Part 9

Chapter 93,799 wordsPublic domain

Born--October 24th to November 22nd

Born--November 23rd to December 21st

It should be noted in connection with the above figures that no birth-date is unlucky. Thus, should any particular reader find that his birthday is given as unlucky, he may transfer it immediately to the list of lucky dates. As an example, take the last line of unlucky figures, given above. They are Dec. 6, 11, 18 and 28, and they operate for people born between Nov. 23rd and Dec. 21st. Should a person born on Dec. 6th be consulting this list, the only unlucky dates in December for him or her are Dec. 11, 18 and 28.

THE LUCK OF FLOWERS

It has been a favorite pastime with maidens in all ages to try to foretell their future by the aid of flowers and plants.

One of the most popular fancies is provided by the four-leaved clover, the story of which is told in various legends. One runs to the effect that three beautiful sisters, Faith, Hope and Charity, came from over the seas, and wherever they walked three-leaved clovers, crimson, white and yellow, bloomed profusely. In their footsteps came another more beautiful being, whose name was Love, and in his honor the clover added a fourth petal to the trefoil.

In time, it became the talisman of love-sick maidens, who wore it in their shoe to ensure a speedy meeting with their sweetheart, wore it over their heart to frighten away evil spirits and to prevent being jilted. In the case of a quarrel, it served to effect a reconciliation.

Apart from its sentimental associations, a four-leaved clover has long been regarded as an emblem of good luck, and has been worn by those who believe in such things when they wished to increase their chances of good fortune.

_SPRING FLOWERS._--Naturally, many beliefs flourish around the flowers of the garden and the hedgerow.

If you chance to find the first flower of the season on a Monday, it means good luck.

If on a Tuesday, big undertakings are likely to be successful.

If on a Wednesday, it denotes your approaching wedding.

If on a Thursday, hard work with little profit will fall to your lot.

If on a Friday, unexpected wealth reaches you.

If on a Saturday, you may look out for misfortune.

If on a Sunday, phenomenal good luck will come to you.

_THE FIRST WILD FLOWER._--From the first wild flowers which you gather in spring, it is possible to discover the initials of your future husband or wife. If, for instance, they should chance to be daisies, violets and buttercups, then expect to find some suitable person with the initials D. V. B., but they may not be necessarily in this order.

If someone presents you with a yellow flower, then you may expect a gift of money directly.

If you can turn a bluebell inside out without breaking it, then your lover will be true as long as both of you live.

_THE PANSY._--If you wish to know your future destiny, pluck a pansy, which takes its name from _pensee_, a thought. Count the streaks or lines upon the petals.

Four streaks tell that your dearest wish will be fulfilled.

Five streaks stand for hope with fear.

Six streaks suggest a surprise.

Seven streaks tell of constancy in your lover.

Eight streaks, fickleness.

Nine streaks, a change and then riches.

Markings leaning towards the left denote trouble.

Markings leaning to the right denote prosperity.

Should the central streak be the longest, then Sunday should be chosen as your wedding day.

_THE DAISY._--One of the oldest of flower charms is to pluck at the petals of a daisy or marguerite. At first pluck, these words are said, "He loves me"; at the second, "He loves me not." These sentences are repeated alternately until the flower is deprived of all its petals. Whichever sentence was uttered last describes "his" affections.

_THE IVY._--

Ivy, ivy, I thee pluck, And in my bosom, I thee put. The first young man who speaks to me My own true lover he shall be.

_THE HAWTHORN OR MAY._--Once upon a time, every porch was decorated with a branch of May to avert the evil eye and prevent witchcraft, but the idea has been departed from, and now it is regarded as a harbinger of ill-luck, and is rarely brought inside a house.

_THE MISTLETOE._--From very ancient times, this plant has been regarded with curious veneration. Probably it gained special fame, in the first instance, owing to the peculiar manner in which it grew. The Druids looked upon it as a plant possessing marvelous properties, and they esteemed nothing in the world more sacred than it. They gathered it when the moon was just six days old because the moon was then thought to be at its greatest power. This done, they sacrificed two young bullocks which were milk-white. After that, the mistletoe was cut into small pieces with the aid of a golden hook or bill and distributed among the people present. These took it home and suspended it in a prominent place to ward off evil spirits. From these associations, the mistletoe has become an emblem under which young people may kiss, without any evil coming to them through their act.

