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Subject: UPON THE ROSICRUCIAN RITUAL OF THE RELATION BETWEEN CHESS AND TAROT

                                          By

                                 G.H. FRATER S.R.M.D.


     The modern game of Chess is derived from the scheme which follows; whence its
     name chess, from chequers. And like Tarot, originally the chess pieces were
     anciently small figures of the Egyptian Gods presenting the operation of the
     Divine Forces in Nature.

     The chess pieces correspond to the Tarot Aces and Honours, thus, for the
     Chessmen, Tarot card, and Element:

     King - Ace - Spirit

     Queen - Queen - Water

     Knight - King - Fire

     Bishop - Knight - Air

     Rook or Castle - Knave - Earth.

     Pawns, the potencies of the Ace combined with each of the other forces, the
     servant or viceroy of that force.

     The pawns can only move one square at a time, and not two at the first move
     as in modern chess. The moves of the other pieces excepting the Queen are the
     same as those of modern chess. The move of the Queen in this scheme is unlike
     that of any piece in modern chess, for she controls only the 3rd square, from
     herself, in any direction - perpendicularly, horizontally, or diagonally, and
     can leap over any intervening piece. From which it results that she can check
     or control only 16 out of the 64 squares, including the one on which she
     stands, and these squares to which she can move are all of her own colour.
     Each elemental set of pieces then consists of: King, Queen, Knight, Bishop,
     Rook, and four pawns.


                                    OFFICIAL RITUAL

     The Correct Application of the Action of the Moveable Images Representing the
     Motion of The Ruling Angels Over the Servient Squares is Called The Plays or
     Raying of the Chequers of The Tablets.

     Of the Chess King and the Tarot Ace. The move of this piece is one square
     every way, and answereth to the action of the Spirit wherever it goeth,
     commencing and initiating a fresh current. Whence represented by the motion
     of only one square in any direction and there staying for this purpose before
     moving onward. So that his action is not hurried, but represents a balanced
     movement. Yet in his beginning of action is he at first a mute force, and
     throned upon the water; as in the end of his action he is a life manifested
     and throned upon the earth. And herein is a mystery of the Lord Aeshoori when
     enthroned between Isis and Nephthys, thus representing the beginning and end
     of the action of him in whom end and beginning are not, but rather
     concealment and then manifestation. Herein is a great mystery of life, for
     His Thrones are not in the two active elements, seeing that these are his
     horse and chariot of transition in the passage from concealment unto
     manifestation. This piece, then, is the symbolizer of the action of the
     potencies of the crosses on the Servient Squares.

     Of the Chess Knight, the Tarot King. The move of this piece is three squares
     cornerwise every way and representeth the leaping motion of the flickering
     flame. Wherefore also is he not stopped in his course by a piece or an
     intervening square, even as Fire seizing on a matter speedily rendereth it
     transparent. This piece representeth the action of Fire as the Revealer of
     the strength of the Spirit, even as Hoor is the avenger of Aeshoori. It is a
     force potent and terrible, the King in the elemental operations.

     Thus is opened the locked doors of matter and sheweth forth the treasure
     hidden therein. Therefore hath all life its beginnings in a Fire Celestial.
     And the number of squares covered by the move of the King in the midst of the
     Board (reckoning from the Square on which he standeth, but not including it)
     is 16 squares of which 8 are checked, and 8 are passed over.

     Of the Chess Queen, the Tarot Queen. The move of this piece is unto every
     third square from her (reckoning the square whereon she standeth as the
     first) as well cornerwise, as well perpendicular, as horizontal. Thus again
     covering 16 squares out of a square of 25 squares, of which 8 are threatened,
     and 8 are passed over. But she threateneth not a piece upon the intervening
     square of her move. And her movement is as that of the waves of the sea, and
     (like the Knight) she is not hindered in her motion by a piece on an
     intervening square. This piece representeth the undulating action of water
     and of the sea, and she is ascribed unto the Great Goddess Isis, who is the
     Cherisher of Life.

     The Chess Bishop or Fool, the Tarot Knight. The move of this piece is any
     number of squares cornerwise in any direction even unto the limits of the
     Tablet. He representeth the keen and swift wind, and he is ascribed unto
     Aroueris the God. He is stopped by any piece in his way, even as the wind is
     stopped by a material barrier. He representeth the swift vehicle of the
     Spirit.

