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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/77597-0.txt b/77597-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef22171 --- /dev/null +++ b/77597-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4396 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77597 *** + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE + + Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. + + Bold text is denoted by =equal signs=. + + Smallcaps text is denoted by +plus signs+. + + The tables in this book are best viewed using a monospace font. + + Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. + + + + + SIGNS, OMENS + AND + SUPERSTITIONS + + + + + SIGNS, OMENS + + AND + + SUPERSTITIONS + + BY + ASTRA CIELO + Author of “Fortunes and Dreams” + + “_Signs, omens and predictions, + Are not all fictions, + And many facts does history cite + To prove that I am right._” + --+The Mascot.+ + + NEW YORK + GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY + + + + + +Copyright, 1918, by+ + GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY + + _All rights reserved_ + + PRINTED IN U. S. A. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. Popular Superstitions 1 + + II. Wedding Superstitions 7 + + Lucky Periods for Marriages 11 + + Bridal Cake--Bridesmaids 12 + + Shoes and Weddings 14 + + III. Rings 17 + + Engagement and Wedding Rings 20 + + IV. Lucky and Unlucky Days and Seasons 23 + + New Year’s Superstitions 29 + + April Fool’s Day 31 + + Ascension Day 32 + + Easter Superstitions 33 + + St. John’s Eve 35 + + Candlemas Day 36 + + St. Valentine’s Day 36 + + Hallowe’en Customs 38 + + Harvest Superstitions 39 + + Christmas 40 + + V. Signs of Good or Bad Luck 43 + + The Sign of the Cross 46 + + Knocking on Wood 48 + + VI. Lucky and Unlucky Omens 50 + + Christening Customs 51 + + Beliefs Concerning Children 52 + + Beliefs Concerning Eggs 54 + + Charms and Amulets 59 + + Mascots 64 + + Horseshoe Lore 65 + + Pin Superstitions 67 + + VII. The Influences of Mythical Beings 68 + + Witches 73 + + VIII. Signs Connected with the Body 76 + + Sneezing 76 + + Spitting 78 + + Moles, Teeth, Warts, etc. 80 + + Yawning 82 + + Tingling and Itching 83 + + Stumbling and Falling 84 + + Cutting Nails and Hair 86 + + Personal Appearance 87 + + Clothes Superstitions 88 + + On Arising 90 + + Squinting, Crippled, and Hunchback Persons 91 + + Death and Corpses 92 + + The Evil Eye 93 + + IX. Household Beliefs 95 + + Looking-glass Omens 96 + + Spilling of Salt 97 + + Knife Superstitions 99 + + Candle Superstitions 100 + + Concerning Ladders 101 + + X. Divination 102 + + The Mystery of Numbers 102 + + Lottery Numbers and Usages 104 + + Predictions of Wealth 106 + + Divination by Letters 107 + + Divination by Books 108 + + Precious Stones 110 + + Color Superstitions 112 + + XI. Plant Superstitions 115 + + XII. Bird (and Insect) Superstitions 116 + + Insect Omens 118 + + Bees 118 + + XIII. Animal Portents 120 + + Howling of Dogs 122 + + Black Cats 123 + + XIV. Meteorological Beliefs 124 + + Weather Signs and Portents 125 + + Comets and Meteors 128 + + XV. Vocational Superstitions 131 + + Superstitions of Kings 131 + + Card-players’ Superstitions 133 + + Actors’ Superstitions 135 + + Theatre Superstitions 138 + + Commercial Travellers’ Superstitions 139 + + Dressmakers’ and Seamstresses’ Superstitions 140 + + Sailors’ Superstitions 141 + + Fishermen’s Superstitions 144 + + Turfmen’s Superstitions 145 + + Baseball Superstitions 147 + + Waiters’ Superstitions 148 + + XVI. (Miscellaneous) Portents of Evil 150 + + Breaking Friendship 150 + + Drinking Toasts 151 + + Pious Ejaculations 152 + + XVII. Superstitions of the Orthodox Jew 155 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS + + +It is an interesting question as to how the many superstitious beliefs +and practices had their beginning. The origin of most of them is no +doubt to be found in man’s efforts to explain the phenomena of nature, +and in an attempt to propitiate an angry deity and to invite a better +fortune. From these sources come many of the absurd notions still in +vogue among primitive people, which have been handed down in modified +form to us. + +Man has ever found it difficult to understand the mysteries surrounding +him on all sides, and groping in the dark he has tried by prayer, +incantation or peculiar practices to force nature to do his bidding. + +Superstition, therefore, arises primarily from ignorance. Early man +believed that every phenomenon of nature was the work of a spirit or +devil. His intelligence could not suggest any other explanation. To +this belief was added fear. The thunder, the lightning, the earthquake, +darkness--all filled him with fearful dread. To him they were the +workings of spiteful powers to be propitiated. Where ignorance and +fear are surrounded by danger they will always grope for a way of +escape. Thus superstition is born. A belief in the existence of spirits +antagonistic to man gave rise to most of the old superstitions. + +There is no nation, however ignorant or advanced, which does not +recognize customs, rites, usages and beliefs which have their origin +in superstition. The Bible speaks of such practices as had found their +way from pagan sources into the monotheistic beliefs of the Israelites, +calls them “abominations,” and warns the Jews against them. The penalty +of death was attached to sorcery, yet many of the superstitious +practices continued to be observed, as is proved by the invocation by +Saul of Samuel’s spirit. All the prophets spoke strenuously against +the existing immoral and superstitious rites, and Judaism was probably +the first religion that attempted to free itself from their shackles. +In Egypt, Greece and Rome, superstition gave birth to mythology with +its pagan rites and ceremonies. During the Dark and Middle Ages when +people were for the most part illiterate, superstition flourished with +unprecedented vigor. Every religious sect gave rise to new beliefs. The +Crusades had the effect of bringing to Europe many oriental practices +and ideas that in the course of time became grafted on the religious +habits of the people, and not a few of them have been handed down to +our own times. + +It is, in fact, a difficult matter at times to draw the line between +superstition and religion, for what appears as a sacred rite to one +creed may appear as rank folly to the adherent of another. The Fiji +Islander, for example, believes that thunder is a sign of God’s anger, +and he falls flat on his face and mutters an invocation to appease the +deity. To an enlightened European this becomes a superstition, yet this +same European may wear an amulet or charm to ward off sickness or bad +luck, and the Fiji Islander might be moved to laughter at the idea. + +In fact, certain superstitions had their origin in one sect trying +to oppose the tenets of another sect. Again many superstitions were +created by a literal or often a false interpretation of the Bible. For +instance, among the Jews it was considered lucky to begin a journey on +Tuesday, because in describing the third day of Creation, it is said: +“God saw that it was good.” On the other hand, it was thought unlucky +to commence anything on Monday, when God omitted to say it was good. + +Similarly Christians have a superstition that Friday is a bad day to +begin an important work, because Christ was crucified on that day. The +fear of sitting down with thirteen at table had its origin in the Last +Supper and its sad ending. + +Many a superstition had its beginning in a command that was laid down +to teach a lesson or avoid trouble. For instance, it is considered bad +to step over a child. This may have had its beginning when a careful +father feared that in stepping over a child one might accidentally step +on it and cripple it. To drive the lesson home more effectively, it was +stated that stepping over a child would stunt its growth, and in that +form it is still held in respect by many at the present time. So also +the belief that it is unlucky to sing before breakfast may have been +taught by an indolent father who hated to have his morning slumbers +disturbed by his daughter’s singing, and so frightened her off by an +admonition appealing to her fear. Every superstition can probably be +traced to a similar cause. + +There are few persons, no matter how rational or level-headed, who +are not given to superstition in some form. With some there is a +deep-seated belief that evil will result from an infraction of a rule. +With others an amused idea that if a ceremony does no good it can do no +harm, and so to be on the safe side they carry out some mummery. The +lady who will not go to a card party, unless she wears some particular +amulet or jewel, the man who will not speculate or play cards without +first touching his lucky coin or pocket-piece, the fisherman who spits +on his bait for good luck, are all descendants of the primitive savage +who tried by some secret method to force nature to be good to him. + +One reason why superstition has not yet died out among intelligent +people is because it is contagious. In colonial days in Salem even the +learned professors and lawyers believed in witchcraft. It was in the +very air. Children brought up in an atmosphere of credulity rarely +rise above it. It is the hardest thing to shake off superstitious +prejudices. They are sucked, as it were, with our mother’s milk, and +become so interwoven with our thoughts that a very strong mind is +required to shake them off. They become a sort of religion, semisacred +in their appeal. No wonder that the lower classes cannot abandon them +and that even men of intellect cling to them. + +It is the object of this book to review the subject of superstition +without prejudice or condemnation, but to present the data and explain +their origin wherever possible, leaving it to the reader to reject such +beliefs as seem absurd and irreconcilable with modern culture. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS + + +In some countries it is customary to throw money over the heads of the +bride and groom as they come out of church,--it insures fortune. + +In Scandinavian countries a speech is usually made at the wedding feast +or a song is sung, which winds up in an unexpected crash. This sets +everybody laughing and is a signal for general congratulations and good +wishes. + +It was formerly customary in Germany to carry old dishes outside of +the door and break them in the street. If a single piece escaped +demolition, it was considered a bad sign. + +Sprinkling the bride with wheat is a lucky sign. It takes the place of +rice in some sections. Both are considered emblems of fruitfulness. + +Among the Slavs a can of beer is poured over the horse belonging to the +bridegroom. + +Flinging the stocking was an old custom on the bridal eve. The young +men took the bride’s stockings and the girls those of the groom, and +threw them over their heads. If they fell upon the bride or groom to +whom they belonged, the thrower was sure to be married soon. + +In Yorkshire after the couple have gone away, the cook pours a kettle +full of hot water on the stone before the front door in order that +another wedding will soon occur from the same house. + +It is considered a sign of good luck if the bride does not walk into +the groom’s house, but is lifted over the sill by her nearest relatives. + +It is lucky for the bridesmaids to throw away a pin on the wedding day, +and unlucky to be stuck with one. + +In Brittany a girl who can secure the pins used to fasten the bride’s +dress, is sure of an early marriage. + +It is considered unlucky for a pair to be married in church if there is +an open grave in the churchyard. + +It is unlucky to be married in green. + +The wearing of orange blossoms at a wedding ensures good luck. + +In the Middle Ages it was considered a bad omen if the couple met a +cat, dog, lizard, serpent or hare; but to meet a wolf, spider or toad +was a good sign. + +It is unlucky for a bride to look into a mirror after she is +completely dressed. Some article must be put on after she is through +admiring herself. + +The sneezing of a cat on the eve of a wedding is a lucky omen. + +A man going to be married, who meets a male acquaintance, rubs his +elbow to ensure good luck. + +In China, if a betrothal is being arranged, it is postponed in case +anything unlucky, such as the breaking of a vase or bowl or the loss of +anything, occurs. + +Among the Highlanders great care is taken that no dog runs between the +couple on their way to be married. + +It was formerly considered unlucky if the bride did not weep at her +wedding. It portended tears later on. + +A storm with thunder and lightning is a bad omen during a wedding +ceremony. + +To marry a man whose name begins with the same letter as one’s own is +sometimes considered unlucky. + +If a younger daughter chances to get married before her older sisters, +the older girls should dance at her wedding barefoot. + +A clot of soot coming down a chimney at a wedding feast is a bad omen. + +If the bride accidentally breaks a dish at the wedding feast it is a +bad sign. + +A bird dying in his cage on the day after a wedding is a bad sign. A +bird sitting on the window sill chirping is a good omen. + +To meet a funeral either in going or coming from a wedding is always +a sign of ill fortune. If the funeral is that of a male, it means an +early death for the groom; if of a woman, the bride will soon die. + +It is unlucky for a woman to read the marriage service entirely +through. She will never get a husband. + +Bees should be informed that a wedding is in progress and their hives +decorated. It brings good luck. + +If at the wedding dinner an unmarried person sits between the bride and +groom it means that there will soon be another wedding. + +Marriages on the last day of the year are considered lucky. + +Easter engagements are said to foretell money, those at Ascension, +health, those at Trinity, a big family, those at Whitsuntide, peace and +comfort at home. + + +LUCKY PERIODS FOR MARRIAGES + +The notion that certain times of the year are more favorable to +marriages than others, had its origin in the days of ancient Rome. +The goddess Maia was not propitious to marital happiness, whereas +Juno, as a good and virtuous wife of Jupiter, was the patron of happy +marriages. Brides, therefore, selected June in preference to May, as +their hymeneal month. For similar reasons March being dedicated to the +god Mars, was not a favorable month, as disputes were apt to be the +rule between the contracting parties. Every month had its good or bad +influence. + +Even at the present time, May is considered an unlucky month for +marriages. In Oriental countries, however, May being the month of +flowers, is the proper month for orange blossoms. + +June is a popular month for marriages among Americans and Europeans. +Some authorities believe that June’s having the longest day of the year +is symbolical of a long and happy marriage. + +A wedding on St. Valentine’s Day or other popular holiday, indicates a +happy union. + +Being married during a thunder storm is a sign of bad luck. If the sun +shines right after a storm, the auspices are good for a happy union. + +Getting married on Sunday is a sure sign of a fortunate union. Friday +is a bad day on which to get married. Other days of the week are about +equal in their effect upon the destinies of a married pair. + +A marriage during a heavy snow-storm is considered lucky; although the +contracting parties may never be wealthy, they will be happy. + +An old astrological almanac gives the following as lucky days on which +to be married:-- + + January, 2 4 11 19 21 + February, 1 3 10 19 21 + March, 3 5 12 20 23 + April, 2 4 12 20 22 + May, 2 4 12 20 23 + June, 1 3 11 19 21 + July, 1 3 12 19 21 31 + August, 2 11 18 20 30 + September, 1 9 16 18 28 + October, 15 17 18 27 29 + November, 5 11 13 22 25 + December, 1 8 10 19 23 29 + +BRIDAL CAKES--BRIDESMAIDS + +Bride cakes, or wedding cakes, are a survival of an ancient Roman +custom. When a wedding was solemnized the bride and groom ate a cake +of wheat or barley in the presence of ten witnesses. The crumbs were +carefully preserved by the unmarried women present to insure their +getting husbands. + +Slices of cake passed thru the bride’s wedding ring and eaten by the +bridesmaids, will bring a husband within a year. + +A piece of wedding cake should be put under the pillow of a maiden and +if she dreams of a man, she will marry him within a year. + +In some countries a plain gold ring is baked in the wedding cake and +the maiden who gets the slice with the ring will have the privilege of +proposing to a man of her choice. + +Bridesmaids date from Anglo-Saxon times. It was the bridesmaid’s duty +to escort the bride to church, and it was believed that the girl on +whom this honor fell would be married within a year. + +A bridesmaid who stumbles on the way to the altar will die an old maid. + +It is a custom for the groom to present his attendants with some gift +as a souvenir of the occasion. This must be carefully preserved. If +lost, the loser is apt to remain unmarried. + + +SHOES AND WEDDINGS + +Throwing a shoe over or at a newly married couple is a custom in many +countries and is supposed to bring good luck. The origin is uncertain +but the shoe has been considered a symbol of authority, and as the +bride has just broken from her parent’s protection it is probable that +the act symbolizes the breaking away from old associates. It has also +been explained that it is thrown at the bridegroom in the spirit of +retaliation for having carried off the bride. + +It is now looked upon as an augury of luck and of long life to the +bride. In an old book by Fordham we read, “He would have been content +had his neighbors thrown his old shoes after him when he went home, in +sign of good luck.” Ben Jonson wrote in a letter, “Would I had Kemp’s +shoes to throw after you,--” Kemp being a man remarkable for his good +fortune. John Heywood in an old play says: “Now for good luck cast an +old shoe after me.” Beaumont and Fletcher say in one of their comedies: +“Your shoes are old, pray put ’em off and let one fling ’em after us.” + +In Scandinavia a shoe of the bride is thrown among the wedding guests +and good luck or a speedy marriage attends the one who catches it. + +In Scotland a volley of old shoes or slippers is cast at the couple for +luck, but true to Scottish thrift, they are all collected again after +the couple has left. + +In the Isle of Man a shoe is thrown after the groom as he leaves his +home on the way to be married. If by stratagem one of the bride’s shoes +can be taken off her feet on the way to church, it has to be ransomed +by the bridegroom, who must treat the entire crowd. + +Among the ancient Peruvians it used to be the custom for a prospective +groom to go to the girl’s house and, after gaining her father’s +consent, put a pair of shoes on her feet. If she consented, he led her +to his home with the shoes on. + +In Russia it is the custom to throw an old shoe or broken crockery for +luck at the door of a newly married couple,--crockery being cheaper +than leather. + +In parts of Hungary it is customary on the wedding night for the groom +to drink a toast to his fair lady out of her slipper. + +Among the Orthodox Jews the shoe has a different marital function. A +childless widow is constrained, according to the Bible, to marry her +deceased husband’s brother. If, however, she declines, he may give her +a release. In that case she fastens the laces of his shoe and is free +to marry whom she pleases. + +The shoe as a symbol of a fruitful marriage is celebrated in that +well-known Mother Goose rhyme: + + “There was an old woman who lived in a shoe; She had so many children + she didn’t know what to do.” + + + + +CHAPTER III + +RINGS + + +Rings set with certain precious stones or engraved with mystic +characters were in all times supposed to influence the character and +conduct of people. There are many old legends about the wonderful +effect of these charms. + +The ring worn by the Jewish High Priest was supposed to possess +wonderful powers, given by heaven. The ring worn by Solomon gave him +divine powers by which he acquired the knowledge of the laws of the +universe. + +The wedding ring which Joseph was supposed to have given to the Virgin +Mary was an object of adoration for many ages, and many miracles were +accomplished by it. It is still shown in the Cathedral of Perugia, +but it seems that other churches also make claim to possessing the +original. This ring, however, has been described as a very thick gold +circlet, large enough to fit a man’s thumb. + +The power of making its wearer invisible was ascribed to the ring worn +by King Gyges of Lydia, and it had also many other powers, such as +bringing together long separated friends, allaying jealously, etc. + +Astrological rings are worn to the present day, the stone or metal +being in conformity with the signs of the planets, and thus bringing +luck to the wearer. + +Rings are often used for divination. A number of rings, each inscribed +with a name, are thrown into a bag, and one drawn at random. The answer +to any question is thus given. + +Rings are considered a preventive of many diseases. For the cure of +croup an amber ring is often worn. For cramp and abdominal pains, +a ring made of a coffin nail is supposed to be efficacious. For +rheumatism, a copper ring, or one of copper and zinc welded together, +is thought to have curative powers. + +Marcellus, an old Roman physician, prescribed for a pain in the side, a +gold ring inscribed with certain Greek characters and worn on the hand +of the side opposite the pain. Trallian, another ancient doctor, cured +colic and bilious complaints by an octangular ring of iron on which he +engraved a message to the disease to leave the body. + +Rings on which were engraved the names of three kings of Cologne were +considered efficacious in the cure of various disorders. On them were +also engraved the words, “God is a remedy.” + +For sore eyes, a plain gold wedding ring is considered a sovereign +remedy to this day. + +A ring made of a silver coin, taken from a beggar, is supposed to be a +cure for epilepsy. + +Among the peasantry of France, before a couple are wed, a ring of iron +is put on the forefinger of the bride. It is usually made of a nail of +a horseshoe. In certain parts a ring of straw is used. These are first +blessed by the priest and insure a happy life. + +In Russia, in order to discover which girl of a village shall be +married first, each places a ring in a little heap of corn on the barn +floor. A rooster is then let loose among the corn. He pecks at the +grains until one ring is exposed. The owner will be married before her +companions. + +In Sweden girls hide under teacups or kitchen pots a ring, a coin and a +piece of black ribbon. If the ring comes to light first, the owner will +marry, if the coin, she will get a rich husband, but if the ribbon, she +will die an old maid. + +To find a ring is a sign of good luck if it be gold, of peace of mind +if it be silver, but of trouble, if it be brass. + + +ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RINGS + +Rings have figured prominently in marriages from prehistoric times, and +many superstitions cling to them. It is not strange that a rite that +is fraught with such serious results to the contracting parties should +have awakened a sense of dread and a desire to foretell the future by +speculation and divination. + +Among some peoples instead of exchanging rings a piece of gold or money +is broken in halves, each party keeping a half. To lose one’s half is +considered very unlucky. + +An engagement ring is supposed to be: is a harbinger of luck and +happiness. + +An engagement ring with the bride’s birthstone + + “A contract of eternal bond of love, + Confirmed by mutual joinder of your hands.” + +Formerly men wore engagement rings as well as women, but in the course +of time left them off as being a sign of bondage. + +A diamond engagement ring is especially lucky, as diamonds are +considered the highest form of gift, and the sparkle is supposed to +originate in the fires of love. + +A pearl in a ring is unlucky, as pearls signify tears. + +To lose a stone out of an engagement ring foretells bad luck, unless it +is replaced before the wedding takes place. + +During the Commonwealth in England, the Puritans tried to abolish +wedding rings as being a remnant of heathen practice. + +The ring, being round and without end, is a symbol of never-ending love +and affection that should continue to flow in an uninterrupted circle. + +If a wedding ring breaks, it is a sign of marital trouble. + +A wedding ring that has been worn to a thin thread is lucky and brings +luck to the wearer’s children. + +The wedding ring is usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. +The probable reason is that the left hand is not used as much as the +right and the fourth finger is rarely used alone. + +It was formerly believed that a special artery led from the heart to +the fourth finger. + +Among Orientals the ring is usually worn on the index finger of the +left hand, which is called the lucky finger. + +A wedding ring rubbed three times on the eye is supposed to be a cure +for styes. + +A wedding ring should be turned around three times if you want your +wish to come true. + +It is unlucky to take off your wedding ring except in cases of +necessity. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS AND SEASONS + + +The belief that some days bring luck and others the opposite, is +prevalent the world over and has its origin in astrology. Few +intelligent people are free from this superstition. + +If a person has had luck on a certain day, three times in succession, +it is safe to assume that it is his lucky day and any business +undertaken on that day will prove successful. Conversely, if a day has +shown itself unfortunate, business or travelling should be avoided on +that day. + +A day that is good for one person may be correspondingly unlucky for +another. What is one man’s food is another man’s poison. + +Religious persons believe that the last Monday in December is unlucky +for serious matters, as Jesus was betrayed on that day. + +Friday is generally considered unlucky for any new undertaking, because +Jesus was crucified on that day. + +If Friday falls on the thirteenth of any month, it is doubly unlucky +for business or speculation. + +John Gibbons, an eminent scientist considered Friday an unusually lucky +day. He was born, christened and married on that day and was fortunate +in all of his undertakings. + +To move into a new home on Friday is unlucky. Monday and Wednesday are +particularly fortunate. + +To be born on the 29th of February, leap year, is considered lucky and +the person will be successful as a speculator. + +An old verse says: + + “There are days of which the careful heed, + When enterprise will sure succeed.” + +Books on astrology give the following as unlucky days: + + January, 1 2 4 5 10 15 17 29 + + February, 8 10 17 26 27 28 + + March, 16 17 20 + + April, 7 8 10 16 20 21 + + May, 3 6 7 15 20 + + June, 4 8 10 22 + + July, 15 21 + + August, 1 9 20 29 30 + + September, 3 4 6 7 21 23 + + October, 4 6 16 24 + + November, 5 6 15 20 29 30 + + December, 6 7 9 15 22 + +Never undertake any important business on a day that has brought you +any misfortune or calamity. + +According to old astrologers, six days are perilous to sick persons, +and it is not safe to let blood on these days. They are January 3, July +1, October 2, April 30, August 1, and December 31. + +Thursday in May was never to be regarded as a holy day, according to an +ancient church authority. + +No vines are to be planted during leap year, as they will not thrive. + +An old missal gives the following predictions regarding certain days of +the year: + + January-- + + Of this first month the opening day + And seventh like a sword will slay. + + February-- + + The third day bringeth down to death, + The fourth will stop a strong man’s breath. + + March-- + + The first the greedy glutton slays, + The fourth cuts short the drunkard’s days. + + April-- + + The tenth day and the eleventh too, + Are ready death’s fell work to do. + + May-- + + The third to slay poor men had power, + The seventh destroyeth in an hour. + + June-- + + The tenth a pallid visage shows, + No faith nor truce the fifteenth knows. + + July-- + + The thirteenth is a fatal day, + The tenth alike will mortals slay. + + August-- + + The first kills strong men at a blow, + The second lays a cohort low. + + September-- + + The third day of the month September + And tenth bring evil to each member. + + October-- + + The third and tenth with poisoned breath + To men are foes as foul as death. + + November-- + + The fifth bears scorpion stings of pain, + The third comes with distraction’s train. + + December-- + + The seventh is bad for human life, + The tenth with serpent’s sting is rife. + + “The lucky have whole days in which to choose, + The unlucky have but hours, and these they + lose.” + +Sunday is a pun day, Monday’s a dun day, Tuesday’s a news day, +Wednesday’s a friend’s day, Thursday’s a cursed day, Friday’s a dry +day, Saturday’s the latter day. + +Born on Monday, fair of face; born on Tuesday, full of grace; born on +Wednesday, sour and sad; born on Thursday, merry and glad; born on +Friday, worthily given; born on Saturday, work hard for your living. +Born on Sunday, you’ll never know want. + +The day of the week on which the 3rd of May falls is unlucky for taking +an account of cattle on a farm. St. Stephen’s day is unlucky for +bleeding horses. + +The Spanish have a proverb which says: Don’t wed, don’t go aboard a +ship and don’t leave your wife on Thursday. + +According to a Spanish belief, Saturday always is sunny and therefore +lucky. Wednesday in Passion Week is always rainy and therefore unlucky. +On that day it is said that Peter went out and wept, hence heaven sends +rain to commemorate his tears. + +An Italian belief fixes Tuesday and Friday as unlucky days for a voyage +and for a marriage. + +The Japanese have designated five days of the year as unlucky, and in +order to avert their bad influence have made them the days of great +festivals. It is customary to wish one another happiness on those +days in order to oppose their otherwise unhappy effects. They never +begin a journey on an inauspicious day and there is a printed table +in all their roadhouses and inns, showing what days of the month are +unfavorable for travel. + +The French regard Sunday as a very lucky day for all enterprises. + +According to an old Hebraic tradition, the sun always shines on +Wednesday, for according to the Bible, it was created on that day. +Therefore, it is a good day for any enterprise. + +The 14th of April, 1360, was called “Black Monday.” King Edward III +with his army lay before Paris and the day was so dark, cold and +unhealthy that many soldiers died from exposure and were frozen on the +backs of their horses. This day was commemorated in England for many +years. + +The Turks consider the 13th, 14th and 15th of each month as lucky days +to transact business and go on a voyage. + +It is considered unlucky to take a trip immediately after hearing of +the death of a friend. + +In certain parts of England, Tuesday and Wednesday are lucky days. It +is thought unlucky to turn a feather bed or mattress on Sunday. + +A Scotchman rarely begins anything on the day of the week on which May +3rd falls. He calls it the “Dismal Day.” + +Among the Hindoos, Monday is considered a lucky day for a trip. Sunday +is lucky for sowing seed or beginning a building. Tuesday is lucky for +soldiers in battle. Wednesday is a lucky day for merchants and good for +collecting debts. Thursday is good for beginning a new business. Friday +is lucky for the making of friends and the wearing of new garments. +Saturday is unlucky, as it excites quarrels. + + +NEW YEAR’S SUPERSTITIONS + +The first day of the year is naturally a day of importance as its +events may have a tendency to affect all the days that are to follow. +Many a strange belief, therefore, centres about this day in all lands, +and the symbols of future good or bad luck are eagerly sought in +everything that occurs. + +In many parts of England it is believed that if a male person crosses +the threshold first, it betokens good luck, whereas, if a female be the +first to cross, bad luck is sure to follow. A man or boy, therefore, is +often hired to enter a house before the occupants are up. Whole bands +of males are employed for a small fee, for this purpose. + +If a clergyman be the first to enter a home on New Year’s Day the +significance is good. + +Chimneys used to be cleaned on New Year’s Day in England, so that luck +could descend and remain all the year. + +It was considered luckier for a dark-haired man than for a fair-haired +man to be the first to enter a home. A bachelor was luckier than a +married man. A widower brought bad luck. + +It is customary in some parts for the first visitor to bring a gift of +a cake or loaf of bread, to indicate prosperity for the rest of the +year. + +It is considered unlucky to remove anything from a house on New Year’s +Day, until something has been brought in from without. Each visitor +therefore brings a slight gift. + +Eating a cake is considered a sure bringer of luck on the first of the +year. In rural districts, special New Year cakes are baked for this +purpose. + +To lend something to a friend is sure to bring a good return. + +To put on new clothes on New Year is considered lucky, so also to bathe. + +Money earned on New Year’s Day will bring a hundredfold in its train. + +Resolutions made on New Year’s day should be carried out, if they are +good, and will insure good luck. + +It is good to give alms on the New Year. In many parts poor folks are +invited to partake of the family’s cheer. + + +APRIL FOOL’S DAY + +The first of April was celebrated among the ancients as the beginning +of the vernal equinox amid general frolicking, and from that is derived +our own April Fool’s Day. It is customary to send people upon foolish +errands and make them appear ridiculous. + +The celebration of this day is world wide. Even in pagan India the +people join in the fun. In Mohammedan countries the highest castes vie +with each other in playing practical jokes. + +To be fooled by a pretty girl denotes that you will marry the girl if +you are single, or befriend her if already married. + +To lose your temper when sent on a fool’s errand, means bad luck. + +To get married on April Fool’s Day means that the lady will wear the +breeches and the man play second fiddle. + +Children born on this day will be lucky in legitimate business but +unlucky in speculation. + + +ASCENSION DAY + +This day commemorates the ascension of the Savior into heaven and is +the occasion of many superstitions. + +To work on this day, especially in underground quarries or mines, +is considered unlucky in Catholic countries, and even in England +underground work is suspended from dawn to dusk. + +Wells and reservoirs are decorated with flowers to insure pure water +during the year. + +To fall or stumble is particularly unlucky, and means a loss of health +or money. An ancient way of preventing disaster if you have fallen is +to lie flat on the ground and say: + +“Raise me up and comfort me, Angel of Mercy.” + +Alms given to a blind or lame man on this day will come back a +hundredfold. + +Begin the day by giving away a coin, however small. It will bring you +an unexpected fortune within the year. + + +EASTER SUPERSTITIONS + +Easter commemorates the resurrection of the Savior from the dead, and +in all countries it is celebrated with peculiar rites and ceremonies. + +“Lifting” is an old custom that is supposed to illustrate the rising +from the grave. Men and women would visit each other, and go through +the following practice. A person would lie flat upon his back. Four +others would take hold of him, one at each leg and arm and lift him +up three times. There is a belief that if the recumbent person holds +his breath, he can be lifted by the little finger of each of the four +lifters. + +Girls were often put into a chair and lifted by boys who claimed a kiss +for their trouble. This was also called “heaving.” + +Easter eggs had their origin in the belief that the egg was a symbol +of the Resurrection. Some attribute their origin to their symbolizing +Spring. Dyeing eggs in lively colors was a token of joy or gayety. Red +dye was taken as a symbol of Christ’s blood. + +Eggs are often blessed on Easter before being eaten. They then keep +away bodily ailments. + +To win an egg by “picking” brings good luck. It is a popular game with +boys. + +To find two yokes in an Easter egg foretells a great gain in wealth. + +To refuse to eat an Easter egg, if offered by a friend, signifies a +loss of friendship. + +Rabbits are supposed to lay eggs on Easter. This is an old Teutonic +belief. + +Among the more popular Easter pastimes are rolling eggs down hill and +finding hidden eggs. Both are considered lucky ceremonies. + +It is considered lucky to plant garden seed and potatoes on Good Friday. + +Good Friday is the best day in the year for weaning babies. + +It is a sign of luck to break pottery on Good Friday. It will save the +house from damage during the rest of the year. + + +ST. JOHN’S EVE. + +This is a popular day in England and Ireland and many a superstition is +connected with it. + +Bonfires are built in memory of the ancient druids, and children dance +around them. To jump over a bonfire insures luck for the next harvest. + +While looking into the fire, the men throw pieces of wheaten cake over +their shoulders, saying: + +“This I give thee to preserve my horses, or my sheep.” This is supposed +to propitiate the Biblical idol, Baal. + +When a Scotchman goes to bathe or drink at a fountain or well on this +day, he always approaches by going around the spot from east to west on +the south side, in imitation of the motion of the sun. This is called +“going around the lucky way.” + +Dancing around a fire propitiates the forces of evil. It is also a +demonstration of joy and a plea for good luck. + +Watch the flames and if you see a familiar face therein, beware of that +person, as he will harm you. + + +CANDLEMAS DAY + +This day is celebrated in Christian countries as the day of the +“Purification of the Virgin.” It had its origin in Roman times in honor +of the goddess Februa, after whom February was named. + +Every pious Catholic goes to church on that day with a lighted candle +in supplication to “Our Lady” for success in household affairs. + +In many parts of England the day is connected with the collection of +rents and leases are still made out beginning with Candlemas Day. + +The agent of an estate comes at midnight and knocks at the door of +his tenant. “I come,” he cries, “to demand my lord’s just dues: eight +groats and a penny, a loaf of bread, a cheese, a collar of brawn and a +jack of beer. God save the King and the Lord of the manor.” + +To pay rent on Candlemas Day insures freedom from debt for the year. + +To light a candle dedicated to one’s saint, brings good luck. + + +ST. VALENTINE’S DAY + +St. Valentine was a Christian bishop who suffered martyrdom in 270 A. +D. on February 14th. He was later ordained the patron saint of true +love. Maids and youths were accustomed to become engaged on that day +in his honor. + +Sending verses and picture cards to one’s best beloved has become a +popular pastime in England and America on Valentine’s Day. A girl who +fails to receive a remembrance from some swain is doomed to die an old +maid. + + Says an old Valentine verse: + “When I go out, the first swain I see, + In spite of fortune shall my true love be.” + +On the eve of Valentine’s Day it was the custom for a man to get five +bay leaves, pin four of them to the corners of his pillow and the fifth +in the centre, and then go to sleep. If he dreamed of a girl, he would +marry her before the year was out. + +Another custom was to write your friends’ names on pieces of paper, +roll them in clay and throw them into a dish of water. The first paper +that floated up indicated the one you would marry. + +If you expect a visit from your true love on that day, keep your eyes +shut till he comes. If you see another man first, it may mean a loss of +the other’s love. + +To be married on Valentine’s Day betokens happiness and success. + + +HALLOWE’EN CUSTOMS + +Christian history has given us this day as sacred to all saints. In +most countries there are curious rites and ceremonies connected with it. + +In Catholic lands it is a day of prayer and the people visit the +churchyards and pray to the saints and to the departed of their +families for success and for forgiveness of sins. In Protestant +countries the day is given over to merriment. + +Hallowe’en was originally a day for remembering the dead. Ghosts and +spirits are supposed to wander abroad at night. + +Witches and demons make the night their own, and woe to the person they +catch after dark. + +Spectres made of pumpkins and sheets are used both to frighten men and +to scare off evil spirits. + +To see your shadow cast by the moon is distinctly unlucky. + +It is a time full of portents, and there are various ways of divining +the name of one’s future sweetheart. + +Place two nuts in the fire side by side. If they burst and fly apart it +betokens bad luck and a separation. If they burn up together, it is a +good omen, and means a happy marriage. + +Pare an apple so that the peel remains in one long piece. Swing this +around your head three times and throw it on the floor. The letter it +forms will be the initial of your sweetheart’s name. + +Walk backwards, looking into a mirror. The first man or maid whose +reflection you see, will marry you. + +To find two kernels in an almond on Hallowe’en’s night is particularly +lucky and means marriage within a month. + + +HARVEST SUPERSTITIONS + +In ancient times, when the owners of land had gathered in their +harvest, they feasted with their servants who helped till the ground. +This idea has been perpetuated in our day in agricultural countries. +Harvest Home is celebrated in most agricultural countries. In England +it partakes of some of the aspects of Thanksgiving Day. + +The “Kern Baby” is much in evidence in these festivities. It is an +image dressed up and decorated with corn or wheat and carried before +the reapers as a sign of luck. + +In some places a big doll dressed up in tinsel with a sheaf of wheat +under its arm is placed on a pole and the harvest hands dance around +it, rejoicing. + +Sometimes a real girl is dressed up in a robe of wheat and is paraded +around the field for luck. A corn supper in which all partake winds up +the festivities. + +A special prayer to one’s favorite saint is usual before the harvest, +to insure good weather till the wheat is all garnered. + +In Catholic countries, the first wheat garnered is shaped into a cross +which is hung in front of the granary for good luck. + +A red ear of corn is considered a lucky find. It should be carefully +preserved until the next harvest. + +An ear of corn with seven or fourteen rows is especially lucky and +betokens a good harvest. + + +CHRISTMAS + +A festival corresponding to Christmas was held in Rome in honor of +Bacchus, but with the advent of Christianity it changed its character +and was solemnized to celebrate the birth of Christ. Many of the old +pagan rites and superstitions still remain. + +Mistletoe was held in high esteem by the druids and regarded with +religious superstition. They used it in their incantations. It is +used for decorating during Christmas, and is usually hung from the +chandeliers. + +A girl standing under a piece of mistletoe may be kissed by any man who +finds her there. If she refuses to be kissed, she invites bad luck. If +she be kissed seven times in one day, she will marry one of the lucky +fellows within a year. + +In olden days mistletoe was laid on the altars in churches as an emblem +of the grace of the Savior, and betokened a prosperous year. + +In York, England, mistletoe is laid upon the altar of the cathedral and +the priest proclaims freedom to all wicked souls. + +Evergreen leaves and boughs are also a relic of paganism, and are +supposed to bring cheer and luck. + +The Christmas tree is a survival of northern mythology and was first +made popular in Scandinavian countries when they adopted Christianity. +It symbolizes the ever green and abiding power of salvation. + +Christmas candles probably had their origin in the Jewish festival of +lights (Chanuca), which occurs at the same time. Lights are lit for +seven days to commemorate the victories of the Maccabbees. + +Yule logs are large logs of wood that are thrown into the grate to make +the Christmas eve more festive. The flame is supposed to keep out evil +influences. Christmas candles serve the same end. + +To see a familiar face in the blaze of a yule log, betokens an early +marriage with the person thus seen. + +To become engaged on Christmas eve, is a sure sign of a happy married +life. + +A child born on Christmas day will be free from care and very lucky. + +St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus is the patron saint of Christmas. He +is supposed to come down the chimney with his pack on his back and +distribute toys and gifts to old and young. The only way to secure his +favor is to be good and obedient. + +Kris Kringle is another name for Santa Claus. It is derived from the +German “Krist Kindli” or Christ Child. He is represented as entering +homes and making children happy on the “Holy Night.” + + + + +CHAPTER V + +SIGNS OF GOOD OR BAD LUCK + + +“Good and ill luck,” says the French philosopher, Montaigne, “are in my +opinion sovereign powers. It is absurd to think that human prudence is +able to act the same part as Fortune will do.” Shakespeare says: + + “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, + Rough-hew them how we will.” + +The belief in the power of some object or some act to produce a change +in one’s fortunes for better or for worse, is inherent in the human +race. There are few words in our language that have such a universal +application as LUCK. The man who believes in nothing else, believes in +luck and performs some mummery to propitiate the goddess of Fortune, +who moves in such mysterious ways to perform her deeds. + +Luck may be defined as chance, or if a man be religious, as Providence. +Among the ancients, Fortuna was depicted as a blindfolded woman with a +horn of plenty, or with a wheel as an emblem of instability and chance. + + +The Romans had a habit of casting into an urn a stone every day, the +color of the stone denoting whether the person was in good or bad luck. +At the end of the year the stones were counted and a balance cast to +see whether good or bad preponderated. + +It is unlucky to be recalled after starting away on a voyage. At least +a day should be allowed to elapse before starting out again. + +To leave home and be compelled to come back for some article which was +forgotten, is unlucky, unless you sit down for a moment before going +out a second time. + +Carrying a crust of bread in one’s pocket is considered lucky and +brings prosperity. + +If in eating you miss your mouth and the food falls, it is unlucky and +denotes illness. + +A bent coin or one with a hole in it, are often carried for good luck. +A crooked sixpence is popular for this purpose in England. + +In many rural districts it is customary to give back to a customer of +corn or cattle a small part of the money he has just paid. This is +called “luck money.” + +In some countries the buyer gives the seller a small coin to insure his +luck. + +To count your gains is supposed to bring bad luck. To reckon on money +you are to receive and lay out plans of spending it, is considered +unlucky. One should never count one’s chickens before they are hatched. + +Burning tea leaves is supposed to bring good luck, but to burn the +leaves of a rose is a bad omen. + +Finding a four-leaf clover is a sure sign of good luck. It should be +worn in the lapel or pinned to one’s coat. + +There is a legend that Eve on being ejected from Paradise took a +four-leaf clover with her. + +To pluck an ash leaf was considered lucky in olden times. + +On meeting a person out on new business, it is well to salute him with +“I wish you good luck.” + +It is bad luck to shake hands with any one across the table. + +It is a bad omen to find the bellows on the dining table. + +It is a sign of ill luck to find money and not spend it. It should be +spent in a good cause, or given in charity. + + “See a pin and pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck. + See a pin and leave it lay, you will have bad luck all the day.” + +It is lucky to throw a small coin into a well of drinking water. + +To sit crosslegged is considered a sign of good luck. To cross one’s +fingers is another way of averting evil. + + +THE SIGN OF THE CROSS + +The Cross, the emblem of Christianity, has served many superstitions. +It is a bringer of good luck and wards off evil. + +Contrary to the generally accepted belief, the Cross did not have +its origin as a religious emblem in Christianity. The Indians, when +Columbus first landed, had similar devices. Cortez found the cross +universally adored by the Aztecs, and this led the Spanish priests to +claim that the devil had given it to them in order to damn them with +a false religion. The Hindoos, too, had a cross among their religious +symbols. + +Making the sign of the cross at rising or lying down, at going out or +coming in, at lighting of candles or closing of windows, etc., is +considered a pious and profitable ceremony. + +An old church writer says: + +“At the delivery of the bread and wine of the sacrament, the +worshippers flourish with their thumbs like making the sign of the +cross. They also do it when coming to church or saying their prayers.” + +In Spain, “no woman goes in a coach or travels without crossing +herself. It keeps away evil and ensures a safe trip.” + +In Catholic countries, signposts and even tavern signs bear a cross as +a sign of good luck. + +In some countries when a woman milks a cow she dips her finger in the +milk with which she crosses the cow, muttering a prayer. This will make +the milk flow freely. + +Easter buns are marked with a cross as a sign of faith. + +To hold up a crucifix, or anything resembling a cross was the +surest way of defeating the devil. In “Faust,” Valentine drives off +Mephistofeles by holding up the cross-shaped hilt of his sword. + +During a thunder storm or in the face of sudden danger, make the sign +of the cross on your forehead or breast. + +To cross one’s fingers during a game of chance, brings luck, and the +reverse to your opponent. + +To dream of a cross is a sign of good fortune to follow shortly. + +To cross knives or forks at table is a sign of bad luck. + +In Sicily a bandit will not attack his victim without first crossing +himself and praying to his favorite saint for protection. + + +KNOCKING ON WOOD + +One of the most prevalent customs, indulged in by men of science as +well as the illiterate man in the slums, is by touching or knocking on +wood to ward off evil or prevent disappointment. Its origin is very +much in doubt. Some attribute it to the ancient religious rite of +touching a crucifix when taking an oath. It is also ascribed to the +beads of a rosary touched in prayer. Among the ignorant peasants of +Europe it may have had its beginning in the habit of knocking loudly +to keep out evil spirits. Its introduction into this country seems to +have been of recent date, but it has become well-nigh universal; even a +president of the United States is accused of resorting to it. + +To brag about good health or success, according to the general belief, +invites the envy of the powers of evil, and to counteract this you +must, according to some authorities, touch wood; while according to +other wiseacres, you should knock on wood three times. + +Charms made of wood are often worn on watch chains so that the wearer +may have an article handy for the purpose. + +From this practice other superstitions have originated. A well-known +financier always plays with his massive gold watch chain in the belief +that the touch of gold will insure success. + +Sir Walter Scott, while a student at college, always fumbled with a +wooden button which was attached to his coat. This brought him success +in his recitations. It is related that when his fellow students +secretly cut off the button, he was so flustered on discovering its +absence, that he failed hopelessly and was sent to the tail end of his +class. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +LUCKY AND UNLUCKY OMENS + + +“She that pricks bread with fork or knife, will never be a happy wife.” + +“Mend your clothes upon your back, sure you are to come to wrack.” + +It is unlucky to use elder wood or evergreen to make a fire. + +To find an old flint arrow is considered lucky. + +To find nine peas in a pod is a forerunner of luck. + +The extreme tip of a calf’s tongue, dried and carried in the pocket, +will insure having some money always in your purse. + +A luck-stone, with a hole in it, is sure to bring luck. + +Four persons shaking hands in crosswise fashion, foretell a coming +marriage. + +Two bells ringing in the house at one time foretell a parting. So also +does a hollow cavity in a fresh-cut cake and a loaf that breaks in two +while being cut. + +To enter a house with the left foot first brings bad luck to the +occupants. + + +CHRISTENING CUSTOMS + +Christening, as the name indicates, is a ceremony which has for its +object the consecrating of a child to the service of Christ, and +starting him on his career as a Christian. It had its origin in the +rites of John the Baptist, who belonged to a sect that believed that +immersion in water would wash away all sins and prepare the neophyte +for the Kingdom of God, which was supposed to be near at hand. + +In the middle ages a child was usually presented by its godparents +with silver or gold spoons. A rich sponsor often gave a set of twelve +spoons, one for each of the disciples. Less wealthy people gave one or +more spoons. These were considered lucky and induced the child to lead +a virtuous life. + +The phrase “born with a silver spoon in its mouth,” arose from this +custom. + +A silver cup is often given and the child that drinks from it is +supposed to drink happiness during its life. + +The gift of coral and amber in the form of a chain or charm to a +new-born baby is also believed to bring good luck. Coral is supposed +to be a defense against “Fascination” or witchcraft. Amber keeps away +infectious diseases. + +A Sunday christening is considered lucky and the child will grow up +devout. + +A child should always be dressed in white at its christening. Red +ribbons should be avoided. + +Three articles are frequently given a child when it is taken to +be christened: egg, salt and a coin. These will give it strength, +happiness and wealth. + +Baptism in a church is luckier than in private. + +When a child gives a lusty yell during its christening, it is a sign +that it will have strong lungs through life. + +If two children, a male and a female, are baptised together, the male +should have the preference or it will grow up to be effeminate. + + +BELIEFS CONCERNING CHILDREN + +It is unlucky to measure a baby with a string or tape measure, as it +may stop growing. + +To step over a young child is unlucky and may stunt its growth. + +To hand a child through an open window will stop the little one’s +growth. + +Children that cry a lot are sure to be lucky. They will develop fine +eyes and broad shoulders. This does not apply where the crying is +caused by illness or pain. + +Women in pregnancy often refuse to take an oath before an officer of +the court as it is supposed to influence the unborn child. + +It is supposed to be unlucky for a child to walk backward when going on +an errand. + +In Scotland, when a young baby is taken out for its first airing, the +mother or nurse gives something to eat to the first person she meets. +This ensures the baby’s good luck. It is called “the bairn’s piece.” + +When a child is taken from its mother and carried out of the bedroom +for the first time, it is luckier to take it upstairs than down. If +there is no upstairs, the same effect can be accomplished by mounting a +short elevation, a platform, or the rung of a ladder. + +When a baby is carried to church to be baptized, it should be carried +by a woman who is known to have had good luck. + +When a baby is carried into a neighbor’s house for the first time, it +should be carried there by the mother herself, in order to insure good +luck. First of all, however, the baby should be carried to church. + +A creeping child will have better luck than one that does not creep. + +When a very young baby smiles in its sleep, it is supposed to hold +converse with the angels. + + +BELIEFS CONCERNING EGGS + +Eggs have many mystic meanings, and in olden times were supposed to +symbolize the world. The yoke represented our earth, the white was its +atmosphere, and the shell was the firmament. It was believed that the +universe had its origin in an egg, and that God brooded over it until +it was hatched out. Milton says: “Dovelike satst brooding o’er the vast +abyss.” + +According to an old theorist, the egg typified the Messiah, the seed +that was to bring forth salvation. The Abyssinians portray the world as +a great ostrich egg. + +The Syrians used to speak of their ancestors as the progeny of eggs. +The Hawaiians believe that their island was produced by the bursting of +a huge egg which had been laid on the water by a bird. + +The ancients often said, “Everything springs from the egg. It is +Nature’s cradle.” + +Egyptians worshipped Cneph, the architect of the world, who was +represented with an egg coming out of his mouth. + +The druids used eggs in their religious festivals and considered it the +symbol of fecundity. Every druid wore an egg about his neck, encased in +gold, as a symbol of his priestly authority. + +The Jews use an egg in their Passover service as a symbol of Divine +Power and help. + +Eggs laid on Good Friday are revered in Catholic countries as bringing +good luck, and are carefully kept all year as talismans. They are +supposed to keep the house free from fire. + +In Scotland an “eirack’s” egg, that is, the first egg that is laid by +a young hen, is gathered as the principal ingredient of Hallowe’en +charm. At midnight the egg is broken so that the white issues out drop +by drop. It is allowed to fall into a wine glass two-thirds full of +water. The palm of the hand is placed over the rim of the glass which +is turned bottom up, and the albumen settles down near the hand. It +assumes vague, shadowy forms which foretell the occupation the person +will best thrive in. Thus, if it looks like a ship, the man should +become a sailor. + +Another custom in connection with an “eirack’s” egg, is to take the +white in one’s mouth and go out into the night without swallowing a +drop. If one hears the name of a man or woman called out aloud, it +foretells the name of the future wife or husband. + +Among other curious Hallowe’en customs is the following: Take a +hard-boiled egg, remove some of the yoke, and fill it up with salt. +Then eat the egg, salt and shell. Do not drink a drop of water till +morning. If you dream of a person of the opposite sex, it means a +marriage, but if the person you dream of seems to offer you a glass of +water, it means that you will be jilted. + +Birds’ eggs have been believed to have many mysterious qualities. The +eggs of an owl put into the cup of a drunkard will cause a loathing of +liquor. + +A stork’s egg was also considered as a cure of the habit of drinking. + +Persons afflicted with ague are instructed to visit the nearest +crossroads five times in succession and there bury a new-laid egg. +Their disease will leave them by morning and never return. Strict +silence must be maintained during the whole operation, as to speak to +any one would prevent its success. + +For the plague, eggs were often prescribed. They were usually filled +with drugs. + +It is believed in England’s rural districts that if one brings +primroses into a house, the number must be at least thirteen, as the +hens about the place will only hatch so many eggs during the season as +there are primroses. + +When flowers blossom early and are numerous, it is believed that hens +lay more than in other seasons. + +When owners of horses eat eggs, it is said that they should eat an even +number, otherwise some mischief will befall their horses. Grooms are +not allowed to eat eggs, and jockeys must wash their hands after eating +them. + +Farmers’ wives usually set their hens on an odd number of eggs, for to +set them on an even number often results in a failure to hatch out a +brood. + +In Derbyshire the number of eggs put under a hen must be either eleven +or thirteen. If twelve eggs are set, the brood will not hatch out, or +will come to grief afterward. + +In setting a litter of eggs under a hen it is lucky to swing a lighted +candle over the nest as a charm to prevent hawks or other animals from +destroying the eggs or the young chicks. + +In some Catholic countries, the tenth egg laid by a fowl is supposed to +be bigger than the rest, and is usually offered to the priest. + +Breaking egg shells over a child is supposed to keep him safe from +witchcraft. + +The goose that lays a golden egg is a popular myth in many countries. +To receive such a valuable gift, it is necessary to invoke the name and +help of the devil. + +In some sections, it is considered unlucky to let eggs go out of the +house after sunset. It is also considered unlucky to gather eggs after +dark. All eggs should be gathered in the forenoon. It is unlucky to +gather eggs on Sunday or to set a hen on the Sabbath. + +Duck’s eggs, brought into the house after sunset will never hatch. + +Egg shells should not be burned, or the hens will cease to lay. + +Eggs brought into the house or barn over running water, will not hatch. + +When a child visits a house for the first time, it is lucky to give +him an egg that was laid that morning. It will give the child a “start +in life” that will bring success. + +To dream of an egg is lucky and means that a fortune is at hand. + +Strings of blown egg shells hung up in a dwelling are unlucky, but if +hung up in an outhouse, bring good luck. + +Bats were supposed to come from eggs that had been hatched out by toads. + +In Java the bride, as a sign of submission, kneels before her master, +then treads upon an egg and washes his feet with the yoke. + +The offering of an omelette to a newly married man by his +mother-in-law, as a sign of devotion, is an old custom in Russia. + + +CHARMS AND AMULETS + +The word “amulet” comes from the Arab, “Hamala,” which means to carry +about. It is a charm or object usually hung about the neck or on the +wrist to ward off sickness and evil. A charm is similar in its effect. + +People are spoken of as having a charmed life, which means that they +seem to be immune to accidents or illness. Many wear charms to insure +this result. + +Some charms are engraved with peculiar figures called “talismans,” +which are supposed to have the power to prevent loss or illness. They +are often engraved on some seal or precious stone, and worn on the +finger or on a chain about the neck. + +The practice of wearing charms or amulets is very ancient, and many of +the objects found in Egyptian tombs are amulets, intended to serve the +spirits of the dead. Many charms have obtained historic importance, as +for instance the famous Spanish opal in the British museum. + +The czar was supposed to be fond of an ancient ring in which is +embedded a piece of the true cross. It was supposed to shield its +wearer from death and danger, although it hardly helped him to keep +his throne. He attached such importance to it, that on one occasion +he started out on a journey without it, when suddenly discovering his +loss, he delayed the trip eight hours till a messenger went and got it. + +Oriental wrestlers will not go into the prize ring without wearing a +charm about their necks. + +Modern folks for the most part wear some sort of amulet, or carry a +charm in their pockets, but they do it secretly. They may not actually +believe in its efficacy but want to get the benefit of it in case it +should have some hidden virtue. + +Horseshoe-shaped pins, or charms, are considered very lucky, so is +four-leaved clover. Wishbones, too, have come into favor in recent +years as they are supposed to have the power of making one’s wishes +come true. + +Little pigs are popular as charms, as they are supposed to bring good +luck. In fact, the Germans say, “_Ich habe Schwein_,” when they want to +signify that they are lucky. + +Lucky pennies or other coins are to be found in many pockets. They +drive away evil influences in business operations and bring luck in +money matters. They must be turned over in one’s pocket at the time of +the transaction. + +Horse chestnuts or a small potato are considered efficacious charms +against rheumatism. They must be carried in the pocket where they soon +become hard and absorb all tendency to disease. + +The relics of the saints, such as particles of bones, bits of hair, +etc., or splinters from the cross, have been revered in all Christian +lands for their miracle-working powers. Many churches have been +erected and many shrines dedicated to house some such precious relic. + +At St. Ann de Beau Pre Church near Quebec, and at St. Ann Church in +New York, wonders are performed daily and many cripples healed through +touching the particle of bone of the Virgin’s mother. + +A charm with the figure of a fish or the word “Ichthus,” formed by the +Greek initials of the name of Jesus, is worn by the Greek Christians +and brings success. + +Coins and bits of metal stamped with a cross are worn about the neck in +many lands as a guarantee of good luck. They are also looked upon as a +cure of epilepsy. + +Rings with religious signs and symbols are often used to cure disease +or insure success of the crops. + +In the Orient, jade or ornaments from this stone are used as charms +against disease or disaster. They usually have some symbolic figures +carved upon them. + +Jet was and in some countries is still supposed to exert a remarkable +power over the brain and nerves, and is therefore much prized for +jewelry and charms. It was supposed in olden days to drive away devils +and serpents. + +Amber is a favorite substance for charms in countries adjoining the +Mediterranean. It is supposed to keep off infectious disease, epilepsy +and other evils. It is frequently made into necklaces for babies. + +Many other stones, gems or natural substances are used the world over +for their supposed curative powers, and huge volumes have been written +concerning them. + +Adder stones are supposed to be efficacious against disease of cattle. + +Carrying a human molar tooth as a charm is often considered a remedy +for toothache. + +Amulets to insure victory are frequent, and many a soldier goes into +battle in the firm belief that the amulet he wears about his neck or on +his arm will see him safely through. Bibles carried about the person +are supposed to be the most efficacious of these, and in point of fact +many a bullet has been stopped by a Bible placed near the heart. + +During a plague in England red tape was in great demand to ward off the +evil. It was cut into half-yard lengths and worn about the neck until +all danger was past. + +Amber and coral necklaces are often placed on children to give them +relief from teething. Rings and nipples of these substances are +provided for similar purposes. + +A charm consisting of laurel leaves is often worn as a protection +against lightning. + +Scapulars, pieces of brown cloth in which are stitched certain verses +from the New Testament, are worn to a great extent by Catholics as a +preventive against perils of flood and sickness. + + +MASCOTS + +The word “mascot” is of French origin and designates anything from a +piece of string to a human being that is supposed to influence the +Fates for the benefit of the possessor. A comic opera has been built +around the idea, in which a king has very bad luck, until a pretty girl +is sent to him as a mascot, when his fortune begins. + +Ships often take a mascot on board before they sail. This is usually a +dog, monkey or goat, and insures a pleasant voyage. + +Regiments of soldiers usually adopt a mascot, an animal that +accompanies them on their marches. + +Baseball and football teams take a mascot with them to insure victory. + +Mascots frequently take the shape of a horseshoe, charm, four-leaf +clover or amulet to be worn on the person. + +The popularity of mascots and in fact all objects that are supposed +to bring luck is best explained by the fact that they suggest luck, +and the owner acts on the suggestion. A person believing that some +object is going to bring him fortune, will act with greater faith and +assurance, thus bringing about the condition which he desires. + +In regard to charms the decorative feature appeals to many; fear and +imagination come next in their influence on the mind. + +Regarding human mascots, their influence is supposed to be hereditary. + + +HORSESHOE LORE + +The origin of a belief in the horseshoe as an emblem of good luck can +be traced to the ancient days of phallic worship. The peculiar shape of +the shoe became the emblem of sex and of productivity. It is a very old +belief, therefore, that a horseshoe will have an influence for good. + +The Moors believed in the horseshoe to such an extent that their +architecture reflects it. Their mosque and temples all show an arch +formation that had its origin in the form of a shoe, and they believed +that this would insure stability. + +The druids also believed in its efficacy, and many of their religious +places, like Stonehenge in England, have the semi-circular form of a +horseshoe. + +An old Roman general ascribed his defeat to the loss of a horseshoe. +Benjamin Franklin paraphrased this by writing: “Through the loss of +a nail a shoe was lost, through the loss of a shoe a horse was lost, +through the loss of a horse a battle was lost.” + +To find a horseshoe is considered lucky. It should be hung over the +door of the house or barn. It will ensure a good harvest if suspended +over the barn. + +A horseshoe should be hung with the open ends upwards, so that it will +“hold luck.” If hung the other way, it will “spill luck.” + +When going on a long voyage, it will bring luck to carry a horseshoe in +your baggage. + +A scarfpin or watch charm in the shape of a horseshoe is lucky. + +The wishbone, or collar bone of a chicken, is considered lucky on +account of its resemblance in shape to a horseshoe. Two people, each +pulling at one end, can determine who will get married first. The +longer piece is the lucky one. + +A horseshoe should have seven holes for nails, three on one side and +four on the other side of the center heel. This will ensure double +luck, as seven is a number of good fortune. + +Rings made of horseshoe nails are sovereign remedies against bad luck, +disease and trouble. + + +PIN SUPERSTITIONS + +To pick up a pin is lucky; let it lie, is bad luck. + +If a pin lies with its head toward you it is a good sign, but beware of +trouble if the point is towards you. + +To prick yourself with a pin on starting on a trip is a bad omen. + +It will break friendship to present any one with a pin, such as a +scarfpin or the like. Such a gift should be bought. A cent or article +of minor importance must be given in exchange. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE INFLUENCES OF MYTHICAL BEINGS + + +The belief in fairies and other supernatural beings is universal, +not only among children but among grown people as well, and many a +quaint and interesting legend has been spun about these fascinating +individuals. Fairy lore comprises the greater part of our books for +young people, and without fairy tales the lives of children would +be barren indeed. So, also, have many superstitions grown up about +fairies, and they are believed in by folks that are intelligent as well +as by those that are ignorant. + +Fairies are supposed to be supernatural beings, human in form but very +often diminutive, with superior powers for good or evil. They have the +power of invisibility, but can become visible when they wish. They are +often invoked for aid, but are never worshipped as were the goddesses +of the pagan world. They enter the habitations of mortals and spread +their gifts. Sometimes they do mischief. It is well to keep in the good +graces of fairies. + +The Hindoos believe in a kind of fairy that they call “Acvins.” These +assist in bringing lovers together, give succor in trouble and bring +wealth to the deserving. + +Persians believe in Peris, delicate ethereal females, who while not +immortal, live very long. To assist or otherwise get into the good +graces of a Peri means good luck, but to offend one, brings bad luck. + +The Arabian “Jinns” are fairies of a more austere kind. They are males +who can do great damage if offended and whom it is therefore well to +placate. They are supposed to have lived before Adam and were once a +mighty race, but war and accident have slain many. Every time a star +shoots across the sky it means the death of a jinn. They have the power +to make themselves visible or invisible. + +The Jews believed in Shedim, a species of fairy that was the offspring +of Adam. These beings have wings, are similar to angels, eat, drink, +make merry, and help any mortal who is kind to them. + +The Greeks and Romans had their own conceptions of fairies. They called +them dryads, naiads, fauns, satyrs, etc. They mingled with mortals +and often intermarried with them. They brought luck or the reverse as +they were favorably inclined. They rewarded any kindness and punished +transgressions. + +Fata Morgana is the Italian conception of a fairy, the personification +of Fortune. Happy the person who wins her favor. + +In France, fairies have different names and characteristics. There +are “_follets_” who are always invisible but whose voices are often +heard. They are mischievous and pelt the peasants with stones. They +often enter a house and throw about the utensils and create disorder +from a sense of humor that is often hard to understand. Where a man is +in their good graces, however, they do good and reward virtues. It is +considered lucky to come across their tracks or circles in the grass. + +The French also believe in _fees_, _lutins_ and goblins. These dance in +circles, or fairy rings by night, haunt solitary springs and grottoes, +ride horses and tie up the horses’ manes to form stirrups. They preside +at births, bring luck to babies in whom they take an interest, give +presents, help along the lovelorn, and do other stunts. They often take +a child out of its cradle and leave one of their own brood in its +place. This is called a “changeling,” and while such child is apt to be +beautiful, its propensities are for evil. + +Scandinavians believe in elves, playful, malicious beings that are up +to all sorts of mischief. They delight in perplexing people, tie the +hair of sleeping children into knots, steal away articles, and cause +no end of trouble. It is well to propitiate them by kindness, and +by leaving something for them to eat in the grottoes where they are +supposed to dwell. + +Teutonic races have their fairies, trolls, gnomes, dwarfs, who do all +manner of mischief. Many are the strange tales told about them, and +many are the rites and ceremonies resorted to by the peasantry to get +into their good graces. + +The Irish are great believers in fairies, and their literature is +filled with tales of their deeds. Their superstitions concerning them +would fill a good-sized book. They dress in green, are very pretty and +benevolent, help the peasants, bring lovers together, avoid law suits, +do good by stealth, etc. + +Brownies and kelpies are the Scotch brand of fairies. They often +appear in the form of cattle or horses, and when people ride on them, +they throw them off and play other tricks. They are as mischievous as +children, but do nothing particularly praiseworthy. + +English have their fairies, hobgoblins, Robin Goodfellow, Puck, and +other well-known characters. Shakespeare assembled them in one large +clan, with Oberon as their king and Titania as their queen. They are a +well-behaved crew, full of mischief but with good traits as well. + +Some of the more prominent superstitions concerning fairies are the +following: + +A mole or defect on a person is supposed to be caused by a fairy +nipping him before birth. + +A matted lock near the neck of a sleeping child is called an elflock +and is the deed of a mischievous fairy. + +To throw away a peach stone out of a window is dangerous as it might +strike a fairy and kill it. This would bring bad luck for seven years. + +Four-leaved clover usually marks the spot where fairies congregate and +bring good luck. + +Round circles often found in the grass indicate the place where fairies +dance. To sit in such a circle with one of the opposite sex, is sure to +bring about a marriage. + +When a child is lucky it is a sure proof that a fairy godmother stood +at its cradle at its birth. + +Fossil Echini turned up by the plow, are called fairy loaves. If you +keep a fairy loaf in the house, you will never want for bread. + +If one comes across a “fairy ring,” it is luckier to walk around it +than across it. + +If you run around a “fairy ring” nine times, you can hear the sounds of +merriment caused by the fairies dancing under ground. + +Fairies reward servants for cleanliness by putting a coin in their +shoes. + +A fairy entering a dairy spoils the cream. + +In many sections of England a prayerbook is put under a child’s pillow +to keep away fairies and pixies. + +Lumbago, epilepsy and fits are supposed to be caused by a shot from a +malignant fairy. + +A knot hole in a deal door is bad as it will let fairies in. It must be +plugged up at once. + + +WITCHES + +The belief in witches is very old. At times in the history of mankind +it has become epidemic and done untold damage. In the seventeenth +century thousands of old women were burned at the stake for their +supposed intercourse with the devil. Doctors and judges as well as +ignorant people believed in this nonsense. The witch was supposed to be +a woman who had sold her soul to the devil, and frequented the Devil’s +Sabbath, riding thither on a broomstick. In rural districts the belief +still prevails to some extent. + +When horses break out in a sweat in the stable, it is believed that a +witch has been riding them. + +When a horse’s mane is tangled, a witch is supposed to have tied the +knot to use as a stirrup. + +Shoulder bones of sheep are called “hag-bones” because witches are +believed to ride on them. + +Eggshells must be broken and not left to lie about the house, or they +may be used by witches as boats. + +When sick people go into a decline, they are said to be “overlooked” or +bewitched, and there is little hope for their recovery. + +A white witch is one who has the power to remove the spell of a bad +witch. There are various incantations by which this is done. + +To prevent a witch from injuring a person, he must make an image of +wax of the witch and stick it full of pins. This will cause the witch +to become impotent and die. + +Wearing the left stocking inside out, horseshoes, spittle, hagstones, +etc., are good antidotes to a witch’s power. The sign of the cross also +prevents their evil. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +SIGNS CONNECTED WITH THE BODY. + + +SNEEZING + +The custom of muttering a prayer or a pious wish after sneezing is as +old as history. It was accounted very ancient in the time of Aristotle, +who in his “Problems” endeavored to account for it, but knew nothing of +its origin. According to him the ancients believed that the head was +the seat of the soul and that sneezing in some way affected the spirit. +Hence the necessity of uttering an invocation to preserve the soul from +harm. + +The Greeks and Romans had a number of formulas for sneezing, such as, +“Long may you live!” “May you enjoy good health!” “Jupiter preserve +you!” + +Sneezing was often considered a lucky omen among the ancients. Their +history is full of events of importance which were ushered in by a +sneeze. The “Odyssey” tells of the “lucky sneeze of Telemachus.” +History tells of the soldiers’ sneezing in adoration of a god that +rose before them in the ranks, an event which Xenophon regarded as a +favorable omen. + +Aristotle considered a sneeze as divine, but a cough as vulgar. +Petronius mentions the custom of saying, “_Salve_” (hail), when a +soldier sneezed. Tiberius Cæsar never neglected to observe this formula. + +When a Hindoo sneezes, bystanders say, “Live!” and he replies, “With +you!” The Zulus believe that an angry spirit enters the body and that a +sneeze is an effort of nature to expel it. + +Aristotle believed that sneezing from noon till midnight was a good +omen, but from midnight till the next noon was a sign of bad luck. + +All nations have some formula for sneezing. The Germans say, “_Zur +Gesundheit!_” The English say, “God bless you!” The French say, “_A vos +souhaits_.” + +If some one sneezes after you have made a statement, it places the seal +of truth upon it and the statement may not be doubted. + +According to mythology Prometheus made an artificial man, and the first +sign of life he gave was to sneeze. It was through the nostril that +life entered into his body. + +In the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great, there was an epidemic of +sneezing, and many of the afflicted died. The pope thereupon declared +that a certain prayer should be uttered every time a person sneezed, to +avert the calamity. + +To sneeze three times in rapid succession is considered a good omen. + +Physiologically considered in the light of modern science, sneezing is +bad, as it spreads the germs of many diseases by spraying them into the +air. One should always sneeze into a handkerchief. + + +SPITTING + +In ancient times spitting was considered as having the virtue of +averting witchcraft, and even in our time many superstitions cling to +the habit. + +Spit was considered as a charm against all kinds of fascination. +Theocritus says: + +“Thrice on my breast I spit to guard me safe from fascinating charms.” + +Superstitious nurses will spit on their children to keep them from harm. + +Alluding to this custom an ancient writer says: + + “His lips are wet with lustral spittle, thus + They think to make the gods propitious.” + +Bruisers and boxers before attacking their adversary, spit on their +hands to insure success. + +Boys, when making a pledge or asserting a thing to be “honor bright,” +often spit on the ground to give emphasis to their good faith. + +Coal miners in England when they form a union for any purpose, sit in +a circle and spit on a stone, by way of cementing their friendship and +loyalty. + +Devout people often spit at the mention of the name of his satanic +majesty, in an effort to keep away evil influences. + +Mohammedans are said to spit at the mention of the name of Jesus. + +To spit on one’s hands before undertaking a piece of manual work +insures a successful result. + +Spitting three times into their bosoms, was considered by the Greeks as +preventive of danger when in the presence of a madman or an epileptic. + +When a man hit another and felt remorse for the blow, he spit into the +hollow of his hand, and thus freed the other from pain. This was a +superstition of the Middle Ages. + +Spitting to avert evil influences is still resorted to among country +folks, and in some countries is almost considered a religious act. + +In Ireland it is considered unlucky to praise a horse or other animal +unless you spit on him and say, “God save him,” or other similar +prayer. If after three days, any bad luck befalls the animal, it is +necessary to find the person who praised him so that he may whisper the +Lord’s Prayer into the animal’s right ear. + +Hucksters, peddlers, and other tradespeople, have a habit of spitting +for good luck when making a sale. The first money they receive in the +morning is spat upon to insure good luck for the day. + +It is customary in some parts when a rainbow appears to make a cross on +the ground and spit on each of the four corners. + + +MOLES, TEETH, WARTS, ETC. + +Moles may denote good or bad fortune according to where they are found. + +On the throat they are lucky; on the lower jaw, especially of a woman, +they denote the opposite. On the back of the neck they are said to +predict a hanging. + +Red or black moles are considered unlucky, but brown ones are lucky. +If raised like a wart they foretell luck. + +A mole on the forehead brings good fortune, so also one on the chin. As +a rule moles denote coming wealth. + +The hairs growing out of moles are considered harbingers of fortune +and in some countries are carefully guarded and cultivated. In Latin +countries one can see men go about with long hairs growing out of moles +on their faces. They are careful never to shave them. + +When a child loses a tooth it will hasten the growth of the new tooth, +if the old is thrown into the fire. + +When a tooth is pulled it should be thrown into the fire. In +Switzerland it is carefully wrapped in paper with a pinch of salt and +burned. + +To cure a toothache, the name of St. Apollonia is invoked in Latin +countries. She suffered martyrdom by having her teeth pulled out, and +has since been the patron saint of those who suffer from similar pangs. + +To dream of losing a tooth, foretells the death of a friend. + +If a baby’s tooth first appears in the upper jaw, it is a sign that the +child will die in infancy. + +If the teeth are very irregular it is a sign of bad luck. + +If there is a gap between the two upper middle teeth large enough to +pass a coin through, it foretells wealth. + +The Greeks believed that it was unlucky to count one’s warts as they +would increase in number. + +To charm away a wart, buy it from the possessor for a pin, and it will +disappear within a week. + +Another way to charm away a wart is to rub it with half an apple. Tie +the two halves together with a thread, and bury it at the foot of a +tree. Within a week the wart will have disappeared. + +Spots in the nails foretell riches. If many, the person showing them +will gain a fortune. White specks often foretell happenings without +wealth. On the thumb-nail, they indicate honors. + + +YAWNING + +Among many peoples, yawning is considered a sign of possession or +obsession by an evil spirit. + +When the Hindoo yawns, he snaps his thumb and finger and repeats the +name of one of his deities. To neglect this brings misfortune. + +When a Moslem yawns he puts the back of his left hand to his mouth and +says, “I seek refuge with Allah from Satan.” + +There is an old belief that when one yawns the devil may leap into the +open mouth; hence the necessity of holding a hand over the mouth. + +To yawn in the midst of saying one’s prayers, is a bad omen. It is +better to say the prayer from the beginning again. + + +TINGLING AND ITCHING + +It is a common superstition that when one’s ears tingle some one is +talking about him. + +Shakespeare says in “Much Ado About Nothing,” “What fire is in mine +ears?” Beatrice deduces from this that a friend is talking about her. + +Even the old Roman historian, Pliny, says: “It is an opinion generally +received that when our ears do glow and tingle, there be some that in +our absence do talk of us.” + +The tingling of the right ear is taken to mean that good is spoken; +while, that of the left ear is a token of the fact that evil is spoken. + + +Herrick writes: + + “My ear tingles, some there be + That are snarling now at me.” + +The itching of the palm is considered an indication that the person +will get some unexpected money. If continued for any length of time, a +fortune will come to him. + +The itching of the thumb or nose denotes a visitor, sometimes an +unwelcome intruder. + +One of the witches in “Macbeth” says: + + “By the pricking of my thumbs, + Something wicked this way comes.” + + +STUMBLING AND FALLING + +Falling has always been associated with the idea of evil, and its +effects can only be averted by a quick-witted remark or a muttered +invocation. + +When Cæsar landed at Adrumetum in Africa, it is related that he tripped +and fell upon his face. This was considered as an ill omen by his +soldiers, but with great presence of mind he exclaimed: “Thus do I take +possession of thee, O Africa.” Thus he changed a sign of bad to one of +good fortune. + +When William the Conqueror landed in England, he fell prone upon the +ground. A great cry of despair went up from his army, but he raised +himself smilingly and said: “I have seized the country with both my +hands.” + +To fall while going upstairs is a sure sign that the victim will not +marry within a year. + +The falling of a picture from the wall is universally regarded as a bad +omen and frequently foretells the death of the original of the picture +in the case of a portrait. + +It is related that a well-known English archbishop on entering his +study one day, found his portrait lying on the floor, the cord that +held it on the hook, having snapped. The sight so unnerved the prelate +that he became ill, and died shortly after. + +The Duke of Buckingham had a similar misadventure. On entering the +council chamber, he found his portrait lying at full length on the +floor. He died soon after. + +A fall from a horse, besides being very inconvenient and often painful, +is supposed to bring evil consequences. If two persons part on +horseback, and one of them falls off his mount, the two will never meet +again. + +The fall of a window blind is accounted unlucky, but the evil can be +averted by at once replacing it in its sockets. + +The fall of a knife or fork to the floor is usually considered a good +omen and foretells a visit from a friend; a female in the case of a +knife, or a male in the case of a fork. + +To fall downstairs is a very bad sign and signifies loss of health or +money. + +To stumble in the morning on coming downstairs is a sign of ill luck +during the day. + +A horse stumbling on the highway brings bad luck to his owner. + +Stumbling at a grave is considered a bad omen. Shakespeare says: + + “How oft to-night + “Have my old feet stumbled at graves! + “For many men that stumble at the threshold + “Are well foretold that danger lurks within.” + +If you stumble over a stick or stone, turn back and kick it out of the +way to avert trouble. + + +CUTTING NAILS AND HAIR + +The paring of nails has given rise to some strange beliefs. So also +has the cutting of hair. This is natural, as the clipping away of +one’s body is in itself uncanny and apt to give rise to superstitious +conjectures. + +Sailors believe that to cut the nails or hair during a calm will +provoke contrary winds. They, therefore, only cut them in a storm. + +The ancients declared that nails and hair should not be pared or cut +when in the presence of the gods, but in the secrecy of one’s home. + +Among the Arabians it is considered lucky to cut the nails and hair on +Friday. + +In some countries it is considered unlucky to cut a child’s nails till +it is a year old. They have to be bitten off. + +In Scotland it is believed that if a child’s nails are cut before it +is a year old, it will grow up to be a thief. In other lands, it is +thought the child will stammer. + +The Jews burn their nail parings with a piece of wood, as a species of +offering to insure good luck. + + +PERSONAL APPEARANCE + +When a woman’s eyebrows meet across her nose, it is a good sign. She +will be happy whether she marries or not. + +A woman whose hair grows down over her forehead in the shape of a peak, +will never marry. + + +CLOTHES SUPERSTITIONS + +On rising in the morning, great care must be given to the way one +dresses, as accidents often foretell trouble during the day. + +Augustus Cæsar put on his left sandal awry and nearly lost his life in +a mutiny. A well-known writer says: + + “Augustus by an oversight + Put on his left shoe before his right; + Had like to have been slain that day + By soldiers mutinying for pay.” + +To put your shirt inside out is a good omen, providing you discover it +in time and change it. If left on all day, beware of accidents. + +To button your vest so that the buttons and holes come out uneven is a +good sign. + +It is well to put on the stocking of your right foot first and the shoe +of your left foot. + +To tear off a button while dressing is a bad sign. It should be +remedied at once before going out of the house. + +A hole in one’s stocking is a good sign on the first day, but brings +bad luck on the second. + +To put the right shoe on the left foot or the reverse, is a sign of +coming trouble. + +To rip a garment the first time you put it on, is a bad sign. + +To rend one’s garments was in former days considered a symbol of +mourning. + +If you meet a person wearing new clothes, pinch him for good luck. + +A proverbial saying when meeting a person with new clothes, is, “May +you have health to wear it, strength to tear it, and money to buy +another.” + +Coin given to a person wearing a new suit will bring him good fortune +as long as the clothes last. + +To put on a suit for the first time on Monday signifies that it will +soon tear. You will have bad luck in wearing it. + +Tuesday--Beware lest the suit catch fire. Keep out of speculation. + +Wednesday--Things will go well with you. Your speculations will succeed. + +Thursday--You will always appear neat and well dressed. You will make a +good impression and get what you are after. + +Friday--Not a good day to put on new attire. You will be successful +only as long as the clothes remain fresh. + +Saturday--Beware of catching cold. There is an element of bad luck in a +new suit on this day. + +Sunday--Happiness and good luck will follow him who puts on a new suit +on the Sabbath. + + +ON ARISING + +To get out of bed with the left foot is considered a forecast of bad +luck. When a person is cross or irritable, we often say, “He got out of +bed with the wrong foot.” + +To put your foot on a soft carpet or rug, on arising, foretells a +successful day. + +To stumble on getting up, is bad. You should go back to bed and try it +again. + +To say “Good luck” on arising, will insure success during the day. + +It is considered unlucky to sing before breakfast. You may cry before +supper. + +It is unlucky to relate a bad dream before breakfast. It may come true. + +To find a coin early in the morning is a sign for you to beware lest +you lose money before the day is spent. + + +SQUINTING, CRIPPLED AND HUNCHBACK PERSONS + +To meet a squinting or cross-eyed person on going out in the morning is +a sign of trouble. It is well to go back a block or two and start over. + +To walk with a cross-eyed person is sure to bring bad luck. + +To touch a hunchback’s hump brings good luck. Gamblers, especially, +often resort to this method to change their luck from bad to good. + +To have a hunchback about the premises brings good fortune. In former +years kings used to have a court fool who was usually a hunchback, not +only to make merriment for them, but to insure good fortune. + +To shake hands with a left-handed person is often regarded as unlucky. + +To touch a blind man’s garment or brush past him is a sign of ill +fortune. To help a blind man on his way, is an omen of good luck. + +To be baptized by a left-handed priest is considered unlucky. + +To meet a priest the first thing in the morning is a bad omen. This may +be averted by throwing a pin at him. + +To have a cripple tread on your toes is a very bad omen. + +To meet a beggar as you leave your house in the morning, is a bad sign, +and you should at once return and start over. + +To give a coin to a cripple insures good luck. + + +DEATH AND CORPSES + +Feathers or a bird in the room of a sick person are supposed to delay +death. This idea is often resorted to where it is advisable to delay +the last breath till some absent friend arrives. + +At the moment of death the doors and windows are often opened to allow +the spirit free egress. + +Looking-glasses and pictures are covered as long as the corpse is in +the house, to prevent the spirit from seeing its reflection. + +In Scotland a piece of iron is thrust into all eatables right after a +death, to prevent the attraction of other spirits. + +A plate of salt is put upon the breast of a new corpse in Wales to +purge out all the sins of the defunct. + +Candles are lit at the head of the corpse, to ward off evil spirits. + +A watch is usually kept by the side of the body until the funeral, to +ward off evil spirits and also rats. + +Tolling of the bell is usual in most countries. After some minutes of +tolling there is a pause, and three times three tolls for a male and +twice three for a female, is the rule. + +Where bees are kept it is customary to tell the bees that their owner +is dead and that they must remain and work for the new owner. + +In Ireland a wake is the rule. Friends of the departed meet and discuss +the good points and foibles of the dead. Refreshments are served. + + +THE EVIL EYE + +The fear of the evil eye is very prevalent among the Latin races, and +even in this country there is a belief that certain persons possess the +“_mal occhio_” and can bewitch by merely looking with hatred or envy +upon another. Many charms and amulets have and are still being worn to +counteract any bad effects. + +A cross of jet is frequently used as an amulet against the evil eye. It +is believed that it will split if looked upon by a person having evil +intentions. + +The following are a few of the many substances used for averting the +evil from this source. Skin from a hyenna’s forehead; madwort hung up +in the home; Catochites, a species of stone, worn in a ring or about +the neck; spitting on the right shoe before putting it on; a necklace +of jacinth, etc. + +Sweeping a child’s face with the bough of a pine tree, is considered a +very successful preventive; so is hanging up the key of the house over +a child’s cradle. + +Other means of preventing the blasting effects of the evil eye are: +Laying turf, dug from a grave, upon the cradle of a child; laying +crumbs on the cradle; giving the child a piece of coral that was dipped +in the font in which the child was baptized. + +Hindoos decorate their children with a profusion of jewels to +antagonize the evil eye. Mohammedans suspend articles from the ceiling +over the cradle for the same purpose. + +In Roumania a child or grown person decorated with red ribbons is +supposed to be impervious to this terrible influence, and hence most +people wear something scarlet about their bodies, and even the oxen in +the field have something red tied about their horns. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +HOUSEHOLD BELIEFS + + +If the keys of a careful housewife get rusty in spite of her care, it +means that some one is saving money for her. + +A hot cinder jumping out of the grate signifies the coming of good +fortune. + +If meat shrinks while being boiled in a pot, it is a bad sign, but if +it swells, it means that prosperity is in store. + +The first cake taken out of an oven should be broken, not cut; +otherwise all the rest of the cakes baked that day will be soggy. + +Do not sweep the dust out of the front door. It indicates that your +good luck will be swept out with it. + +If a leaf of soot hangs in the grate, it announces the coming of a +guest. + +If a rooster stands upon the threshold of your house and crows, a +stranger may be expected. + +If you neglect to close down the lid of your teapot, a guest will come +and have tea with you. + +If your tea-kettle sings, it is a sign of contentment in the home. + +In sweeping, beware not to sweep the dirt over a girl’s feet, as it +will prevent her from marrying that year. + +If you wash your hands and face in a bowl of water that has been used +by some one else, it foretells a quarrel with that other person. + +Trousers made on Friday are unlucky and will soon tear. + +To break up your bread into crumbs at the table is an omen of coming +poverty. + +To drop a coarse comb foretells a visit by a man,--a fine-tooth-comb +means a visit from a woman. + +To throw away a piece of bread is an indication of carelessness and +brings bad luck. + + +LOOKING-GLASS OMENS + +Mirrors have always been regarded as divine instruments and used as +objects of divination, hence a certain amount of superstition attaches +to them. It is wonderful, indeed, that by nature’s law of reflection, +one can see the image of that which is outside of the glass, and it has +been considered unlucky to destroy in any way that power to reflect. + +To break a looking-glass is considered unlucky, and the person +breaking one will have bad fortune for seven years. + +If the looking-glass is willfully broken and thrown away, it has no +effect upon one’s fortune. + +In Catholic countries a person accidentally breaking a mirror, crosses +himself and says: “May the Saints avert ill fortune.” The curse is +thereby lifted. + +In the days of ancient Greece, divination was performed by means of +water and a looking-glass. This was called catoptromancy. The mirror +was dipped into the water and a sick person was asked to look into the +glass. If his image appeared distorted, he was likely to die; if clear, +he would live. + +Looking-glasses are often used by fortune tellers in a way similar +to crystal globes. They can tell from the nature of the images they +perceive what will be the future of the inquirer. + +To break the glass over a friend’s portrait is a bad sign. It often +betokens the death of the person who is the original of the picture. + +It is considered ill luck to see your face in a mirror by candlelight. + + +SPILLING OF SALT + +Salt has usually been considered in the light of a sacrificial +element. Greeks and Romans mixed it with their cakes that were offered +up on the altars of their deities. It was a necessary part of the +sacrifice. Hence any accident to the salt on a table was considered +unlucky. + +Among pagans salt was regarded as having redemptive power and was used +when doing any important business as a preventive of ill luck. It was +thrown on the ground with an invocation that was supposed to ward off +unfriendly spirits. + +Among the Jews, it is still a mark of hospitality to break bread with a +stranger, and the bread is first dipped into salt. “Sharing one’s salt +with a stranger,” has become synonymous with hospitality. + +Salt has been regarded as the symbol of friendship, therefore the +overturning of a salt-cellar is looked upon as the breaking of +friendship. + +To spill salt at table is considered unlucky. To change the spell, +however, it is only necessary to take a pinch of the salt and throw it +over the left shoulder. + +In Da Vinci’s picture of the Last Supper, Judas Iscariot is represented +as overturning the salt. It is evident from this that the spilling of +salt was considered a bad omen in the epoch when this picture was +painted. + +In some Eastern countries, the spilling of flour is viewed with the +same feeling of awe as in the case of salt. + +To put too much salt into the food when cooking, is supposed to be +proof that the cook is in love. + + +KNIFE SUPERSTITIONS + +It is considered unlucky to accept a knife from a friend without giving +something in return. You therefore buy the knife and avert the “cutting +of friendship.” + +A penny is usually offered in exchange for a knife, but among some +believers, a pin is all that is necessary. + +To drop a knife on the floor, means the coming of a visitor. + +Knife and fork should never be crossed at the table, as this would +presage bad luck. They should be laid side by side. + +To cross knives is to invite a cross or misfortune. The origin of this +belief probably lay in the disinclination to make the sign of the cross +sacrilegiously. + +To leave a penknife open after you are through with it is a sign of +danger and is unlucky. + +To drop a knife accidentally so that the point penetrates into the +ground and it stands upright is a sign of coming success. + +To place an open knife near a sleeping child is considered a good omen. + + +CANDLE SUPERSTITIONS + +Candles have always had a peculiarly religious character, and have from +time immemorial been used in the service of churches and for sacred +rites. Many queer superstitions attach to them. + +In Catholic countries it is customary to bring candles to church in +honor of one’s favorite saint or of the Madonna. The size of the candle +and its decoration gave evidence of the donor’s religious enthusiasm. + +Many of the saints had their own peculiar preferences as to the color +of the candles. + +A birthday cake should have as many candles on it as there are years in +the person’s age. This will ensure another year of happiness. + +When the wax of a candle forms a loop like a handle, it is called a +“coffin handle,” and portends bad luck. + +The dripping of tallow or wax down the side of a candle, is called a +“shroud” and foretells death to the person towards whom it is directed. + +A spark in the wick is called a “letter” and foretells the arrival of +good news. + +A knot in the wick, burning with a red glow, indicates the visit of a +stranger. + +A wick charred but remaining over the flame is a sign of good luck. + +To kill a moth hovering about a candle is a harbinger of good luck. + + +CONCERNING LADDERS + +To walk under a ladder when it is leaning against a wall, is a sign of +bad luck. + +To pass under a ladder that is hung horizontally does not influence +your luck for good or evil. + +To climb a ladder with an odd number of rungs is a good sign and leads +to success. + +To be on a ladder with a pretty girl is a good sign and foretells +matrimony. + +To fall from a ladder is an omen of ill luck and foretells a loss of +money. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +DIVINATION + + +THE MYSTERY OF NUMBERS + +That there is virtue in numbers and that every person is under the +influence of certain numbers was taught as far back as the days of +Pythagoras, and a vast collection of books have been written concerning +this phase of superstition. + +Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have your fortune told will ask +you on what day of the month you were born and in what year. From this +she will tell you whether to expect good or evil fortune in the coming +year. The basis for these calculations has been handed down from very +ancient times. + +According to astrologers, every letter in one’s name corresponds to a +number, so that if you understand how to calculate the numerical value +of your name you can foretell your future. + +The planets have numbers, and the influence they exert on you depends +in how far their numbers correspond with those in your name and dates +of important events in your life. + +In horse racing, the names of the horses, taken according to their +numerical value, often predict the result of the race. + +Every nation had its lucky and unlucky numbers that occur in their +mythology and history. The Greeks believed in the sacredness of the +number nine. They had nine muses, nine principal deities, nine oracles, +etc. + +The Romans believed in the mystic three, the Egyptians in twelve, etc. + +The Jews revered the number seven, and its recurrence throughout the +Bible is remarkable: Seven days of creation, seven lean years, seven +fat years, seven stars, seven times bathing in the Jordan, seven years +followed by a year of jubilee, etc. This number, according to Kabala +was obtained by adding the letters of Man and God together. + +Thirteen, as we know, has been regarded by Christians as a very unlucky +number on account of the events following the Last Supper. + +Divination by numbers is a favorite pastime and leads to some +remarkable results. Many historical events have been prophesied by this +method. Thus Napoleon III was born in 1808 and assumed the empire in +1852. Add 1-8-0-8 to 1852 and you have 1869, which foretold the end of +the empire about that time. + +The French Revolution occurred in 1789; add this date to the sum of its +numbers and you have 1814, which foretells the end of Napoleon’s reign. + +The dates of other personalities can be worked out the same way and the +result is often remarkably correct. + +Kabala, or the occult science of the Jews of the Middle Ages, depended +almost entirely upon the mystic powers of numbers. + +Many problems in modern mathematics depend on the mystic number nine +and both nine and seven are used by fortune tellers in divining the +future. + + +LOTTERY NUMBERS AND USAGES + +Lotteries are practically a thing of the past in America, but there was +a time when they flourished and when everybody from the wage earner to +the millionaire wagered his pile on some lucky number. In the South +the fever raged particularly strong, and the Louisiana Lottery and the +Dismal Swamp Lottery counted their victims by the million. Policy, too, +was very prevalent, and is still being conducted secretly in many +parts of the country. Both lottery and policy were similar in that a +certain price was paid for a ticket or a paper with numbers. On stated +occasions numbers were drawn out of a wheel and these were announced. +The holder of the lucky number won an amount that differed according to +the occasion. + +A man’s age, or that of his wife or children, was frequently taken as +the number. Some men added the figures in the date, month, etc. + +Dreams are considered particularly efficacious in playing policy. Most +dream books give policy numbers coinciding with every possible dream, +and these when played are supposed to make a winning. + +Among the numbers often taken are the date of the year, or the date of +an important event. The numbers on a freight car have been known to +bring fortunate results. + +In the case of a murder committed in a community, certain numbers are +supposed to have a peculiar significance and bring luck. + +In the South many negroes make a comfortable living by interpreting +dreams, signs and omens and telling the proper numbers they signify for +the playing of policy. + +In buying several lottery tickets, it is not lucky to have them all +follow each other consecutively. An interval should separate them. + +Odd numbers are more apt to bring prizes than even numbers. Numbers +ending in three, nine, twelve or seven are the most likely to strike +luck. + +A number given you by a cripple is sure to be successful, but that +given by a cross-eyed man or woman is bound to lose. + + +PREDICTIONS OF WEALTH + +To have lots of hair on your arms and fingers is a sign of coming +wealth. + +When you throw a lump of sugar into your coffee or tea, the number of +bubbles that arise are an indication of your future wealth. + +Many moles over your body indicate that you will be wealthy. + +To be born with a caul indicates that you will have luck and amass +wealth. + +A birthmark in the middle of the back indicates a wealthy marriage. + +To be born during an eclipse, denotes hardship and poverty. + + +DIVINATION BY LETTERS + +The most celebrated arrangement of letters by which fortunes were told +or cures effected was the ABRACADABRA. It is attributed to Serenus, a +celebrated physician of the second century. It is often written so that +reading from the apex like an inverted pyramid up to the right side, +the same word will be spelled as at the top. Thus: + + A B R A C A D A B R A + A B R A C A D A B R + A B R A C A D A B + A B R A C A D A + A B R A C A D + A B R A C A + A B R A C + A B R A + A B R + A B + A + +The belief in the wonderful powers of this word are well-nigh +universal. By writing it on a parchment and hanging it about the +neck of a sick person, it would staunch blood, heal disorders, cure +toothache, etc. + +The Jews used a similar word, Abracalam, to cure disorders. In the +Middle Ages the word, Anamazaptas, if whispered into a man’s ear, was +supposed to cure epilepsy. + +The word “Bedooh” inscribed on rings and charms or on helmets or sabres +is supposed to bring good luck. It comes from an Arab word which means +“he has walked well.” + +The word “Osy” was used as a charm against serpents, and caused them to +lie still as the dead. + +Pythagoras considered the letter Y a symbol of life, and used it in his +divinations. + +Anagrams are often used to tell fortunes and to decide the career of a +person. Thus Eleanor Davies, a well-known English woman and the wife of +a poet, became a prophetess because she found that the letters of her +name could be transposed to read, “Reveal O Daniel.” + +In many countries, charms worn about the neck and engraved with mystic +letters have the power to keep away evil and cure disease. + + +DIVINATION BY BOOKS + +In ancient Greece, when people wanted counsel on important matters, +they opened a scroll of Homer at random and noted the lines covered by +the thumb. At the present time the Bible is the book usually employed +for that purpose. + +If in distress, open the Bible and put your index finger on the page +at random. The text will tell you what to do. If the words have no +apparent bearing on the question, you should consider it an unfavorable +reply. + +To decide Yes or No in any doubtful matter, open the Bible and note the +first word on the left-hand page. If it has an even number of letters, +the answer is No; if an odd number of letters, the answer is Yes. + +If things have gone wrong with you, open the Bible and say: + + “Mark and Matthew, Luke and John, + Counsel, that I may get on.” + +Then retire and inspiration will come in your sleep. + +A singular mode of divination for girls who desire to know their fate +is described in an old book, as follows: + +“When you go to bed place under your pillow a prayer book opened at the +part of the matrimonial service which begins, ‘With this ring I thee +wed,’ etc. Place a key on it, a ring, a flower, a sprig of willow, a +small heart-shaped cake, a crust of bread and a pack of playing cards. +Wrap these up in a thin handkerchief and, on getting into bed, cross +your thumbs and say: + + ‘Luna, every woman’s friend, + To me thy goodness condescend; + Let me this night in visions see + Emblems of my destiny.’” + +On New Year’s Day a Bible is laid on the table, in some parts of +England, and each member of the family opens it at random and from the +contents of the two open pages reads his destiny for the ensuing year. + +The last chapter of the Book of Proverbs contains thirty-one verses, +each of which is supposed to have reference to one day of a month. By +consulting these for the day of the month on which you were born, you +will have an indication as to which kind of occupation you will be most +successful in. Thus, the twenty-fourth verse speaks of “fine linen,” +which indicates that the person born on that day will be successful as +a manufacturer or seller of linen. + + +PRECIOUS STONES + +Precious stones are supposed in all countries to have a special +province in inducing fortunate or unlucky occurrences. The proper +stone is chosen according to the month of one’s birth, each month being +governed by a different gem. + +The following is the list of birth stones according to the generally +accepted belief: + + January, Garnet + February, Amethyst + March, Bloodstone + April, Diamond + May, Emerald + June, Agate + July, Ruby + August, Sardonyx + September, Sapphire + October, Opal + November, Topaz + December, Turquoise + +In the dictionary of “Phrase and Fable,” we find a different +arrangement based on astrological lore. It is as follows:-- + + Sign of Zodiac Month Stone + Aries, the ram, April Amethyst + Taurus, the bull, May Agate + Gemini, the twins, June Beryl + Cancer, the crab, July Emerald + Leo, the virgin, August Ruby + Libra, the balance, September Jasper + Scorpio, the scorpion, October Diamond + Sagittarius, archer, November Topaz + Capricorn, the goat, January Onyx + Aquarius, waterman, February Sapphire + Pisces, the fishes, March Chrysolite + +A ring presented to a person with his or her birthstone is sure to +bring good fortune. + +One’s birthstone in a charm or locket, worn about the neck, will bring +luck in business or speculation. + + +COLOR SUPERSTITIONS + +There has always been a disposition to connect one’s personality with +colors. People are supposed not only to have a fortunate number but a +lucky hue as well. Planets have a certain hue, and a person’s color +chart agrees with that of his star. + +Modern scientific research has proved the importance of color in a +curative sense. No matter whether your native color is red or blue, +it is a fact that the color of your wall paper may have a beneficial +or harmful effect on you if you are ill. Color undoubtedly has an +influence on mental conditions. + +Infusoria and the lower forms of life develop faster under one kind of +color than under another, red and yellow being most favorable. Flies, +ants and other insects die under the effect of blue or violet light. +Why then should color not also have its influence on man? + +Insane people have been cured by placing them in a room that was +flooded with light of a certain color that corresponded with their +aura. Blue light was thought particularly efficacious for melancholy +people. + +The following beliefs are current in regard to colors: + + Red governs love, affection or lust. + Scarlet rules emotion and anger. + Crimson is the color of animal passion. + Bright red gives courage and confidence. + Orange is the color of simplicity or ignorance. + Brown is the hue of worldly wisdom. + Yellow, of jealousy and silliness. + +In the Bible, sin is supposed to be scarlet in color, hence that color +is to be avoided by virtuous people. + +The devil, as the incarnation of sin, is always represented as dressed +in scarlet. + +Yellow and gold, according to some philosophers, correspond to the +intellectual, red to the sensual, and blue to the spiritual, moral and +religious nature of man. + +White is the color of innocence, hence brides dress in white. + +Black is the color of mourning in European and American nations, but +white is the mourning hue in oriental countries. + +Purple was considered the color of royalty in ancient days, probably on +account of its former scarcity and expensiveness. It is also used for +second mourning, as being a compromise between black and gay colors. + +There is a belief that every jealous person had green eyes. This +idea no doubt was formed by the fact that some people’s eyes become +phosphorescent under great emotion. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +PLANT SUPERSTITIONS + + +Quaking grass, also called maidenhair, if brought into the house brings +bad luck. + +If mandrake is turned up in one’s garden it should be burnt at once. +Many strange beliefs centre about this root. Some believe it will cause +blindness if looked at too long. + +To pick flowers before they are full blown, is said to cause a stye. + +March marigolds will cause drinking habits if looked at too long. + +If poppies are held to the eyes, it is believed they will blind one. + +Primroses should not be brought into a house where there are laying +hens, or the chickens will not hatch out. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BIRD AND INSECT SUPERSTITIONS + + +Owls are considered unlucky birds. Their hoarse and repellent voice is +a bad omen and means coming disaster. + +Chaucer says: “The owl brings tidings of death.” + +History tells that an owl once flew into the city of Rome and as a +result the place was purified and sacrifices offered to propitiate the +gods and avert trouble. + +Before the death of the Roman emperor, Antoninus, an owl was observed +to sit over his chamber door. + +The Actian War was foretold by owls flying into the Temple of Concord +in Rome. + +In the Middle Ages the screeching of owls was supposed to foretell +plague or other calamities. + +Ravens were considered equally unlucky. To have a raven fly into one’s +bedroom foretold disaster. The celebrated poem by Poe, “The Raven,” has +this belief for its motive. + +Robins are considered lucky birds and it is bad to kill one. The +farmers believe that they will avert poor crops. + +The high esteem in which the robin is held probably originated from the +story of the “Babes in the Wood” who were covered up with leaves by the +robin redbreasts after they were left to starve by their cruel guardian. + +The cuckoo has long been considered as a bird of bad omen, if it enters +one’s home; but to hear a cuckoo cry in the woods is a good sign. + +Boys take their money out of their pockets and spit on it for luck when +they hear a cuckoo cry. It is a bad sign not to have any money in your +pocket when you hear the cuckoo’s first cry in spring. + +A white bird or a crow flying against a window by night, foretells a +death in the house within a year. + +A robin is a bringer of good luck if it flies into the house. + +Magpies have different meanings according to the number that fly about. +“One for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a wedding, four for a birth, +five for silver, six for gold, seven a secret that dare not be told.” + +To avert the evil influence of magpies, make a cross with the foot for +every one in sight. + +It is unlucky to look into an owl’s nest. + +It is a bad omen to kill a swallow or a wren or take their eggs. + +Martins and swallows are God’s teachers and scholars and must not be +annoyed. + + +INSECT OMENS + +It is unlucky to kill a spider. If you wish to thrive, let the spider +stay alive. + +A spider’s web, encountered on the road should not be disturbed. + +A little red ant, if it crawls into the pocket, brings money. + +Crickets are considered harbingers of luck; but in some countries the +contrary holds good. + +To kill a red ant, brings rain. + +Bees swarming on a house means that some one will die there. + +If you see a black snail, throw it over your head for luck. + +To kill a toad will make the bees swarm. + + +BEES + +When putting bees into a new hive, one must knock three times on top of +the old hive and tell them; otherwise they will sting you. + +If any one dies in a house where bees are kept, they must be told, +otherwise they will stop gathering honey and die too. + +In some country hives are turned around when a member of the family +dies, otherwise the bees will also die. + +Bees are supposed to have a religious nature and to be subject to the +emotions of their owners. + +In Yorkshire there is a custom of watching the hives on Christmas Eve. +The people profess to be able to tell by the humming noise the bees +make whether the holiday is to be a joyful one or not. + +Bees have often been used for divination and the size of the swarm and +the general behavior of the bees prophesies good or bad crops. + +If a hive of bees dies out, it is a sign of a coming bad harvest and +the farmer looks for another place to ply his profession. + +To be stung by a bee, if not followed by a swelling, is a sign of +coming fortune. + +If three bees alight upon you at one time, it is a sign that your plans +will meet with success. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +ANIMAL PORTENTS + + +The following are believed to foretell death: Rats leaving a house; a +hare or white rabbit crossing your path; a cow lowing three times in +your face; a shrewmouse running over your foot. + +It is unlucky to keep a kitten born in May. It should be drowned, as a +May cat is supposed to suck a child’s breath. + +Goslings hatched in May bring no luck to the owner. + +It is unlucky to bid a price for an animal that is not for sale. The +animal is apt to die within a month. + +To covet another’s beast will bring you bad luck. + +If a pig is killed while the moon is waning, it will be unprofitable +and the bacon will shrink in the pot. + +A gray horse brings good luck. Spit on the little finger and rub it on +the horse, and money will come to you. + +If you see a young spring lamb with the head towards you, it means good +fortune. + +It foretells bad luck if rats gnaw one’s clothing. + +It is unlucky to kill a cricket. These insects were esteemed by the +ancients as a symbol of hospitality. Their singing was often used to +foretell good or bad events. + +A hare crossing the path of a traveller is a sign of bad fortune. A +white hare, however, is regarded as a good sign. + +A pig appearing to a traveller is a good sign. If a sow be accompanied +by a litter of pigs, it denotes a successful trip. + +The tail of a lizard is considered a lucky mascot in France, just as is +the hind leg of a rabbit in this country. + +To meet a white horse is considered unlucky unless the person spits at +it to avert trouble. + +To meet a white horse indicates that you will soon see a red-haired +girl. + +Rooks are believed to foretell death by leaving the house near which +they have built their nests. + +Killing a spider is considered unlucky. Small spiders, called +“money-spinners,” indicate good luck, and their webs are not to be +destroyed. + +If black ants appear in a house it is a sign of good luck, but red ants +bring misfortune. + +To meet a goat unexpectedly is bad luck; to meet a sheep is a good sign. + + +HOWLING OF DOGS + +The howling of dogs has always been considered a sign of coming +disaster. Dogs are supposed to have a peculiar sense of coming trouble. +In case of sickness, a dog is supposed to foretell the outcome. + +An old writer says: “As odd and unaccountable as it may seem, dogs +scent death even before it seizes a person.” + +In the “Odyssey,” the dogs of Eumæus are described as terrified at the +sight of Minerva though she was invisible to human eyes. + +The howling of dogs is believed to presage death, especially in houses +where some one is lying ill. + +When dogs tremble and wallow upon the earth it is a sign of wind and +storm. + +Horses and cattle are often supposed to have this trait in common with +dogs: Their keen sense of smell, or perhaps some sense which mortals do +not possess, enables them to discover illness and danger. + + +BLACK CATS + +There are conflicting beliefs regarding the influence of black cats. +Some consider them a sure sign of good luck, others regard them with +dread and awe. + +A black cat without a single white hair is lucky, particularly if it +comes to you unsolicited. + +If you start out to undertake any new work or to hunt and a black cat +crosses your path, you will be very lucky in your undertaking. + +If you try to coax a black cat to come and he runs away, you will be +disappointed in your results. + +To kill a black cat is very unlucky, and means misfortune for a year. + +Among Egyptians, cats were regarded with religious awe. They were +mummified and buried in the graves with human beings. + +Witches had a fondness for black cats, and used them in their +divinations. In soothsaying, cats have always played an important role. + +The brain of a black cat was considered an important ingredient in the +recipes and prescriptions of the witches in the Middle Ages. + +The meowing of a black cat at midnight is a bad omen, and foretells a +death. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +METEOROLOGICAL BELIEFS + + +To walk under a rainbow is supposed to be unlucky, as the light of a +rainbow, while good in itself, harms the one it shines on. + +To be out in a sunshower is good luck, and whatever you venture in that +hour will be successful. + +Thunder and lightning are both lucky and unlucky according to the +direction from which they come. + +An even number of thunder reports in quick succession have no effect, +but an uneven number will bring luck. + +The ancients considered thunder as an indication that Jove was angry. + +Thunder from a cloudless sky, is considered an indication of luck. + +To see a new moon for the first time after a change on the right-hand +side or directly in front of you betokens good luck, but to see it +behind you on your left, is a bad omen. + +To begin a journey or other important work in the last quarter of the +moon is bad, and the venture will be a failure. + +To see the new moon through a window for the first time, indicates bad +luck. + +The new moon seen over the right shoulder brings good fortune, over the +left shoulder means failure, and straight ahead of you denotes good +luck till the end of the season. + +The Friday on which the new moon first appears is a bad day and Sunday +is equally unfavorable for a full moon. + +Red ants swarming through the earth, indicate coming of rain. + +If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain for forty days more. + +If the hedgehog emerges from his hole on Michaelmas and sees his +shadow, prepare for thirty days more of winter. + + +WEATHER SIGNS AND PORTENTS + +Small fleecy clouds of “curdled” appearance, indicate neither long wet +nor long dry. Long streaky clouds, indicate fair weather. + +Thick bands of clouds across the west, indicate stormy weather. + +A “weather breeder” is a fine, warm day out of season and foretells +bad weather in the near future. + +Streaks of light radiating out of clouds behind the sun foretell rain. +The sun is said to be sucking up moisture. + +“The moon on her back holds water in her lap.” + +A halo around the moon indicates rain. The bigger the wheel, the nearer +the moisture. + +If the evening star is in front of the moon, look out for rain. + +When a guinea fowl or peacock calls, prepare for rain. + +The call of the green woodpecker is a sign of rain. + +Rooks gathering in large numbers and flying in a circle, foretell rain. + +If it rains on Friday, it will surely rain on the next Sunday. + +Shooting of corns or the aching of an old wound foretell rain. + +If during the harvest a rake is carried with its teeth up, it will be a +wet harvest. + +When the cat scratches the leg of the table, sneezes, draws her paw +over her forehead in washing her face or frisks about the house, it is +a sure sign of rain. + +The following are indications of rain: When crickets chirp louder than +usually, when a rooster flies on the gate and crows, when a dog eats +grass, and when snails are abundant. + + “Wind in the east is good neither for man or beast. + Wind in the west suits everybody best.” + +When the robins sing high in the tree, the weather will be fine, but if +they sing low down, it will rain soon. + +Sea gulls on land bring rain. + + “Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. + Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.” + +Early mist indicates a fine day. + +If ice will bear a man before Christmas, it will not bear a mouse +afterwards. + +If the sun shines through the apple trees on Christmas, it foretells a +fine crop of apples. + + “If in February there be no rain, + The hay won’t prosper nor the grain.” + +All other months of the year curse a fine February. + +If a cat lies in the sun in February, she will creep under the grate in +March. + +“When the oak comes before the ash, summer will be dry and mash.” + +“Rain on Good Friday and Easter Day, brings lots of grass but little +hay.” + +Cold May, short hay! Leaky June, plenty of corn! + +If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, the apples are christened and the +early kind may be picked. + +Warm October means a cold February. + +Snow that lingers will bring more snow. + + +COMETS AND METEORS + +That the sudden appearance of a big star with a long tail should cause +fear and apprehension is but natural. Primitive man, in fact until a +few decades ago, saw in the fiery celestial visitor a sure omen of +disaster. In religious countries in the Middle Ages, the appearance of +a comet was associated with the second coming of Christ. + +In the year 1712, Whiston, a clergyman and astronomer, predicted the +appearance of a comet and stated that the world would be destroyed by +fire a few days thereafter. The comet appeared punctually according +to his calculations, and the inhabitants of England began to prepare +for the end of the world. People got into boats believing that the +water was the safest place. Divine service was held in all churches, +and rich men parted with their wealth. The comet left without having +accomplished any damage. + +Comets have often been regarded as the precursor of war and famine and +nearly every big war occurred soon after the appearance of a comet. + +Although we know now that comets are harmless things, and rarely +trouble the earth, superstition still clings to them. + +Special prayers were instituted by various popes to nullify the evil +a comet might do. In Catholic countries these are still used as a +preventive of trouble. + +It is considered unlucky to engage in any new business during the +continuation of a comet in the sky. + +Children born during a comet will have a difficult time of it, and are +subject to sudden death. + +Shooting stars or meteors have also been the subject of many strange +beliefs. When a shooting star flashes across the sky, wish for money, +and you will be sure to get it. + +A sick person, seeing a shooting star, will recover within a month. + +If you set out on a voyage at night and see a shooting star, your trip +will be successful. + +Lovers seeing shooting stars and wishing for health, wealth or +happiness, will have their wish gratified. