The Book of Secrets

to the head of a woman: and if she is chaste, she will embrace her husband; but if not, she will immediately fall from the bed. Furthermore, if this stone is placed upon coals in the four corners of a house—I mean ground up and scattered over the coals—those sleeping there will flee the building and leave everything behind; and then thieves can take whatever they wish.

¶ If you wish to become invisible: take the stone which is called Obtalminus original: "Obtalminus," likely a corruption of "Ophthalmus" or Opal. Medieval lore suggested the opal could wrap the wearer in a cloud, blinding others. and wrap it in a laurel leaf. It is called the Ophthalmic stone, and its color is not specifically named, for it is of many colors. And it is of such power that it blinds or clouds the vision of those standing around. For this reason, it is called the "patron of thieves." Constantine, moreover, used to be rendered invisible by it while holding it in his closed fist.

¶ If you wish to incite sadness, fears, terrible fantasies, and even quarrels: take the stone which is called Onyx, which is of a black color. The best kind of it is found filled with white veins, and it comes from India into Arabia. And if it is hung from the neck or worn on the finger, it immediately excites sadness in a person, as well as terrors; and even in sleep, it excites terrible fantasies and even quarrels. And this has been proven among modern men.

¶ If you wish to burn someone's hand without fire, and also to drive away gout arteticam: a medieval term for joint pain or gout: take the stone which is called Seripendanus original: "Seripendanus," possibly a variant of "Seryphos" or a similar mineral mentioned in older herbals, which is of a yellow color. If it is hung from someone's neck, it cures gout. And likewise, if this stone is squeezed more firmly, it immediately burns the hand; and therefore it ought to be handled lightly and gently.

¶ If you wish to kindle the mind of someone toward joys: