Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-01-24
HOODOOS TO-DAY AS IN OLDEN TINRS
Dr. astrow. Of Philadelphia Tells Of Ancient Superstions
Many Of Which Survive

using such a cup was to place v,t.-
in the cup, and upon the water a smsn
quantity of oil was poured.
IF the bubble which formed mov.a
toward the east, and the bubble sure,s
the patient would die. If on the Other
hand, the oil went to the right Of tbe
cup he would recover. The oil assum-
Ing red color was OWNED to be an
indication of rain.
III water were poured over the oil
and the bubble sank and rose again
an escape from trouble was predicted
IF the oil moved to the right. the
army would win.
IF the oil should form three buh-
bles the army would be defeated: II
four, general misfortune would ensue.
II two bubbles appeared, one large ana
the other small, suffering was predict
ed for the sick and misfortune for
the army.
IF two bubbles approached, happy
marriage was predicted; IL one burst
1t denoted the early death Of one Of
the couple"
What the Heavens ForetoId.
From the omens DR.. Jastrow gave
brief resume of the portents, the most
important feature of which was the
observation of the sun, moon, pIanets
and stars.
This practice Of what we now
he
connection with the theory fundament-
al to the entire Assyrian and Babylon
ian religions, that whatever happened
or was going to happen on earth was
paralleled in the heavens. Movements
in the heavens were thought to repre-
sent form of activity foretelling what
would happen on earth, and like the
other forms of divination, there were
certain prescribed rules which were
followed by the priests.
IF the sun and moon appeared to
be in conjunction, out of the usual
time. the sign was interpreted to mean
that an enemy would overcome the
land; IL this condition should occur in
the heavens on the twelfth day Of the
month, the dynasty would come to an
end.
"Eclipses of the sun and moon were
regarded as unfavorable, but the omen
of Ill fortune varied, according to the
month and day of the month.
IF an eclipse occurred during the
first month, 1t denoted a failure Of
crops; if during the third month, re-
bellion in the land; If during the fifth
month, great floods.
Venus. Mars and the remaining
planets, in their relation to the other
heavenly bodies, also had great sig
nificance to the ancients."
Interpretation of Dreams.
The Interpretation of dreams was
another subject that DIR. Jastrow spoke
of Interestingly. The manner of such
Interestingly. The manner, Of such in
depreciation, indeed, remains today as
almost an exact duplicate of the Gus
tom then in vogue. A dream about
certain object meant that given thing
would transpire, either Of good or III.
'1f one dreamed of dates" said the
doctor, the Interpretation was that
distress would follow, particularly II
they were carried on the head.
IF one dreamed that he was sup
porting a mountain on his head, the
significance was that he had no rival.
IF the dream were Of salt, ones or
ders would not be carried out
ITO dream of grain running through
the streets meant that one would gain
control of his adversary.
"A dream about green herbs was
significant of impending danger to the
dreamer"