     The Chess Castle or Rook, the Tarot Knave. The move of this piece
     representeth the ponderous and formidable force of earth and its motion is
     any number of squares in a square direction, perpendicular or horizontal (but
     not cornerwise) even unto the limits of the boards.

     It is ascribed unto Nephthys the Goddess. It representeth the completed
     action of the Spirit in matter, therefore is its movement square, and also
     stopped by intervening pieces, yet powerful from the length and breadth of
     its range.

     The Pawns. The four pawns represent certain forces formed by the conjunction
     of the Spirit with each of the four elements severally, and they are
     severally ascribed unto Ameshet, Ahephi, Tmoumathph, and Kabexnuv, who stand
     before the face of Aeshoori. And their movement is but one square forward,
     perpendicular, and they threaten one square forward diagonal on each side,
     thus formulatmg the symbol of the Triangle, for they each represent a mixture
     of three elements under the presidency of the Spirit. Therefore, each is as
     it were the servant of the God or Goddess, before whom he standeth yet they
     be all in a manner alike in action, although their Lords be different and
     each is the servant of the God or Goddess whose element is expressed in his
     symbol, without its contrary.

     For in each set of 3 elements, taken together, two are contrary. Wherefore
     Ameshet (Water, Fire, Earth) is the servant of Nephthys, whose element Earth
     is expressed in his attribution without the contrary of Air.

     Ahepi (Air, Fire, Water) equals Aroueris.

     Tmoumathph (Water, Air, Earth) equals Isis.

     Kabexnuv (Fire, Air, Water) equals Hoor.

     Below is a further description of the Chess pieces. The pertinent element
     will be described in bold type, followed by the chess name, title and
     description.

     Air

     King, Socharis, Hawk with Osiris head dress.

     Knight, Seb, Human head; Goose.

     Bishop, Shu, Human head with feather.

     Queen, Knousou, Goddess, human with vase.

     Castle, Tharpesht, Lioness head with disc.

     Water

     King, Osiris, God with double crown - three weapons over chest.

     Knight, Sebek, Crocodile headed.

     Bishop, Hapimon, Fat God with water plants.

     Queen, Thouerist, Hippopotamus' body crocodile head.

     Castle, Shu, Cow head, disc horns.

     Fire

     King, Kneph, Ram-headed God, crowned.

     Knight, Ra, Hawk disc.

     Bishop, Toum, Human head, double crown.

     Queen, Sati-Ashtoreth, Goddess.

     Castle, Anouke, Goddess with crown.

     Earth

     King, Aeshoori, Mummied God, crook, scourge, Phoenix wand, whinged mitre.

     Knight, Hoori, Hawk's head. Double mitre.

     Bishop, Aroueris, Human, double mitre.

     Queen, Isis, Throne head dress.

     Castle, Nephthys, Altar head dress.

     What follows is a description of the pawns.

     Knight's Pawn

     Kabexnuv, Mummy, hawk's head.

     Bishop's Pawn

     Ahephi, Mummy, ape's head.

     Queen's Pawn

     Tmoumathph, Mummy, dog's head.

     Castle's Pawn

     Ameshet, Mummy, human head.

     What follows is a description of the chessmen with their Tarot, Element and
     Hebrew letter attribution.

     King

     Ace, Spirit, Shin.

     Queen

     Queen, Water, Heh.

     Knight

     King, Fire, Yod.

     Bishop

     Knight, Air, Vau.

     Rook

     Knave, Earth, Heh (f).

     Differences from normal chess moves:

     The pawns move one square only. No taking en passant.

     No castling.

     The Queen controls 3rd square in any straight line, counting square on which
     she stands as 1, and may jump over pieces.


                                AWAKENING OF THE ABODES

     Four Players, two against two.

     Partners. Fire, Air - Water, Earth.

     The First player is the Querent. The first player chooses angle and sets the
     pieces in order of the Kerubic line, other players follow the first player's
     setting.