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +VOCATIONAL SUPERSTITIONS + + +SUPERSTITIONS OF KINGS + +King Harold of England considered Saturday his lucky day. + +According to Celtic chronicles, each king of Scotland had some favorite +day, and was forbidden by the astrologers of his reign from doing +certain things on designated days. + +The kings of Ireland were not allowed to have the sun fall on their +beds at Tara Castle. + +The King of Munster was forbidden to have a feast at Killarney from +Monday to the end of the week. + +The King of Connaught believed it ill luck to wear a speckled garment +or to ride a speckled horse. + +The King of Ulster would not go to certain parts of his kingdom during +March for fear of disaster. + +October 14th was supposed to be a lucky day for the kings of England. + +The sixth of April was a lucky day for Alexander the Great. On that day +he conquered Darius and won a great sea battle. + +The sixth of April was also lucky for Alexander’s father, Phillip of +Macedon. On that day he captured Potidæa, his general overthrew the +Illyrians, and his horse won at the Olympian games. + +The month of January has been unlucky for kings. Charles I was beheaded +that month. Napoleon III and King Victor Emmanuel of Italy died in +January. + +King Louis XVI of France found the 21st an important day. On April +21st, 1770, he was married, and every great event of his reign occurred +on that day. On January 21st, 1793, he was beheaded. + +Cromwell considered the 3rd of September as his lucky day. He gained +several great victories on that date. + +The Duke of Monmouth was told by a fortuneteller that if he survived +St. Swithin’s Day he would be a great man. He died on that day. + +Napoleon Bonaparte considered Friday his unlucky day and Monday his +fortunate day. + +Henry IV of France considered Friday lucky and preferred to undertake +important things on that day. + +The late Emperor of Austria was superstitious and attributed all his +family troubles to a curse that was launched against him by a countess +who believed herself injured by him. + +The Hohenzollern family, of which the kaiser is the most talked-of +member, have their pet superstitions, one of them being that the +apparition of a woman in white betokens the death of one of the family. + + +CARD PLAYERS’ SUPERSTITIONS + +Luck plays such an important part with gamblers and card players +that it is not surprising they have a multitude of beliefs and +superstitions. Where every move is connected with blind chance and +skill is entirely secondary, every detail of the game is watched for +some sign of import or some omen that will bring success. Here are some +of the many beliefs that are current in English-speaking countries: + +To play cards on a table without a cover is considered unlucky. + +A green cover is the most fortunate to play on. + +To lend money to an adversary with which to play is unlucky. To borrow +money during a game is lucky. + +In Monte Carlo and other gambling places there is a belief that after a +suicide of an unlucky player, all those playing against the bank will +win. When the news of a suicide becomes known, therefore, the card +rooms at once fill with eager players. + +If you wish a friend to win at cards, stick a pin in the lapel of his +coat. + +To drop a card on the floor during a game is a bad sign, and means the +loss of that game. + +Singing, while playing, is a sign that your side will lose. + +To have another person look over your shoulder while playing, or put +his foot on the rung of your chair, is a forerunner of bad luck. + +To play at the same table with a cross-eyed man is a sign that you will +lose. + +To lose your temper or get into a passion over the game is a sign of a +loss. + +The four of clubs is an unlucky card to get. It is called the devil’s +bedstead. + +It helps your luck to keep the chips carefully stacked up before you. + +Most players have their own private superstitions based on past +experiences. A certain hand always foretells good luck, while the +cards coming in a certain order may mean the reverse. + +Winning the first game often means that you will win the third. Holding +your cards in a certain way brings success. + +Playing on certain days is unlucky for some, lucky for others. To play +before 6 P. M. on Fridays is unlucky. + +Turning one’s chair around three times is often resorted to to change +one’s luck. + +Playing with a fresh deck of cards is another way of forcing the +goddess of fortune to be propitious. + +Most players have a lucky card which they touch with the index finger +before sitting down to play. This insures good fortune. + + +ACTORS’ SUPERSTITIONS + +Actors may be counted among the most superstitious people in the world. +Their success depends upon so many unforeseen contingencies, and so +many elements enter into their enterprises, that they look with awe and +misgiving upon every trivial incident. In different countries they have +different rites and beliefs, but the following seem to be the most +prevalent in English-speaking lands: + +Whistling in a theatre is a sign of very bad luck, and there is no +offense that is more quickly frowned upon by the manager. It was +formerly difficult for a vaudeville artist who made a specialty of +whistling in his act to get an engagement. + +It is considered bad luck to change the costume in which an actor first +made his success in a piece. In cases of a long run the garment is +often worn until it becomes threadbare. + +The witches’ song in Macbeth is believed to have an uncanny power for +evil, and many actors cannot be induced to play in that tragedy. + +To repeat the last lines of a play at rehearsals is considered an ill +omen. + +The pictures of an ostrich or peacock are considered unlucky. + +To turn the handle of the wrong door in seeking a manager or +play-broker is considered very unlucky. To ward against failure, the +applicant must return home and start out afresh next day. + +Yellow is an unlucky color for an actor. The color of one’s costume +often creates a loss of memory while learning a part. + +The looping of a drop curtain is a sure forerunner of evil. + +Wigs bring luck, and many an actor wears one although his part does not +call for it. + +If an actor’s shoes squeak on making his entrance it is a sign that he +will have the applause of the audience. + +If an actor kicks off his shoes and they alight on their soles, it is a +good omen; but if they fall on their sides, it is a bad sign. + +Cats are considered very lucky by actors, and to have a cat run across +the stage during a rehearsal is considered very lucky. It brings bad +luck to kick a cat. + +To have a person look over the actor’s shoulder while he is making up +and looking at himself in the glass is unlucky. + +To stumble over anything in making an entrance is bad, and will cause +him to fail in his lines. + +If his costume catches in the scenery as he enters he must go back and +make a new entrance or else have bad luck during the act. + +The peep-hole through which the actor looks out at the audience is +usually in the centre, as either side may bring bad luck. + + +THEATRE SUPERSTITIONS + +Managers have their pet superstitions as well as actors. + +To accept a play that has not been refused by at least one manager is +considered by some as a sign of failure. + +If the first purchaser of seats for a performance is an old man or old +woman it means that the play will have a long run. A young person means +the reverse. + +To receive a torn bank note for a ticket is a bad sign for the box +office man, and means a loss of position. A big bill for which he must +make change is a good omen. + +If an usher seats a person in seat thirteen or a multiple thereof, he +will have bad luck. + +An usher considers it bad luck to have a lady tip him for a program, +but a gentleman’s tip insures good luck. + +The first tip of the season is briskly rubbed on the leg of the usher’s +trousers and then kept in his pocket as a lucky piece. + +To receive a smile from an actor over the footlights is a good omen. + +A woman fainting in a theatre is considered a bad sign and means that +the play will come to a speedy end. + +A death in a playhouse during a performance is a certain hoodoo, and +usually ends in an unexpected termination of the run of the play. + + +COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS’ SUPERSTITIONS + +Travelling men, whose lives are a constant struggle after orders, are +apt to consider trifles as an index of coming fortune, or the reverse, +and many are their peculiar beliefs. + +When, on starting out, a drummer finds he has forgotten his order book, +he will take no orders till it is sent after him. + +A necktie worn when the first order is taken is often worn till the +end of the trip, as it brings good luck. With some, the suit takes the +place of the tie. + +A salesman often goes into a stranger’s store and tries to sell a bill +before tackling his own regular customer. He believes that if he is +turned down by one, he will be sure to sell to the right man. + +A flock of sheep seen on starting out is a good sign. A pig or drove of +pigs is even better. + +If no order has been taken for several days, the conscientious +traveller will rest up for a day, take a bath and change his clothes +for a change of luck. + +Muttering some incantation or wish while a difficult customer is making +up his mind is often resorted to. + +A lucky pocket-piece twirled in the left hand is supposed to insure an +order where the customer is undecided. + +A horseshoe carried in the bottom of a sample trunk is supposed to +insure success during the trip. + + +DRESSMAKERS AND SEAMSTRESSES + +Seamstresses have a code of beliefs of their own, many of which are +curious. + +To prick a finger and draw blood while sewing a bride’s dress bodes ill +for the bride’s married life. To stain the dress with blood means an +early death for the wearer. + +To try on a bride’s dress by the seamstress and wear it for an hour +before the bride wears it betokens an engagement for the seamstress. + +To lose a thimble while making a bride’s dress means exceptionally good +luck for the bride. + +To be employed to make a mourning outfit for a young widow betokens an +early marriage for the seamstress. + +To turn the material on the wrong side and sew it thus by mistake so +that the dress will have to be ripped and resewn means good luck for +the wearer. + +To drop your scissors on the floor means a visitor who will bring +welcome news. Should the scissors break, it means a keen disappointment. + +To sew with the wrong colored silk or thread by mistake is a sign of +bad luck for the wearer unless the work is ripped and sewn over. + +To make an all white dress is always productive of luck. + +A spot of dirt or oil on a new dress where it will show means +disappointment for the wearer. + +It was formerly considered unlucky for a bride to help sew her own +wedding dress. + + +SAILORS’ SUPERSTITIONS + +The sea is one of the greatest marvels of creation, and perhaps the +most mysterious. It is full of dangers, and from time immemorial has +been the subject of many superstitions. It is natural that sailors +should attach a meaning to everything that promises a safe voyage. + +The sea is supposed to be filled with monsters that cause no end of +trouble if they are not propitiated by some rite. A fleet on the sea +drives away these monsters. + +A sailing vessel is supposed to sail faster when running from an enemy +than otherwise. + +By speaking to his sailing vessel as he would to a horse, many an old +salt believes he gets greater speed. + +A kingfisher hanged by a nail to the mast is used to prophesy the +direction of the wind. + +When a great auk, an aquatic bird, appears, sailors believe they will +have a speedy voyage. If the bird settles on deck it is a good omen. + +Seeing three magpies predicts a successful voyage. One magpie, however, +is a sign of bad luck. + +A seal is considered a lucky omen, and it is wicked to kill one. + +An albatross brings good luck and creates favorable winds. To kill an +albatross is an omen of very bad luck. This is portrayed in the “Rime +of the Ancient Mariner.” + +A dove alighting on a ship is a sign of favorable winds. + +Dolphins and porpoises playing about a ship presage a storm. + +An eight-arm cuttlefish is regarded by sailors as a bad omen. + +Barnacles that cling to a ship are believed to change into birds after +the vessel has been on a cruise for six months. + +French sailors dread the nocturnal visits of a sort of mischievous Puck +or sprite who is supposed to play pranks while they sleep. + +An appeal to the Virgin is supposed by Latin sailors to calm a storm at +sea. + +Sailing on Friday is considered bad luck. Steamers do not now fear this +day as much as formerly. + +When a Chinese junk is ready to go to sea, priests are invited to go on +board to chant a prayer and offer a sacrifice to Tien How, the god of +the sea. Gongs and drums are beaten. + +A shark following a ship is looked upon as a sure sign of death of one +of the passengers or crew. + +When a storm arises and a vessel is in danger it is supposed that a +sinful person is on board and causes the trouble. This belief grew out +of the story of Jonah. + +Most sailors make the sign of the cross before launching a boat in an +angry sea. + +Christening new ships is a relic of an ancient rite when wine was +offered to Neptune as a propitiatory sacrifice to insure his favor. + +The custom of blessing a ship is an old one and is supposed to keep a +ship from harm. + +Carrying dead bodies on shipboard is regarded with superstitious dread +by sailors, and those that die during a voyage are usually buried at +sea. + + +FISHERMEN’S SUPERSTITIONS + +During oyster dredging, fishermen often keep up a monotonous chant to +charm the oysters into their net. This has given rise to the following +verse, reprinted from an old book on fishermen’s lore: + + “The herring loves the merry moonlight, + The mackerel loves the wind; + But the oyster loves the dredger’s song, + For he comes of gentle kind.” + +Norwegian fishermen perform a sort of sacred rite before going on the +hunt for herring. They drink a “white lug,” a sort of toddy. They +believe it insures a big catch. + +In many countries fishermen are afraid to assist a drowning man for +fear that the water sprite will be offended and drive the fish from the +nets. + +Burmese fishermen offer fruit and rice to “Nat,” the spirit of the +water, otherwise he will scare away the fish. + +Many fishermen believe that spitting on the bait before casting the +hook will make the catch certain. + +Portuguese fishermen during a storm attach an image of St. Anthony to +the mast and pray to it. If that don’t help, they curse and beat the +image to make it behave and do their behests. + +It is considered lucky to throw the first fish caught back into the +water to induce other fish to come to the hook. + + +TURFMEN’S SUPERSTITIONS + +Men who follow the races and make their living on the turf are in the +same category as card players and gamblers. Their winnings depend +exclusively on chance, and it is easy to understand how they invest +every occurrence with some mysterious meaning and believe that certain +signs or omens will bring good or bad luck. Some of their superstitions +are childish, but their belief in them often brings the desired results. + +On the way to the races, if a turfman sees a name like that of the +horse that is run that day, he takes it for an omen that the horse will +win. + +The initials of names on signboards or the headlines in the paper he is +reading are all made to do service in spelling the name of the horse +that is to be victorious. + +To meet a funeral on the way to the track is a bad omen, although an +empty hearse denotes good luck. + +To dream of a horse that is entered for a race is lucky, but it will +not win the first time it is run. It is sure to win the second time, +however, and it is safe to bet on it then. + +To meet a cross-eyed man on the way to the track is very bad, but to +meet a cross-eyed woman is lucky. A cross-eyed negro foretells the best +kind of luck. + +To meet a black cat brings bad luck, while a white cat is excellent. +To be followed by a strange dog is a good sign. To see a piebald horse +means success. + +To give alms to a blind beggar brings good luck and to touch the hump +of a hunchback man is a sure sign of success. + +When the saddle girth of a horse gets loose and the jockey is obliged +to get off and tighten it, it is a sure bet that the horse will win. + +Money that is won should be carried loose in the pocket, and not in a +purse or wallet. It will then pave the way for more. + +To find money on the track is a bad thing. It should be given away in +charity. + + +BASEBALL SUPERSTITIONS + +Baseball players have a curious code of beliefs, which differ with +nearly every team. They have their mascots, that are supposed to bring +them good luck, and stand in awe of the “jinx” that often defeats their +best plans. + +When a team runs behind in its score a change of pitcher or catcher +often retrieves their chances. + +It is unlucky to play with a bat that is split, even if the damage is +slight. A new bat must be procured. + +If on the way to the game any name is encountered that suggests the +name of one of the teams, that team will be successful. + +If any part of a player’s uniform is missing or torn, it means bad luck +for the team. + +A cross-eyed umpire is tabooed as a hoodoo. + +To have a “southpaw,” or left-handed pitcher, brings good luck to the +team. + +It is a common belief that the team losing the first innings will win +the game at the end. + + +WAITERS’ SUPERSTITIONS + +Waiters, depending as they must upon chance tips, are very prone to be +superstitious, and have developed a series of rites and ceremonies that +are supposed to bring them the coveted fee. + +Drawing out a chair for the customer to seat himself is sure to bring a +good-sized fee. If the customer for any reason takes a different seat +from that indicated it is a bad omen. + +A certain arrangement of knife and fork is sure to produce a good +result. The fork must lie near the plate and the knife on the outside +and parallel. Any other arrangement is bad. + +Opening up the napkin for the customer is a good sign. + +To bring a customer a second portion of butter before he asks for it is +good. If a customer sends out a dish for any reason, it means bad luck +for the rest of the day. + +To receive a big tip early in the day is a bad sign. All the rest of +the tips are apt to be small. + +To break a dish is a very bad omen. It means not only loss of wages, +but the loss of tips as well. + +If a waiter finds that a certain salutation results in a tip, he must +use the same salutation on all clients during the day. + +To wait on a hunchback customer is a sign of good luck and results in a +good inflow of tips. To wait on a one-armed man is bad. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +MISCELLANEOUS + + +PORTENTS OF EVIL + +Furniture creaking at night without visible cause, is a sign of death +or illness. + +Letters crossing in the mail betoken evil fortune. + +When the church bell strikes while the parson is giving out his text, +some one in the congregation will die. + +Ringing sounds in the ear foretell trouble. + +Three people making up a bed is a bad sign, and foretells illness to +one of them. + +The ticking of a “death tick,” a minute insect that lives in wood, is a +sign of coming trouble. + + +BREAKING FRIENDSHIP + +When poker and tongs hang both on the same side of the fireplace it +betokens a breaking of friendship. + +Passing a friend on the stairs, foretells a rupture. + +When two persons kindle a fire together, it foretells that they will +soon quarrel. + +Two persons washing their hands in the same basin or using the same +towel at the same time, had better beware, for their friendship will be +of short duration. + +In all of the above cases, making a cross with the thumb will prevent +the evil from being carried out. + + +DRINKING TOASTS + +Drinking to the health of a friend is a very old custom and goes back +to the beginning of civilization. The Roman gallant would drink as many +glasses as there were letters in the name of his sweetheart. + +The origin of the word “toast” is uncertain. An old writer claims +that in the reign of Charles the Second, a piece of toasted bread was +dropped in the wine, and that a wit, seeing that the wine had all been +quaffed, remarked: “If I can’t drink the wine, I can at least have the +toast.” + +To give or drink a toast signifies to offer a sentiment in honor of +some dear person, and wish him or her good health. It is supposed to be +efficacious. + +The ancients poured wine upon the ground in honor of the gods. The +modern feaster prefers to pour it into himself in honor of his friends. +Many a man drinks to the health of others and forgets about his own +health. + +To break a glass while drinking a toast is a bad omen, and may result +in the early death of the person toasted. + +To spill wine while drinking a toast is a good omen, and brings health +and happiness to the one concerned. + + +PIOUS EJACULATIONS + +The custom of qualifying an assertion or a wish with some pious remark +in order to avert trouble, is well-nigh universal and was as prevalent +among the ancients as with us. + +The Romans, whenever they told of their intended movements or of +anything they expected to accomplish in the future, always prefixed +their remarks with “_Deo Volente_,” or some similar words. + +The modern American says, “God willing,” when he tells of something he +expects to do. This is supposed to remove any hoodoo that may interfere +with his anticipated deed. + +Similarly the German says, “_So Gott will_.” The Frenchman says, “_A +Dieu ne deplaise_,” and so every language has its equivalent. + +In speaking about the possibility of anything evil happening to one’s +dear ones, it is customary to say, “God forbid.” + +In discussing the merits or deeds of one’s wife or other dear relative, +we often say “God bless her or him,” which is supposed to remove any +occult influence for evil. + +Jews, when discussing the good points or praiseworthy traits of their +dear ones, say, “_Unbeschrien_,” which literally means “without wishing +to praise.” This prevents the praise from reacting and becoming a +reproach. + +In speaking of their dead, the Germans often add the word “_selig_” +to the name. This means “blessed” or of “blessed memory,” and is +equivalent to saying, “Peace to his ashes.” + +The English expressions of “Dear me,” “My goodness” and “Goodness +gracious,” are really modifications of “_dio mio_,” “My God,” “Gracious +God,” etc., and had their origin in the desire to call on the Deity to +bring comfort or help. So also “Hully Gee” is a corruption of “Holy +Jesus.” + +The Europeans think nothing of interjecting the name of the Deity into +their ordinary conversation. “_Mein Gott_,” “_Ach Gott_,” “_Mon Dieu_,” +etc., take place of our “Dear me,” etc. They are not used in the spirit +of blasphemy, but as pious words to avert evil. + +Many people before starting out on any errand, or even before entering +a room, say to themselves, “Good luck,” or other phrase, in the nature +of a silent prayer. + +Birthday wishes, festival wishes and congratulations are all related +to this same class of prayers or pious wishes, and are supposed to +influence the mysterious power that rules the universe, to send its +best gifts and to keep away harm. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SUPERSTITIONS OF THE ORTHODOX JEWS + + +The following is a list of some of the most common beliefs of the +orthodox Hebrews. Many of them have their original in some Biblical +quotation or in some interpretation of a Biblical text. This collection +is taken from the pages of the “Jewish Encyclopedia.” + +Animal:--To see an animal in an unexpected place indicates the finding +of a treasure. + +Bachelor:--Bachelors are not looked on with favor. As it is not good +to be alone, every man is supposed to marry. Sand is strewn before the +hearse when a bachelor is buried, as a reproach. + +Barrenness:--To cure barrenness, water was prescribed in which moss +taken from the Temple wall in Jerusalem was cooked. + +Bat:--To kill a bat with a gold coin was considered lucky. + +Bathtub:--A child’s bathtub was not to be used for any other purpose, +or the child would meet with misfortune. + +Bear:--To eat a bear’s heart would convert the eater into a tyrant. + +Bed:--It is considered lucky for girls to sit on a bride’s bed, and +will cause other marriages. + +Blood:--As blood was supposed to carry the life of the animal and was +used on the altar, it is not eaten by professing Jews. + +Blood as a cure:--For many illnesses, blood was smeared on the breast +and forehead. The blood of a rooster was usually taken for this purpose. + +Bone:--When a fishbone has been swallowed, place another fishbone on +the head, and the offending bone will be either ejected or swallowed +completely. + +Book:--It is dangerous to go away and leave a book open. + +Bread:--After saying the usual blessing over bread at a meal (grace), +the bread should be cut in two before eating. + +Bride:--If on the return from the marriage canopy, the bride takes the +groom’s hand, she will be the ruling power in the family. If the groom +takes the bride’s hand, he will be boss. + +Broom:--A table should never be brushed off with a broom, as it may +bring poverty. + +Brothers:--It is unlucky for three married brothers to live in the same +town. + +Buckets:--It is unlucky to come across an empty bucket in going out of +a house, or a full bucket in coming in. + +Cat:--When a cat licks her paws, be prepared for company. + +Convulsions:--When a child has convulsions, break an earthenware pot in +front of its face, to drive away the demon. + +Cemetery:--In order to allay the fears of any member of a community +of being the first to be buried in a new cemetery, a rooster is often +slaughtered and buried. + +Curse:--An undeserved curse, usually rebounds on the one who curses, +and brings him bad luck. + +Dead:--A dead person is supposed to know what is going on until the +last spade-full of earth is placed on his grave. + +Dirt:--It is unlucky to throw dirt after a man who is leaving a house. + +Eggs:--To steal an egg brings poverty. + +Epidemics:--In case of an epidemic, never open the door of your home to +any one until he has knocked three times. + +Evil Eye:--To avert the curse of the evil eye, spit three times on +your finger tips and make a quick movement with your hand through the +air. + +Eye:--If the right eye itches, rejoice; if the left, you will grieve. + +Fingers:--When washing the fingers, hold them downwards so that the +water will drip off. Evil spirits will depart with the water. + +Feet:--Itching of the feet denotes that you will make a voyage to a +place you have never been to. + +Hair:--If child’s hair is cut on certain days, an elflock will grow. + +Looking back:--In running from danger, never look back, or like Lot’s +wife, you will come to grief. + +Money:--In taking money out of a purse or box, always leave a coin, +however small, as a luck token. + +Money:--Dreaming of money is a sign of bad luck. + +Mourning:--Don’t weep too long for the departed or you may have to +weep for some one else. Weep three days, mourn seven, and refrain from +wearing jewelry for thirty days. + +Oven:--It is unlucky to leave an oven empty. When you are not baking in +it, keep a piece of wood within, or you may not have anything to bake. + +Rats:--If rats leave one house for another, it is a sign of bad luck +for the first and good luck for the second. + +Shoes:--Never walk out with only one shoe or slipper on your foot. It +may forecast a death. + +Shroud:--In making a shroud, avoid knots. + +Sisters:--Two sisters should not marry on the same day, nor should two +brothers marry two sisters. Both bring bad luck. + +Sweeping:--It is unlucky to sweep out a room at night or to throw +sweepings into the street after sundown. + +Widowhood:--The fourth husband of a widow will die soon after his +marriage. + +Spitting:--When a person spits at another, he takes over the other’s +sins. + +Travelling:--Monday is a bad day for travelling, but Tuesday is a lucky +day. + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE + + Page 9: “bethrothal” changed to “betrothal” + Page 12: “October, 18 15 17 27 29” changed to “October, 15 17 18 27 29” + Page 20: “to the conracting” changed to “to the contracting” + Page 37: “Valentine Day” changed to “Valentine’s Day” + Page 43: “them how will will.” changed to “them how we will.” + Page 49: “to other wisacres” changed to “to other wiseacres” + Page 52: “Three aritcles” changed to “Three articles” + Page 57: “hens are set” changed to “eggs are set” + Page 68: “as were the godesses” changed to “as were the goddesses” + Page 70: “tie up the horses” changed to “tie up the horses’” + Page 81: “tooth first appars” changed to “tooth first appears” + Page 86: “Have my old feet stumbled at graves!”” changed to + “Have my old feet stumbled at graves!” + Page 92: “breadth till some” changed to “breath till some” + Page 94: “hyenna’s forehead,” changed to “hyenna’s forehead;” + Page 99: “sign of the cross sacreligiously” changed to + “sign of the cross sacrilegiously” + Page 102: “Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have fortune will + ask you on what day of the month” changed to + “Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have” + Page 109: “thee wed,’ etc.”” changed to “thee wed,’ etc.” + Page 122: “dogs. Their keen” changed to “dogs: Their keen” + Page 139: “sell the right man.” changed to “sell to the right man.” + Page 154: ““_Mein Gott_,” “_Act Gott_”” changed to + ““_Mein Gott_,” “_Ach Gott_”” + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77597 *** diff --git a/77597-h/77597-h.htm b/77597-h/77597-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..51366bf --- /dev/null +++ b/77597-h/77597-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6226 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Signs, omens and superstitions | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3{ + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +h1 {font-size: 120%; + font-weight: normal; + line-height: 1.5em;} +h2 {font-size: 110%; + line-height: 1.5em;} +h3 {font-size: 100%;} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +.noindent {text-indent: 0em;} + +.p2ti {text-indent: 1em;} + +.ti2 {text-indent: 2em;} +.ti16 {text-indent: 12em;} + +.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} +.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} +.pt20p {margin-top: 20%;} +.pb40p {margin-bottom: 40%;} +.pb10p {margin-bottom: 10%;} + +.marginleft1em {margin-left: 1em;} + +.corr { + text-decoration: none; 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+ padding-right: 1em; +} + +.nobold {font-style: normal;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; + color: #A9A9A9; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.customcover {visibility: hidden; display: none;} +.x-ebookmaker .customcover {visibility: visible; display: block;} + +/* Poetry */ +/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 0em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} +.poetry .indentq {text-indent: -3.5em;} + +/* Poetry Left*/ +/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ +.poetry-containerL {text-align: left;} +.poetryL .stanzaL {margin: 0em auto;} +.poetryL .verseL {text-indent: 1em; padding-left: 0em;} + + + +/* Transcriber’s notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77597 ***</div> + + + + +<div class="transnote"> +<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> + +<p>Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. +</p> + +<p class="customcover">New original cover art included with this eBook is +granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"></div> + + +<h1 class="pt20p pb40p"> +SIGNS, OMENS<br> +AND<br> +SUPERSTITIONS +</h1> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"></div> + + +<p class="center fs200">SIGNS, OMENS</p> +<p class="center nobold fs130">AND</p> +<p class="center fs200">SUPERSTITIONS</p> + +<p class="center p4 fs80">BY</p> +<p class="center fs110">ASTRA CIELO</p> +<p class="center">Author of “Fortunes and Dreams”</p> + +<div class="poetry-container p4"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“<i>Signs, omens and predictions,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent0"><i>Are not all fictions,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent0"><i>And many facts does history cite</i></div> + <div class="verse indent0"><i>To prove that I am right.</i>”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> +<p class="center ti16"> +—<span class="smcap">The Mascot.</span> +</p> + +<p class="center p6">NEW YORK<br> +GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"></div> + + + +<p class="center pt20p"> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1918, by</span><br> +GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY<br> +</p> +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="center fs90"> +<i>All rights reserved</i> +</p> + +<p class="center fs60 pt20p pb10p"> +PRINTED IN U. S. A. +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2></div> + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl fs80" colspan="2">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="tdr fs80">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr ti2">I.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Popular Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr ti2">II.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Wedding Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">7</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="tdl p2ti"><a href="#LUCKY_PERIODS_FOR_MARRIAGES">Lucky Periods for Marriages</a></td> +<td class="tdr">11</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="tdl p2ti"><a href="#BRIDAL_CAKESBRIDESMAIDS">Bridal Cake—Bridesmaids</a></td> +<td class="tdr">12</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl p2ti"><a href="#SHOES_AND_WEDDINGS">Shoes and Weddings</a></td> +<td class="tdr">14</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr ti2">III.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Rings</a></td> +<td class="tdr">17</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl p2ti"><a href="#ENGAGEMENT_AND_WEDDING_RINGS">Engagement and Wedding Rings</a></td> +<td class="tdr">20</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Lucky and Unlucky Days and Seasons</a></td> +<td class="tdr">23</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#NEW_YEARS_SUPERSTITIONS">New Year’s Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">29</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#APRIL_FOOLS_DAY">April Fool’s Day</a></td> +<td class="tdr">31</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#ASCENSION_DAY">Ascension Day</a></td> +<td class="tdr">32</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#EASTER_SUPERSTITIONS">Easter Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">33</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#ST_JOHNS_EVE">St. John’s Eve</a></td> +<td class="tdr">35</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CANDLEMAS_DAY">Candlemas Day</a></td> +<td class="tdr">36</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#ST_VALENTINES_DAY">St. Valentine’s Day</a></td> +<td class="tdr">36</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#HALLOWEEN_CUSTOMS">Hallowe’en Customs</a></td> +<td class="tdr">38</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#HARVEST_SUPERSTITIONS">Harvest Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">39</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHRISTMAS">Christmas</a></td> +<td class="tdr">40</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Signs of Good or Bad Luck</a></td> +<td class="tdr">43</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#THE_SIGN_OF_THE_CROSS">The Sign of the Cross</a></td> +<td class="tdr">46</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#KNOCKING_ON_WOOD">Knocking on Wood</a></td> +<td class="tdr">48</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Lucky and Unlucky Omens</a></td> +<td class="tdr">50</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHRISTENING_CUSTOMS">Christening Customs</a></td> +<td class="tdr">51</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#BELIEFS_CONCERNING_CHILDREN">Beliefs Concerning Children</a></td> +<td class="tdr">52</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#BELIEFS_CONCERNING_EGGS">Beliefs Concerning Eggs</a></td> +<td class="tdr">54</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHARMS_AND_AMULETS">Charms and Amulets</a></td> +<td class="tdr">59</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#MASCOTS">Mascots</a></td> +<td class="tdr">64</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#HORSESHOE_LORE">Horseshoe Lore</a></td> +<td class="tdr">65</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#PIN_SUPERSTITIONS">Pin Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">67</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">The Influences of Mythical Beings</a></td> +<td class="tdr">68</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#WITCHES">Witches</a></td> +<td class="tdr">73</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Signs Connected with the Body</a></td> +<td class="tdr">76</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#SNEEZING">Sneezing</a></td> +<td class="tdr">76</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#SPITTING">Spitting</a></td> +<td class="tdr">78</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#MOLES_TEETH_WARTS_ETC">Moles, Teeth, Warts, etc.</a></td> +<td class="tdr">80</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#YAWNING">Yawning</a></td> +<td class="tdr">82</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#TINGLING_AND_ITCHING">Tingling and Itching</a></td> +<td class="tdr">83</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#STUMBLING_AND_FALLING">Stumbling and Falling</a></td> +<td class="tdr">84</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CUTTING_NAILS_AND_HAIR">Cutting Nails and Hair</a></td> +<td class="tdr">86</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#PERSONAL_APPEARANCE">Personal Appearance</a></td> +<td class="tdr">87</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CLOTHES_SUPERSTITIONS">Clothes Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">88</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#ON_ARISING">On Arising</a></td> +<td class="tdr">90</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#SQUINTING_CRIPPLED_AND_HUNCHBACK_PERSONS">Squinting, Crippled, and Hunchback Persons</a></td> +<td class="tdr">91</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#DEATH_AND_CORPSES">Death and Corpses</a></td> +<td class="tdr">92</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#THE_EVIL_EYE">The Evil Eye</a></td> +<td class="tdr">93</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Household Beliefs</a></td> +<td class="tdr">95</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#LOOKING-GLASS_OMENS">Looking-glass Omens</a></td> +<td class="tdr">96</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#SPILLING_OF_SALT">Spilling of Salt</a></td> +<td class="tdr">97</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#KNIFE_SUPERSTITIONS">Knife Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">99</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CANDLE_SUPERSTITIONS">Candle Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">100</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CONCERNING_LADDERS">Concerning Ladders</a></td> +<td class="tdr">101</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">X.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Divination</a></td> +<td class="tdr">102</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#THE_MYSTERY_OF_NUMBERS">The Mystery of Numbers</a></td> +<td class="tdr">102</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#LOTTERY_NUMBERS_AND_USAGES">Lottery Numbers and Usages</a></td> +<td class="tdr">104</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#PREDICTIONS_OF_WEALTH">Predictions of Wealth</a></td> +<td class="tdr">106</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#DIVINATION_BY_LETTERS">Divination by Letters</a></td> +<td class="tdr">107</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#DIVINATION_BY_BOOKS">Divination by Books</a></td> +<td class="tdr">108</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#PRECIOUS_STONES">Precious Stones</a></td> +<td class="tdr">110</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#COLOR_SUPERSTITIONS">Color Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">112</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Plant Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">115</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Bird (and Insect) Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">116</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#INSECT_OMENS">Insect Omens</a></td> +<td class="tdr">118</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#BEES">Bees</a></td> +<td class="tdr">118</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Animal Portents</a></td> +<td class="tdr">120</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#HOWLING_OF_DOGS">Howling of Dogs</a></td> +<td class="tdr">122</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#BLACK_CATS">Black Cats</a></td> +<td class="tdr">123</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Meteorological Beliefs</a></td> +<td class="tdr">124</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#WEATHER_SIGNS_AND_PORTENTS">Weather Signs and Portents</a></td> +<td class="tdr">125</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#COMETS_AND_METEORS">Comets and Meteors</a></td> +<td class="tdr">128</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Vocational Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">131</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#SUPERSTITIONS_OF_KINGS">Superstitions of Kings</a></td> +<td class="tdr">131</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CARD_PLAYERS_SUPERSTITIONS">Card-players’ Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">133</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#ACTORS_SUPERSTITIONS">Actors’ Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">135</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#THEATRE_SUPERSTITIONS">Theatre Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">138</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#COMMERCIAL_TRAVELLERS_SUPERSTITIONS">Commercial Travellers’ Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">139</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#DRESSMAKERS_AND_SEAMSTRESSES">Dressmakers’ and Seamstresses’ Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">140</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#SAILORS_SUPERSTITIONS">Sailors’ Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">141</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#FISHERMENS_SUPERSTITIONS">Fishermen’s Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">144</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#TURFMENS_SUPERSTITIONS">Turfmen’s Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">145</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#BASEBALL_SUPERSTITIONS">Baseball Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">147</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#WAITERS_SUPERSTITIONS">Waiters’ Superstitions</a></td> +<td class="tdr">148</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">(Miscellaneous) Portents of Evil</a></td> +<td class="tdr">150</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#BREAKING_FRIENDSHIP">Breaking Friendship</a></td> +<td class="tdr">150</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#DRINKING_TOASTS">Drinking Toasts</a></td> +<td class="tdr">151</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#PIOUS_EJACULATIONS">Pious Ejaculations</a></td> +<td class="tdr">152</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Superstitions of the Orthodox Jew</a></td> +<td class="tdr">155</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I +<br> +<span class="fs90">POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>It is an interesting question as to how the many +superstitious beliefs and practices had their beginning. +The origin of most of them is no doubt +to be found in man’s efforts to explain the phenomena +of nature, and in an attempt to propitiate +an angry deity and to invite a better fortune. +From these sources come many of the absurd +notions still in vogue among primitive people, +which have been handed down in modified form +to us.</p> + +<p>Man has ever found it difficult to understand +the mysteries surrounding him on all sides, and +groping in the dark he has tried by prayer, incantation +or peculiar practices to force nature to do +his bidding.</p> + +<p>Superstition, therefore, arises primarily from +ignorance. Early man believed that every phenomenon +of nature was the work of a spirit or +devil. His intelligence could not suggest any +other explanation. To this belief was added fear. +The thunder, the lightning, the earthquake, darkness—all +filled him with fearful dread. To him +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span>they were the workings of spiteful powers to be +propitiated. Where ignorance and fear are surrounded +by danger they will always grope for a +way of escape. Thus superstition is born. A belief +in the existence of spirits antagonistic to man +gave rise to most of the old superstitions.</p> + +<p>There is no nation, however ignorant or advanced, +which does not recognize customs, rites, +usages and beliefs which have their origin in +superstition. The Bible speaks of such practices +as had found their way from pagan sources into +the monotheistic beliefs of the Israelites, calls them +“abominations,” and warns the Jews against them. +The penalty of death was attached to sorcery, yet +many of the superstitious practices continued to be +observed, as is proved by the invocation by Saul +of Samuel’s spirit. All the prophets spoke strenuously +against the existing immoral and superstitious +rites, and Judaism was probably the first religion +that attempted to free itself from their +shackles. In Egypt, Greece and Rome, superstition +gave birth to mythology with its pagan rites +and ceremonies. During the Dark and Middle Ages +when people were for the most part illiterate, +superstition flourished with unprecedented vigor. +Every religious sect gave rise to new beliefs. The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span>Crusades had the effect of bringing to Europe +many oriental practices and ideas that in the +course of time became grafted on the religious +habits of the people, and not a few of them have +been handed down to our own times.</p> + +<p>It is, in fact, a difficult matter at times to draw +the line between superstition and religion, for what +appears as a sacred rite to one creed may appear +as rank folly to the adherent of another. The +Fiji Islander, for example, believes that thunder +is a sign of God’s anger, and he falls flat on his +face and mutters an invocation to appease the +deity. To an enlightened European this becomes +a superstition, yet this same European may wear +an amulet or charm to ward off sickness or bad +luck, and the Fiji Islander might be moved to +laughter at the idea.</p> + +<p>In fact, certain superstitions had their origin +in one sect trying to oppose the tenets of another +sect. Again many superstitions were created by a +literal or often a false interpretation of the Bible. +For instance, among the Jews it was considered +lucky to begin a journey on Tuesday, because in +describing the third day of Creation, it is said: +“God saw that it was good.” On the other hand, +it was thought unlucky to commence anything on +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span>Monday, when God omitted to say it was good.</p> + +<p>Similarly Christians have a superstition that +Friday is a bad day to begin an important work, +because Christ was crucified on that day. The +fear of sitting down with thirteen at table had its +origin in the Last Supper and its sad ending.</p> + +<p>Many a superstition had its beginning in a +command that was laid down to teach a lesson or +avoid trouble. For instance, it is considered bad +to step over a child. This may have had its beginning +when a careful father feared that in stepping +over a child one might accidentally step on it +and cripple it. To drive the lesson home more effectively, +it was stated that stepping over a child +would stunt its growth, and in that form it is still +held in respect by many at the present time. So +also the belief that it is unlucky to sing before +breakfast may have been taught by an indolent +father who hated to have his morning slumbers +disturbed by his daughter’s singing, and so frightened +her off by an admonition appealing to her +fear. Every superstition can probably be traced +to a similar cause.</p> + +<p>There are few persons, no matter how rational +or level-headed, who are not given to superstition +in some form. With some there is a deep-seated +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span>belief that evil will result from an infraction of +a rule. With others an amused idea that if a +ceremony does no good it can do no harm, and so +to be on the safe side they carry out some mummery. +The lady who will not go to a card party, +unless she wears some particular amulet or jewel, +the man who will not speculate or play cards without +first touching his lucky coin or pocket-piece, +the fisherman who spits on his bait for good luck, +are all descendants of the primitive savage who +tried by some secret method to force nature to be +good to him.</p> + +<p>One reason why superstition has not yet died +out among intelligent people is because it is contagious. +In colonial days in Salem even the +learned professors and lawyers believed in witchcraft. +It was in the very air. Children brought up +in an atmosphere of credulity rarely rise above it. +It is the hardest thing to shake off superstitious +prejudices. They are sucked, as it were, with our +mother’s milk, and become so interwoven with +our thoughts that a very strong mind is required +to shake them off. They become a sort of religion, +semisacred in their appeal. No wonder that the +lower classes cannot abandon them and that even +men of intellect cling to them.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p> +<p>It is the object of this book to review the subject +of superstition without prejudice or condemnation, +but to present the data and explain their +origin wherever possible, leaving it to the reader +to reject such beliefs as seem absurd and irreconcilable +with modern culture.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II +<br> +<span class="fs90">WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>In some countries it is customary to throw +money over the heads of the bride and groom as +they come out of church,—it insures fortune.</p> + +<p>In Scandinavian countries a speech is usually +made at the wedding feast or a song is sung, +which winds up in an unexpected crash. This +sets everybody laughing and is a signal for general +congratulations and good wishes.</p> + +<p>It was formerly customary in Germany to carry +old dishes outside of the door and break them in +the street. If a single piece escaped demolition, +it was considered a bad sign.</p> + +<p>Sprinkling the bride with wheat is a lucky sign. +It takes the place of rice in some sections. Both +are considered emblems of fruitfulness.</p> + +<p>Among the Slavs a can of beer is poured over +the horse belonging to the bridegroom.</p> + +<p>Flinging the stocking was an old custom on the +bridal eve. The young men took the bride’s stockings +and the girls those of the groom, and threw +them over their heads. If they fell upon the bride +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span>or groom to whom they belonged, the thrower was +sure to be married soon.</p> + +<p>In Yorkshire after the couple have gone away, +the cook pours a kettle full of hot water on the +stone before the front door in order that another +wedding will soon occur from the same house.