Part 8

Chapter 83,109 wordsPublic domain

_INITIAL._--In this important leaf-picture the initials should be carefully studied. If the initial is formed near the rim, the significance is one of good fortune. Initials most commonly found are those without curves. Such straight initials are--A, I, L, N, T, V, W.

_INTERROGATION MARK._--Signifies doubt. Be careful.

_KEY._--An important picture suggesting that you look deeper and more carefully in the cup for an initial, which, when you have found it, will unlock something that has been up till now a mystery. A closed book will be opened for you and past enigmas unravelled.

_LABEL._--This ticket-like picture, which must not be mistaken for an envelope, is the sign that you possess a dear friend who will one day be "tied" to you for life.

_LACE._--Denotes you will err on a very minor and fragile matter and make a false move on very flimsy grounds.

_LADDER._--If on the side of the cup a rise in your fortunes is indicated.

_LADY._--Points to the fact that you will shortly make a friend of one who will prove of great service.

_LINES._--These indicate journeys.

_LOCK._--This denotes that you can safely confide in your nearest friend. He or she will lock your secrets in his or her bosom.

_LOCKET._--A picture denoting steadfast loyalty on the part of a friend whom you have not seen for long months.

_LOOKING GLASS._--You are warned by this picture that the world sees you for what you really are. Your character is mirrored for your friends to gaze upon.

_MAN._--Denotes a visitor who will bring a gift if his arm is outstretched. If the symbol is clear he is a dark man; if vague he is very fair.

_MAP._--A symbol bidding you travel, for you will be sure of success wherever you go.

_MAZE._--A regular "maze of difficulty" confronts you, but with care you will find a way out of the labyrinth.

_MILESTONES._--You are about to win success after traveling a long and difficult road.

_MOON._--If shown as a crescent prosperity and fortune are indicated.

_MOTORCAR._--Denotes that you will achieve a rapid success.

_MOUNTAINS._--This majestic picture signifies an arduous, lengthy, and uphill fight against bad fortune. Set your heart to it, and toil on to the goal.

_MOUSE._--A reminder that the little irritation you are nursing is really a very trivial affair.

_NAVVY._--A token that you are very bookish, and fond of digging into abstruse treatises. You are reminded that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

_NECKLACE._--Grace and beauty of body and mind are here indicated.

_NEEDLE._--A single needle signifies you are able to withstand all the sharp pricks of circumstances. Several needles together mean quarrels.

_PENDULUM._--Great indecision and lack of character are here indicated.

_PENNON._--To decipher this small-pointed flag is a sign that someone on board a ship is thinking much of you.

_PENNIES._--They denote great carefulness in small details, which leads to ultimate prosperity.

_RING._--A very important symbol. Generally speaking, it always denotes marriage, especially if seen at the bottom of the cup, in which case search for an initial which will reveal to a man or woman his or her future life-partner.

_RIVERS._--These denote much peace of mind.

_ROADS._--If the roads appear in the clear they predict a speedy change of circumstances, usually for the better.

_ROBIN._--This bird always denotes hope. If you see it you can cheer up, as the trouble you now experience is about to pass away.

_ROCK._--A massive rock denotes great burdens. If there are a number of small rocks easy fortune and much happiness are indicated.

_ROCKET._--Another warning against high ambition.

_ROD._--If it is long and slender you will be very fortunate.

_ROOF._--If what appears to be the roof only of a house is seen the signification is domestic bliss.

_ROOK._--Great happiness is indicated.

_SAILOR._--Foretells that very shortly you will receive a letter from over the sea.

_SCALES._--This picture is the token that the friend you have weighed in the balance and found wanting is really true and just.

_SCEPTRE._--A sign of honor from royalty.

_SERPENT._--If on the side of the cup and appearing to be rising to near the brim you may take comfort in the fact that you will shortly receive some information which will be of use.

_SHEAVES._--A good omen of a bounteous harvest of prosperity.

_SHIELD._--A reminder that you have just escaped from a great calamity.

_SHIP._--A large ship with funnels and masts is a token of a long journey, usually on business.

_THIMBLE._--This homely picture denotes that industry and devotion to duty bring their own reward.

_THIN PERSON._--The figure of a very slender person is usually the sign of very prosperous days ahead.

