When the card and figure are finished, the card is to be mounted upon a small wooden stand, through the centre of which a steel wire is placed, and the figure of the Prophet is to be fixed on the wire in such a manner that it may revolve freely.
The next thing to be done is to draw up a table of prognostications, which must equal in number the spaces marked upon the cardboard disc. This may be done in many ways. Sometimes the company present may be requested each to supply a set, or to supply alternately one of a set; or it is better, perhaps, that he who is about to show off the oracle should previously have supplied himself with several sets, one of which, of course, must only be used at a time. The sets should be so arranged that each one is complete in itself, and the various prognostications in a set should bear some sort of relation one to the other.
When all is ready, the performer should desire some one of the company to have his or her fortune told. The prognostications to be used are then to be handed to some other person, and the figure of the Prophet is to be set spinning, and according to the number of the division at which the wand of the Prophet points when it comes to a standstill, so, according to the prognostication bearing the corresponding number, may the fortune of the inquirer be expected to be.
The following prognostications may either be used, or may serve as models upon which tables can be drawn up:--
1.--At the end of a changeful life, wealth. 2.--Early and prosperous marriage. 3.--Great success at school. 4.--A speedy and important journey. 5.--Will spend much time from home. 6.--Hours of pleasure, followed by years of care. 7.--May expect to be thwarted. 8.--Will have invitations to numerous parties. 9.--All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. 10.--Travels by land, and voyages by sea. 11.--Many changes will be your lot. 12.--It will be your misfortune, not your fault. 13.--A hearty playmate and a constant friend. 14.--Changes in love at an early date. 15.--A long life and a merry one. 16.--Fears from a rival, but success ultimately will be yours. 17.--Beware of a false friend. 18.--Bright and cheerful in youth. 19.--Unhappy ere long, but the sunshine will follow in the end. 20.--Your present sweetheart will not be your mate.