_Stanza 1._—There are many ways of taking omens which are still
practised by the Persians. Concerning astrology and geomancy Mr. Browne
questioned a learned Persian, and received the reply that there was
positive proof of their truth. The Persian added, however, that the
study of these sciences was very difficult, and many who professed to be
acquainted with them were mere charlatans. Many dreams also, he said,
were capable of interpretation, and might furnish indications to events
which were yet to come. Mr. Browne relates that he consulted a
geomancer, who, by means of dice, gave him much information as to his
future—none of which has yet been justified by the event—but on being
asked to perform the less difficult task of answering some questions as
to his past, turned the conversation into other channels. “I discussed,”
says the traveller, “the occult sciences with several of my friends, to
discover as far as possible the prevailing opinion among them.” One of
them made use of the following argument to prove their existence: “God,”
he said, “has no _bukhl_ (avarice); it is impossible for Him to withhold
from any one a thing for which he strives with sufficient earnestness.
Just as if a man devotes all his energies to the pursuit of spiritual
knowledge he attains to it, so if he chooses to make occult sciences and
magical powers the object of his aspirations they will assuredly not be
withheld from him.”—_A Year Amongst the Persians._
An omen can be taken by opening the Koran or some other well-accredited
book (the Divan of Hafiz among the number), pricking a pin into the
page, and following whatever directions can be drawn from the verse thus
indicated. This method is frequently used before setting out upon a
journey. The stars also are consulted in order to select a favourable
day for embarking upon any enterprise, certain stars having special
influence over men—the influence of the moon, for instance, is dangerous
to life, and one of the stars in the constellation of Cassiopea is of
evil presage. Besides these omens, divinations are taken from the
movements and position of certain animals and birds, and from various
passing events. To meet a one-eyed man is of bad omen, especially if he
is blind of the left eye, or to hear an unlucky word on setting out from
your house of a morning. Lane, in one of his notes to the “Arabian
Nights,” tells of a Sultan who was setting out on a raid, when one of
his standards happening to strike against a cluster (or Pleiades, as
they are called in Arabic) of lamps, he regarded this to be of evil
import, and was about to abandon the expedition. “Oh our lord!” said one
of his officers, “our standards have reached the Pleiades.” The Sultan,
encouraged by this fortunate suggestion, continued on his way, and
returned victorious.