</p> + +<p>It is considered a sign of good luck if the bride +does not walk into the groom’s house, but is lifted +over the sill by her nearest relatives.</p> + +<p>It is lucky for the bridesmaids to throw away +a pin on the wedding day, and unlucky to be stuck +with one.</p> + +<p>In Brittany a girl who can secure the pins used +to fasten the bride’s dress, is sure of an early +marriage.</p> + +<p>It is considered unlucky for a pair to be married +in church if there is an open grave in the churchyard.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to be married in green.</p> + +<p>The wearing of orange blossoms at a wedding +ensures good luck.</p> + +<p>In the Middle Ages it was considered a bad +omen if the couple met a cat, dog, lizard, serpent +or hare; but to meet a wolf, spider or toad was +a good sign.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky for a bride to look into a mirror +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span>after she is completely dressed. Some article must +be put on after she is through admiring herself.</p> + +<p>The sneezing of a cat on the eve of a wedding +is a lucky omen.</p> + +<p>A man going to be married, who meets a male +acquaintance, rubs his elbow to ensure good luck.</p> + +<p>In China, if a <ins class="corr" id="tn-9" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: bethrothal">betrothal</ins> is being arranged, it +is postponed in case anything unlucky, such as +the breaking of a vase or bowl or the loss of anything, +occurs.</p> + +<p>Among the Highlanders great care is taken +that no dog runs between the couple on their way +to be married.</p> + +<p>It was formerly considered unlucky if the bride +did not weep at her wedding. It portended tears +later on.</p> + +<p>A storm with thunder and lightning is a bad +omen during a wedding ceremony.</p> + +<p>To marry a man whose name begins with the +same letter as one’s own is sometimes considered +unlucky.</p> + +<p>If a younger daughter chances to get married +before her older sisters, the older girls should +dance at her wedding barefoot.</p> + +<p>A clot of soot coming down a chimney at a +wedding feast is a bad omen.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p> +<p>If the bride accidentally breaks a dish at the +wedding feast it is a bad sign.</p> + +<p>A bird dying in his cage on the day after a +wedding is a bad sign. A bird sitting on the +window sill chirping is a good omen.</p> + +<p>To meet a funeral either in going or coming +from a wedding is always a sign of ill fortune. If +the funeral is that of a male, it means an early +death for the groom; if of a woman, the bride +will soon die.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky for a woman to read the marriage +service entirely through. She will never get a +husband.</p> + +<p>Bees should be informed that a wedding is in +progress and their hives decorated. It brings +good luck.</p> + +<p>If at the wedding dinner an unmarried person +sits between the bride and groom it means that +there will soon be another wedding.</p> + +<p>Marriages on the last day of the year are considered +lucky.</p> + +<p>Easter engagements are said to foretell money, +those at Ascension, health, those at Trinity, a big +family, those at Whitsuntide, peace and comfort +at home.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p> + +<h3 id="LUCKY_PERIODS_FOR_MARRIAGES">LUCKY PERIODS FOR MARRIAGES</h3> + +<p>The notion that certain times of the year are +more favorable to marriages than others, had its +origin in the days of ancient Rome. The goddess +Maia was not propitious to marital happiness, +whereas Juno, as a good and virtuous wife of +Jupiter, was the patron of happy marriages. +Brides, therefore, selected June in preference to +May, as their hymeneal month. For similar reasons +March being dedicated to the god Mars, was +not a favorable month, as disputes were apt to be +the rule between the contracting parties. Every +month had its good or bad influence.</p> + +<p>Even at the present time, May is considered an +unlucky month for marriages. In Oriental countries, +however, May being the month of flowers, +is the proper month for orange blossoms.</p> + +<p>June is a popular month for marriages among +Americans and Europeans. Some authorities believe +that June’s having the longest day of the year +is symbolical of a long and happy marriage.</p> + +<p>A wedding on St. Valentine’s Day or other +popular holiday, indicates a happy union.</p> + +<p>Being married during a thunder storm is a sign +of bad luck. If the sun shines right after a +storm, the auspices are good for a happy union.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> +<p>Getting married on Sunday is a sure sign of a +fortunate union. Friday is a bad day on which +to get married. Other days of the week are about +equal in their effect upon the destinies of a married +pair.</p> + +<p>A marriage during a heavy snow-storm is considered +lucky; although the contracting parties may +never be wealthy, they will be happy.</p> + +<p>An old astrological almanac gives the following +as lucky days on which to be married:—</p> + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">January,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">2</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">11</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">19</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">February,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">3</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">10</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">19</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">March,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">3</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">5</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">12</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">23</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">April,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">2</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">12</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">22</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">May,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">2</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">12</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">23</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">June,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">3</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">11</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">19</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">July,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">3</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">12</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">19</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">31</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">August,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">2</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">11</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">18</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">30</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">September,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">9</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">16</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">18</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">28</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">October,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"><ins class="corr" id="tn-12" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: October, 18 15 17 27 29">15</ins></td> +<td class="tdrp1r">17</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">18</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">27</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">29</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">November,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">5</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">11</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">13</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">22</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">25</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp5r">December,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">8</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">10</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">19</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">23</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">29</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<h3 id="BRIDAL_CAKESBRIDESMAIDS">BRIDAL CAKES—BRIDESMAIDS</h3> + +<p>Bride cakes, or wedding cakes, are a survival +of an ancient Roman custom. When a wedding +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span>was solemnized the bride and groom ate a cake +of wheat or barley in the presence of ten witnesses. +The crumbs were carefully preserved by +the unmarried women present to insure their +getting husbands.</p> + +<p>Slices of cake passed thru the bride’s wedding +ring and eaten by the bridesmaids, will bring +a husband within a year.</p> + +<p>A piece of wedding cake should be put under the +pillow of a maiden and if she dreams of a man, +she will marry him within a year.</p> + +<p>In some countries a plain gold ring is baked in +the wedding cake and the maiden who gets the +slice with the ring will have the privilege of proposing +to a man of her choice.</p> + +<p>Bridesmaids date from Anglo-Saxon times. It +was the bridesmaid’s duty to escort the bride to +church, and it was believed that the girl on whom +this honor fell would be married within a year.</p> + +<p>A bridesmaid who stumbles on the way to the +altar will die an old maid.</p> + +<p>It is a custom for the groom to present his attendants +with some gift as a souvenir of the occasion. +This must be carefully preserved. If +lost, the loser is apt to remain unmarried.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p> + +<h3 id="SHOES_AND_WEDDINGS">SHOES AND WEDDINGS</h3> + +<p>Throwing a shoe over or at a newly married +couple is a custom in many countries and is supposed +to bring good luck. The origin is uncertain +but the shoe has been considered a symbol of +authority, and as the bride has just broken from +her parent’s protection it is probable that the act +symbolizes the breaking away from old associates. +It has also been explained that it is thrown at the +bridegroom in the spirit of retaliation for having +carried off the bride.</p> + +<p>It is now looked upon as an augury of luck and +of long life to the bride. In an old book by Fordham +we read, “He would have been content had his +neighbors thrown his old shoes after him when he +went home, in sign of good luck.” Ben Jonson +wrote in a letter, “Would I had Kemp’s shoes to +throw after you,—” Kemp being a man remarkable +for his good fortune. John Heywood in an +old play says: “Now for good luck cast an old +shoe after me.” Beaumont and Fletcher say in +one of their comedies: “Your shoes are old, pray +put ’em off and let one fling ’em after us.”</p> + +<p>In Scandinavia a shoe of the bride is thrown +among the wedding guests and good luck or a +speedy marriage attends the one who catches it.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></p> +<p>In Scotland a volley of old shoes or slippers +is cast at the couple for luck, but true to Scottish +thrift, they are all collected again after the couple +has left.</p> + +<p>In the Isle of Man a shoe is thrown after the +groom as he leaves his home on the way to be +married. If by stratagem one of the bride’s shoes +can be taken off her feet on the way to church, +it has to be ransomed by the bridegroom, who +must treat the entire crowd.</p> + +<p>Among the ancient Peruvians it used to be the +custom for a prospective groom to go to the girl’s +house and, after gaining her father’s consent, put +a pair of shoes on her feet. If she consented, he +led her to his home with the shoes on.</p> + +<p>In Russia it is the custom to throw an old shoe +or broken crockery for luck at the door of a newly +married couple,—crockery being cheaper than +leather.</p> + +<p>In parts of Hungary it is customary on the +wedding night for the groom to drink a toast to +his fair lady out of her slipper.</p> + +<p>Among the Orthodox Jews the shoe has a different +marital function. A childless widow is +constrained, according to the Bible, to marry her +deceased husband’s brother. If, however, she declines, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>he may give her a release. In that case +she fastens the laces of his shoe and is free to +marry whom she pleases.</p> + +<p>The shoe as a symbol of a fruitful marriage is +celebrated in that well-known Mother Goose +rhyme:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“There was an old woman who lived in a shoe; +She had so many children she didn’t know what to do.”</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III +<br> +<span class="fs90">RINGS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>Rings set with certain precious stones or engraved +with mystic characters were in all times +supposed to influence the character and conduct +of people. There are many old legends about the +wonderful effect of these charms.</p> + +<p>The ring worn by the Jewish High Priest was +supposed to possess wonderful powers, given by +heaven. The ring worn by Solomon gave him +divine powers by which he acquired the knowledge +of the laws of the universe.</p> + +<p>The wedding ring which Joseph was supposed +to have given to the Virgin Mary was an object +of adoration for many ages, and many miracles +were accomplished by it. It is still shown in the +Cathedral of Perugia, but it seems that other +churches also make claim to possessing the original. +This ring, however, has been described as +a very thick gold circlet, large enough to fit a +man’s thumb.</p> + +<p>The power of making its wearer invisible was +ascribed to the ring worn by King Gyges of +Lydia, and it had also many other powers, such +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span>as bringing together long separated friends, allaying +jealously, etc.</p> + +<p>Astrological rings are worn to the present day, +the stone or metal being in conformity with the +signs of the planets, and thus bringing luck to +the wearer.</p> + +<p>Rings are often used for divination. A number +of rings, each inscribed with a name, are thrown +into a bag, and one drawn at random. The +answer to any question is thus given.</p> + +<p>Rings are considered a preventive of many +diseases. For the cure of croup an amber ring +is often worn. For cramp and abdominal pains, +a ring made of a coffin nail is supposed to be +efficacious. For rheumatism, a copper ring, or +one of copper and zinc welded together, is thought +to have curative powers.</p> + +<p>Marcellus, an old Roman physician, prescribed +for a pain in the side, a gold ring inscribed with +certain Greek characters and worn on the hand of +the side opposite the pain. Trallian, another ancient +doctor, cured colic and bilious complaints by +an octangular ring of iron on which he engraved +a message to the disease to leave the body.</p> + +<p>Rings on which were engraved the names of +three kings of Cologne were considered efficacious +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>in the cure of various disorders. On them were +also engraved the words, “God is a remedy.”</p> + +<p>For sore eyes, a plain gold wedding ring is considered +a sovereign remedy to this day.</p> + +<p>A ring made of a silver coin, taken from a +beggar, is supposed to be a cure for epilepsy.</p> + +<p>Among the peasantry of France, before a couple +are wed, a ring of iron is put on the forefinger +of the bride. It is usually made of a nail of a +horseshoe. In certain parts a ring of straw is +used. These are first blessed by the priest and +insure a happy life.</p> + +<p>In Russia, in order to discover which girl of a +village shall be married first, each places a ring +in a little heap of corn on the barn floor. A +rooster is then let loose among the corn. He +pecks at the grains until one ring is exposed. The +owner will be married before her companions.</p> + +<p>In Sweden girls hide under teacups or kitchen +pots a ring, a coin and a piece of black ribbon. +If the ring comes to light first, the owner will +marry, if the coin, she will get a rich husband, +but if the ribbon, she will die an old maid.</p> + +<p>To find a ring is a sign of good luck if it be +gold, of peace of mind if it be silver, but of +trouble, if it be brass.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> + +<h3 id="ENGAGEMENT_AND_WEDDING_RINGS">ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RINGS</h3> + +<p>Rings have figured prominently in marriages +from prehistoric times, and many superstitions +cling to them. It is not strange that a rite that +is fraught with such serious results to the <ins class="corr" id="tn-20" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: conracting">contracting</ins> +parties should have awakened a sense of +dread and a desire to foretell the future by speculation +and divination.</p> + +<p>Among some peoples instead of exchanging +rings a piece of gold or money is broken in halves, +each party keeping a half. To lose one’s half is +considered very unlucky.</p> + +<p>An engagement ring is supposed to be: +is a harbinger of luck and happiness.</p> + +<p>An engagement ring with the bride’s birthstone</p> + +<p> +“A contract of eternal bond of love,<br> +Confirmed by mutual joinder of your hands.” +</p> + +<p>Formerly men wore engagement rings as well +as women, but in the course of time left them off +as being a sign of bondage.</p> + +<p>A diamond engagement ring is especially lucky, +as diamonds are considered the highest form of +gift, and the sparkle is supposed to originate in +the fires of love.</p> + +<p>A pearl in a ring is unlucky, as pearls signify +tears.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></p> +<p>To lose a stone out of an engagement ring foretells +bad luck, unless it is replaced before the wedding +takes place.</p> + +<p>During the Commonwealth in England, the +Puritans tried to abolish wedding rings as being +a remnant of heathen practice.</p> + +<p>The ring, being round and without end, is a symbol +of never-ending love and affection that should +continue to flow in an uninterrupted circle.</p> + +<p>If a wedding ring breaks, it is a sign of marital +trouble.</p> + +<p>A wedding ring that has been worn to a thin +thread is lucky and brings luck to the wearer’s +children.</p> + +<p>The wedding ring is usually worn on the fourth +finger of the left hand. The probable reason is +that the left hand is not used as much as the right +and the fourth finger is rarely used alone.</p> + +<p>It was formerly believed that a special artery led +from the heart to the fourth finger.</p> + +<p>Among Orientals the ring is usually worn on the +index finger of the left hand, which is called the +lucky finger.</p> + +<p>A wedding ring rubbed three times on the eye +is supposed to be a cure for styes.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></p> +<p>A wedding ring should be turned around three +times if you want your wish to come true.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to take off your wedding ring except +in cases of necessity.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV +<br> +<span class="fs90">LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS AND SEASONS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>The belief that some days bring luck and others +the opposite, is prevalent the world over and has +its origin in astrology. Few intelligent people +are free from this superstition.</p> + +<p>If a person has had luck on a certain day, three +times in succession, it is safe to assume that it is +his lucky day and any business undertaken on that +day will prove successful. Conversely, if a day +has shown itself unfortunate, business or travelling +should be avoided on that day.</p> + +<p>A day that is good for one person may be correspondingly +unlucky for another. What is one +man’s food is another man’s poison.</p> + +<p>Religious persons believe that the last Monday +in December is unlucky for serious matters, as +Jesus was betrayed on that day.</p> + +<p>Friday is generally considered unlucky for any +new undertaking, because Jesus was crucified on +that day.</p> + +<p>If Friday falls on the thirteenth of any month, +it is doubly unlucky for business or speculation.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span></p> +<p>John Gibbons, an eminent scientist considered +Friday an unusually lucky day. He was born, +christened and married on that day and was fortunate +in all of his undertakings.</p> + +<p>To move into a new home on Friday is unlucky. +Monday and Wednesday are particularly +fortunate.</p> + +<p>To be born on the 29th of February, leap year, +is considered lucky and the person will be successful +as a speculator.</p> + +<p>An old verse says:</p> + +<p> +“There are days of which the careful heed,<br> +When enterprise will sure succeed.” +</p> + +<p>Books on astrology give the following as unlucky +days:</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p> + + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">January,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">2</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">5</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">10</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">15</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">17</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">29</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">February,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">8</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">10</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">17</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">26</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">27</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">28</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">March,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">16</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">17</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">April,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">7</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">8</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">10</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">16</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">May,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">3</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">6</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">7</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">15</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">June,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">8</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">10</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">22</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">July,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">15</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">August,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">1</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">9</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">29</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">30</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">September,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">3</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">6</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">7</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">21</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">23</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">October,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">4</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">6</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">16</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">24</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">November,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">5</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">6</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">15</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">20</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">29</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">30</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">December,</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">6</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">7</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">9</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">15</td> +<td class="tdrp1r">22</td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +<td class="tdrp1r"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>Never undertake any important business on a +day that has brought you any misfortune or calamity.</p> + +<p>According to old astrologers, six days are +perilous to sick persons, and it is not safe to let +blood on these days. They are January 3, July 1, +October 2, April 30, August 1, and December 31.</p> + +<p>Thursday in May was never to be regarded as +a holy day, according to an ancient church authority.</p> + +<p>No vines are to be planted during leap year, as +they will not thrive.</p> + +<p>An old missal gives the following predictions +regarding certain days of the year:</p> + +<p class="noindent">January—</p> +<p>Of this first month the opening day</p> +<p>And seventh like a sword will slay.</p> +<p class="noindent">February—</p> +<p>The third day bringeth down to death,</p> +<p>The fourth will stop a strong man’s breath.</p> +<p class="noindent">March—</p> +<p>The first the greedy glutton slays,</p> +<p>The fourth cuts short the drunkard’s days.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> +<p class="noindent">April—</p> +<p>The tenth day and the eleventh too,</p> +<p>Are ready death’s fell work to do.</p> +<p class="noindent">May—</p> +<p>The third to slay poor men had power,</p> +<p>The seventh destroyeth in an hour.</p> +<p class="noindent">June—</p> +<p>The tenth a pallid visage shows,</p> +<p>No faith nor truce the fifteenth knows.</p> +<p class="noindent">July—</p> +<p>The thirteenth is a fatal day,</p> +<p>The tenth alike will mortals slay.</p> +<p class="noindent">August—</p> +<p>The first kills strong men at a blow,</p> +<p>The second lays a cohort low.</p> +<p class="noindent">September—</p> +<p>The third day of the month September</p> +<p>And tenth bring evil to each member.</p> +<p class="noindent">October—</p> +<p>The third and tenth with poisoned breath</p> +<p>To men are foes as foul as death.</p> +<p class="noindent">November—</p> +<p>The fifth bears scorpion stings of pain,</p> +<p>The third comes with distraction’s train.</p> +<p class="noindent">December—</p> +<p>The seventh is bad for human life,</p> +<p>The tenth with serpent’s sting is rife.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p> +<p> +“The lucky have whole days in which to choose, +</p> +<p> +The unlucky have but hours, and these they<br> +lose.” +</p> + +<p>Sunday is a pun day, Monday’s a dun day, +Tuesday’s a news day, Wednesday’s a friend’s +day, Thursday’s a cursed day, Friday’s a dry day, +Saturday’s the latter day.</p> + +<p>Born on Monday, fair of face; born on Tuesday, +full of grace; born on Wednesday, sour and sad; +born on Thursday, merry and glad; born on +Friday, worthily given; born on Saturday, work +hard for your living. Born on Sunday, you’ll +never know want.</p> + +<p>The day of the week on which the 3rd of May +falls is unlucky for taking an account of cattle +on a farm. St. Stephen’s day is unlucky for +bleeding horses.</p> + +<p>The Spanish have a proverb which says: Don’t +wed, don’t go aboard a ship and don’t leave your +wife on Thursday.</p> + +<p>According to a Spanish belief, Saturday always +is sunny and therefore lucky. Wednesday in +Passion Week is always rainy and therefore unlucky. +On that day it is said that Peter went +out and wept, hence heaven sends rain to commemorate +his tears.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p> +<p>An Italian belief fixes Tuesday and Friday as +unlucky days for a voyage and for a marriage.</p> + +<p>The Japanese have designated five days of the +year as unlucky, and in order to avert their bad +influence have made them the days of great festivals. +It is customary to wish one another happiness +on those days in order to oppose their otherwise +unhappy effects. They never begin a journey +on an inauspicious day and there is a printed +table in all their roadhouses and inns, showing +what days of the month are unfavorable for +travel.</p> + +<p>The French regard Sunday as a very lucky day +for all enterprises.</p> + +<p>According to an old Hebraic tradition, the sun +always shines on Wednesday, for according to the +Bible, it was created on that day. Therefore, +it is a good day for any enterprise.</p> + +<p>The 14th of April, 1360, was called “Black +Monday.” King Edward III with his army lay +before Paris and the day was so dark, cold and +unhealthy that many soldiers died from exposure +and were frozen on the backs of their horses. +This day was commemorated in England for many +years.</p> + +<p>The Turks consider the 13th, 14th and 15th +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>of each month as lucky days to transact business +and go on a voyage.</p> + +<p>It is considered unlucky to take a trip immediately +after hearing of the death of a friend.</p> + +<p>In certain parts of England, Tuesday and +Wednesday are lucky days. It is thought unlucky +to turn a feather bed or mattress on Sunday.</p> + +<p>A Scotchman rarely begins anything on the day +of the week on which May 3rd falls. He calls +it the “Dismal Day.”</p> + +<p>Among the Hindoos, Monday is considered a +lucky day for a trip. Sunday is lucky for sowing +seed or beginning a building. Tuesday is lucky +for soldiers in battle. Wednesday is a lucky day +for merchants and good for collecting debts. +Thursday is good for beginning a new business. +Friday is lucky for the making of friends and +the wearing of new garments. Saturday is unlucky, +as it excites quarrels.</p> + + +<h3 id="NEW_YEARS_SUPERSTITIONS">NEW YEAR’S SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>The first day of the year is naturally a day of +importance as its events may have a tendency to +affect all the days that are to follow. Many a +strange belief, therefore, centres about this day +in all lands, and the symbols of future good or +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span>bad luck are eagerly sought in everything that +occurs.</p> + +<p>In many parts of England it is believed that if +a male person crosses the threshold first, it betokens +good luck, whereas, if a female be the +first to cross, bad luck is sure to follow. A man +or boy, therefore, is often hired to enter a house +before the occupants are up. Whole bands of +males are employed for a small fee, for this purpose.</p> + +<p>If a clergyman be the first to enter a home on +New Year’s Day the significance is good.</p> + +<p>Chimneys used to be cleaned on New Year’s +Day in England, so that luck could descend and +remain all the year.</p> + +<p>It was considered luckier for a dark-haired man +than for a fair-haired man to be the first to enter +a home. A bachelor was luckier than a married +man. A widower brought bad luck.</p> + +<p>It is customary in some parts for the first visitor +to bring a gift of a cake or loaf of bread, to indicate +prosperity for the rest of the year.</p> + +<p>It is considered unlucky to remove anything +from a house on New Year’s Day, until something +has been brought in from without. Each visitor +therefore brings a slight gift.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></p> +<p>Eating a cake is considered a sure bringer of +luck on the first of the year. In rural districts, +special New Year cakes are baked for this purpose.</p> + +<p>To lend something to a friend is sure to bring +a good return.</p> + +<p>To put on new clothes on New Year is considered +lucky, so also to bathe.</p> + +<p>Money earned on New Year’s Day will bring +a hundredfold in its train.</p> + +<p>Resolutions made on New Year’s day should +be carried out, if they are good, and will insure +good luck.</p> + +<p>It is good to give alms on the New Year. In +many parts poor folks are invited to partake of +the family’s cheer.</p> + + +<h3 id="APRIL_FOOLS_DAY">APRIL FOOL’S DAY</h3> + +<p>The first of April was celebrated among the +ancients as the beginning of the vernal equinox +amid general frolicking, and from that is derived +our own April Fool’s Day. It is customary +to send people upon foolish errands and make +them appear ridiculous.</p> + +<p>The celebration of this day is world wide. +Even in pagan India the people join in the fun. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span>In Mohammedan countries the highest castes vie +with each other in playing practical jokes.</p> + +<p>To be fooled by a pretty girl denotes that you +will marry the girl if you are single, or befriend +her if already married.</p> + +<p>To lose your temper when sent on a fool’s errand, +means bad luck.</p> + +<p>To get married on April Fool’s Day means that +the lady will wear the breeches and the man play +second fiddle.</p> + +<p>Children born on this day will be lucky in legitimate +business but unlucky in speculation.</p> + + +<h3 id="ASCENSION_DAY">ASCENSION DAY</h3> + +<p>This day commemorates the ascension of the +Savior into heaven and is the occasion of many +superstitions.</p> + +<p>To work on this day, especially in underground +quarries or mines, is considered unlucky in Catholic +countries, and even in England underground +work is suspended from dawn to dusk.</p> + +<p>Wells and reservoirs are decorated with flowers +to insure pure water during the year.</p> + +<p>To fall or stumble is particularly unlucky, and +means a loss of health or money. An ancient way +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span>of preventing disaster if you have fallen is to lie +flat on the ground and say:</p> + +<p>“Raise me up and comfort me, Angel of Mercy.”</p> + +<p>Alms given to a blind or lame man on this day +will come back a hundredfold.</p> + +<p>Begin the day by giving away a coin, however +small. It will bring you an unexpected fortune +within the year.</p> + + +<h3 id="EASTER_SUPERSTITIONS">EASTER SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Easter commemorates the resurrection of the +Savior from the dead, and in all countries it is +celebrated with peculiar rites and ceremonies.</p> + +<p>“Lifting” is an old custom that is supposed to +illustrate the rising from the grave. Men and +women would visit each other, and go through +the following practice. A person would lie flat +upon his back. Four others would take hold of +him, one at each leg and arm and lift him up three +times. There is a belief that if the recumbent +person holds his breath, he can be lifted by the +little finger of each of the four lifters.</p> + +<p>Girls were often put into a chair and lifted by +boys who claimed a kiss for their trouble. This +was also called “heaving.”</p> + +<p>Easter eggs had their origin in the belief that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span>the egg was a symbol of the Resurrection. Some +attribute their origin to their symbolizing Spring. +Dyeing eggs in lively colors was a token of joy +or gayety. Red dye was taken as a symbol of +Christ’s blood.</p> + +<p>Eggs are often blessed on Easter before being +eaten. They then keep away bodily ailments.</p> + +<p>To win an egg by “picking” brings good luck. +It is a popular game with boys.</p> + +<p>To find two yokes in an Easter egg foretells +a great gain in wealth.</p> + +<p>To refuse to eat an Easter egg, if offered by a +friend, signifies a loss of friendship.</p> + +<p>Rabbits are supposed to lay eggs on Easter. +This is an old Teutonic belief.</p> + +<p>Among the more popular Easter pastimes are +rolling eggs down hill and finding hidden eggs. +Both are considered lucky ceremonies.</p> + +<p>It is considered lucky to plant garden seed and +potatoes on Good Friday.</p> + +<p>Good Friday is the best day in the year for +weaning babies.</p> + +<p>It is a sign of luck to break pottery on Good +Friday. It will save the house from damage +during the rest of the year.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span></p> + +<h3 id="ST_JOHNS_EVE">ST. JOHN’S EVE.</h3> + +<p>This is a popular day in England and Ireland +and many a superstition is connected with it.</p> + +<p>Bonfires are built in memory of the ancient +druids, and children dance around them. To +jump over a bonfire insures luck for the next +harvest.</p> + +<p>While looking into the fire, the men throw +pieces of wheaten cake over their shoulders, +saying:</p> + +<p>“This I give thee to preserve my horses, or +my sheep.” This is supposed to propitiate the +Biblical idol, Baal.</p> + +<p>When a Scotchman goes to bathe or drink at +a fountain or well on this day, he always approaches +by going around the spot from east to +west on the south side, in imitation of the motion +of the sun. This is called “going around the +lucky way.”</p> + +<p>Dancing around a fire propitiates the forces +of evil. It is also a demonstration of joy and +a plea for good luck.</p> + +<p>Watch the flames and if you see a familiar face +therein, beware of that person, as he will harm +you.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> + +<h3 id="CANDLEMAS_DAY">CANDLEMAS DAY</h3> + +<p>This day is celebrated in Christian countries as +the day of the “Purification of the Virgin.” It +had its origin in Roman times in honor of the +goddess Februa, after whom February was named.</p> + +<p>Every pious Catholic goes to church on that day +with a lighted candle in supplication to “Our +Lady” for success in household affairs.</p> + +<p>In many parts of England the day is connected +with the collection of rents and leases are still +made out beginning with Candlemas Day.</p> + +<p>The agent of an estate comes at midnight and +knocks at the door of his tenant. “I come,” he +cries, “to demand my lord’s just dues: eight +groats and a penny, a loaf of bread, a cheese, a +collar of brawn and a jack of beer. God save +the King and the Lord of the manor.”</p> + +<p>To pay rent on Candlemas Day insures freedom +from debt for the year.</p> + +<p>To light a candle dedicated to one’s saint, +brings good luck.</p> + + +<h3 id="ST_VALENTINES_DAY">ST. VALENTINE’S DAY</h3> + +<p>St. Valentine was a Christian bishop who suffered +martyrdom in 270 A. D. on February 14th. +He was later ordained the patron saint of true +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>love. Maids and youths were accustomed to become +engaged on that day in his honor.</p> + +<p>Sending verses and picture cards to one’s best +beloved has become a popular pastime in England +and America on <ins class="corr" id="tn-37" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: Valentine">Valentine’s</ins> Day. A girl who +fails to receive a remembrance from some swain +is doomed to die an old maid.</p> + +<blockquote> +Says an old Valentine verse:<br> +“When I go out, the first swain I see,<br> +In spite of fortune shall my true love be.” +</blockquote> + +<p>On the eve of Valentine’s Day it was the custom +for a man to get five bay leaves, pin four of +them to the corners of his pillow and the fifth +in the centre, and then go to sleep. If he +dreamed of a girl, he would marry her before +the year was out.</p> + +<p>Another custom was to write your friends’ +names on pieces of paper, roll them in clay and +throw them into a dish of water. The first paper +that floated up indicated the one you would marry.</p> + +<p>If you expect a visit from your true love on +that day, keep your eyes shut till he comes. If +you see another man first, it may mean a loss of +the other’s love.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span></p> +<p>To be married on Valentine’s Day betokens happiness +and success.</p> + + +<h3 id="HALLOWEEN_CUSTOMS">HALLOWE’EN CUSTOMS</h3> + +<p>Christian history has given us this day as +sacred to all saints. In most countries there are +curious rites and ceremonies connected with it.</p> + +<p>In Catholic lands it is a day of prayer and the +people visit the churchyards and pray to the +saints and to the departed of their families for +success and for forgiveness of sins. In Protestant +countries the day is given over to merriment.</p> + +<p>Hallowe’en was originally a day for remembering +the dead. Ghosts and spirits are supposed to +wander abroad at night.</p> + +<p>Witches and demons make the night their own, +and woe to the person they catch after dark.</p> + +<p>Spectres made of pumpkins and sheets are used +both to frighten men and to scare off evil spirits.</p> + +<p>To see your shadow cast by the moon is distinctly +unlucky.</p> + +<p>It is a time full of portents, and there are +various ways of divining the name of one’s future +sweetheart.</p> + +<p>Place two nuts in the fire side by side. If +they burst and fly apart it betokens bad luck and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span>a separation. If they burn up together, it is a +good omen, and means a happy marriage.</p> + +<p>Pare an apple so that the peel remains in one +long piece. Swing this around your head three +times and throw it on the floor. The letter it +forms will be the initial of your sweetheart’s +name.</p> + +<p>Walk backwards, looking into a mirror. The +first man or maid whose reflection you see, will +marry you.</p> + +<p>To find two kernels in an almond on Hallowe’en’s +night is particularly lucky and means +marriage within a month.</p> + + +<h3 id="HARVEST_SUPERSTITIONS">HARVEST SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>In ancient times, when the owners of land had +gathered in their harvest, they feasted with their +servants who helped till the ground. This idea +has been perpetuated in our day in agricultural +countries. Harvest Home is celebrated in most +agricultural countries. In England it partakes of +some of the aspects of Thanksgiving Day.</p> + +<p>The “Kern Baby” is much in evidence in these +festivities. It is an image dressed up and decorated +with corn or wheat and carried before the +reapers as a sign of luck.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span></p> +<p>In some places a big doll dressed up in tinsel +with a sheaf of wheat under its arm is placed on +a pole and the harvest hands dance around it, rejoicing.</p> + +<p>Sometimes a real girl is dressed up in a robe +of wheat and is paraded around the field for luck. +A corn supper in which all partake winds up the +festivities.</p> + +<p>A special prayer to one’s favorite saint is usual +before the harvest, to insure good weather till +the wheat is all garnered.</p> + +<p>In Catholic countries, the first wheat garnered +is shaped into a cross which is hung in front of +the granary for good luck.</p> + +<p>A red ear of corn is considered a lucky find. +It should be carefully preserved until the next +harvest.</p> + +<p>An ear of corn with seven or fourteen rows +is especially lucky and betokens a good harvest.</p> + + +<h3 id="CHRISTMAS">CHRISTMAS</h3> + +<p>A festival corresponding to Christmas was held +in Rome in honor of Bacchus, but with the advent +of Christianity it changed its character and +was solemnized to celebrate the birth of Christ. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>Many of the old pagan rites and superstitions still +remain.</p> + +<p>Mistletoe was held in high esteem by the druids +and regarded with religious superstition. They +used it in their incantations. It is used for decorating +during Christmas, and is usually hung from +the chandeliers.</p> + +<p>A girl standing under a piece of mistletoe may +be kissed by any man who finds her there. If +she refuses to be kissed, she invites bad luck. +If she be kissed seven times in one day, she will +marry one of the lucky fellows within a year.</p> + +<p>In olden days mistletoe was laid on the altars +in churches as an emblem of the grace of the +Savior, and betokened a prosperous year.</p> + +<p>In York, England, mistletoe is laid upon the +altar of the cathedral and the priest proclaims +freedom to all wicked souls.</p> + +<p>Evergreen leaves and boughs are also a relic of +paganism, and are supposed to bring cheer and +luck.</p> + +<p>The Christmas tree is a survival of northern +mythology and was first made popular in Scandinavian +countries when they adopted Christianity. +It symbolizes the ever green and abiding +power of salvation.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> +<p>Christmas candles probably had their origin in +the Jewish festival of lights (Chanuca), which +occurs at the same time. Lights are lit for seven +days to commemorate the victories of the Maccabbees.</p> + +<p>Yule logs are large logs of wood that are thrown +into the grate to make the Christmas eve more +festive. The flame is supposed to keep out evil +influences. Christmas candles serve the same end.</p> + +<p>To see a familiar face in the blaze of a yule +log, betokens an early marriage with the person +thus seen.</p> + +<p>To become engaged on Christmas eve, is a sure +sign of a happy married life.</p> + +<p>A child born on Christmas day will be free +from care and very lucky.</p> + +<p>St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus is the patron +saint of Christmas. He is supposed to come down +the chimney with his pack on his back and distribute +toys and gifts to old and young. The +only way to secure his favor is to be good and +obedient.</p> + +<p>Kris Kringle is another name for Santa Claus. +It is derived from the German “Krist Kindli” or +Christ Child. He is represented as entering homes +and making children happy on the “Holy Night.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V +<br> +<span class="fs90">SIGNS OF GOOD OR BAD LUCK</span></h2></div> + + +<p>“Good and ill luck,” says the French philosopher, +Montaigne, “are in my opinion sovereign +powers. It is absurd to think that human prudence +is able to act the same part as Fortune will do.” +Shakespeare says:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Rough-hew them how we <ins class="corr" id="tn-43" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: will will">will</ins>.