Zadkiel’s Dream book is a divinatory and magical guide of the kind popular in the 19^th century with cunning folk, ‘white witches’ and ordinary unmarried maids alike. Within its pages are contained two books, the first of which is The Universal Dream Book by Zadkiel, the pen name of Astrologer Richard James Morrison (1795-1874) who published a popular series of 19^th Century predictive almanacs. His Universal Dream Book consists of a useful and extensive alphabetical guide giving the prophetic meanings of oneiric visions. It was thus a handy bedside companion one could consult upon waking to uncover messages and portends conveyed within one’s dreams.

The second book is The Popular Fortune Teller here attributed to ‘The Great Astrologer’ Ebenezer Sibly (1751-c.1799). Herein are presented instructions in the arts of prognostication, prophesy and divination by the reading of facial characteristics, palms, moles, cards, dice, dominoes, birds and beasts, tea and coffee grounds and by pin and tablets.

Presented too are fortunate day’s weeks, months and years, superstitions, the casting of nativities, rules to know the temper, silent language and secret writing alongside a copious collection of charms, incantations and ceremonies for prophetic purposes and spells and bewitchments for love.