_THISTLE._--This striking leaf-picture is a sign that you will only achieve success by plain living and high thinking.

_THORN._--This is always an excellent omen. Good luck and many friends are indicated.

_TONGS._--Suggests you are of a fiery nature, and will quarrel with your best friend.

_TONGUE._--Someone you are fond of who is far away is speaking about you.

_TOOL._--Any instrument of manual operation denotes that hard knocks may be coming.

_TRIANGLE._--This is a token of all-round prosperity in love.

_TRIDENT._--This is a token of success and honors in the Navy.

_WAGON._--A reminder that you are soon to undertake a long journey.

_WAITER._--This picture denotes that riches and married happiness will come to you.

_WALKING STICK._--A warning not to lean too much on your own efforts.

_WATERFALL._--Indicates the removal of many obstructions in your path to happiness.

_WEATHERCOCK._--This picture points to a friend who is unreliable.

_WEB._--Signifies you will one day be caught in the toils as the result of ignoring friendly warnings.

_WELL._--This denotes you are not dipping deep enough into knowledge.

WHEN WILL YOU MARRY?

It has long been held that an unmarried person can tell how many years it will be before he or she is married, in the following manner.

Balance a small spoon on the edge of a teacup. The spoon should be perfectly dry. Then, with the assistance of a second spoon, tilt drops of tea into the balancing spoon and count them, one by one. The number of drops it takes to upset the spoon reveals the number of years that will elapse before the wedding takes place.

LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS

Most of us have discovered that certain days of the week, or even the year, are more favorable to us than others. But there are some people who have not made this discovery. To them, the indications given in this chapter will be of considerable interest.

_Friday--an Unlucky Day._--Fortunately, six of the seven days of the week are charitably disposed towards the majority of us. Here and there, a person may be found who affirms that Monday, Thursday or some other day never did him or her a kindness; but such a remark is not general. Friday, however, can be put on the black list, as it is a notoriously unlucky day. Most men and women cherish a superstitious fear of it, and this opinion has existed since the first Good Friday. Many will never embark upon any enterprise of importance; there are fewer marriages on this day than any other, and sailors are averse to sailing on Friday. Many are the tales they tell of vessels which put to sea on a Friday, and were never heard of again. If all the bank or financial crashes of the last century were counted up, it would be found that Friday supplied the greatest number. A lengthy list could be added to prove that Friday is a day of bad luck.

One good thing can be said for it, however--it favors its own: for people born on a Friday are not affected by its evil disposition.

_Unlucky Dates._--In an old calendar, astrologers indicated the following dates as unlucky. If any of them fell on a Friday, they were doubly unlucky:

January 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 17, 29--very unlucky. February 26, 27, 28--unlucky; 8, 10, 17--very unlucky. March 16, 17, 20--very unlucky. April 7, 8, 10, 20--unlucky; 16 and 21--very unlucky. June 10 and 22--unlucky; 4 and 8--very unlucky. July 15 and 21--very unlucky. August 1, 29 and 30--unlucky; 19 and 20--very unlucky. September 2, 4, 21, 23--unlucky; 6 and 7--very unlucky. October 4, 16, 24--unlucky; 6, very unlucky. November 5, 6, 29, 30--unlucky; 15 and 20--very unlucky. December 15, 22--unlucky; 6, 7, and 9--very unlucky.

These were regarded as perilous days to fall ill upon, to have an accident, to be married, to start on a journey, or commence any work.

What is most striking about this list is that the "thirteenth" does not appear on it at all, although most people will tell you that the thirteenth is the date they avoid more than all others.

_Lucky and Unlucky Dates depending on Birth-dates._--Much the most accurate way of determining which dates are lucky and unlucky is by using the portents displayed by the Signs of the Zodiac. To do this, it is necessary to know when the individual affected was born. The following is a list worked out on these lines:

Born--Dec. 22nd to Jan. 20th.

Born--Jan. 21st to Feb. 19th

Born--Feb. 20th to March 20th

Born--March 21st to April 19th

Born--Feb. 20th to March 20th

Born--March 21st to April 19th

Born--June 22nd to July 22nd

Born--July 23rd to August 21st

Born--August 22nd to September 22nd

Born--September 23rd to October 23rd