Ceroscopy
Divination by wax. The process was as follows.
Fine wax was melted in a brass vessel until it became a liquid of uniform consistence. It was then poured slowly into another vessel filled with cold water, in such a way that the wax congealed in tiny discs upon the surface of the water. The magician then interpreted the figures thus presented as he saw fit.
Chagrin or Cagrino : An evil spirit believed in by the Continental Gypsies. It has the form of a hedgehog, is yellow in colour, and is a foot and a half in length and a span in breadth. " I am certain," says Wlislocki, " that this creature is none other than the equally demoniac being called Harginn, still believed in by the inhabitants of Northwestern India. Horses are the special prey of the Chagrin , who rides them into a state of exhaustion, as does the Guecubu (q.v.) of Chili. The next day they appear sick and weary, with tangled manes and bathed in sweat.
When this is observed they are tethered to a stake which has been rubbed with garlic juice, then a red thread is laid on the ground in the form of a cross, or else some of the hair of the animal is mixed with salt, meal and the blood of a bat and cooked to bread, with which the hoof of the horse is smeared. The empty vessel which contained the mixture is put in the trunk of a high tree while these words are uttered : 66 Tarry, pipkin, in this tree, Till such time as full ye be."
Chain, Forming a: In spiritualism, a term denoting the joining of the hands of the sitters round a table, whereby the magnetic current is strengthened and reinforced. The Baron de Guldenstubbé gives the following directions for forming a chain. " In order to form a chain, the twelve , the twelve persons each place their right hand on the table, and their left hand on that of their neighbour, thus making a circle round the table. Observe that the medium or mediums if there be more than one, are entirely isolated from those who form the chain."
Dr. Lapponi, in his Hypnotism and Spiritism (trans.
London, 1906), gives an account of the usual procedure for the formation of a chain. "He (the medium) makes those present choose a table, which they may examine as much as they like, and may place in whatever part of the room they choose. He then invites some of the assistants to place their hands on the table in the following manner: The two thumbs of each person are to be touching each other, and each little finger is to be in communication with the little finger of the persons on either side. He himself completes the chain with his two hands. The hands of all altogether rest on the edge of the table. (See Planetary Chains.)