_HOLLY_ is used as a Christmas decoration because the Romans chose it to hang in their houses on the fast in honor of Saturn. Friends gave bunches of it to those whom they wished to endow with luck and happiness, probably because the prickly leaves symbolized the crown of thorns worn by Christ and the red berries the blood of the cross.

BIRTHDAY FLOWERS

Just as there are birth stones, so there are flowers which stand for each month of the year. By wearing the blossom named for your month, you may count on good fortune as the result.

_JANUARY._--The Snowdrop which is the emblem of purity, hope and gentleness.

_FEBRUARY._--The Violet, the emblem of modesty, kindness and faith.

_MARCH._--The Daffodil, the emblem of daintiness, sincerity and graciousness.

_APRIL._--The Primrose, the emblem of lovers.

_MAY._--The White Lily, the emblem of purity and sweetness.

_JUNE._--The Wild Rose, the emblem of love and loyalty.

_JULY._--The Carnation, the emblem of kindly thoughts.

_AUGUST._--The White Heather, the emblem of luck and the best of good fortune.

_SEPTEMBER._--The Michaelmas Daisy, the emblem of riches and happiness.

_OCTOBER._--The Rosemary, the emblem of remembrance and kind thoughts.

_NOVEMBER._--The Chrysanthemum, the emblem of faith and truth.

_DECEMBER._--The Ivy, the emblem of loyalty, fidelity and faithfulness.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

For many generations, certain flowers have been accepted as having definite meanings. Thus, a gift of any of the examples listed below, may be taken to infer whatever description is appended.

_CAMELLIA._--Beauty, loveliness. _CANDYTUFT._--Indifference, lack of affection. _CARNATION_ (Red).--Alas for my poor heart! _CARNATION_ (White).--Disregard, disdain. _CLOVER_ (Four-leaved).--Be mine. _COLUMBINE._--Foolishness. _DAISY._--Innocence, purity. _DEADLY NIGHTSHADE._--Falsehood, untrue. _FERN._--You fascinate me. _FORGET-ME-NOT._--The same as the name. _FOXGLOVE._--I bow down to you. _GERANIUM._--To console you. _GOLDEN ROD._--Be on your guard. _HELIOTROPE._--I am devoted to you. _HYACINTH_ (White).--Your beauty is recognized. _IVY._--Faithfulness. I cling to you. _LILY_ (White).--Sweetness. _LILY_ (Yellow).--Gay, happy, joyful. _LILY OF THE VALLEY._--Happiness will return. _MIGNONETTE._--Your qualities are even greater than your charms. _MYRTLE._--Love. _ORANGE BLOSSOM._--Chastity. _PANSY._--Thoughts. _PASSION FLOWER._--Willing to suffer hardships for you. _PEACH BLOSSOM._--I am captivated by you. _PRIMROSE._--A token of love. _ROSE._--A token of love, also. _ROSE_ (Red).--Bashful, shy. _ROSE_ (White).--I will be worthy of you. _ROSE_ (Yellow).--Jealousy. _ROSEBUDS._--A confession of great love. _SWEET PEA._--Leave me and depart, or I leave you. _VERBENA._--Pray for me.

COMBINATIONS OF FLOWERS

In order to convey definite phrases, lovers have long been used to resorting to certain combinations of flowers. A bunch made up of them has the meaning which we print below.

_DAISY AND MIGNONETTE._--Your qualities surpass even your great beauty.

_FERNS AND LILY OF THE VALLEY._--You are sweet and charming, and you fascinate me.

_IVY LEAVES AND YELLOW ROSE._--Your jealousy has put an end to our friendship.

_COLUMBINE, DAISY AND LILY._--You have played false and broken our friendship.

_PINK AND LAUREL LEAVES._--Your high qualities have been noticed by me.

_GOLDEN ROD, SWEET PEA AND FORGET-ME-NOT._--Danger is at hand, be careful. I go away but do not forget me.