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The belief in the power of some object or +some act to produce a change in one’s fortunes +for better or for worse, is inherent in the human +race. There are few words in our language that +have such a universal application as LUCK. The +man who believes in nothing else, believes in +luck and performs some mummery to propitiate +the goddess of Fortune, who moves in such mysterious +ways to perform her deeds.</p> + +<p>Luck may be defined as chance, or if a man +be religious, as Providence. Among the ancients, +Fortuna was depicted as a blindfolded woman +with a horn of plenty, or with a wheel as an emblem +of instability and chance.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p> +<p>The Romans had a habit of casting into an +urn a stone every day, the color of the stone denoting +whether the person was in good or bad +luck. At the end of the year the stones were +counted and a balance cast to see whether good +or bad preponderated.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to be recalled after starting away +on a voyage. At least a day should be allowed to +elapse before starting out again.</p> + +<p>To leave home and be compelled to come back +for some article which was forgotten, is unlucky, +unless you sit down for a moment before going +out a second time.</p> + +<p>Carrying a crust of bread in one’s pocket is +considered lucky and brings prosperity.</p> + +<p>If in eating you miss your mouth and the +food falls, it is unlucky and denotes illness.</p> + +<p>A bent coin or one with a hole in it, are often +carried for good luck. A crooked sixpence is +popular for this purpose in England.</p> + +<p>In many rural districts it is customary to give +back to a customer of corn or cattle a small part +of the money he has just paid. This is called +“luck money.”</p> + +<p>In some countries the buyer gives the seller a +small coin to insure his luck.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> +<p>To count your gains is supposed to bring bad +luck. To reckon on money you are to receive and +lay out plans of spending it, is considered unlucky. +One should never count one’s chickens +before they are hatched.</p> + +<p>Burning tea leaves is supposed to bring good +luck, but to burn the leaves of a rose is a bad +omen.</p> + +<p>Finding a four-leaf clover is a sure sign of +good luck. It should be worn in the lapel or +pinned to one’s coat.</p> + +<p>There is a legend that Eve on being ejected +from Paradise took a four-leaf clover with her.</p> + +<p>To pluck an ash leaf was considered lucky in +olden times.</p> + +<p>On meeting a person out on new business, it is +well to salute him with “I wish you good luck.”</p> + +<p>It is bad luck to shake hands with any one +across the table.</p> + +<p>It is a bad omen to find the bellows on the +dining table.</p> + +<p>It is a sign of ill luck to find money and not +spend it. It should be spent in a good cause, or +given in charity.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“See a pin and pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck.<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">See a pin and leave it lay, you will have bad luck all the day.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>It is lucky to throw a small coin into a well of +drinking water.</p> + +<p>To sit crosslegged is considered a sign of good +luck. To cross one’s fingers is another way of +averting evil.</p> + + +<h3 id="THE_SIGN_OF_THE_CROSS">THE SIGN OF THE CROSS</h3> + +<p>The Cross, the emblem of Christianity, has +served many superstitions. It is a bringer of +good luck and wards off evil.</p> + +<p>Contrary to the generally accepted belief, the +Cross did not have its origin as a religious emblem +in Christianity. The Indians, when Columbus +first landed, had similar devices. Cortez +found the cross universally adored by the Aztecs, +and this led the Spanish priests to claim that the +devil had given it to them in order to damn them +with a false religion. The Hindoos, too, had a +cross among their religious symbols.</p> + +<p>Making the sign of the cross at rising or lying +down, at going out or coming in, at lighting of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span>candles or closing of windows, etc., is considered +a pious and profitable ceremony.</p> + +<p>An old church writer says:</p> + +<p>“At the delivery of the bread and wine of +the sacrament, the worshippers flourish with their +thumbs like making the sign of the cross. They +also do it when coming to church or saying their +prayers.”</p> + +<p>In Spain, “no woman goes in a coach or +travels without crossing herself. It keeps away +evil and ensures a safe trip.”</p> + +<p>In Catholic countries, signposts and even tavern +signs bear a cross as a sign of good luck.</p> + +<p>In some countries when a woman milks a cow +she dips her finger in the milk with which she +crosses the cow, muttering a prayer. This will +make the milk flow freely.</p> + +<p>Easter buns are marked with a cross as a sign +of faith.</p> + +<p>To hold up a crucifix, or anything resembling +a cross was the surest way of defeating the devil. +In “Faust,” Valentine drives off Mephistofeles by +holding up the cross-shaped hilt of his sword.</p> + +<p>During a thunder storm or in the face of sudden +danger, make the sign of the cross on your +forehead or breast.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p> +<p>To cross one’s fingers during a game of chance, +brings luck, and the reverse to your opponent.</p> + +<p>To dream of a cross is a sign of good fortune to +follow shortly.</p> + +<p>To cross knives or forks at table is a sign of +bad luck.</p> + +<p>In Sicily a bandit will not attack his victim +without first crossing himself and praying to his +favorite saint for protection.</p> + + +<h3 id="KNOCKING_ON_WOOD">KNOCKING ON WOOD</h3> + +<p>One of the most prevalent customs, indulged in +by men of science as well as the illiterate man in +the slums, is by touching or knocking on wood +to ward off evil or prevent disappointment. Its +origin is very much in doubt. Some attribute it +to the ancient religious rite of touching a crucifix +when taking an oath. It is also ascribed to the +beads of a rosary touched in prayer. Among the +ignorant peasants of Europe it may have had its +beginning in the habit of knocking loudly to keep +out evil spirits. Its introduction into this country +seems to have been of recent date, but it has become +well-nigh universal; even a president of the +United States is accused of resorting to it.</p> + +<p>To brag about good health or success, according +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>to the general belief, invites the envy of +the powers of evil, and to counteract this you +must, according to some authorities, touch wood; +while according to other <ins class="corr" id="tn-49" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: wisacres">wiseacres</ins>, you should +knock on wood three times.</p> + +<p>Charms made of wood are often worn on +watch chains so that the wearer may have an +article handy for the purpose.</p> + +<p>From this practice other superstitions have originated. +A well-known financier always plays +with his massive gold watch chain in the belief +that the touch of gold will insure success.</p> + +<p>Sir Walter Scott, while a student at college, +always fumbled with a wooden button which was +attached to his coat. This brought him success +in his recitations. It is related that when his fellow +students secretly cut off the button, he was +so flustered on discovering its absence, that he +failed hopelessly and was sent to the tail end of +his class.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI +<br> +<span class="fs90">LUCKY AND UNLUCKY OMENS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>“She that pricks bread with fork or knife, will +never be a happy wife.”</p> + +<p>“Mend your clothes upon your back, sure you +are to come to wrack.”</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to use elder wood or evergreen to +make a fire.</p> + +<p>To find an old flint arrow is considered lucky.</p> + +<p>To find nine peas in a pod is a forerunner of +luck.</p> + +<p>The extreme tip of a calf’s tongue, dried and +carried in the pocket, will insure having some +money always in your purse.</p> + +<p>A luck-stone, with a hole in it, is sure to bring +luck.</p> + +<p>Four persons shaking hands in crosswise fashion, +foretell a coming marriage.</p> + +<p>Two bells ringing in the house at one time foretell +a parting. So also does a hollow cavity in a +fresh-cut cake and a loaf that breaks in two +while being cut.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> +<p>To enter a house with the left foot first brings +bad luck to the occupants.</p> + + +<h3 id="CHRISTENING_CUSTOMS">CHRISTENING CUSTOMS</h3> + +<p>Christening, as the name indicates, is a ceremony +which has for its object the consecrating of a +child to the service of Christ, and starting him +on his career as a Christian. It had its origin +in the rites of John the Baptist, who belonged to +a sect that believed that immersion in water would +wash away all sins and prepare the neophyte for +the Kingdom of God, which was supposed to be +near at hand.</p> + +<p>In the middle ages a child was usually presented +by its godparents with silver or gold spoons. A +rich sponsor often gave a set of twelve spoons, +one for each of the disciples. Less wealthy people +gave one or more spoons. These were considered +lucky and induced the child to lead a +virtuous life.</p> + +<p>The phrase “born with a silver spoon in its +mouth,” arose from this custom.</p> + +<p>A silver cup is often given and the child that +drinks from it is supposed to drink happiness +during its life.</p> + +<p>The gift of coral and amber in the form of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span>a chain or charm to a new-born baby is also believed +to bring good luck. Coral is supposed to +be a defense against “Fascination” or witchcraft. +Amber keeps away infectious diseases.</p> + +<p>A Sunday christening is considered lucky and +the child will grow up devout.</p> + +<p>A child should always be dressed in white at +its christening. Red ribbons should be avoided.</p> + +<p>Three <ins class="corr" id="tn-52" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: aritcles">articles</ins> are frequently given a child when +it is taken to be christened: egg, salt and a coin. +These will give it strength, happiness and wealth.</p> + +<p>Baptism in a church is luckier than in private.</p> + +<p>When a child gives a lusty yell during its +christening, it is a sign that it will have strong +lungs through life.</p> + +<p>If two children, a male and a female, are baptised +together, the male should have the preference +or it will grow up to be effeminate.</p> + + +<h3 id="BELIEFS_CONCERNING_CHILDREN">BELIEFS CONCERNING CHILDREN</h3> + +<p>It is unlucky to measure a baby with a string +or tape measure, as it may stop growing.</p> + +<p>To step over a young child is unlucky and may +stunt its growth.</p> + +<p>To hand a child through an open window will +stop the little one’s growth.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span></p> +<p>Children that cry a lot are sure to be lucky. +They will develop fine eyes and broad shoulders. +This does not apply where the crying is caused +by illness or pain.</p> + +<p>Women in pregnancy often refuse to take an +oath before an officer of the court as it is supposed +to influence the unborn child.</p> + +<p>It is supposed to be unlucky for a child to walk +backward when going on an errand.</p> + +<p>In Scotland, when a young baby is taken out for +its first airing, the mother or nurse gives something +to eat to the first person she meets. This +ensures the baby’s good luck. It is called “the +bairn’s piece.”</p> + +<p>When a child is taken from its mother and carried +out of the bedroom for the first time, it is +luckier to take it upstairs than down. If there +is no upstairs, the same effect can be accomplished +by mounting a short elevation, a platform, or the +rung of a ladder.</p> + +<p>When a baby is carried to church to be baptized, +it should be carried by a woman who is known to +have had good luck.</p> + +<p>When a baby is carried into a neighbor’s house +for the first time, it should be carried there by +the mother herself, in order to insure good luck. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>First of all, however, the baby should be carried to +church.</p> + +<p>A creeping child will have better luck than one +that does not creep.</p> + +<p>When a very young baby smiles in its sleep, +it is supposed to hold converse with the angels.</p> + + +<h3 id="BELIEFS_CONCERNING_EGGS">BELIEFS CONCERNING EGGS</h3> + +<p>Eggs have many mystic meanings, and in olden +times were supposed to symbolize the world. +The yoke represented our earth, the white was its +atmosphere, and the shell was the firmament. It +was believed that the universe had its origin in +an egg, and that God brooded over it until it +was hatched out. Milton says: “Dovelike satst +brooding o’er the vast abyss.”</p> + +<p>According to an old theorist, the egg typified +the Messiah, the seed that was to bring forth +salvation. The Abyssinians portray the world as +a great ostrich egg.</p> + +<p>The Syrians used to speak of their ancestors as +the progeny of eggs. The Hawaiians believe that +their island was produced by the bursting of a +huge egg which had been laid on the water by +a bird.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span></p> +<p>The ancients often said, “Everything springs +from the egg. It is Nature’s cradle.”</p> + +<p>Egyptians worshipped Cneph, the architect of +the world, who was represented with an egg coming +out of his mouth.</p> + +<p>The druids used eggs in their religious festivals +and considered it the symbol of fecundity. +Every druid wore an egg about his neck, encased +in gold, as a symbol of his priestly authority.</p> + +<p>The Jews use an egg in their Passover service +as a symbol of Divine Power and help.</p> + +<p>Eggs laid on Good Friday are revered in Catholic +countries as bringing good luck, and are carefully +kept all year as talismans. They are supposed +to keep the house free from fire.</p> + +<p>In Scotland an “eirack’s” egg, that is, the first +egg that is laid by a young hen, is gathered as +the principal ingredient of Hallowe’en charm. At +midnight the egg is broken so that the white issues +out drop by drop. It is allowed to fall into +a wine glass two-thirds full of water. The palm +of the hand is placed over the rim of the glass +which is turned bottom up, and the albumen settles +down near the hand. It assumes vague, +shadowy forms which foretell the occupation the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span>person will best thrive in. Thus, if it looks like +a ship, the man should become a sailor.</p> + +<p>Another custom in connection with an “eirack’s” +egg, is to take the white in one’s mouth and go out +into the night without swallowing a drop. If one +hears the name of a man or woman called out +aloud, it foretells the name of the future wife or +husband.</p> + +<p>Among other curious Hallowe’en customs is the +following: Take a hard-boiled egg, remove some +of the yoke, and fill it up with salt. Then eat the +egg, salt and shell. Do not drink a drop of water +till morning. If you dream of a person of the +opposite sex, it means a marriage, but if the +person you dream of seems to offer you a glass of +water, it means that you will be jilted.</p> + +<p>Birds’ eggs have been believed to have many +mysterious qualities. The eggs of an owl put +into the cup of a drunkard will cause a loathing +of liquor.</p> + +<p>A stork’s egg was also considered as a cure of +the habit of drinking.</p> + +<p>Persons afflicted with ague are instructed to +visit the nearest crossroads five times in succession +and there bury a new-laid egg. Their disease +will leave them by morning and never return. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>Strict silence must be maintained during the whole +operation, as to speak to any one would prevent +its success.</p> + +<p>For the plague, eggs were often prescribed. +They were usually filled with drugs.</p> + +<p>It is believed in England’s rural districts that +if one brings primroses into a house, the number +must be at least thirteen, as the hens about the +place will only hatch so many eggs during the +season as there are primroses.</p> + +<p>When flowers blossom early and are numerous, +it is believed that hens lay more than in other +seasons.</p> + +<p>When owners of horses eat eggs, it is said that +they should eat an even number, otherwise some +mischief will befall their horses. Grooms are not +allowed to eat eggs, and jockeys must wash their +hands after eating them.</p> + +<p>Farmers’ wives usually set their hens on an +odd number of eggs, for to set them on an even +number often results in a failure to hatch out a +brood.</p> + +<p>In Derbyshire the number of eggs put under a +hen must be either eleven or thirteen. If twelve +<ins class="corr" id="tn-57" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: hens">eggs</ins> are set, the brood will not hatch out, or +will come to grief afterward.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span></p> +<p>In setting a litter of eggs under a hen it is +lucky to swing a lighted candle over the nest as +a charm to prevent hawks or other animals from +destroying the eggs or the young chicks.</p> + +<p>In some Catholic countries, the tenth egg laid +by a fowl is supposed to be bigger than the rest, +and is usually offered to the priest.</p> + +<p>Breaking egg shells over a child is supposed +to keep him safe from witchcraft.</p> + +<p>The goose that lays a golden egg is a popular +myth in many countries. To receive such a valuable +gift, it is necessary to invoke the name and +help of the devil.</p> + +<p>In some sections, it is considered unlucky to +let eggs go out of the house after sunset. It is +also considered unlucky to gather eggs after dark. +All eggs should be gathered in the forenoon. It +is unlucky to gather eggs on Sunday or to set +a hen on the Sabbath.</p> + +<p>Duck’s eggs, brought into the house after sunset +will never hatch.</p> + +<p>Egg shells should not be burned, or the hens +will cease to lay.</p> + +<p>Eggs brought into the house or barn over running +water, will not hatch.</p> + +<p>When a child visits a house for the first time, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span>it is lucky to give him an egg that was laid that +morning. It will give the child a “start in life” +that will bring success.</p> + +<p>To dream of an egg is lucky and means that +a fortune is at hand.</p> + +<p>Strings of blown egg shells hung up in a dwelling +are unlucky, but if hung up in an outhouse, +bring good luck.</p> + +<p>Bats were supposed to come from eggs that +had been hatched out by toads.</p> + +<p>In Java the bride, as a sign of submission, +kneels before her master, then treads upon an egg +and washes his feet with the yoke.</p> + +<p>The offering of an omelette to a newly married +man by his mother-in-law, as a sign of devotion, +is an old custom in Russia.</p> + + +<h3 id="CHARMS_AND_AMULETS">CHARMS AND AMULETS</h3> + +<p>The word “amulet” comes from the Arab, +“Hamala,” which means to carry about. It is a +charm or object usually hung about the neck or +on the wrist to ward off sickness and evil. A +charm is similar in its effect.</p> + +<p>People are spoken of as having a charmed +life, which means that they seem to be immune to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>accidents or illness. Many wear charms to insure +this result.</p> + +<p>Some charms are engraved with peculiar figures +called “talismans,” which are supposed to have +the power to prevent loss or illness. They are +often engraved on some seal or precious stone, +and worn on the finger or on a chain about the +neck.</p> + +<p>The practice of wearing charms or amulets is +very ancient, and many of the objects found in +Egyptian tombs are amulets, intended to serve +the spirits of the dead. Many charms have obtained +historic importance, as for instance the +famous Spanish opal in the British museum.</p> + +<p>The czar was supposed to be fond of an ancient +ring in which is embedded a piece of the +true cross. It was supposed to shield its wearer +from death and danger, although it hardly helped +him to keep his throne. He attached such importance +to it, that on one occasion he started out +on a journey without it, when suddenly discovering +his loss, he delayed the trip eight hours till a +messenger went and got it.</p> + +<p>Oriental wrestlers will not go into the prize +ring without wearing a charm about their necks.</p> + +<p>Modern folks for the most part wear some sort +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>of amulet, or carry a charm in their pockets, but +they do it secretly. They may not actually believe +in its efficacy but want to get the benefit of +it in case it should have some hidden virtue.</p> + +<p>Horseshoe-shaped pins, or charms, are considered +very lucky, so is four-leaved clover. Wishbones, +too, have come into favor in recent years +as they are supposed to have the power of making +one’s wishes come true.</p> + +<p>Little pigs are popular as charms, as they are +supposed to bring good luck. In fact, the Germans +say, “<i>Ich habe Schwein</i>,” when they want to +signify that they are lucky.</p> + +<p>Lucky pennies or other coins are to be found in +many pockets. They drive away evil influences in +business operations and bring luck in money matters. +They must be turned over in one’s pocket +at the time of the transaction.</p> + +<p>Horse chestnuts or a small potato are considered +efficacious charms against rheumatism. They +must be carried in the pocket where they soon become +hard and absorb all tendency to disease.</p> + +<p>The relics of the saints, such as particles of +bones, bits of hair, etc., or splinters from the +cross, have been revered in all Christian lands +for their miracle-working powers. Many churches +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>have been erected and many shrines dedicated to +house some such precious relic.</p> + +<p>At St. Ann de Beau Pre Church near Quebec, +and at St. Ann Church in New York, wonders +are performed daily and many cripples healed +through touching the particle of bone of the +Virgin’s mother.</p> + +<p>A charm with the figure of a fish or the word +“Ichthus,” formed by the Greek initials of the +name of Jesus, is worn by the Greek Christians +and brings success.</p> + +<p>Coins and bits of metal stamped with a cross are +worn about the neck in many lands as a guarantee +of good luck. They are also looked upon as a +cure of epilepsy.</p> + +<p>Rings with religious signs and symbols are +often used to cure disease or insure success of the +crops.</p> + +<p>In the Orient, jade or ornaments from this stone +are used as charms against disease or disaster. +They usually have some symbolic figures carved +upon them.</p> + +<p>Jet was and in some countries is still supposed +to exert a remarkable power over the brain and +nerves, and is therefore much prized for jewelry +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span>and charms. It was supposed in olden days to +drive away devils and serpents.</p> + +<p>Amber is a favorite substance for charms in +countries adjoining the Mediterranean. It is supposed +to keep off infectious disease, epilepsy and +other evils. It is frequently made into necklaces +for babies.</p> + +<p>Many other stones, gems or natural substances +are used the world over for their supposed curative +powers, and huge volumes have been written +concerning them.</p> + +<p>Adder stones are supposed to be efficacious +against disease of cattle.</p> + +<p>Carrying a human molar tooth as a charm is +often considered a remedy for toothache.</p> + +<p>Amulets to insure victory are frequent, and +many a soldier goes into battle in the firm belief +that the amulet he wears about his neck or on +his arm will see him safely through. Bibles carried +about the person are supposed to be the most +efficacious of these, and in point of fact many +a bullet has been stopped by a Bible placed near +the heart.</p> + +<p>During a plague in England red tape was in +great demand to ward off the evil. It was cut +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>into half-yard lengths and worn about the neck +until all danger was past.</p> + +<p>Amber and coral necklaces are often placed +on children to give them relief from teething. +Rings and nipples of these substances are provided +for similar purposes.</p> + +<p>A charm consisting of laurel leaves is often +worn as a protection against lightning.</p> + +<p>Scapulars, pieces of brown cloth in which are +stitched certain verses from the New Testament, +are worn to a great extent by Catholics as a preventive +against perils of flood and sickness.</p> + + +<h3 id="MASCOTS">MASCOTS</h3> + +<p>The word “mascot” is of French origin and +designates anything from a piece of string to a +human being that is supposed to influence the +Fates for the benefit of the possessor. A comic +opera has been built around the idea, in which a +king has very bad luck, until a pretty girl is sent +to him as a mascot, when his fortune begins.</p> + +<p>Ships often take a mascot on board before +they sail. This is usually a dog, monkey or +goat, and insures a pleasant voyage.</p> + +<p>Regiments of soldiers usually adopt a mascot, +an animal that accompanies them on their marches.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span></p> +<p>Baseball and football teams take a mascot with +them to insure victory.</p> + +<p>Mascots frequently take the shape of a horseshoe, +charm, four-leaf clover or amulet to be +worn on the person.</p> + +<p>The popularity of mascots and in fact all +objects that are supposed to bring luck is best +explained by the fact that they suggest luck, and +the owner acts on the suggestion. A person believing +that some object is going to bring him +fortune, will act with greater faith and assurance, +thus bringing about the condition which he desires.</p> + +<p>In regard to charms the decorative feature +appeals to many; fear and imagination come next +in their influence on the mind.</p> + +<p>Regarding human mascots, their influence is +supposed to be hereditary.</p> + + +<h3 id="HORSESHOE_LORE">HORSESHOE LORE</h3> + +<p>The origin of a belief in the horseshoe as +an emblem of good luck can be traced to the ancient +days of phallic worship. The peculiar shape +of the shoe became the emblem of sex and of productivity. +It is a very old belief, therefore, that +a horseshoe will have an influence for good.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></p> +<p>The Moors believed in the horseshoe to such +an extent that their architecture reflects it. Their +mosque and temples all show an arch formation +that had its origin in the form of a shoe, and they +believed that this would insure stability.</p> + +<p>The druids also believed in its efficacy, and +many of their religious places, like Stonehenge +in England, have the semi-circular form of a +horseshoe.</p> + +<p>An old Roman general ascribed his defeat to +the loss of a horseshoe. Benjamin Franklin paraphrased +this by writing: “Through the loss of +a nail a shoe was lost, through the loss of a +shoe a horse was lost, through the loss of a horse +a battle was lost.”</p> + +<p>To find a horseshoe is considered lucky. It +should be hung over the door of the house or +barn. It will ensure a good harvest if suspended +over the barn.</p> + +<p>A horseshoe should be hung with the open +ends upwards, so that it will “hold luck.” If +hung the other way, it will “spill luck.”</p> + +<p>When going on a long voyage, it will bring +luck to carry a horseshoe in your baggage.</p> + +<p>A scarfpin or watch charm in the shape of a +horseshoe is lucky.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span></p> +<p>The wishbone, or collar bone of a chicken, is +considered lucky on account of its resemblance in +shape to a horseshoe. Two people, each pulling +at one end, can determine who will get married +first. The longer piece is the lucky one.</p> + +<p>A horseshoe should have seven holes for nails, +three on one side and four on the other side of +the center heel. This will ensure double luck, +as seven is a number of good fortune.</p> + +<p>Rings made of horseshoe nails are sovereign +remedies against bad luck, disease and trouble.</p> + + +<h3 id="PIN_SUPERSTITIONS">PIN SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>To pick up a pin is lucky; let it lie, is bad +luck.</p> + +<p>If a pin lies with its head toward you it is +a good sign, but beware of trouble if the point +is towards you.</p> + +<p>To prick yourself with a pin on starting on a +trip is a bad omen.</p> + +<p>It will break friendship to present any one with +a pin, such as a scarfpin or the like. Such a gift +should be bought. A cent or article of minor importance +must be given in exchange.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII +<br> +<span class="fs90">THE INFLUENCES OF MYTHICAL BEINGS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>The belief in fairies and other supernatural +beings is universal, not only among children but +among grown people as well, and many a quaint +and interesting legend has been spun about these +fascinating individuals. Fairy lore comprises the +greater part of our books for young people, and +without fairy tales the lives of children would be +barren indeed. So, also, have many superstitions +grown up about fairies, and they are believed in +by folks that are intelligent as well as by those +that are ignorant.</p> + +<p>Fairies are supposed to be supernatural beings, +human in form but very often diminutive, with +superior powers for good or evil. They have the +power of invisibility, but can become visible +when they wish. They are often invoked for +aid, but are never worshipped as were the <ins class="corr" id="tn-68" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: godesses">goddesses</ins> +of the pagan world. They enter the habitations +of mortals and spread their gifts. Sometimes +they do mischief. It is well to keep in the +good graces of fairies.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span></p> +<p>The Hindoos believe in a kind of fairy that +they call “Acvins.” These assist in bringing +lovers together, give succor in trouble and bring +wealth to the deserving.</p> + +<p>Persians believe in Peris, delicate ethereal females, +who while not immortal, live very long. +To assist or otherwise get into the good graces +of a Peri means good luck, but to offend one, +brings bad luck.</p> + +<p>The Arabian “Jinns” are fairies of a more +austere kind. They are males who can do great +damage if offended and whom it is therefore +well to placate. They are supposed to have lived +before Adam and were once a mighty race, but +war and accident have slain many. Every time +a star shoots across the sky it means the death +of a jinn. They have the power to make themselves +visible or invisible.</p> + +<p>The Jews believed in Shedim, a species of +fairy that was the offspring of Adam. These +beings have wings, are similar to angels, eat, +drink, make merry, and help any mortal who is +kind to them.</p> + +<p>The Greeks and Romans had their own conceptions +of fairies. They called them dryads, +naiads, fauns, satyrs, etc. They mingled with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span>mortals and often intermarried with them. They +brought luck or the reverse as they were favorably +inclined. They rewarded any kindness and +punished transgressions.</p> + +<p>Fata Morgana is the Italian conception of a +fairy, the personification of Fortune. Happy the +person who wins her favor.</p> + +<p>In France, fairies have different names and +characteristics. There are “<i lang="fr">follets</i>” who are always +invisible but whose voices are often heard. +They are mischievous and pelt the peasants with +stones. They often enter a house and throw about +the utensils and create disorder from a sense of +humor that is often hard to understand. Where +a man is in their good graces, however, they +do good and reward virtues. It is considered +lucky to come across their tracks or circles in the +grass.</p> + +<p>The French also believe in <em>fees</em>, <em>lutins</em> and +goblins. These dance in circles, or fairy rings by +night, haunt solitary springs and grottoes, ride +horses and tie up the <ins class="corr" id="tn-70" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: horses">horses’</ins> manes to form stirrups. +They preside at births, bring luck to babies +in whom they take an interest, give presents, help +along the lovelorn, and do other stunts. They +often take a child out of its cradle and leave one +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>of their own brood in its place. This is called +a “changeling,” and while such child is apt to +be beautiful, its propensities are for evil.</p> + +<p>Scandinavians believe in elves, playful, malicious +beings that are up to all sorts of mischief. +They delight in perplexing people, tie the hair of +sleeping children into knots, steal away articles, +and cause no end of trouble. It is well to propitiate +them by kindness, and by leaving something +for them to eat in the grottoes where they +are supposed to dwell.</p> + +<p>Teutonic races have their fairies, trolls, gnomes, +dwarfs, who do all manner of mischief. Many +are the strange tales told about them, and many +are the rites and ceremonies resorted to by the +peasantry to get into their good graces.</p> + +<p>The Irish are great believers in fairies, and +their literature is filled with tales of their deeds. +Their superstitions concerning them would fill a +good-sized book. They dress in green, are very +pretty and benevolent, help the peasants, bring +lovers together, avoid law suits, do good by +stealth, etc.</p> + +<p>Brownies and kelpies are the Scotch brand +of fairies. They often appear in the form of +cattle or horses, and when people ride on them, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span>they throw them off and play other tricks. They +are as mischievous as children, but do nothing +particularly praiseworthy.</p> + +<p>English have their fairies, hobgoblins, Robin +Goodfellow, Puck, and other well-known characters. +Shakespeare assembled them in one large +clan, with Oberon as their king and Titania as +their queen. They are a well-behaved crew, full +of mischief but with good traits as well.</p> + +<p>Some of the more prominent superstitions concerning +fairies are the following:</p> + +<p>A mole or defect on a person is supposed to +be caused by a fairy nipping him before birth.</p> + +<p>A matted lock near the neck of a sleeping +child is called an elflock and is the deed of a +mischievous fairy.</p> + +<p>To throw away a peach stone out of a window +is dangerous as it might strike a fairy and kill +it. This would bring bad luck for seven years.</p> + +<p>Four-leaved clover usually marks the spot where +fairies congregate and bring good luck.</p> + +<p>Round circles often found in the grass indicate +the place where fairies dance. To sit in +such a circle with one of the opposite sex, is +sure to bring about a marriage.</p> + +<p>When a child is lucky it is a sure proof that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span>a fairy godmother stood at its cradle at its birth.</p> + +<p>Fossil Echini turned up by the plow, are called +fairy loaves. If you keep a fairy loaf in the +house, you will never want for bread.</p> + +<p>If one comes across a “fairy ring,” it is luckier +to walk around it than across it.</p> + +<p>If you run around a “fairy ring” nine times, +you can hear the sounds of merriment caused +by the fairies dancing under ground.</p> + +<p>Fairies reward servants for cleanliness by putting +a coin in their shoes.</p> + +<p>A fairy entering a dairy spoils the cream.</p> + +<p>In many sections of England a prayerbook is +put under a child’s pillow to keep away fairies +and pixies.</p> + +<p>Lumbago, epilepsy and fits are supposed to be +caused by a shot from a malignant fairy.</p> + +<p>A knot hole in a deal door is bad as it will let +fairies in. It must be plugged up at once.</p> + + +<h3 id="WITCHES">WITCHES</h3> + +<p>The belief in witches is very old. At times +in the history of mankind it has become epidemic +and done untold damage. In the seventeenth +century thousands of old women were burned at +the stake for their supposed intercourse with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>the devil. Doctors and judges as well as ignorant +people believed in this nonsense. The witch +was supposed to be a woman who had sold her +soul to the devil, and frequented the Devil’s Sabbath, +riding thither on a broomstick. In rural +districts the belief still prevails to some extent.</p> + +<p>When horses break out in a sweat in the +stable, it is believed that a witch has been riding +them.</p> + +<p>When a horse’s mane is tangled, a witch is +supposed to have tied the knot to use as a stirrup.</p> + +<p>Shoulder bones of sheep are called “hag-bones” +because witches are believed to ride on +them.</p> + +<p>Eggshells must be broken and not left to lie +about the house, or they may be used by witches +as boats.</p> + +<p>When sick people go into a decline, they are +said to be “overlooked” or bewitched, and there +is little hope for their recovery.</p> + +<p>A white witch is one who has the power to remove +the spell of a bad witch. There are various +incantations by which this is done.</p> + +<p>To prevent a witch from injuring a person, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>he must make an image of wax of the witch and +stick it full of pins. This will cause the witch +to become impotent and die.</p> + +<p>Wearing the left stocking inside out, horseshoes, +spittle, hagstones, etc., are good antidotes +to a witch’s power. The sign of the cross +also prevents their evil.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII +<br> +<span class="fs90">SIGNS CONNECTED WITH THE BODY.</span></h2></div> + + +<h3 id="SNEEZING">SNEEZING</h3> + +<p>The custom of muttering a prayer or a pious +wish after sneezing is as old as history. It was +accounted very ancient in the time of Aristotle, +who in his “Problems” endeavored to account for +it, but knew nothing of its origin. According to +him the ancients believed that the head was the +seat of the soul and that sneezing in some way +affected the spirit. Hence the necessity of uttering +an invocation to preserve the soul from +harm.</p> + +<p>The Greeks and Romans had a number of +formulas for sneezing, such as, “Long may you +live!” “May you enjoy good health!” “Jupiter +preserve you!”</p> + +<p>Sneezing was often considered a lucky omen +among the ancients. Their history is full of +events of importance which were ushered in by +a sneeze. The “Odyssey” tells of the “lucky +sneeze of Telemachus.” History tells of the +soldiers’ sneezing in adoration of a god that rose +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span>before them in the ranks, an event which Xenophon +regarded as a favorable omen.</p> + +<p>Aristotle considered a sneeze as divine, but a +cough as vulgar. Petronius mentions the custom +of saying, “<i lang="la">Salve</i>” (hail), when a soldier sneezed. +Tiberius Cæsar never neglected to observe this +formula.</p> + +<p>When a Hindoo sneezes, bystanders say, “Live!” +and he replies, “With you!” The Zulus believe +that an angry spirit enters the body and that a +sneeze is an effort of nature to expel it.</p> + +<p>Aristotle believed that sneezing from noon till +midnight was a good omen, but from midnight +till the next noon was a sign of bad luck.</p> + +<p>All nations have some formula for sneezing. +The Germans say, “<i lang="de">Zur Gesundheit!</i>” The English +say, “God bless you!” The French say, “<i lang="fr">A vos +souhaits</i>.”</p> + +<p>If some one sneezes after you have made a +statement, it places the seal of truth upon it and +the statement may not be doubted.</p> + +<p>According to mythology Prometheus made an +artificial man, and the first sign of life he gave +was to sneeze. It was through the nostril that +life entered into his body.</p> + +<p>In the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span>there was an epidemic of sneezing, and many +of the afflicted died. The pope thereupon declared +that a certain prayer should be uttered +every time a person sneezed, to avert the calamity.</p> + +<p>To sneeze three times in rapid succession is +considered a good omen.</p> + +<p>Physiologically considered in the light of modern +science, sneezing is bad, as it spreads the +germs of many diseases by spraying them into +the air. One should always sneeze into a handkerchief.</p> + + +<h3 id="SPITTING">SPITTING</h3> + +<p>In ancient times spitting was considered as +having the virtue of averting witchcraft, and +even in our time many superstitions cling to the +habit.</p> + +<p>Spit was considered as a charm against all +kinds of fascination. Theocritus says:</p> + +<p>“Thrice on my breast I spit to guard me safe +from fascinating charms.”</p> + +<p>Superstitious nurses will spit on their children +to keep them from harm.</p> + +<p>Alluding to this custom an ancient writer says:</p> + +<p> +“His lips are wet with lustral spittle, thus<br> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span>They think to make the gods propitious.” +</p> + +<p>Bruisers and boxers before attacking their adversary, +spit on their hands to insure success.</p> + +<p>Boys, when making a pledge or asserting a thing +to be “honor bright,” often spit on the ground to +give emphasis to their good faith.</p> + +<p>Coal miners in England when they form a +union for any purpose, sit in a circle and spit on a +stone, by way of cementing their friendship and +loyalty.</p> + +<p>Devout people often spit at the mention of the +name of his satanic majesty, in an effort to keep +away evil influences.</p> + +<p>Mohammedans are said to spit at the mention +of the name of Jesus.</p> + +<p>To spit on one’s hands before undertaking a +piece of manual work insures a successful result.</p> + +<p>Spitting three times into their bosoms, was considered +by the Greeks as preventive of danger +when in the presence of a madman or an epileptic.</p> + +<p>When a man hit another and felt remorse for +the blow, he spit into the hollow of his hand, and +thus freed the other from pain. This was a superstition +of the Middle Ages.</p> + +<p>Spitting to avert evil influences is still resorted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span>to among country folks, and in some countries is +almost considered a religious act.</p> + +<p>In Ireland it is considered unlucky to praise +a horse or other animal unless you spit on him +and say, “God save him,” or other similar prayer. +If after three days, any bad luck befalls the animal, +it is necessary to find the person who praised +him so that he may whisper the Lord’s Prayer into +the animal’s right ear.</p> + +<p>Hucksters, peddlers, and other tradespeople, +have a habit of spitting for good luck when making +a sale. The first money they receive in the +morning is spat upon to insure good luck for the +day.</p> + +<p>It is customary in some parts when a rainbow +appears to make a cross on the ground and spit +on each of the four corners.</p> + + +<h3 id="MOLES_TEETH_WARTS_ETC">MOLES, TEETH, WARTS, ETC.</h3> + +<p>Moles may denote good or bad fortune according +to where they are found.</p> + +<p>On the throat they are lucky; on the lower jaw, +especially of a woman, they denote the opposite. +On the back of the neck they are said to predict +a hanging.</p> + +<p>Red or black moles are considered unlucky, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span>but brown ones are lucky. If raised like a wart +they foretell luck.</p> + +<p>A mole on the forehead brings good fortune, +so also one on the chin. As a rule moles denote +coming wealth.</p> + +<p>The hairs growing out of moles are considered +harbingers of fortune and in some countries are +carefully guarded and cultivated. In Latin countries +one can see men go about with long hairs +growing out of moles on their faces. They are +careful never to shave them.</p> + +<p>When a child loses a tooth it will hasten the +growth of the new tooth, if the old is thrown into +the fire.</p> + +<p>When a tooth is pulled it should be thrown into +the fire. In Switzerland it is carefully wrapped +in paper with a pinch of salt and burned.</p> + +<p>To cure a toothache, the name of St. Apollonia +is invoked in Latin countries. She suffered martyrdom +by having her teeth pulled out, and has +since been the patron saint of those who suffer +from similar pangs.</p> + +<p>To dream of losing a tooth, foretells the death +of a friend.</p> + +<p>If a baby’s tooth first <ins class="corr" id="tn-81" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: appars">appears</ins> in the upper jaw, +it is a sign that the child will die in infancy.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> +<p>If the teeth are very irregular it is a sign of +bad luck.</p> + +<p>If there is a gap between the two upper middle +teeth large enough to pass a coin through, it +foretells wealth.</p> + +<p>The Greeks believed that it was unlucky to +count one’s warts as they would increase in +number.</p> + +<p>To charm away a wart, buy it from the possessor +for a pin, and it will disappear within a +week.</p> + +<p>Another way to charm away a wart is to rub +it with half an apple. Tie the two halves together +with a thread, and bury it at the foot of +a tree. Within a week the wart will have disappeared.</p> + +<p>Spots in the nails foretell riches. If many, the +person showing them will gain a fortune. White +specks often foretell happenings without wealth. +On the thumb-nail, they indicate honors.</p> + + +<h3 id="YAWNING">YAWNING</h3> + +<p>Among many peoples, yawning is considered a +sign of possession or obsession by an evil spirit.</p> + +<p>When the Hindoo yawns, he snaps his thumb +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span>and finger and repeats the name of one of his +deities. To neglect this brings misfortune.