globe and masonic pentagon, or "Solomon's Seal." The field is occupied by symbols and letters, seemingly Hebrew. The whole design is medi

æval, hardly a production of even the lowest times of the Empire. This is one of the pieces most evidently bespeaking a "Rosicrucian" origin. Deeply cut in a coarse-grained green jasper (Gnostics, p. 213).

Fig. 243.

Egyptian Apis, or Golden Calf.

Fig. 249: Anubis walking; in each hand, a long Egyptian sceptre terminating in a ball; in the field, the sun and moon (adjuncts marking the astrological character of this talisman, which therefore must be ascribed to the class of

Cancer grasping with One Claw at the Lunar Crescent: Gnostic Gem.

Fig. 245. Uræon.

Fig. 246. Uræon.

Fig. 247.

Uræus.

Rev.

Abraxoids). The whole enclosed in a sunken circle. MIXAHA, between four stars. The Cabalists make Michael the Angel of the Sun. Plasma of bad quality (The Gnostics, p. 200.)

Fig. 250: This object is the "Chnuphis Serpent," to

GNOSTIC MYSTERIES.

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which frequent reference has been made in our book. The "Serpent," is raising itself in act to give the mythic dart. On its head is the crown of seven points or vowels. The second amulet presents the name of the Gnostic "Un

This

known Angel," with the four stars in the angles. is Michael, or the "Saviour," the "Chief of the Eons," seventy-two in number, and composed of six times twelve ; there being three "double decades," for the night and for

the day, in each lunar period or sign of the zodiac; each of which consists of thirty degrees. In another aspect, this symbol stands for the Gnostic Chief Deity Abraxas, the letters of whose name make up the number of days of the solar circle.

S

The following group of figures gives some of the significant hieroglyphs from the Egyptian sculptures. (a) Plume, "Spiritual Power." (b) Jackal, "Priesthood." (c) Tau, Fleur-de-Lis, Crux-Ansata. (d) Placenta, "Religious Solemnities." (e) Horns, "Power." (f) Anser, "Prudence." (g) "Nonage." (h) Asp, "Sovereignty." (i) Hawk, “Sagacity." The Lotus-headed Sceptre means "Religious Authority." A Snake-headed Rod or Staff signifies “Military Dominion." A Snaky Rod or Sceptre is the "Lituus," or 'Augur's Divining-rod," when it is curved at the lower as well as the upper end. It is said that this was the sceptre of Romulus.

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We give in another place the Procession of the "Logos," or "Word," according to the Gnostics.

Fig. 252 "The Good Shepherd bearing upon his shoulders the Lost Lamb, as he seems to the uninitiated eye : but on close inspection he becomes the double-headed Anubis ; having one head human, the other a jackal's, whilst his girdle assumes the form of a serpent, rearing aloft its crested head. In his hand is a long hooked staff. It was perhaps the signet of some chief teacher or apostle among the Gnostics, and its impression one of the tokens serving for mutual recognition mentioned by Epiphanius. Neatly engraved in a beautiful red sard, fashioned to an octagon form