SUPERSTITIONS REGARDING ANIMALS

_SERPENTS._--These creatures have been regarded from very different angles, according to the time and the country. The story of the serpent in the Garden of Eden has caused many people to detest them: but numerous are the references in histories which go to show that serpents and snakes have been reverenced. In ancient Rome, the serpent was a household god: at other times, it was regarded as a symbol of life and vitality, and it was frequently used as a medium for healing the sick. In India, this creature is looked upon as a mascot for time and wisdom. Thus, it is worn by fanatics as a part of their headgear, and people make metal replicas and wear them as rings, bracelets, etc. Clearly, then, serpents have found more favor than disapproval, and they may be counted as mascots, standing for wisdom, long life and good health.

_CATS._--Cats, the most domestic of animals, are regarded with mixed feelings. Generally speaking, they are supposed to be unlucky, though oddly enough a black cat is credited with good qualities when it takes up its abode in a house. This is due to the fact that, during the Middle Ages, black cats were supposed to be associated with witches and in league with the evil one. As a result, people treated them kindly and showered favors on them, not because they liked them, but because they thought that this treatment would avert bad luck.

The person who drowns or kills a cat may look for ill-fortune for nine years. Bad luck attends the vessel or ship on which a cat is found, but on no account may the creature be thrown overboard after the vessel has sailed. This would only make matters worse.

If a cat leaves a house, it is supposed to take the luck with it, and leave nothing but bad fortune behind. If a white cat enters a home, it announces trouble and sickness. A cat licking itself all over signifies fair weather, but if it merely washes its face, it means the approach of rain or storms.

_DOGS._--A dog howling under a window indicates death.

Dogs begin in jest and end in earnest.

A dog, a woman, a walnut tree, The more you beat 'em, the better they be.

If a dog bark, go in: if a bitch, go out.

A dog will bark ere he bite.

_HARES._--If a hare crosses your path, you may look out for a disappointment. If it runs past houses, there will soon be a fire in one of them.

In the Isle of Man, hares are believed to be the spirits of old women, and on that account are shunned as articles of food. In other parts, those who wish to look beautiful for a week make a point of eating hare.

_BIRDS._--Robins are variously regarded in different parts of the country. Some people think them unlucky, possibly because of their association with the tragedy of the Babes in the Wood. But generally they are welcomed to a garden or house, which is supposed to be all the luckier for their coming. Robins that show signs of being friendly are considered to foretell a hard winter.

Woodpeckers and kingfishers are also lucky, and any suggestion of ill-luck is only possible when birds are deliberately killed after having built their nest and claimed the hospitality of a home.

The screech of a peacock is best unheard when luck is particularly wanted. The feathers of this bird, known to everyone by reason of their beautiful coloring, should never be taken indoors, as they are reckoned specially unlucky.

There is an old superstition regarding the cuckoo. Should a maiden, hearing its notes for the first time that season, kiss her hand to it and say:--

Cuckoo, cuckoo, Tell me true, When shall I be married?

she may tell the number of years which will elapse until her wedding by counting the number of times the bird cries "Cuckoo." She must reckon each cry as a year.

Another superstition relating to the cuckoo is that what you are doing when you hear its cries for the first time in any season is what you will spend most time at during the remainder of the year. Folk in the Channel Islands claim that they are sure to be fortunate if they jingle their purses and run a short distance when hearing the cuckoo for the first time in the year.

Owls, crows and magpies do not presage any good: in fact, many people would rather not meet them when anxiety is at hand. An old jingle says of magpies:--

One for anger, Two for mirth; Three for a wedding Four for a birth.

Ravens are supposed to bring luck to the house where they build their nests, so it is unlucky to kill one.

It is unlucky to touch a yellowhammer in May, since there is the devil's blood in it then.

For a white pigeon to single out a house and hover round it is a sure sign of an early marriage or engagement in that house.

A cock crowing during the night-time means a bad illness for someone close at hand: if it crows during the afternoon, a visitor will arrive.

Sailors are not over-fond of seagulls, believing them to be the spirits of their dead mates, yet they are most indignant if anyone tries to shoot or kill one of them.

_OTHER ANIMALS._--A cricket singing within a house ensures good luck for all the household.

Kill a spider and it will surely rain.

See a moth on your clothes and you will get new ones.

A death's head moth indicates bereavement.

Pigs are unlucky creatures when seen singly.

To see a white horse and then, shortly after, a red-haired person, tells of approaching good fortune.

Moles are unlucky to find alive.