</p> + +<p>When a Moslem yawns he puts the back of his +left hand to his mouth and says, “I seek refuge +with Allah from Satan.”</p> + +<p>There is an old belief that when one yawns +the devil may leap into the open mouth; hence +the necessity of holding a hand over the mouth.</p> + +<p>To yawn in the midst of saying one’s prayers, +is a bad omen. It is better to say the prayer +from the beginning again.</p> + + +<h3 id="TINGLING_AND_ITCHING">TINGLING AND ITCHING</h3> + +<p>It is a common superstition that when one’s +ears tingle some one is talking about him.</p> + +<p>Shakespeare says in “Much Ado About Nothing,” +“What fire is in mine ears?” Beatrice deduces +from this that a friend is talking about her.</p> + +<p>Even the old Roman historian, Pliny, says: +“It is an opinion generally received that when +our ears do glow and tingle, there be some that +in our absence do talk of us.”</p> + +<p>The tingling of the right ear is taken to +mean that good is spoken; while, that of the left +ear is a token of the fact that evil is spoken.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p> +<p>Herrick writes:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“My ear tingles, some there be<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">That are snarling now at me.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The itching of the palm is considered an indication +that the person will get some unexpected +money. If continued for any length of time, a +fortune will come to him.</p> + +<p>The itching of the thumb or nose denotes a +visitor, sometimes an unwelcome intruder.</p> + +<p>One of the witches in “Macbeth” says:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“By the pricking of my thumbs,<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Something wicked this way comes.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + + +<h3 id="STUMBLING_AND_FALLING">STUMBLING AND FALLING</h3> + +<p>Falling has always been associated with the +idea of evil, and its effects can only be averted +by a quick-witted remark or a muttered invocation.</p> + +<p>When Cæsar landed at Adrumetum in Africa, +it is related that he tripped and fell upon his face. +This was considered as an ill omen by his soldiers, +but with great presence of mind he exclaimed: +“Thus do I take possession of thee, +O Africa.” Thus he changed a sign of bad to +one of good fortune.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span></p> +<p>When William the Conqueror landed in England, +he fell prone upon the ground. A great cry +of despair went up from his army, but he raised +himself smilingly and said: “I have seized the +country with both my hands.”</p> + +<p>To fall while going upstairs is a sure sign that +the victim will not marry within a year.</p> + +<p>The falling of a picture from the wall is universally +regarded as a bad omen and frequently +foretells the death of the original of the picture +in the case of a portrait.</p> + +<p>It is related that a well-known English archbishop +on entering his study one day, found his +portrait lying on the floor, the cord that held it +on the hook, having snapped. The sight so unnerved +the prelate that he became ill, and died +shortly after.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Buckingham had a similar misadventure. +On entering the council chamber, he +found his portrait lying at full length on the +floor. He died soon after.</p> + +<p>A fall from a horse, besides being very inconvenient +and often painful, is supposed to bring evil +consequences. If two persons part on horseback, +and one of them falls off his mount, the two will +never meet again.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span></p> +<p>The fall of a window blind is accounted unlucky, +but the evil can be averted by at once replacing +it in its sockets.</p> + +<p>The fall of a knife or fork to the floor is usually +considered a good omen and foretells a visit +from a friend; a female in the case of a knife, or +a male in the case of a fork.</p> + +<p>To fall downstairs is a very bad sign and +signifies loss of health or money.</p> + +<p>To stumble in the morning on coming downstairs +is a sign of ill luck during the day.</p> + +<p>A horse stumbling on the highway brings bad +luck to his owner.</p> + +<p>Stumbling at a grave is considered a bad omen. +Shakespeare says:</p> + +<div class="poetry-containerL"> +<div class="poetryL"> + <div class="stanzaL"> + <div class="verseL">“How oft to-night</div> + <div class="verseL">“Have my old feet stumbled at <ins class="corr" id="tn-86" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: graves!"">graves!</ins></div> + <div class="verseL">“For many men that stumble at the threshold</div> + <div class="verseL">“Are well foretold that danger lurks within.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>If you stumble over a stick or stone, turn back +and kick it out of the way to avert trouble.</p> + + +<h3 id="CUTTING_NAILS_AND_HAIR">CUTTING NAILS AND HAIR</h3> + +<p>The paring of nails has given rise to some +strange beliefs. So also has the cutting of hair. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>This is natural, as the clipping away of one’s body +is in itself uncanny and apt to give rise to superstitious +conjectures.</p> + +<p>Sailors believe that to cut the nails or hair +during a calm will provoke contrary winds. They, +therefore, only cut them in a storm.</p> + +<p>The ancients declared that nails and hair should +not be pared or cut when in the presence of the +gods, but in the secrecy of one’s home.</p> + +<p>Among the Arabians it is considered lucky to +cut the nails and hair on Friday.</p> + +<p>In some countries it is considered unlucky to +cut a child’s nails till it is a year old. They have +to be bitten off.</p> + +<p>In Scotland it is believed that if a child’s nails +are cut before it is a year old, it will grow up to +be a thief. In other lands, it is thought the child +will stammer.</p> + +<p>The Jews burn their nail parings with a piece +of wood, as a species of offering to insure good +luck.</p> + + +<h3 id="PERSONAL_APPEARANCE">PERSONAL APPEARANCE</h3> + +<p>When a woman’s eyebrows meet across her +nose, it is a good sign. She will be happy whether +she marries or not.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> +<p>A woman whose hair grows down over her +forehead in the shape of a peak, will never marry.</p> + + +<h3 id="CLOTHES_SUPERSTITIONS">CLOTHES SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>On rising in the morning, great care must be +given to the way one dresses, as accidents often +foretell trouble during the day.</p> + +<p>Augustus Cæsar put on his left sandal awry and +nearly lost his life in a mutiny. A well-known +writer says:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“Augustus by an oversight<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Put on his left shoe before his right;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Had like to have been slain that day<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">By soldiers mutinying for pay.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>To put your shirt inside out is a good omen, +providing you discover it in time and change it. +If left on all day, beware of accidents.</p> + +<p>To button your vest so that the buttons and holes +come out uneven is a good sign.</p> + +<p>It is well to put on the stocking of your right +foot first and the shoe of your left foot.</p> + +<p>To tear off a button while dressing is a bad sign. +It should be remedied at once before going out +of the house.</p> + +<p>A hole in one’s stocking is a good sign on +the first day, but brings bad luck on the second.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span></p> +<p>To put the right shoe on the left foot or the +reverse, is a sign of coming trouble.</p> + +<p>To rip a garment the first time you put it +on, is a bad sign.</p> + +<p>To rend one’s garments was in former days +considered a symbol of mourning.</p> + +<p>If you meet a person wearing new clothes, +pinch him for good luck.</p> + +<p>A proverbial saying when meeting a person +with new clothes, is, “May you have health to +wear it, strength to tear it, and money to buy +another.”</p> + +<p>Coin given to a person wearing a new suit +will bring him good fortune as long as the clothes +last.</p> + +<p>To put on a suit for the first time on Monday +signifies that it will soon tear. You will have bad +luck in wearing it.</p> + +<p>Tuesday—Beware lest the suit catch fire. Keep +out of speculation.</p> + +<p>Wednesday—Things will go well with you. +Your speculations will succeed.</p> + +<p>Thursday—You will always appear neat and +well dressed. You will make a good impression +and get what you are after.</p> + +<p>Friday—Not a good day to put on new attire. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span>You will be successful only as long as the clothes +remain fresh.</p> + +<p>Saturday—Beware of catching cold. There is +an element of bad luck in a new suit on this day.</p> + +<p>Sunday—Happiness and good luck will follow +him who puts on a new suit on the Sabbath.</p> + + +<h3 id="ON_ARISING">ON ARISING</h3> + +<p>To get out of bed with the left foot is considered +a forecast of bad luck. When a person +is cross or irritable, we often say, “He got out +of bed with the wrong foot.”</p> + +<p>To put your foot on a soft carpet or rug, on +arising, foretells a successful day.</p> + +<p>To stumble on getting up, is bad. You should +go back to bed and try it again.</p> + +<p>To say “Good luck” on arising, will insure success +during the day.</p> + +<p>It is considered unlucky to sing before breakfast. +You may cry before supper.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to relate a bad dream before breakfast. +It may come true.</p> + +<p>To find a coin early in the morning is a sign +for you to beware lest you lose money before the +day is spent.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p> + +<h3 id="SQUINTING_CRIPPLED_AND_HUNCHBACK_PERSONS">SQUINTING, CRIPPLED AND HUNCHBACK PERSONS</h3> + +<p>To meet a squinting or cross-eyed person on +going out in the morning is a sign of trouble. It +is well to go back a block or two and start over.</p> + +<p>To walk with a cross-eyed person is sure to +bring bad luck.</p> + +<p>To touch a hunchback’s hump brings good +luck. Gamblers, especially, often resort to this +method to change their luck from bad to good.</p> + +<p>To have a hunchback about the premises brings +good fortune. In former years kings used to have +a court fool who was usually a hunchback, not +only to make merriment for them, but to insure +good fortune.</p> + +<p>To shake hands with a left-handed person is +often regarded as unlucky.</p> + +<p>To touch a blind man’s garment or brush past +him is a sign of ill fortune. To help a blind man +on his way, is an omen of good luck.</p> + +<p>To be baptized by a left-handed priest is considered +unlucky.</p> + +<p>To meet a priest the first thing in the morning +is a bad omen. This may be averted by +throwing a pin at him.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span></p> +<p>To have a cripple tread on your toes is a very +bad omen.</p> + +<p>To meet a beggar as you leave your house in +the morning, is a bad sign, and you should at once +return and start over.</p> + +<p>To give a coin to a cripple insures good luck.</p> + + +<h3 id="DEATH_AND_CORPSES">DEATH AND CORPSES</h3> + +<p>Feathers or a bird in the room of a sick person +are supposed to delay death. This idea is often resorted +to where it is advisable to delay the last +<ins class="corr" id="tn-92" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: breadth">breath</ins> till some absent friend arrives.</p> + +<p>At the moment of death the doors and windows +are often opened to allow the spirit free egress.</p> + +<p>Looking-glasses and pictures are covered as +long as the corpse is in the house, to prevent the +spirit from seeing its reflection.</p> + +<p>In Scotland a piece of iron is thrust into all +eatables right after a death, to prevent the attraction +of other spirits.</p> + +<p>A plate of salt is put upon the breast of a new +corpse in Wales to purge out all the sins of the +defunct.</p> + +<p>Candles are lit at the head of the corpse, to +ward off evil spirits.</p> + +<p>A watch is usually kept by the side of the body +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span>until the funeral, to ward off evil spirits and also +rats.</p> + +<p>Tolling of the bell is usual in most countries. +After some minutes of tolling there is a pause, +and three times three tolls for a male and twice +three for a female, is the rule.</p> + +<p>Where bees are kept it is customary to tell the +bees that their owner is dead and that they must +remain and work for the new owner.</p> + +<p>In Ireland a wake is the rule. Friends of the +departed meet and discuss the good points and +foibles of the dead. Refreshments are served.</p> + + +<h3 id="THE_EVIL_EYE">THE EVIL EYE</h3> + +<p>The fear of the evil eye is very prevalent among +the Latin races, and even in this country there is +a belief that certain persons possess the “<i lang="la">mal occhio</i>” +and can bewitch by merely looking with hatred +or envy upon another. Many charms and amulets +have and are still being worn to counteract +any bad effects.</p> + +<p>A cross of jet is frequently used as an amulet +against the evil eye. It is believed that it will split +if looked upon by a person having evil intentions.</p> + +<p>The following are a few of the many substances +used for averting the evil from this source. Skin +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span>from a hyenna’s <ins class="corr" id="tn-94" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: forehead,">forehead;</ins> madwort hung up in +the home; Catochites, a species of stone, worn in a +ring or about the neck; spitting on the right shoe +before putting it on; a necklace of jacinth, etc.</p> + +<p>Sweeping a child’s face with the bough of a pine +tree, is considered a very successful preventive; +so is hanging up the key of the house over a +child’s cradle.</p> + +<p>Other means of preventing the blasting effects of +the evil eye are: Laying turf, dug from a grave, +upon the cradle of a child; laying crumbs on the +cradle; giving the child a piece of coral that was +dipped in the font in which the child was baptized.</p> + +<p>Hindoos decorate their children with a profusion +of jewels to antagonize the evil eye. Mohammedans +suspend articles from the ceiling over +the cradle for the same purpose.</p> + +<p>In Roumania a child or grown person decorated +with red ribbons is supposed to be impervious to +this terrible influence, and hence most people wear +something scarlet about their bodies, and even +the oxen in the field have something red tied about +their horns.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX +<br> +<span class="fs90">HOUSEHOLD BELIEFS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>If the keys of a careful housewife get rusty in +spite of her care, it means that some one is saving +money for her.</p> + +<p>A hot cinder jumping out of the grate signifies +the coming of good fortune.</p> + +<p>If meat shrinks while being boiled in a pot, it +is a bad sign, but if it swells, it means that prosperity +is in store.</p> + +<p>The first cake taken out of an oven should be +broken, not cut; otherwise all the rest of the +cakes baked that day will be soggy.</p> + +<p>Do not sweep the dust out of the front door. +It indicates that your good luck will be swept out +with it.</p> + +<p>If a leaf of soot hangs in the grate, it announces +the coming of a guest.</p> + +<p>If a rooster stands upon the threshold of your +house and crows, a stranger may be expected.</p> + +<p>If you neglect to close down the lid of your +teapot, a guest will come and have tea with you.</p> + +<p>If your tea-kettle sings, it is a sign of contentment +in the home.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p> +<p>In sweeping, beware not to sweep the dirt over +a girl’s feet, as it will prevent her from marrying +that year.</p> + +<p>If you wash your hands and face in a bowl of +water that has been used by some one else, it foretells +a quarrel with that other person.</p> + +<p>Trousers made on Friday are unlucky and will +soon tear.</p> + +<p>To break up your bread into crumbs at the +table is an omen of coming poverty.</p> + +<p>To drop a coarse comb foretells a visit by a +man,—a fine-tooth-comb means a visit from a +woman.</p> + +<p>To throw away a piece of bread is an indication +of carelessness and brings bad luck.</p> + + +<h3 id="LOOKING-GLASS_OMENS">LOOKING-GLASS OMENS</h3> + +<p>Mirrors have always been regarded as divine +instruments and used as objects of divination, +hence a certain amount of superstition attaches +to them. It is wonderful, indeed, that by nature’s +law of reflection, one can see the image of that +which is outside of the glass, and it has been +considered unlucky to destroy in any way that +power to reflect.</p> + +<p>To break a looking-glass is considered unlucky, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span>and the person breaking one will have bad fortune +for seven years.</p> + +<p>If the looking-glass is willfully broken and +thrown away, it has no effect upon one’s fortune.</p> + +<p>In Catholic countries a person accidentally +breaking a mirror, crosses himself and says: +“May the Saints avert ill fortune.” The curse is +thereby lifted.</p> + +<p>In the days of ancient Greece, divination was +performed by means of water and a looking-glass. +This was called catoptromancy. The mirror was +dipped into the water and a sick person was asked +to look into the glass. If his image appeared distorted, +he was likely to die; if clear, he would live.</p> + +<p>Looking-glasses are often used by fortune tellers +in a way similar to crystal globes. They can +tell from the nature of the images they perceive +what will be the future of the inquirer.</p> + +<p>To break the glass over a friend’s portrait is +a bad sign. It often betokens the death of the +person who is the original of the picture.</p> + +<p>It is considered ill luck to see your face in a +mirror by candlelight.</p> + + +<h3 id="SPILLING_OF_SALT">SPILLING OF SALT</h3> + +<p>Salt has usually been considered in the light +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span>of a sacrificial element. Greeks and Romans +mixed it with their cakes that were offered up +on the altars of their deities. It was a necessary +part of the sacrifice. Hence any accident to +the salt on a table was considered unlucky.</p> + +<p>Among pagans salt was regarded as having redemptive +power and was used when doing any +important business as a preventive of ill luck. It +was thrown on the ground with an invocation that +was supposed to ward off unfriendly spirits.</p> + +<p>Among the Jews, it is still a mark of hospitality +to break bread with a stranger, and the bread +is first dipped into salt. “Sharing one’s salt with +a stranger,” has become synonymous with hospitality.</p> + +<p>Salt has been regarded as the symbol of friendship, +therefore the overturning of a salt-cellar +is looked upon as the breaking of friendship.</p> + +<p>To spill salt at table is considered unlucky. +To change the spell, however, it is only necessary +to take a pinch of the salt and throw it over the +left shoulder.</p> + +<p>In Da Vinci’s picture of the Last Supper, Judas +Iscariot is represented as overturning the salt. It +is evident from this that the spilling of salt was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span>considered a bad omen in the epoch when this picture +was painted.</p> + +<p>In some Eastern countries, the spilling of flour +is viewed with the same feeling of awe as in the +case of salt.</p> + +<p>To put too much salt into the food when cooking, +is supposed to be proof that the cook is in +love.</p> + + +<h3 id="KNIFE_SUPERSTITIONS">KNIFE SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>It is considered unlucky to accept a knife from +a friend without giving something in return. You +therefore buy the knife and avert the “cutting of +friendship.”</p> + +<p>A penny is usually offered in exchange for a +knife, but among some believers, a pin is all that +is necessary.</p> + +<p>To drop a knife on the floor, means the coming +of a visitor.</p> + +<p>Knife and fork should never be crossed at the +table, as this would presage bad luck. They +should be laid side by side.</p> + +<p>To cross knives is to invite a cross or misfortune. +The origin of this belief probably +lay in the disinclination to make the sign of the +cross <ins class="corr" id="tn-99" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: sacreligiously">sacrilegiously</ins>.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span></p> +<p>To leave a penknife open after you are through +with it is a sign of danger and is unlucky.</p> + +<p>To drop a knife accidentally so that the point +penetrates into the ground and it stands upright +is a sign of coming success.</p> + +<p>To place an open knife near a sleeping child +is considered a good omen.</p> + + +<h3 id="CANDLE_SUPERSTITIONS">CANDLE SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Candles have always had a peculiarly religious +character, and have from time immemorial been +used in the service of churches and for sacred +rites. Many queer superstitions attach to them.</p> + +<p>In Catholic countries it is customary to bring +candles to church in honor of one’s favorite saint +or of the Madonna. The size of the candle and its +decoration gave evidence of the donor’s religious +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>Many of the saints had their own peculiar preferences +as to the color of the candles.</p> + +<p>A birthday cake should have as many candles +on it as there are years in the person’s age. This +will ensure another year of happiness.</p> + +<p>When the wax of a candle forms a loop like a +handle, it is called a “coffin handle,” and portends +bad luck.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span></p> +<p>The dripping of tallow or wax down the side of +a candle, is called a “shroud” and foretells death +to the person towards whom it is directed.</p> + +<p>A spark in the wick is called a “letter” and +foretells the arrival of good news.</p> + +<p>A knot in the wick, burning with a red glow, +indicates the visit of a stranger.</p> + +<p>A wick charred but remaining over the flame +is a sign of good luck.</p> + +<p>To kill a moth hovering about a candle is a +harbinger of good luck.</p> + + +<h3 id="CONCERNING_LADDERS">CONCERNING LADDERS</h3> + +<p>To walk under a ladder when it is leaning +against a wall, is a sign of bad luck.</p> + +<p>To pass under a ladder that is hung horizontally +does not influence your luck for good or +evil.</p> + +<p>To climb a ladder with an odd number of +rungs is a good sign and leads to success.</p> + +<p>To be on a ladder with a pretty girl is a good +sign and foretells matrimony.</p> + +<p>To fall from a ladder is an omen of ill luck +and foretells a loss of money.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X +<br> +<span class="fs90">DIVINATION</span></h2></div> + + +<h3 id="THE_MYSTERY_OF_NUMBERS">THE MYSTERY OF NUMBERS</h3> + +<p>That there is virtue in numbers and that every +person is under the influence of certain numbers +was taught as far back as the days of Pythagoras, +and a vast collection of books have been written +concerning this phase of superstition.</p> + +<p><ins class="corr" id="tn-102" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have fortune will ask you on what day of the month">Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have</ins> +your fortune told will ask you on what day of the +month you were born and in what year. From this +she will tell you whether to expect good or evil +fortune in the coming year. The basis for these +calculations has been handed down from very +ancient times.</p> + +<p>According to astrologers, every letter in one’s +name corresponds to a number, so that if you +understand how to calculate the numerical value +of your name you can foretell your future.</p> + +<p>The planets have numbers, and the influence they +exert on you depends in how far their numbers +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span>correspond with those in your name and dates of +important events in your life.</p> + +<p>In horse racing, the names of the horses, taken +according to their numerical value, often predict +the result of the race.</p> + +<p>Every nation had its lucky and unlucky numbers +that occur in their mythology and history. +The Greeks believed in the sacredness of the number +nine. They had nine muses, nine principal +deities, nine oracles, etc.</p> + +<p>The Romans believed in the mystic three, the +Egyptians in twelve, etc.</p> + +<p>The Jews revered the number seven, and its recurrence +throughout the Bible is remarkable: Seven +days of creation, seven lean years, seven fat years, +seven stars, seven times bathing in the Jordan, +seven years followed by a year of jubilee, etc. +This number, according to Kabala was obtained +by adding the letters of Man and God together.</p> + +<p>Thirteen, as we know, has been regarded by +Christians as a very unlucky number on account +of the events following the Last Supper.</p> + +<p>Divination by numbers is a favorite pastime +and leads to some remarkable results. Many +historical events have been prophesied by this +method. Thus Napoleon III was born in 1808 and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>assumed the empire in 1852. Add 1-8-0-8 to 1852 +and you have 1869, which foretold the end of the +empire about that time.</p> + +<p>The French Revolution occurred in 1789; add +this date to the sum of its numbers and you have +1814, which foretells the end of Napoleon’s reign.</p> + +<p>The dates of other personalities can be worked +out the same way and the result is often remarkably +correct.</p> + +<p>Kabala, or the occult science of the Jews of the +Middle Ages, depended almost entirely upon the +mystic powers of numbers.</p> + +<p>Many problems in modern mathematics depend +on the mystic number nine and both nine and +seven are used by fortune tellers in divining the +future.</p> + + +<h3 id="LOTTERY_NUMBERS_AND_USAGES">LOTTERY NUMBERS AND USAGES</h3> + +<p>Lotteries are practically a thing of the past in +America, but there was a time when they flourished +and when everybody from the wage earner +to the millionaire wagered his pile on some lucky +number. In the South the fever raged particularly +strong, and the Louisiana Lottery and the +Dismal Swamp Lottery counted their victims by +the million. Policy, too, was very prevalent, and is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span>still being conducted secretly in many parts of the +country. Both lottery and policy were similar +in that a certain price was paid for a ticket or +a paper with numbers. On stated occasions numbers +were drawn out of a wheel and these were +announced. The holder of the lucky number won +an amount that differed according to the occasion.</p> + +<p>A man’s age, or that of his wife or children, +was frequently taken as the number. Some men +added the figures in the date, month, etc.</p> + +<p>Dreams are considered particularly efficacious +in playing policy. Most dream books give policy +numbers coinciding with every possible dream, +and these when played are supposed to make a winning.</p> + +<p>Among the numbers often taken are the date +of the year, or the date of an important event. +The numbers on a freight car have been known +to bring fortunate results.</p> + +<p>In the case of a murder committed in a community, +certain numbers are supposed to have a +peculiar significance and bring luck.</p> + +<p>In the South many negroes make a comfortable +living by interpreting dreams, signs and omens +and telling the proper numbers they signify for +the playing of policy.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span></p> +<p>In buying several lottery tickets, it is not lucky +to have them all follow each other consecutively. +An interval should separate them.</p> + +<p>Odd numbers are more apt to bring prizes than +even numbers. Numbers ending in three, nine, +twelve or seven are the most likely to strike luck.</p> + +<p>A number given you by a cripple is sure to be +successful, but that given by a cross-eyed man or +woman is bound to lose.</p> + + +<h3 id="PREDICTIONS_OF_WEALTH">PREDICTIONS OF WEALTH</h3> + +<p>To have lots of hair on your arms and fingers +is a sign of coming wealth.</p> + +<p>When you throw a lump of sugar into your coffee +or tea, the number of bubbles that arise are +an indication of your future wealth.</p> + +<p>Many moles over your body indicate that you +will be wealthy.</p> + +<p>To be born with a caul indicates that you will +have luck and amass wealth.</p> + +<p>A birthmark in the middle of the back indicates +a wealthy marriage.</p> + +<p>To be born during an eclipse, denotes hardship +and poverty.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span></p> + +<h3 id="DIVINATION_BY_LETTERS">DIVINATION BY LETTERS</h3> + +<p>The most celebrated arrangement of letters by +which fortunes were told or cures effected was +the ABRACADABRA. It is attributed to Serenus, +a celebrated physician of the second century. +It is often written so that reading from the apex +like an inverted pyramid up to the right side, the +same word will be spelled as at the top. Thus:</p> + +<p class="center"> +A B R A C A D A B R A<br> +A B R A C A D A B R<br> +A B R A C A D A B<br> +A B R A C A D A<br> +A B R A C A D<br> +A B R A C A<br> +A B R A C<br> +A B R A<br> +A B R<br> +A B<br> +A +</p> + +<p>The belief in the wonderful powers of this +word are well-nigh universal. By writing it on +a parchment and hanging it about the neck of a +sick person, it would staunch blood, heal disorders, +cure toothache, etc.</p> + +<p>The Jews used a similar word, Abracalam, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span>to cure disorders. In the Middle Ages the word, +Anamazaptas, if whispered into a man’s ear, was +supposed to cure epilepsy.</p> + +<p>The word “Bedooh” inscribed on rings and +charms or on helmets or sabres is supposed to +bring good luck. It comes from an Arab word +which means “he has walked well.”</p> + +<p>The word “Osy” was used as a charm against +serpents, and caused them to lie still as the dead.</p> + +<p>Pythagoras considered the letter Y a symbol of +life, and used it in his divinations.</p> + +<p>Anagrams are often used to tell fortunes and +to decide the career of a person. Thus Eleanor +Davies, a well-known English woman and the +wife of a poet, became a prophetess because she +found that the letters of her name could be transposed +to read, “Reveal O Daniel.”</p> + +<p>In many countries, charms worn about the neck +and engraved with mystic letters have the power +to keep away evil and cure disease.</p> + + +<h3 id="DIVINATION_BY_BOOKS">DIVINATION BY BOOKS</h3> + +<p>In ancient Greece, when people wanted counsel +on important matters, they opened a scroll of +Homer at random and noted the lines covered +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span>by the thumb. At the present time the Bible is +the book usually employed for that purpose.</p> + +<p>If in distress, open the Bible and put your index +finger on the page at random. The text will tell +you what to do. If the words have no apparent +bearing on the question, you should consider it an +unfavorable reply.</p> + +<p>To decide Yes or No in any doubtful matter, +open the Bible and note the first word on the left-hand +page. If it has an even number of letters, +the answer is No; if an odd number of letters, +the answer is Yes.</p> + +<p>If things have gone wrong with you, open the +Bible and say:</p> + +<p> +“Mark and Matthew, Luke and John,<br> +Counsel, that I may get on.” +</p> + +<p>Then retire and inspiration will come in your +sleep.</p> + +<p>A singular mode of divination for girls who +desire to know their fate is described in an old +book, as follows:</p> + +<p>“When you go to bed place under your pillow +a prayer book opened at the part of the matrimonial +service which begins, ‘With this ring I +thee wed,’ <ins class="corr" id="tn-109" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: etc."">etc.</ins> Place a key on it, a ring, a +flower, a sprig of willow, a small heart-shaped +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span>cake, a crust of bread and a pack of playing cards. +Wrap these up in a thin handkerchief and, on +getting into bed, cross your thumbs and say:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">‘Luna, every woman’s friend,<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">To me thy goodness condescend;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Let me this night in visions see<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Emblems of my destiny.’”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>On New Year’s Day a Bible is laid on the table, +in some parts of England, and each member of the +family opens it at random and from the contents +of the two open pages reads his destiny for the +ensuing year.</p> + +<p>The last chapter of the Book of Proverbs contains +thirty-one verses, each of which is supposed +to have reference to one day of a month. By consulting +these for the day of the month on which +you were born, you will have an indication as +to which kind of occupation you will be most successful +in. Thus, the twenty-fourth verse speaks +of “fine linen,” which indicates that the person born +on that day will be successful as a manufacturer +or seller of linen.</p> + + +<h3 id="PRECIOUS_STONES">PRECIOUS STONES</h3> + +<p>Precious stones are supposed in all countries +to have a special province in inducing fortunate +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span>or unlucky occurrences. The proper stone is +chosen according to the month of one’s birth, each +month being governed by a different gem.</p> + +<p>The following is the list of birth stones according +to the generally accepted belief:</p> + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">January,</td> +<td class="tdr">Garnet</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">February,</td> +<td class="tdr">Amethyst</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">March,</td> +<td class="tdr">Bloodstone</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">April,</td> +<td class="tdr">Diamond</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">May,</td> +<td class="tdr">Emerald</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">June,</td> +<td class="tdr">Agate</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">July,</td> +<td class="tdr">Ruby</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">August,</td> +<td class="tdr">Sardonyx</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">September,</td> +<td class="tdr">Sapphire</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">October,</td> +<td class="tdr">Opal</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">November,</td> +<td class="tdr">Topaz</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp8r">December,</td> +<td class="tdr">Turquoise</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p>In the dictionary of “Phrase and Fable,” we +find a different arrangement based on astrological +lore. It is as follows:—</p> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span> + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdlp1l">Sign of Zodiac</td> +<td class="tdlp1l">Month</td> +<td class="tdlp1l">Stone</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Aries, the ram,</td> +<td class="tdl">April</td> +<td class="tdl">Amethyst</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Taurus, the bull,</td> +<td class="tdl">May</td> +<td class="tdl">Agate</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Gemini, the twins,</td> +<td class="tdl">June</td> +<td class="tdl">Beryl</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Cancer, the crab,</td> +<td class="tdl">July</td> +<td class="tdl">Emerald</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Leo, the virgin,</td> +<td class="tdl">August</td> +<td class="tdl">Ruby</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Libra, the balance,</td> +<td class="tdl">September</td> +<td class="tdl">Jasper</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Scorpio, the scorpion,</td> +<td class="tdl">October</td> +<td class="tdl">Diamond</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Sagittarius, archer,</td> +<td class="tdl">November</td> +<td class="tdl">Topaz</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Capricorn, the goat,</td> +<td class="tdl">January</td> +<td class="tdl">Onyx</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Aquarius, waterman,</td> +<td class="tdl">February</td> +<td class="tdl">Sapphire</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Pisces, the fishes,</td> +<td class="tdl">March</td> +<td class="tdl">Chrysolite</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p>A ring presented to a person with his or her +birthstone is sure to bring good fortune.</p> + +<p>One’s birthstone in a charm or locket, worn +about the neck, will bring luck in business or speculation.</p> + + +<h3 id="COLOR_SUPERSTITIONS">COLOR SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>There has always been a disposition to connect +one’s personality with colors. People are supposed +not only to have a fortunate number but a lucky +hue as well. Planets have a certain hue, and a person’s +color chart agrees with that of his star.</p> + +<p>Modern scientific research has proved the importance +of color in a curative sense. No matter +whether your native color is red or blue, it is a +fact that the color of your wall paper may have a +beneficial or harmful effect on you if you are ill. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span>Color undoubtedly has an influence on mental conditions.</p> + +<p>Infusoria and the lower forms of life develop +faster under one kind of color than under another, +red and yellow being most favorable. Flies, ants +and other insects die under the effect of blue or +violet light. Why then should color not also have +its influence on man?</p> + +<p>Insane people have been cured by placing them +in a room that was flooded with light of a certain +color that corresponded with their aura. Blue light +was thought particularly efficacious for melancholy +people.</p> + +<p>The following beliefs are current in regard to +colors:</p> + +<p class="marginleft1em noindent"> +Red governs love, affection or lust.<br> +Scarlet rules emotion and anger.<br> +Crimson is the color of animal passion.<br> +Bright red gives courage and confidence.<br> +Orange is the color of simplicity or ignorance.<br> +Brown is the hue of worldly wisdom.<br> +Yellow, of jealousy and silliness. +</p> + +<p>In the Bible, sin is supposed to be scarlet in +color, hence that color is to be avoided by virtuous +people.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p> +<p>The devil, as the incarnation of sin, is always +represented as dressed in scarlet.</p> + +<p>Yellow and gold, according to some philosophers, +correspond to the intellectual, red to the sensual, +and blue to the spiritual, moral and religious nature +of man.</p> + +<p>White is the color of innocence, hence brides +dress in white.</p> + +<p>Black is the color of mourning in European +and American nations, but white is the mourning +hue in oriental countries.</p> + +<p>Purple was considered the color of royalty in +ancient days, probably on account of its former +scarcity and expensiveness. It is also used for +second mourning, as being a compromise between +black and gay colors.</p> + +<p>There is a belief that every jealous person had +green eyes. This idea no doubt was formed by the +fact that some people’s eyes become phosphorescent +under great emotion.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI +<br> +<span class="fs90">PLANT SUPERSTITIONS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>Quaking grass, also called maidenhair, if +brought into the house brings bad luck.</p> + +<p>If mandrake is turned up in one’s garden it +should be burnt at once. Many strange beliefs +centre about this root. Some believe it will cause +blindness if looked at too long.</p> + +<p>To pick flowers before they are full blown, is +said to cause a stye.</p> + +<p>March marigolds will cause drinking habits +if looked at too long.</p> + +<p>If poppies are held to the eyes, it is believed +they will blind one.</p> + +<p>Primroses should not be brought into a house +where there are laying hens, or the chickens will +not hatch out.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII +<br> +<span class="fs90">BIRD AND INSECT SUPERSTITIONS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>Owls are considered unlucky birds. Their +hoarse and repellent voice is a bad omen and +means coming disaster.</p> + +<p>Chaucer says: “The owl brings tidings of +death.”</p> + +<p>History tells that an owl once flew into the city +of Rome and as a result the place was purified +and sacrifices offered to propitiate the gods and +avert trouble.</p> + +<p>Before the death of the Roman emperor, Antoninus, +an owl was observed to sit over his chamber +door.</p> + +<p>The Actian War was foretold by owls flying +into the Temple of Concord in Rome.</p> + +<p>In the Middle Ages the screeching of owls was +supposed to foretell plague or other calamities.</p> + +<p>Ravens were considered equally unlucky. To +have a raven fly into one’s bedroom foretold disaster. +The celebrated poem by Poe, “The Raven,” +has this belief for its motive.</p> + +<p>Robins are considered lucky birds and it is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span>bad to kill one. The farmers believe that they +will avert poor crops.</p> + +<p>The high esteem in which the robin is held +probably originated from the story of the “Babes +in the Wood” who were covered up with leaves +by the robin redbreasts after they were left to +starve by their cruel guardian.</p> + +<p>The cuckoo has long been considered as a +bird of bad omen, if it enters one’s home; but to +hear a cuckoo cry in the woods is a good sign.</p> + +<p>Boys take their money out of their pockets and +spit on it for luck when they hear a cuckoo cry. +It is a bad sign not to have any money in your +pocket when you hear the cuckoo’s first cry in +spring.</p> + +<p>A white bird or a crow flying against a window +by night, foretells a death in the house within +a year.</p> + +<p>A robin is a bringer of good luck if it flies into +the house.</p> + +<p>Magpies have different meanings according to +the number that fly about. “One for sorrow, two +for mirth, three for a wedding, four for a birth, +five for silver, six for gold, seven a secret that +dare not be told.”</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> +<p>To avert the evil influence of magpies, make a +cross with the foot for every one in sight.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to look into an owl’s nest.</p> + +<p>It is a bad omen to kill a swallow or a wren or +take their eggs.</p> + +<p>Martins and swallows are God’s teachers and +scholars and must not be annoyed.</p> + + +<h3 id="INSECT_OMENS">INSECT OMENS</h3> + +<p>It is unlucky to kill a spider. If you wish to +thrive, let the spider stay alive.</p> + +<p>A spider’s web, encountered on the road should +not be disturbed.</p> + +<p>A little red ant, if it crawls into the pocket, +brings money.</p> + +<p>Crickets are considered harbingers of luck; +but in some countries the contrary holds good.</p> + +<p>To kill a red ant, brings rain.</p> + +<p>Bees swarming on a house means that some one +will die there.</p> + +<p>If you see a black snail, throw it over your head +for luck.</p> + +<p>To kill a toad will make the bees swarm.</p> + + +<h3 id="BEES">BEES</h3> + +<p>When putting bees into a new hive, one must +knock three times on top of the old hive and tell +them; otherwise they will sting you.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span></p> +<p>If any one dies in a house where bees are kept, +they must be told, otherwise they will stop gathering +honey and die too.</p> + +<p>In some country hives are turned around when +a member of the family dies, otherwise the bees +will also die.</p> + +<p>Bees are supposed to have a religious nature +and to be subject to the emotions of their owners.</p> + +<p>In Yorkshire there is a custom of watching the +hives on Christmas Eve. The people profess to be +able to tell by the humming noise the bees make +whether the holiday is to be a joyful one or not.</p> + +<p>Bees have often been used for divination and +the size of the swarm and the general behavior of +the bees prophesies good or bad crops.</p> + +<p>If a hive of bees dies out, it is a sign of a coming +bad harvest and the farmer looks for another +place to ply his profession.</p> + +<p>To be stung by a bee, if not followed by a +swelling, is a sign of coming fortune.</p> + +<p>If three bees alight upon you at one time, it is +a sign that your plans will meet with success.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII +<br> +<span class="fs90">ANIMAL PORTENTS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>The following are believed to foretell death: +Rats leaving a house; a hare or white rabbit +crossing your path; a cow lowing three times in +your face; a shrewmouse running over your foot.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to keep a kitten born in May. It +should be drowned, as a May cat is supposed to +suck a child’s breath.</p> + +<p>Goslings hatched in May bring no luck to the +owner.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to bid a price for an animal that +is not for sale. The animal is apt to die within a +month.</p> + +<p>To covet another’s beast will bring you bad luck.</p> + +<p>If a pig is killed while the moon is waning, +it will be unprofitable and the bacon will shrink +in the pot.</p> + +<p>A gray horse brings good luck. Spit on the +little finger and rub it on the horse, and money +will come to you.</p> + +<p>If you see a young spring lamb with the head +towards you, it means good fortune.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span></p> +<p>It foretells bad luck if rats gnaw one’s clothing.