     The corner square always has King in addition to other pieces. Both Kings
     must be checkmated. A pawn on the 8th square becomes the piece of which it
     isthe vice-regent.

                                           
                                         PTAH

     The Ptah used for divination - set by first player on any square in his own
     Lesser Angle the King to reach and remain on the square of Ptah for one round
     of game undisturbed and unchecked.

     The pieces should (if four players) be coloured Red, Black, Blue and Yellow.


                                      THE BOARDS

     The Four Boards of the Rosicrucian game, although different, nevertheless
     agree in certain particulars. In each board it is convenient to speak of the
     arrangement of the Lesser Angles asan Upper and Lower Rank - Air and Water
     forming the Upper Rank, and Earth and Fire the Lower.

     It is evident that the columns of the one rank are continuous with those of
     the other; and in this continuity a certain regular rule is observable. Every
     column of eight squares in the Upper Rank is continued below by a column of
     the opposite Element.

     Thus the Fiery columns invariably stand on the Watery columns below; the
     Watery on the Fiery; the Airy on the Earthy; and the Earthy on the Airy.

     A different arrangement of the Ranks of Squares is observable, and a
     difference is seen in this in the Upper and Lower Tablets.

     In the Upper Tablets the Kerubic Rank of squares is continuous with the
     Elemental Rank; and the Cardinal is continuous with the common sign Rank,
     whereas in the Lower Tablets the various Ranks - Kerubic, Cardinal, etc., are
     continuous right across the boards.

     The diagonal lines or Bishop's move present pecularities. Every Lesser Angle
     throughout the Tablets has a diagonal line of four squares starting from its
     prime square; which are allotted respectively to Aries, Gemini, Scorpio and
     Earth (the non Osiris Squares). From these four squares the Bishops can move
     one square into a square of Libra, Sagittarius, Taurus or Water, these
     completing the series of squares in that Lesser Angle in which a Bishop can
     move. Let us call this the Aries System of diagonal squares.

     This diagonal is crossed by another which in the Airy and Watery boards is
     composed of Cancer, Leo, Virgo and Air Squares, having as subsidiaries,
     squares of Aquarius, Pisces, Capricorn and Fire. In the Earthy and Fiery
     board the second series of four form the diagonal, and the first the
     subsidiaries. Let us call this the Cancer series.

     If we now examine the Boards we shall see that the Aries system of any Lesser
     Angle is joined diagonally to the Aries system of the other three Lesser
     Angles; and that the Cancer also is similarly joined to every other Cancer
     system. So that we have two systems of squares; the Aries and the Cancer; of
     the whole, each containing four squares allotted to every sign it contains.
     This resembles the black and white systems of squares of the ordinary board;
     and it is as if we allotted the White to Aries, and the Black to Cancer.


                                    [Image138.gif]


                                    PLACING THE MEN

     The yellow and red men are so placed that they advance to the attack of the
     black and the blue respectively by the columns; while the latter advance by
     the ranks. That is, the actives are shown as a vertical force, while the
     passives are shown as operating horizontally. Shewing the Cross of life,
     corresponding to the forces of the Court Cards and the Zodiacal Trumps.

     The central squares of the board contain the 16 signs that are allotted to
     each Lesser Angle. And it is only from these 16 squares that the pieces -
     except the Rook and the King develop their full influence or defensive force.

     The Watery and Airy Boards are counterparts of each other, so far as the
     arrangement of the signs, etc., of the squares are concerned. And the same is
     true as regards the Earth and Water Boards. Every Board has its uppermost and
     lowermost ranks of the passive or female element; and its two central ranks
     are of the active or male element.

     The most striking difference between the Air and Water, and the Earth and
     Fire boards is in the fact that in the former the ranks are broken; whereas
     in the latter they are not only continuous across each board, but they are
     continuous right across both boards when in situ. To this is due the greater
     balance and eveness seen in the play of the pieces in the lower boards.

     The Aries and Cancer systems are composed respectively of naturally allied
     pairs of Signs.

     The Aries System consists of Aries, Gemini, Scorpio and Earth, the non-Osiris
     Squares and Taurus and Water, Libra and Sagittarius, two natural pairs.

     The Cancer system consists of Cancer, Leo; Virgo, Air; Capricorn, Fire;
     Pisces and Aquarius, for natural pairs.

