Felix Fontaine presents a comprehensive manual on traditional fortune-telling and dream interpretation, drawing from historical astrology and spiritual philosophy. The work systematically covers various divination arts, including the mysterious Golden Wheel, cartomancy, dominoes, palmistry, phrenology, and physiognomy. The author details the physiological and psychological signifiers of dreams, categorizing them into distinct types from divine oracles to ordinary reveries, and provides an extensive alphabetical dictionary of dream symbols paired with corresponding lottery numbers.
Beyond dream analysis, the text outlines practical methods for predicting future events through physical traits such as facial features, moles, fingernails, and the lines of the hand. It explores magical charms, love potions, and omens derived from animals, plants, and natural phenomena. The manual also includes instructions for using the divining rod to locate underground water and metals, alongside lucky and unlucky days recognized by ancient astrologers.
The volume functions as an encyclopedia of popular nineteenth-century folk magic and predictive arts. It details step-by-step procedures for consulting omens related to courtship, marriage, wealth, and health. While acknowledging skepticism, the author defends the validity of dream interpretation and divination through centuries of documented observation. The text concludes with exhaustive reference tables designed to help the reader calculate fortunate numbers using dice and cards.
The manual emphasizes practical application, providing readers with explicit rules for conducting their own divinations. It explores the mechanics behind various spells and prognostications without relying on abstract theory. The instructions are direct and detailed, offering a complete window into the popular esoteric practices of the Victorian era.