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to kill a cricket. These insects +were esteemed by the ancients as a symbol of hospitality. +Their singing was often used to foretell +good or bad events.</p> + +<p>A hare crossing the path of a traveller is a +sign of bad fortune. A white hare, however, is +regarded as a good sign.</p> + +<p>A pig appearing to a traveller is a good sign. +If a sow be accompanied by a litter of pigs, it +denotes a successful trip.</p> + +<p>The tail of a lizard is considered a lucky mascot +in France, just as is the hind leg of a rabbit +in this country.</p> + +<p>To meet a white horse is considered unlucky +unless the person spits at it to avert trouble.</p> + +<p>To meet a white horse indicates that you will +soon see a red-haired girl.</p> + +<p>Rooks are believed to foretell death by leaving +the house near which they have built their nests.</p> + +<p>Killing a spider is considered unlucky. Small +spiders, called “money-spinners,” indicate good +luck, and their webs are not to be destroyed.</p> + +<p>If black ants appear in a house it is a sign of +good luck, but red ants bring misfortune.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span></p> +<p>To meet a goat unexpectedly is bad luck; to +meet a sheep is a good sign.</p> + + +<h3 id="HOWLING_OF_DOGS">HOWLING OF DOGS</h3> + +<p>The howling of dogs has always been considered +a sign of coming disaster. Dogs are supposed +to have a peculiar sense of coming trouble. +In case of sickness, a dog is supposed to foretell +the outcome.</p> + +<p>An old writer says: “As odd and unaccountable +as it may seem, dogs scent death even before +it seizes a person.”</p> + +<p>In the “Odyssey,” the dogs of Eumæus are described +as terrified at the sight of Minerva though +she was invisible to human eyes.</p> + +<p>The howling of dogs is believed to presage +death, especially in houses where some one is +lying ill.</p> + +<p>When dogs tremble and wallow upon the earth +it is a sign of wind and storm.</p> + +<p>Horses and cattle are often supposed to have +this trait in common with <ins class="corr" id="tn-122" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: dogs.">dogs:</ins> Their keen sense +of smell, or perhaps some sense which mortals do +not possess, enables them to discover illness and +danger.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p> + +<h3 id="BLACK_CATS">BLACK CATS</h3> + +<p>There are conflicting beliefs regarding the influence +of black cats. Some consider them a sure +sign of good luck, others regard them with dread +and awe.</p> + +<p>A black cat without a single white hair is +lucky, particularly if it comes to you unsolicited.</p> + +<p>If you start out to undertake any new work or +to hunt and a black cat crosses your path, you will +be very lucky in your undertaking.</p> + +<p>If you try to coax a black cat to come and he +runs away, you will be disappointed in your results.</p> + +<p>To kill a black cat is very unlucky, and means +misfortune for a year.</p> + +<p>Among Egyptians, cats were regarded with religious +awe. They were mummified and buried in +the graves with human beings.</p> + +<p>Witches had a fondness for black cats, and used +them in their divinations. In soothsaying, cats +have always played an important role.</p> + +<p>The brain of a black cat was considered an +important ingredient in the recipes and prescriptions +of the witches in the Middle Ages.</p> + +<p>The meowing of a black cat at midnight is a +bad omen, and foretells a death.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV +<br> +<span class="fs90">METEOROLOGICAL BELIEFS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>To walk under a rainbow is supposed to be unlucky, +as the light of a rainbow, while good in +itself, harms the one it shines on.</p> + +<p>To be out in a sunshower is good luck, and +whatever you venture in that hour will be successful.</p> + +<p>Thunder and lightning are both lucky and unlucky +according to the direction from which they +come.</p> + +<p>An even number of thunder reports in quick +succession have no effect, but an uneven number +will bring luck.</p> + +<p>The ancients considered thunder as an indication +that Jove was angry.</p> + +<p>Thunder from a cloudless sky, is considered an +indication of luck.</p> + +<p>To see a new moon for the first time after a +change on the right-hand side or directly in front +of you betokens good luck, but to see it behind +you on your left, is a bad omen.</p> + +<p>To begin a journey or other important work in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span>the last quarter of the moon is bad, and the venture +will be a failure.</p> + +<p>To see the new moon through a window for the +first time, indicates bad luck.</p> + +<p>The new moon seen over the right shoulder +brings good fortune, over the left shoulder means +failure, and straight ahead of you denotes good +luck till the end of the season.</p> + +<p>The Friday on which the new moon first appears +is a bad day and Sunday is equally unfavorable +for a full moon.</p> + +<p>Red ants swarming through the earth, indicate +coming of rain.</p> + +<p>If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain for +forty days more.</p> + +<p>If the hedgehog emerges from his hole on +Michaelmas and sees his shadow, prepare for +thirty days more of winter.</p> + + +<h3 id="WEATHER_SIGNS_AND_PORTENTS">WEATHER SIGNS AND PORTENTS</h3> + +<p>Small fleecy clouds of “curdled” appearance, indicate +neither long wet nor long dry. Long +streaky clouds, indicate fair weather.</p> + +<p>Thick bands of clouds across the west, indicate +stormy weather.</p> + +<p>A “weather breeder” is a fine, warm day out +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span>of season and foretells bad weather in the near +future.</p> + +<p>Streaks of light radiating out of clouds behind +the sun foretell rain. The sun is said to be sucking +up moisture.</p> + +<p>“The moon on her back holds water in her lap.”</p> + +<p>A halo around the moon indicates rain. The +bigger the wheel, the nearer the moisture.</p> + +<p>If the evening star is in front of the moon, +look out for rain.</p> + +<p>When a guinea fowl or peacock calls, prepare +for rain.</p> + +<p>The call of the green woodpecker is a sign of +rain.</p> + +<p>Rooks gathering in large numbers and flying +in a circle, foretell rain.</p> + +<p>If it rains on Friday, it will surely rain on the +next Sunday.</p> + +<p>Shooting of corns or the aching of an old +wound foretell rain.</p> + +<p>If during the harvest a rake is carried with its +teeth up, it will be a wet harvest.</p> + +<p>When the cat scratches the leg of the table, +sneezes, draws her paw over her forehead in +washing her face or frisks about the house, it is +a sure sign of rain.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p> +<p>The following are indications of rain: When +crickets chirp louder than usually, when a rooster +flies on the gate and crows, when a dog eats grass, +and when snails are abundant.</p> + +<p> +“Wind in the east is good neither for man or beast.<br> +Wind in the west suits everybody best.” +</p> + +<p>When the robins sing high in the tree, the +weather will be fine, but if they sing low down, it +will rain soon.</p> + +<p>Sea gulls on land bring rain.</p> + +<p> +“Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight.<br> +Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.” +</p> + +<p>Early mist indicates a fine day.</p> + +<p>If ice will bear a man before Christmas, it +will not bear a mouse afterwards.</p> + +<p>If the sun shines through the apple trees on +Christmas, it foretells a fine crop of apples.</p> + +<p> +“If in February there be no rain,<br> +The hay won’t prosper nor the grain.” +</p> + +<p>All other months of the year curse a fine February.</p> + +<p>If a cat lies in the sun in February, she will +creep under the grate in March.</p> + +<p>“When the oak comes before the ash, summer +will be dry and mash.”</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p> +<p>“Rain on Good Friday and Easter Day, brings +lots of grass but little hay.”</p> + +<p>Cold May, short hay! Leaky June, plenty of +corn!</p> + +<p>If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, the apples are +christened and the early kind may be picked.</p> + +<p>Warm October means a cold February.</p> + +<p>Snow that lingers will bring more snow.</p> + + +<h3 id="COMETS_AND_METEORS">COMETS AND METEORS</h3> + +<p>That the sudden appearance of a big star with +a long tail should cause fear and apprehension is +but natural. Primitive man, in fact until a few +decades ago, saw in the fiery celestial visitor a +sure omen of disaster. In religious countries in +the Middle Ages, the appearance of a comet was +associated with the second coming of Christ.</p> + +<p>In the year 1712, Whiston, a clergyman and +astronomer, predicted the appearance of a comet +and stated that the world would be destroyed by +fire a few days thereafter. The comet appeared +punctually according to his calculations, and the +inhabitants of England began to prepare for the +end of the world. People got into boats believing +that the water was the safest place. Divine +service was held in all churches, and rich men +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span>parted with their wealth. The comet left without +having accomplished any damage.</p> + +<p>Comets have often been regarded as the precursor +of war and famine and nearly every big +war occurred soon after the appearance of a +comet.</p> + +<p>Although we know now that comets are harmless +things, and rarely trouble the earth, superstition +still clings to them.</p> + +<p>Special prayers were instituted by various popes +to nullify the evil a comet might do. In Catholic +countries these are still used as a preventive of +trouble.</p> + +<p>It is considered unlucky to engage in any new +business during the continuation of a comet in the +sky.</p> + +<p>Children born during a comet will have a difficult +time of it, and are subject to sudden death.</p> + +<p>Shooting stars or meteors have also been the +subject of many strange beliefs. When a shooting +star flashes across the sky, wish for money, +and you will be sure to get it.</p> + +<p>A sick person, seeing a shooting star, will recover +within a month.</p> + +<p>If you set out on a voyage at night and see a +shooting star, your trip will be successful.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p> +<p>Lovers seeing shooting stars and wishing for +health, wealth or happiness, will have their wish +gratified.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV +<br> +<span class="fs90">VOCATIONAL SUPERSTITIONS</span></h2></div> + + +<h3 id="SUPERSTITIONS_OF_KINGS">SUPERSTITIONS OF KINGS</h3> + +<p>King Harold of England considered Saturday +his lucky day.</p> + +<p>According to Celtic chronicles, each king of +Scotland had some favorite day, and was forbidden +by the astrologers of his reign from doing +certain things on designated days.</p> + +<p>The kings of Ireland were not allowed to have +the sun fall on their beds at Tara Castle.</p> + +<p>The King of Munster was forbidden to have a +feast at Killarney from Monday to the end of the +week.</p> + +<p>The King of Connaught believed it ill luck to +wear a speckled garment or to ride a speckled +horse.</p> + +<p>The King of Ulster would not go to certain +parts of his kingdom during March for fear of +disaster.</p> + +<p>October 14th was supposed to be a lucky day +for the kings of England.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span></p> +<p>The sixth of April was a lucky day for Alexander +the Great. On that day he conquered Darius +and won a great sea battle.</p> + +<p>The sixth of April was also lucky for Alexander’s +father, Phillip of Macedon. On that day he +captured Potidæa, his general overthrew the Illyrians, +and his horse won at the Olympian +games.</p> + +<p>The month of January has been unlucky for +kings. Charles I was beheaded that month. +Napoleon III and King Victor Emmanuel of Italy +died in January.</p> + +<p>King Louis XVI of France found the 21st an +important day. On April 21st, 1770, he was +married, and every great event of his reign occurred +on that day. On January 21st, 1793, he +was beheaded.</p> + +<p>Cromwell considered the 3rd of September as +his lucky day. He gained several great victories +on that date.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Monmouth was told by a fortuneteller +that if he survived St. Swithin’s Day he +would be a great man. He died on that day.</p> + +<p>Napoleon Bonaparte considered Friday his unlucky +day and Monday his fortunate day.</p> + +<p>Henry IV of France considered Friday lucky +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>and preferred to undertake important things on +that day.</p> + +<p>The late Emperor of Austria was superstitious +and attributed all his family troubles to a curse +that was launched against him by a countess who +believed herself injured by him.</p> + +<p>The Hohenzollern family, of which the kaiser +is the most talked-of member, have their pet +superstitions, one of them being that the apparition +of a woman in white betokens the death of +one of the family.</p> + + +<h3 id="CARD_PLAYERS_SUPERSTITIONS">CARD PLAYERS’ SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Luck plays such an important part with gamblers +and card players that it is not surprising +they have a multitude of beliefs and superstitions. +Where every move is connected with blind chance +and skill is entirely secondary, every detail of the +game is watched for some sign of import or some +omen that will bring success. Here are some of +the many beliefs that are current in English-speaking +countries:</p> + +<p>To play cards on a table without a cover is +considered unlucky.</p> + +<p>A green cover is the most fortunate to play on.</p> + +<p>To lend money to an adversary with which to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span>play is unlucky. To borrow money during a game +is lucky.</p> + +<p>In Monte Carlo and other gambling places there +is a belief that after a suicide of an unlucky player, +all those playing against the bank will win. When +the news of a suicide becomes known, therefore, +the card rooms at once fill with eager players.</p> + +<p>If you wish a friend to win at cards, stick a +pin in the lapel of his coat.</p> + +<p>To drop a card on the floor during a game is +a bad sign, and means the loss of that game.</p> + +<p>Singing, while playing, is a sign that your side +will lose.</p> + +<p>To have another person look over your shoulder +while playing, or put his foot on the rung of +your chair, is a forerunner of bad luck.</p> + +<p>To play at the same table with a cross-eyed +man is a sign that you will lose.</p> + +<p>To lose your temper or get into a passion over +the game is a sign of a loss.</p> + +<p>The four of clubs is an unlucky card to get. It +is called the devil’s bedstead.</p> + +<p>It helps your luck to keep the chips carefully +stacked up before you.</p> + +<p>Most players have their own private superstitions +based on past experiences. A certain hand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span>always foretells good luck, while the cards coming +in a certain order may mean the reverse.</p> + +<p>Winning the first game often means that you +will win the third. Holding your cards in a +certain way brings success.</p> + +<p>Playing on certain days is unlucky for some, +lucky for others. To play before 6 P. M. on +Fridays is unlucky.</p> + +<p>Turning one’s chair around three times is +often resorted to to change one’s luck.</p> + +<p>Playing with a fresh deck of cards is another +way of forcing the goddess of fortune to be +propitious.</p> + +<p>Most players have a lucky card which they +touch with the index finger before sitting down +to play. This insures good fortune.</p> + + +<h3 id="ACTORS_SUPERSTITIONS">ACTORS’ SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Actors may be counted among the most superstitious +people in the world. Their success depends +upon so many unforeseen contingencies, +and so many elements enter into their enterprises, +that they look with awe and misgiving +upon every trivial incident. In different countries +they have different rites and beliefs, but the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span>following seem to be the most prevalent in English-speaking +lands:</p> + +<p>Whistling in a theatre is a sign of very bad luck, +and there is no offense that is more quickly +frowned upon by the manager. It was formerly +difficult for a vaudeville artist who made a +specialty of whistling in his act to get an engagement.</p> + +<p>It is considered bad luck to change the costume +in which an actor first made his success in a +piece. In cases of a long run the garment is often +worn until it becomes threadbare.</p> + +<p>The witches’ song in Macbeth is believed to +have an uncanny power for evil, and many actors +cannot be induced to play in that tragedy.</p> + +<p>To repeat the last lines of a play at rehearsals +is considered an ill omen.</p> + +<p>The pictures of an ostrich or peacock are considered +unlucky.</p> + +<p>To turn the handle of the wrong door in seeking +a manager or play-broker is considered very unlucky. +To ward against failure, the applicant +must return home and start out afresh next day.</p> + +<p>Yellow is an unlucky color for an actor. The +color of one’s costume often creates a loss of +memory while learning a part.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span></p> +<p>The looping of a drop curtain is a sure forerunner +of evil.</p> + +<p>Wigs bring luck, and many an actor wears one +although his part does not call for it.</p> + +<p>If an actor’s shoes squeak on making his entrance +it is a sign that he will have the applause +of the audience.</p> + +<p>If an actor kicks off his shoes and they alight +on their soles, it is a good omen; but if they fall +on their sides, it is a bad sign.</p> + +<p>Cats are considered very lucky by actors, and to +have a cat run across the stage during a rehearsal +is considered very lucky. It brings bad luck to +kick a cat.</p> + +<p>To have a person look over the actor’s shoulder +while he is making up and looking at himself in +the glass is unlucky.</p> + +<p>To stumble over anything in making an entrance +is bad, and will cause him to fail in his +lines.</p> + +<p>If his costume catches in the scenery as he enters +he must go back and make a new entrance or +else have bad luck during the act.</p> + +<p>The peep-hole through which the actor looks +out at the audience is usually in the centre, as +either side may bring bad luck.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span></p> + +<h3 id="THEATRE_SUPERSTITIONS">THEATRE SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Managers have their pet superstitions as well +as actors.</p> + +<p>To accept a play that has not been refused by +at least one manager is considered by some as a +sign of failure.</p> + +<p>If the first purchaser of seats for a performance +is an old man or old woman it means that the +play will have a long run. A young person means +the reverse.</p> + +<p>To receive a torn bank note for a ticket is a +bad sign for the box office man, and means a loss +of position. A big bill for which he must make +change is a good omen.</p> + +<p>If an usher seats a person in seat thirteen or a +multiple thereof, he will have bad luck.</p> + +<p>An usher considers it bad luck to have a lady +tip him for a program, but a gentleman’s tip +insures good luck.</p> + +<p>The first tip of the season is briskly rubbed on +the leg of the usher’s trousers and then kept in +his pocket as a lucky piece.</p> + +<p>To receive a smile from an actor over the +footlights is a good omen.</p> + +<p>A woman fainting in a theatre is considered a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span>bad sign and means that the play will come to a +speedy end.</p> + +<p>A death in a playhouse during a performance +is a certain hoodoo, and usually ends in an unexpected +termination of the run of the play.</p> + + +<h3 id="COMMERCIAL_TRAVELLERS_SUPERSTITIONS">COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS’ SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Travelling men, whose lives are a constant +struggle after orders, are apt to consider trifles as +an index of coming fortune, or the reverse, and +many are their peculiar beliefs.</p> + +<p>When, on starting out, a drummer finds he +has forgotten his order book, he will take no +orders till it is sent after him.</p> + +<p>A necktie worn when the first order is taken +is often worn till the end of the trip, as it brings +good luck. With some, the suit takes the place +of the tie.</p> + +<p>A salesman often goes into a stranger’s store +and tries to sell a bill before tackling his own +regular customer. He believes that if he is turned +down by one, he will be sure to <ins class="corr" id="tn-139" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: sell">sell to</ins> the right +man.</p> + +<p>A flock of sheep seen on starting out is a good +sign. A pig or drove of pigs is even better.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p> +<p>If no order has been taken for several days, the +conscientious traveller will rest up for a day, take +a bath and change his clothes for a change of +luck.</p> + +<p>Muttering some incantation or wish while a +difficult customer is making up his mind is often +resorted to.</p> + +<p>A lucky pocket-piece twirled in the left hand is +supposed to insure an order where the customer +is undecided.</p> + +<p>A horseshoe carried in the bottom of a sample +trunk is supposed to insure success during the +trip.</p> + + +<h3 id="DRESSMAKERS_AND_SEAMSTRESSES">DRESSMAKERS AND SEAMSTRESSES</h3> + +<p>Seamstresses have a code of beliefs of their +own, many of which are curious.</p> + +<p>To prick a finger and draw blood while sewing +a bride’s dress bodes ill for the bride’s married +life. To stain the dress with blood means an +early death for the wearer.</p> + +<p>To try on a bride’s dress by the seamstress and +wear it for an hour before the bride wears it +betokens an engagement for the seamstress.</p> + +<p>To lose a thimble while making a bride’s dress +means exceptionally good luck for the bride.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span></p> +<p>To be employed to make a mourning outfit for +a young widow betokens an early marriage for the +seamstress.</p> + +<p>To turn the material on the wrong side and +sew it thus by mistake so that the dress will +have to be ripped and resewn means good luck +for the wearer.</p> + +<p>To drop your scissors on the floor means a +visitor who will bring welcome news. Should +the scissors break, it means a keen disappointment.</p> + +<p>To sew with the wrong colored silk or thread +by mistake is a sign of bad luck for the wearer +unless the work is ripped and sewn over.</p> + +<p>To make an all white dress is always productive +of luck.</p> + +<p>A spot of dirt or oil on a new dress where it +will show means disappointment for the wearer.</p> + +<p>It was formerly considered unlucky for a bride +to help sew her own wedding dress.</p> + + +<h3 id="SAILORS_SUPERSTITIONS">SAILORS’ SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>The sea is one of the greatest marvels of +creation, and perhaps the most mysterious. It is +full of dangers, and from time immemorial has +been the subject of many superstitions. It is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span>natural that sailors should attach a meaning to +everything that promises a safe voyage.</p> + +<p>The sea is supposed to be filled with monsters +that cause no end of trouble if they are not propitiated +by some rite. A fleet on the sea drives +away these monsters.</p> + +<p>A sailing vessel is supposed to sail faster when +running from an enemy than otherwise.</p> + +<p>By speaking to his sailing vessel as he would +to a horse, many an old salt believes he gets greater +speed.</p> + +<p>A kingfisher hanged by a nail to the mast is +used to prophesy the direction of the wind.</p> + +<p>When a great auk, an aquatic bird, appears, +sailors believe they will have a speedy voyage. +If the bird settles on deck it is a good omen.</p> + +<p>Seeing three magpies predicts a successful voyage. +One magpie, however, is a sign of bad +luck.</p> + +<p>A seal is considered a lucky omen, and it is +wicked to kill one.</p> + +<p>An albatross brings good luck and creates +favorable winds. To kill an albatross is an omen +of very bad luck. This is portrayed in the +“Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span></p> +<p>A dove alighting on a ship is a sign of favorable +winds.</p> + +<p>Dolphins and porpoises playing about a ship +presage a storm.</p> + +<p>An eight-arm cuttlefish is regarded by sailors +as a bad omen.</p> + +<p>Barnacles that cling to a ship are believed to +change into birds after the vessel has been on a +cruise for six months.</p> + +<p>French sailors dread the nocturnal visits of a +sort of mischievous Puck or sprite who is supposed +to play pranks while they sleep.</p> + +<p>An appeal to the Virgin is supposed by Latin +sailors to calm a storm at sea.</p> + +<p>Sailing on Friday is considered bad luck. +Steamers do not now fear this day as much as +formerly.</p> + +<p>When a Chinese junk is ready to go to sea, +priests are invited to go on board to chant a +prayer and offer a sacrifice to Tien How, the +god of the sea. Gongs and drums are beaten.</p> + +<p>A shark following a ship is looked upon as a +sure sign of death of one of the passengers or +crew.</p> + +<p>When a storm arises and a vessel is in danger +it is supposed that a sinful person is on board +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span>and causes the trouble. This belief grew out of the +story of Jonah.</p> + +<p>Most sailors make the sign of the cross before +launching a boat in an angry sea.</p> + +<p>Christening new ships is a relic of an ancient +rite when wine was offered to Neptune as a propitiatory +sacrifice to insure his favor.</p> + +<p>The custom of blessing a ship is an old one and +is supposed to keep a ship from harm.</p> + +<p>Carrying dead bodies on shipboard is regarded +with superstitious dread by sailors, and those +that die during a voyage are usually buried at +sea.</p> + + +<h3 id="FISHERMENS_SUPERSTITIONS">FISHERMEN’S SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>During oyster dredging, fishermen often keep +up a monotonous chant to charm the oysters into +their net. This has given rise to the following +verse, reprinted from an old book on fishermen’s +lore:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indentq">“The herring loves the merry moonlight,<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">The mackerel loves the wind;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">But the oyster loves the dredger’s song,<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">For he comes of gentle kind.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Norwegian fishermen perform a sort of sacred +rite before going on the hunt for herring. They +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span>drink a “white lug,” a sort of toddy. They believe +it insures a big catch.</p> + +<p>In many countries fishermen are afraid to assist +a drowning man for fear that the water +sprite will be offended and drive the fish from +the nets.</p> + +<p>Burmese fishermen offer fruit and rice to “Nat,” +the spirit of the water, otherwise he will scare +away the fish.</p> + +<p>Many fishermen believe that spitting on the +bait before casting the hook will make the catch +certain.</p> + +<p>Portuguese fishermen during a storm attach +an image of St. Anthony to the mast and pray to +it. If that don’t help, they curse and beat the +image to make it behave and do their behests.</p> + +<p>It is considered lucky to throw the first fish +caught back into the water to induce other fish to +come to the hook.</p> + + +<h3 id="TURFMENS_SUPERSTITIONS">TURFMEN’S SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Men who follow the races and make their +living on the turf are in the same category as +card players and gamblers. Their winnings depend +exclusively on chance, and it is easy to +understand how they invest every occurrence with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span>some mysterious meaning and believe that certain +signs or omens will bring good or bad luck. Some +of their superstitions are childish, but their belief +in them often brings the desired results.</p> + +<p>On the way to the races, if a turfman sees a +name like that of the horse that is run that day, +he takes it for an omen that the horse will win.</p> + +<p>The initials of names on signboards or the +headlines in the paper he is reading are all made +to do service in spelling the name of the horse +that is to be victorious.</p> + +<p>To meet a funeral on the way to the track is +a bad omen, although an empty hearse denotes +good luck.</p> + +<p>To dream of a horse that is entered for a race +is lucky, but it will not win the first time it is +run. It is sure to win the second time, however, +and it is safe to bet on it then.</p> + +<p>To meet a cross-eyed man on the way to the +track is very bad, but to meet a cross-eyed woman +is lucky. A cross-eyed negro foretells the best +kind of luck.</p> + +<p>To meet a black cat brings bad luck, while +a white cat is excellent. To be followed by a +strange dog is a good sign. To see a piebald +horse means success.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p> +<p>To give alms to a blind beggar brings good luck +and to touch the hump of a hunchback man is a +sure sign of success.</p> + +<p>When the saddle girth of a horse gets loose and +the jockey is obliged to get off and tighten it, it +is a sure bet that the horse will win.</p> + +<p>Money that is won should be carried loose in +the pocket, and not in a purse or wallet. It will +then pave the way for more.</p> + +<p>To find money on the track is a bad thing. +It should be given away in charity.</p> + + +<h3 id="BASEBALL_SUPERSTITIONS">BASEBALL SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Baseball players have a curious code of beliefs, +which differ with nearly every team. They have +their mascots, that are supposed to bring them +good luck, and stand in awe of the “jinx” that +often defeats their best plans.</p> + +<p>When a team runs behind in its score a change +of pitcher or catcher often retrieves their chances.</p> + +<p>It is unlucky to play with a bat that is split, +even if the damage is slight. A new bat must +be procured.</p> + +<p>If on the way to the game any name is encountered +that suggests the name of one of the teams, +that team will be successful.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> +<p>If any part of a player’s uniform is missing +or torn, it means bad luck for the team.</p> + +<p>A cross-eyed umpire is tabooed as a hoodoo.</p> + +<p>To have a “southpaw,” or left-handed pitcher, +brings good luck to the team.</p> + +<p>It is a common belief that the team losing the +first innings will win the game at the end.</p> + + +<h3 id="WAITERS_SUPERSTITIONS">WAITERS’ SUPERSTITIONS</h3> + +<p>Waiters, depending as they must upon chance +tips, are very prone to be superstitious, and have +developed a series of rites and ceremonies that +are supposed to bring them the coveted fee.</p> + +<p>Drawing out a chair for the customer to seat +himself is sure to bring a good-sized fee. If the +customer for any reason takes a different seat +from that indicated it is a bad omen.</p> + +<p>A certain arrangement of knife and fork is +sure to produce a good result. The fork must +lie near the plate and the knife on the outside +and parallel. Any other arrangement is bad.</p> + +<p>Opening up the napkin for the customer is a +good sign.</p> + +<p>To bring a customer a second portion of butter +before he asks for it is good. If a customer +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span>sends out a dish for any reason, it means bad +luck for the rest of the day.</p> + +<p>To receive a big tip early in the day is a bad +sign. All the rest of the tips are apt to be small.</p> + +<p>To break a dish is a very bad omen. It means +not only loss of wages, but the loss of tips as +well.</p> + +<p>If a waiter finds that a certain salutation results +in a tip, he must use the same salutation +on all clients during the day.</p> + +<p>To wait on a hunchback customer is a sign of +good luck and results in a good inflow of tips. +To wait on a one-armed man is bad.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI +<br> +<span class="fs90">MISCELLANEOUS</span></h2></div> + + +<h3 id="PORTENTS_OF_EVIL">PORTENTS OF EVIL</h3> + +<p>Furniture creaking at night without visible +cause, is a sign of death or illness.</p> + +<p>Letters crossing in the mail betoken evil fortune.</p> + +<p>When the church bell strikes while the parson +is giving out his text, some one in the congregation +will die.</p> + +<p>Ringing sounds in the ear foretell trouble.</p> + +<p>Three people making up a bed is a bad sign, +and foretells illness to one of them.</p> + +<p>The ticking of a “death tick,” a minute insect +that lives in wood, is a sign of coming trouble.</p> + + +<h3 id="BREAKING_FRIENDSHIP">BREAKING FRIENDSHIP</h3> + +<p>When poker and tongs hang both on the same +side of the fireplace it betokens a breaking of +friendship.</p> + +<p>Passing a friend on the stairs, foretells a +rupture.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span></p> +<p>When two persons kindle a fire together, it foretells +that they will soon quarrel.</p> + +<p>Two persons washing their hands in the same +basin or using the same towel at the same time, +had better beware, for their friendship will be +of short duration.</p> + +<p>In all of the above cases, making a cross with +the thumb will prevent the evil from being carried +out.</p> + + +<h3 id="DRINKING_TOASTS">DRINKING TOASTS</h3> + +<p>Drinking to the health of a friend is a very +old custom and goes back to the beginning of civilization. +The Roman gallant would drink as +many glasses as there were letters in the name +of his sweetheart.</p> + +<p>The origin of the word “toast” is uncertain. +An old writer claims that in the reign of Charles +the Second, a piece of toasted bread was dropped +in the wine, and that a wit, seeing that the wine +had all been quaffed, remarked: “If I can’t drink +the wine, I can at least have the toast.”</p> + +<p>To give or drink a toast signifies to offer a sentiment +in honor of some dear person, and wish +him or her good health. It is supposed to be +efficacious.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span></p> +<p>The ancients poured wine upon the ground in +honor of the gods. The modern feaster prefers to +pour it into himself in honor of his friends. +Many a man drinks to the health of others and +forgets about his own health.</p> + +<p>To break a glass while drinking a toast is a bad +omen, and may result in the early death of the +person toasted.</p> + +<p>To spill wine while drinking a toast is a good +omen, and brings health and happiness to the +one concerned.</p> + + +<h3 id="PIOUS_EJACULATIONS">PIOUS EJACULATIONS</h3> + +<p>The custom of qualifying an assertion or a wish +with some pious remark in order to avert trouble, +is well-nigh universal and was as prevalent among +the ancients as with us.</p> + +<p>The Romans, whenever they told of their intended +movements or of anything they expected to +accomplish in the future, always prefixed their +remarks with “<i lang="la">Deo Volente</i>,” or some similar +words.</p> + +<p>The modern American says, “God willing,” when +he tells of something he expects to do. This is +supposed to remove any hoodoo that may interfere +with his anticipated deed.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span></p> +<p>Similarly the German says, “<i lang="de">So Gott will</i>.” The +Frenchman says, “<i lang="fr">A Dieu ne deplaise</i>,” and so +every language has its equivalent.</p> + +<p>In speaking about the possibility of anything +evil happening to one’s dear ones, it is customary +to say, “God forbid.”</p> + +<p>In discussing the merits or deeds of one’s +wife or other dear relative, we often say “God +bless her or him,” which is supposed to remove any +occult influence for evil.</p> + +<p>Jews, when discussing the good points or praiseworthy +traits of their dear ones, say, “<i lang="de">Unbeschrien</i>,” +which literally means “without wishing +to praise.” This prevents the praise from reacting +and becoming a reproach.</p> + +<p>In speaking of their dead, the Germans often +add the word “<i lang="de">selig</i>” to the name. This means +“blessed” or of “blessed memory,” and is equivalent +to saying, “Peace to his ashes.”</p> + +<p>The English expressions of “Dear me,” “My +goodness” and “Goodness gracious,” are really +modifications of “<i lang="la">dio mio</i>,” “My God,” “Gracious +God,” etc., and had their origin in the desire to +call on the Deity to bring comfort or help. So also +“Hully Gee” is a corruption of “Holy Jesus.”</p> + +<p>The Europeans think nothing of interjecting the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span>name of the Deity into their ordinary conversation. +“<i lang="de">Mein Gott</i>,” “<i><ins class="corr" id="tn-154" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: Act">Ach</ins> Gott</i>,” “<i>Mon Dieu</i>,” etc., +take place of our “Dear me,” etc. They are +not used in the spirit of blasphemy, but as pious +words to avert evil.</p> + +<p>Many people before starting out on any errand, +or even before entering a room, say to themselves, +“Good luck,” or other phrase, in the nature of +a silent prayer.</p> + +<p>Birthday wishes, festival wishes and congratulations +are all related to this same class of prayers +or pious wishes, and are supposed to influence the +mysterious power that rules the universe, to send +its best gifts and to keep away harm.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"><div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span></p> + + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII +<br> +<span class="fs90">SUPERSTITIONS OF THE ORTHODOX JEWS</span></h2></div> + + +<p>The following is a list of some of the most +common beliefs of the orthodox Hebrews. Many +of them have their original in some Biblical quotation +or in some interpretation of a Biblical text. +This collection is taken from the pages of the +“Jewish Encyclopedia.”</p> + +<p>Animal:—To see an animal in an unexpected +place indicates the finding of a treasure.</p> + +<p>Bachelor:—Bachelors are not looked on with +favor. As it is not good to be alone, every man +is supposed to marry. Sand is strewn before the +hearse when a bachelor is buried, as a reproach.</p> + +<p>Barrenness:—To cure barrenness, water was +prescribed in which moss taken from the Temple +wall in Jerusalem was cooked.</p> + +<p>Bat:—To kill a bat with a gold coin was considered +lucky.</p> + +<p>Bathtub:—A child’s bathtub was not to be used +for any other purpose, or the child would meet +with misfortune.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p> +<p>Bear:—To eat a bear’s heart would convert the +eater into a tyrant.</p> + +<p>Bed:—It is considered lucky for girls to sit +on a bride’s bed, and will cause other marriages.</p> + +<p>Blood:—As blood was supposed to carry the +life of the animal and was used on the altar, it is +not eaten by professing Jews.</p> + +<p>Blood as a cure:—For many illnesses, blood +was smeared on the breast and forehead. The +blood of a rooster was usually taken for this +purpose.</p> + +<p>Bone:—When a fishbone has been swallowed, +place another fishbone on the head, and the offending +bone will be either ejected or swallowed completely.</p> + +<p>Book:—It is dangerous to go away and leave +a book open.</p> + +<p>Bread:—After saying the usual blessing over +bread at a meal (grace), the bread should be cut +in two before eating.</p> + +<p>Bride:—If on the return from the marriage +canopy, the bride takes the groom’s hand, she +will be the ruling power in the family. If the +groom takes the bride’s hand, he will be boss.</p> + +<p>Broom:—A table should never be brushed off +with a broom, as it may bring poverty.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span></p> +<p>Brothers:—It is unlucky for three married +brothers to live in the same town.</p> + +<p>Buckets:—It is unlucky to come across an +empty bucket in going out of a house, or a full +bucket in coming in.</p> + +<p>Cat:—When a cat licks her paws, be prepared +for company.</p> + +<p>Convulsions:—When a child has convulsions, +break an earthenware pot in front of its face, to +drive away the demon.</p> + +<p>Cemetery:—In order to allay the fears of any +member of a community of being the first to be +buried in a new cemetery, a rooster is often slaughtered +and buried.</p> + +<p>Curse:—An undeserved curse, usually rebounds +on the one who curses, and brings him bad luck.</p> + +<p>Dead:—A dead person is supposed to know +what is going on until the last spade-full of earth +is placed on his grave.</p> + +<p>Dirt:—It is unlucky to throw dirt after a man +who is leaving a house.</p> + +<p>Eggs:—To steal an egg brings poverty.</p> + +<p>Epidemics:—In case of an epidemic, never +open the door of your home to any one until he +has knocked three times.</p> + +<p>Evil Eye:—To avert the curse of the evil eye, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span>spit three times on your finger tips and make a +quick movement with your hand through the air.</p> + +<p>Eye:—If the right eye itches, rejoice; if the +left, you will grieve.</p> + +<p>Fingers:—When washing the fingers, hold them +downwards so that the water will drip off. Evil +spirits will depart with the water.</p> + +<p>Feet:—Itching of the feet denotes that you +will make a voyage to a place you have never been +to.</p> + +<p>Hair:—If child’s hair is cut on certain days, +an elflock will grow.</p> + +<p>Looking back:—In running from danger, +never look back, or like Lot’s wife, you will come +to grief.</p> + +<p>Money:—In taking money out of a purse or +box, always leave a coin, however small, as a luck +token.</p> + +<p>Money:—Dreaming of money is a sign of bad +luck.</p> + +<p>Mourning:—Don’t weep too long for the departed +or you may have to weep for some one else. +Weep three days, mourn seven, and refrain from +wearing jewelry for thirty days.</p> + +<p>Oven:—It is unlucky to leave an oven empty. +When you are not baking in it, keep a piece of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span>wood within, or you may not have anything to +bake.</p> + +<p>Rats:—If rats leave one house for another, it +is a sign of bad luck for the first and good luck +for the second.</p> + +<p>Shoes:—Never walk out with only one shoe +or slipper on your foot. It may forecast a death.</p> + +<p>Shroud:—In making a shroud, avoid knots.</p> + +<p>Sisters:—Two sisters should not marry on the +same day, nor should two brothers marry two +sisters. Both bring bad luck.</p> + +<p>Sweeping:—It is unlucky to sweep out a room +at night or to throw sweepings into the street +after sundown.</p> + +<p>Widowhood:—The fourth husband of a widow +will die soon after his marriage.</p> + +<p>Spitting:—When a person spits at another, he +takes over the other’s sins.</p> + +<p>Travelling:—Monday is a bad day for travelling, +but Tuesday is a lucky day.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"></div> + +<div class="transnote"> +<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> +<p><a href="#tn-9">Page 9</a>: “bethrothal” changed to “betrothal”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-12">Page 12</a>: “October, 18 15 17 27 29” changed to “October, 15 17 18 27 29”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-20">Page 20</a>: “to the conracting” changed to “to the contracting”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-37">Page 37</a>: “Valentine Day” changed to “Valentine’s Day”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-43">Page 43</a>: “them how will will.” changed to “them how we will.”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-49">Page 49</a>: “to other wisacres” changed to “to other wiseacres”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-52">Page 52</a>: “Three aritcles” changed to “Three articles”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-57">Page 57</a>: “hens are set” changed to “eggs are set”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-68">Page 68</a>: “as were the godesses” changed to “as were the goddesses”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-70">Page 70</a>: “tie up the horses” changed to “tie up the horses’”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-81">Page 81</a>: “tooth first appars” changed to “tooth first appears”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-86">Page 86</a>: “Have my old feet stumbled at graves!”” changed to “Have my old feet stumbled at graves!”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-92">Page 92</a>: “till some absent” changed to “till some absent”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-94">Page 94</a>: “hyenna’s forehead,” changed to “hyenna’s forehead;”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-99">Page 99</a>: “sign of the cross sacreligiously” changed to “sign of the cross sacrilegiously”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-102">Page 102</a>: “Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have fortune will ask you on what day of the month” changed to “Any clairvoyant to whom you may go to have”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-109">Page 109</a>: “thee wed,’ etc.”” changed to “thee wed,’ etc.”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-122">Page 122</a>: “dogs. Their keen” changed to “dogs: Their keen”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-139">Page 139</a>: “sell the right man.” changed to “sell to the right man.”</p> +<p><a href="#tn-154">Page 154</a>: ““<i>Mein Gott</i>,” “<i>Act Gott</i>”” changed to ““<i>Mein Gott</i>,” “<i>Ach Gott</i>””</p> + +</div> + + + + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77597 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77597-h/images/cover.jpg b/77597-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4f67a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/77597-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72794 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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