                                    [Image139.gif]


     EARTH of FIRE setting. EARTH Prime Player.

                                    [Image140.gif]



     Showing the Queens of Prime Player and his Ally governing all the Squares of
     the Aries System.

     Blue - Watery Queen's move.

     Brown - Earthy Queen's move.


                                       THE QUEEN

     The four Queens, the Watery portion of their respective Elements govern
     between them every Square of every board. But a Queen can never check another
     Queen for the following reasons.

     Each of these pieces govern 16 Squares on the board, four in each Lesser
     Angle; and they are so placed as to divide the 64 squares equally between
     them.

     It follows, therefore, that there is only one of them that can check the Ptah
     square.

     The 16 squares governed by any Queen are allotted to eight Signs, two Squares
     of each Sign to every Queen. And the remaining two squares of the same 8
     Signs are governed by the friendly Queen.

     And the other pair of Queens govern the 32 other Squares similarly. The Queen
     of the Prime Player always governs the Water, Earth, Taurus, and Scorpio
     squares of its own lesser Angle, and also of the Lesser Angle of the same
     rank.

     In each of the other two Lesser Angles the Queen of the Prime Player governs
     the Sagittarius, Gemini, Libra, and Aries squares.

     The allied Queen governs the same squares in the opposite ranks of the Lesser
     Angles. Thus the Prime Player's Queen and his ally together govern the Aries
     system of squares.

     And this is equally true of every Board.


                                    [Image141.gif]


     Showing the variation against an active Prime Player.

     Blue - Watery Queen's move.

     Brown - Earthy Queen's move.

     Green - Airy Queen's move.

     Red - Fiery Queen's move.

     Showing the opposing Queens governing all the Squares of the Cancer System,
     against a passive prime player.

     Fire - Prime Player.

     The opposing Queens govern the squares of the Cancer System in a similar
     manner. But there is a slight variation dependent on the position of the
     Prime Player. They together govern the Cancer system.

     If Water or Earth be the Prime Player, the opposing Queens govern the Air,
     Fire, Leo and Aquarius squares in their own lesser Angles and in the others
     of the same rank; while in the other rank they govern Virgo, Pisces, Cancer
     and Capricorn squares.

     If Air or Fire be the Prime Player these two sets of squares are reversed.

     The Queen of the Prime Player, and, therefore, of the attacked Lesser Angle,
     invariably governs therein the passive Kerubic and Elemental squares.

     The attacking Queens govern and have for their bases, when active Elements
     attack - the active Kerubic and Elemental squares.

     When passive elements attack, the passive Cardinal and Common Sign squares.

     The allied Queen, supporting the defence, has for base the squares
     corresponding to those of the Prime Player, the passive Kerubic and Elemental
     squares.


                                    [Image142.gif]


     It also falls out that no Passive Queen can, under any circumstances of Board
     or setting, check an active Kerubic, Cardinal; Common or Elemental square in
     her own rank of Lesser Angles, nor a similar passive square in the other
     rank.

     It is to be seen that there are certain Signs whereon the Queens are strong
     and others whereon they are weak.

     In defence the Queens, or Watery Forces of each Element, are strong in the
     Water, Earth, Scorpio and Taurus squares of their respective domains. But in
     attacking the vulnerable points of the hostile domain depends on which
     Elements are in operation.

     If Water be the Prime Player, and hence the point of attack, the Watery Queen
     can deliver a strong counter attack on Water, Earth, Scorpio and Taurus of
     yellow (being in the same rank), and on Aries, Gemini, Sagittarius and Libra
     of red. While the friendly Water of Earth delivers attack on Aries, Gemini,
     Sagittarius, and Libra of yellow and Water, Earth, Scorpio, and Taurus of
     Red.

     The Aries System then offers the strong points for the Airy portion of an
     Elemental Force in defence; and the Cancer System in offence.

     The Watery Forces of the Elements never oppose one another, nor clash in
     their action. Each undulates onwards unaffected by and unaffecting the
     undulations of the others. Each Queen will swamp opposing force only when
     that force encroaches on the domain of the particular Queen.