Of bees, the following rhyme is prophetic:--

A swarm of bees in May Is worth a load of hay. A swarm of bees in June Is worth a silver spoon. A swarm of bees in July Is not worth a fly.

Country people are still given to treating bees as if they belonged to the family. For instance, not a few folk tell the bees of the betrothal, marriage and other outstanding events happening in the home.

PROPHECIES REGARDING ANIMALS

(a) When black snails cross your path Black clouds much moisture hath.

(b) When the peacock loudly bawls, Soon we'll have both rain and squalls.

(d) Bees will not swarm before a near storm.

(e) When the cuckoo comes to the bare thorn, Sell your cow and buy your corn. But when she comes to the full bit, Sell your corn and buy some sheep.

(f) Little bantams are great at crowing.

(g) Good luck for a grey horse.

(h) Let a horse drink what he will, not when he will.

(i) Trust not a horse's heel, nor a dog's tooth.

(j) Plenty of ladybirds, plenty of hops.

(k) Never offer your hen for sale on a rainy day.

(l) When the glow-worm lights her lamp, The air is always damp.

(m) Unlucky to hear the cuckoo sing sitting. Or to sit and see the first swallow flitting.

CRYSTAL GAZING

Before we start this chapter, will you just take a look at the following short list of terms used in crystal gazing and spiritualism? You will find that they will make what follows quite clear, and that they will be useful to refer to.

_SPIRITUALISTIC._--Belonging to the spirit world.

_SECOND SIGHT._--The power which all have (but few develop). The power to see the future and other things with the spirit eye.

_AURA._--The circle of thought which each one of us is unconsciously sending out by our characters and personalities.

_THE CRYSTAL._--Any object which helps to fix our attention; i.e., a crystal, a bowl of water, shining metal. There is nothing about the crystal that is magical by itself.

_PSYCHIC PERSONS._--Persons possessing second sight.

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

It is believed that this portion of the book will be found particularly interesting because it is here that we touch upon spiritualism, perhaps one of the most talked-of subjects of today.

In crystal gazing we actually see many things happen which maybe have not happened as yet. In palmistry and astrology we see the signs but not the actual events. Another distinct difference is that in crystal gazing it is impossible to give definite instructions as to how to receive these messages or visions because there is no "how."

What we hope to do in this chapter is to show you that perhaps you possess powers of which you know nothing. Without making the foolish mistake of taking this subject too seriously, you will be able to interest and amuse your friends.

You may say, "But I haven't got this power--I could never see anything in a crystal."

Don't say that, and don't think it! We all have a little of this power sleeping within us. If we wish to improve it, we must use and practise it, but don't overdo the thing.

To understand crystal gazing even a little, it is quite important to know just a few simple facts about spiritualism (the study of the spirit world.) This second sight, or clairvoyance (call it what you will) is merely in its childhood as yet. A very short while ago we should have thought it a miracle for anyone to speak from New York to London along a wire. Now we think no more of it than we should of crossing a road!

So with the crystal. At present a few of us only are able to see, more or less clearly, those visions of the future. Who knows but that in some future time we shall consider this quite an ordinary and natural thing to do, just like telephoning, for instance.

The first thing to get hold of is this: we have not one body but two. An earthly body and its exact copy in a spirit body. By this I do not mean the soul, but rather our earthly body with all its features just as before, is copied in a spirit of ether body. This may sound difficult, but just try to grasp the idea.

In spiritualism there are two of each one of us; one an earthly you, the other (dwelling usually in your earthly body) a spiritual you. But sometimes this spirit body escapes from its earthly prison, maybe, during sleep, sometimes when we look into the crystal, and sometimes in what is called a trance or artificial sleep. It is then (when the spirit body is free) that visions of future things are seen, and maybe premonitions (or feelings) of the future are felt.

Our spirit body, with its ten thousand times more clear-sighted eyes, sees things which are invisible to the earthly eyes. This body is able to travel swiftly from place to place, although it always keeps a link or connection with its earthly double.

When a person goes off into a trance, this is what has happened. The earthly body sleeps while the spiritual body roams about the future, past and present, or perhaps visits distant places. It is, of course, able to speak with other spirit bodies, and thus get information about other folk who have "passed over," as the spiritualists call death.