     Every Queen has to fear the attack of the opposing Airy forces. But as the
     latter develop force as the matter proceeds towards ultimation, the Queen
     when protected is not likely to be destroyed by an opposing and threatening
     Bishop. The same is true as regards the hostile Knight's attack.

     This rule of play is generally sound except in the case of a Queen that can
     check the Ptah Square; which ability greatly enhances her value.


                                      THE BISHOP

     The Bishops of Partners always govern the same set of squares; and the
     Bishops of the opposing sides govern opposite sets of squares. These sets are
     the same as those before mentioned as the Aries and Cancer Systems.

     The Bishops of the Prime Player and his ally always govern the Cancer system;
     and those of the opponent always act in the Aries System.

     Hence if the Ptah square be of the Aries system, the airy parts of the
     opposing forces have great power; but if it be of the Cancer System the
     opposing aerial forces are impotent in direct attack, and can only be
     operative secondarily. It follows, too, that the Bishops and Queens are great
     opponents, since the Bishops operate over the same system as their opposing
     Queens. The Queens can only touch 16 squares, while the Bishop can touch 32,
     giving the latter a great superiority in this respect. But the Queen must be
     considered the equal of the Bishop from the power she possesses to hop over
     an intervening piece, which would arrest the approach of the Bishop.

     And further, the Watery piece is not hampered by the pawns in opening,
     whereas the Bishop as a rule cannot act at all until at least one pawn has
     been moved.
     

                                      THE KNIGHT

     The Knights can all reach every square on the Boards, and, therefore, operate
     over both the Aries and Cancer Systems.

     The Knight moves from one of these Systems into the other every time he is
     played. If he starts on a square of the Aries, his first, third and fifth,
     etc., moves will bring him on to squares of the Cancer System. And in his
     first, third or fifth moves he can get to any Cancer system square on the
     board.

     His second, fourth and sixth moves will equally bring him to any Aries System
     square. There appears to be only one square on the board that requires six
     moves to reach That is, if the Knight be in one of the corner squares he
     cannot cross the board diagonally into the opposite corner square in less
     than six moves.

     This results in some peculiarities as shown in the diagrams on the following
     pages:


                                    [Image143.gif]


                                    [Image144.gif]

                                    [Image145.gif]


                                AIRY AND WATERY BOARDS

     The various Signs can be moved as follows:

     In the Aries System

   In the Cancer System


     Knight Can Move

   Knight Can Move


     On to Sagittarius 24 times

   On to Pisces 23 times


     On to Aries 23 times

   On to Cancer 22 times


     On to Libra 23 times

   On to Capricorn 22 times


     On to Gemini 22 times

   On to Leo 21 times


     On to Water 20 times

   On to Virgo 21 times


     On to Scorpio 19 times

   On to Air 21 times


     On to Earth 19 times

   On to Water 20 times


     On to Taurus 18 times

   On to Aquarius 18 times





                                EARTHY AND FIERY BOARDS

     The various Signs can be moved as follows:

     In the Aries System

   In the Cancer System


     Knight can Move

   Knight can Move


     On to Sagittarius 23 times

   On to Virgo 23 times


     On to Libra 23 times

   On to Cancer 22 times


     On to Aries 22 times

   On to Capricorn 22 times


     On to Gemini 22 times

   On to Pisces 22 times


     On to Scorpio 20 times

   On to Leo 20 times


     On to Earth 20 times

   On to Aquarius 20 times


     On to Water 19 times

   On to Fire 20 times


     On to Taurus 19 times

   On to Air 19 times



     The Knight when placed in the corner square can only move to 2 others.

     The Knight when placed in two adjacent squares can only move to 3 others.

     The Knight when placed in any other outside square can only move to 4 others.

     The Knight when placed in the corner square of the second row can only move
     to 4 others.

     The Knight when placed in any other second row square can only move to six
     others.

     But in the central 16 its full power is developed and it can move to eight
     others. This gives the possible moves of a Knight as 336.

     There is a curious difference between the details of these 336 moves in the
     upper and lower Ranks of Tablets.

     The Air Board will be identical with the Watery.

     The Earthy Board will be identical with the Fiery.

     It will be seen by the annexed table that the squares of certain signs are
     more often attacked by the Knight than others; for instance in the first
     column it is shown that the four Sagittarius squares in the Air and Watery
     Boards are attackable from no less that 24 squares: while the four Taurus
     squares are only attackable from 18 squares.

     When playing from the 16 central squares, each Knight governs 8 squares.
     These 8 squares, however, are not promiscuously arranged, but follow one rule
     in the Air and Watery boards, and another in the Earth and Fire.

     In the former the 8 squares are allotted always to 6 signs, 2 of which are
     moved to twice.

     Thus from the Earth square of the Water Tablet, the Knight moves to the
     following Squares: Virgo, Leo, Capricorn 2, Cancer 2, Pisces, Aquarius,
     duplicating Capricorn and Cancer, and missing Fire and Air of the Cancer
     System.

     Or again from the Aries square, the Knight moves to Pisces, Aquarius, Air 2,
     Capricorn 2, Virgo and Leo, duplicating Air and Capricorn, and missing Fire
     and Cancer.

     But in the Earth and Fire Boards it is different. There the Knight only moves
     to squares of 5 signs of its system, triplicating 1, duplicating 1, and
     missing three.

     Thus from the Earth square the Knight moves to: Pisces 2, Capricorn, Cancer
     3, Leo, and Aquarius; triplicating Cancer, duplicating Pisces, missing Fire,
     Air, and Virgo.

     And from the Aries Square: Aquarius 2, Pisces, Virgo 3, and Air, Fire;
     triplicating Virgo, duplicating Aquarius, missing Cancer,Capricorn, and Leo.


                                    [Image146.gif]

     Green shows the Knight's moves from the Earth square of the central Sixteen.
     Crimson shows move from Aries Square.

                                    [Image147.gif]


     Green as before.

     Crimson as before.

     From the central 16 squares an attack is made on the Cardinal and Common
     Signs 10 times each; but on the Kerubic and Elemental Squares 6 times each.
     This is true of every board, and the reason is to be found in the position of
     the ranks; which in every case are disposed so that the uppermost and
     lowermost ranks are Kerubic and Elemental, while the two central ranks are
     Cardinal and Common. The same reason will explain the peculiarities of the
     curious difference between the columns "No. of times the Sign is duplicated,"
     "triplicated," and "missed."

     This analysis of the moves from the 16 central squares seems to show a
     certain steadiness in the Earth and Fire Tablets, and is less seen in the
     Water and Air.

     The same increase of steadiness is shown in the tablet at the foot of the
     diagrams on the Boards.

     In Air and Water the extreme numbers are 24 and 18.

     In Earth and Fire the extreme numbers are 23 and 19.

     The moves of the Knight referred in a similar way to the remaining 48 squares
     show the same point, a greater steadiness in the Earth and Fire boards than
     in the Water and Air. And this difference is seen in the outer row and not in
     the inner one.

     The 28 outside squares are attacked by 96 possible moves.

     The 20 next squares are attacked by 112 possible moves.

     The 16 central squares are attacked by 128 possible moves.

     The Knights or Fiery forces of the Elements meet and clash violently in all
     parts, and are strong in attack against everything and everywhere. Their
     moves, like Fire pass unarrested through the other elements in irregular
     courses like the lambent flame, leaping both diagonally and square-wise at
     every move. They contain the potential forces of the other pieces. Their
     force is similar to the Tarot King, and to Chokmah. They are the ABBA forces,
     and with the Queens represent the Briatic forces of the scheme.

     The Queens or Watery forces of the Elements never clash with one another, but
     ever undulate onwards each in its own course unaffected by opposing or
     crossing waves. But the Watery forces only move in their respective
     pre-ordained courses; they cannot leave their limits and enter upon the
     domain of others. Water, like Fire, is unarrested and undulating, and like
     Air and Earth it can act diagonally or square-wise containing the potential
     force of Air and Earth. They are the Queen of the Tarot, and Binah. They are
     the AIMAH, and are of Briah.

     The Bishops are subtle and sharp, moving rapidly, but are easily arrested in
     their course. They clash not with opposing Bishops, and friendly Airs support
     each other in attack and defence; where the active Airs whirl the passive
     cannot come. They are the forces of the Knights, and of Yetzirah, the SON.

     The Rooks are the heavy resisting powers of the Knave, mighty indeed in
     action when preceded by the action of the other three. That is, when in any
     matter the forces of Fire, Water, and Air have been absorbed and
     equilibriated, i.e., removed from the board, the mighty powers of the Castles
     come into play. But woe to him who too early calls these ponderous forces
     forth.


                                       THE ROOK

     This piece moves through columns as through ranks. He is able, therefore, to
     reach every square on the board, and is very powerful. But his movement is
     very ponderous, and it is a piece that is not moved many times in a game
     unless the forces of the other Elements have been absorbed in its working
     out. While the Aleph, Mem, and Shin forces are in full operation the Rook is
     easily attacked and with difficulty defended, unless he remain quiet, and act
     as a firm basis of support and defence to the side. If he however, make the
     mistake of entering early into action he is nearly sure to fall a prey to the
     more subtle forces whose proper sphere is attack.

     If the more subtle forces do not bring about a solution of the question, and
     the matter has to be fought out to the bitter end, that is, if the Yetziratic
     and Briatic forces are absorbed and balanced in the matter, then do the
     ponderous forces of Assiah, the Knave, engage in powerful combat.
     
                                       THE KINGS

     The Kings of Water and Earth stand in squares of the Aries System. The Kings
     of Air and Fire stand in squares of the Cancer System.

     If Water or Earth be the Prime player the opposing Bishops attack the squares
     on which they stand. If Air or Fire be the Prime Player they do not.

     The King is the Ace, and the King of the Prime Player being the piece on
     whose action that of all the forces depends, it is this King that, at every
     move he makes, causes a new whirl to be set up in the other forces.


                              NOTES CONCERNING THE PLAY.

     See to which system the Ptah square belongs. Because if it be a square of the
     Aries system the attack of the opposing Queens is insignificant, while that
     of the Bishops is strong. In such a case the number of pieces is 6; 2
     Bishops, 2 Knights and 2 Rooks. That is, in these matters the Airy attack is
     strong, and the Watery weak.

     If the Ptah be on a square of the Cancer System, one opposing Queen directly
     attacks this Square, but the Bishops do not. In this case the number of
     attacking pieces is 5; one Queen, 2 Knights, and 2 Rooks. That is, in these
     matters the Airy attack is insignificant, while the Watery is strong.

     If an opposing Queen can attack the Ptah, the defence should note well which
     Queen it is and should remember that this fact greatly enhances her power. He
     should thereupon not hesitate to exchange what might otherwise be considered
     a more powerful piece for her. She should certainly be exchanged for a
     Bishop, and probably also for a Knight.
     
                              THE ARIES SYSTEM OF TRUMPS

     Aries - Emperor.

   The Chief Among the Mighty.


     Taurus - Hierophant.

   Magus of the Eternal Gods.


     Gemini - Lovers.

   Oracles of the Mighty Gods.


     Libra - Justice.

   Holder of the Balance.


     Scorpio - Death.

   Child of the Great Transformer.


     Sagittarius - Temperance.

   Daughter of the Reconciler.


     Saturn - Universe.

   Great One of the Night of Time.


     Water - Hanged Man.

   Spirit of the Mighty Waters.



                              THE CANCER SYSTEM OF TRUMPS

     Cancer - Chariot.

   Child of the Powers of the Waters.


     Leo - Strength.

   Daughter of the Flaming Sword.


     Virgo - Prudence.

   Prophet of the Gods.

   Capricorn - Devil.

   Lord of the Gates of Matter.

   Aquarius - Star.

   Daughter of the Firmament.

   Pisces - Moon.

   Ruler of the Flux and Reflux.

   Fire - Judgment.

   Spirit of the Primal Fire.

   Air - Fool.

   Spirit of Ether.

     The YHVH order of the pieces corresponds with their respective offensive and
     defensive powers, thus:


     Most offensive - Knight.

     More offensive - Queen, than defensive.

     More defensive - Bishop, than offensive.


     The Rook, most defensive, i.e., in a general sense. Because every piece
     assumes both roles according to circumstances.

EOF