Part 9

_Watch_—To dream of a watch means disappointment, and is a caution to use your time to better advantage.

_Watchman_—To see a watchman denotes a trifling loss.

_Water_—To dream of water in any shape is a sign of improvement in your condition.

_Waves_—To see waves at sea denotes that someone is trying to take advantage of you.

_Wedding_—To dream that you are at a wedding is often a sign of a funeral; if at your own wedding, it means a change of residence.

_Well_—To draw water from a well means success in your undertakings.

_Wheat_—Indicates a gain of much money.

_Wheelbarrow_—Is a sign of disability or infirmity. If broken it signifies loss.

_Wife_—If a man dreams that his wife is married to another it is a sign of a quarrel that may be serious.

_Window_—Looking out of a window is a sign of bad luck.

_Wine_—To dream of drinking wine means a disappointment; to become intoxicated means disgrace.

_Wolf_—To see a wolf is a sign of coming poverty. To be attacked by a wolf the defeat of your enemies.

_Woman_—To dream of a fair woman, beware of deceit; an ugly woman, beware of scandal.

_Woods_—To walk thru the woods is a sure sign of success.

_Work_—Dreaming of hard work denotes prosperity.

_Worms_—Seeing worms is a sign of coming ill health.

_Writing_—To dream of writing a letter indicates that someone is anxious to hear from you; writing a book, foretells fame.

_Xmas_—To dream of Christmas is a happy omen, and means success in love.

_Yacht_—To dream of being on a yacht denotes an important letter soon to be received.

_Yeast_—Is a sign of abundance.

_Youth_—An old person dreaming of being young means a reunion with an absent friend. A young girl dreaming of a youth can prepare for a speedy marriage.

_Zebra_—To see one means you will travel abroad; to ride on one, means “Beware of loss!”

_Zephyr_—To embroider or crochet with zephyr or wool denotes a meeting with a person who will love you.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

_Oh, flowers, you darlings of Nature, How lovely and sweet are you; But the first to give you a meaning Was a lover faithful and true. May you convey what I would impart To the maiden who’s captured my heart._ —GOLDSMITH.

There is a sentiment about flowers which appeals to the heart of everyone. The lover conveys his message of love, the friend, his token of friendship thru a bouquet or box of blooming flowers. Every incident of our busy and eventful lives can be celebrated by the gift of flowers. Births, christenings, birthdays, graduations, confirmations, weddings, anniversaries and funerals:—all are appropriately observed by the sending of plants or blossoms. It is not strange, therefore, that among most nations a sentimental language has been created in which the flower speaks its part and repeats the message of the heart. While there is no fixed vocabulary, the following table gives the sentiments most frequently associated with flowers.

By combining flowers, various shades of sentiment can be expressed and whole messages conveyed.

For instance—

A camellia, rose and carnation would mean, “Your loveliness attracts me. Smile upon me, and cheer my poor heart.”

Moss rose and myrtle mean, “Your superior merit makes me love you.”

Lily-of-the-Valley and ferns mean, “You fascinate me and my happiness returns.”

Yellow rose and ivy mean, “My love increases, can I hope for matrimony?”

A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the sentiment, “I fear no longer; I hope.” Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, “There is nothing to hope or fear.”

A full-blown rose placed over two buds signifies “Secrecy.” “Yes,” is implied by touching the flower given to the lips. “No,” by pinching off a petal and casting it away. “I am,” is expressed by a laurel leaf, twined around the bouquet. “I have,” by an ivy leaf folded together. “I offer you,” by a leaf of Virginia creeper.

FLOWER SENTIMENT

_Acacia_ Just love is what I feel. _Acacia Rose_ Friendship without end. _Acanthus_ Modesty is your nature. _Adonis_ Sorrowful remembrances. _Agrimony_ Thankfulness and love. _Almond_ Hope for better days. _Aloe_ Quarrel. _Althaea_ Consumed by love. _Alyssum_ Worth beyond beauty is yours. _Amaranth_ Immortality; devotion. _Amaryllis_ Splendid beauty is yours. _Ambrosia_ Love returned brings joy. _Anemone_ Expectation of desolation. _Anemone, Garden_ Forsaken by one I love. _Angelica_ Inspiration; ecstasy. _Apple_ Temptation to tell all. _Apple Blossom_ Preference for you. _Arbor Vitae_ Unchanging friendship. _Arbutus_ Clinging passion. _Arum_ Ardor; aspiration. _Ash_ Grandeur of affection. _Ash, Mountain_ Prudence and care. _Aspen Tree_ Lamentation for lost hope. _Aster_ Thoughts of love of you. _Attricula_ Avarice is bad. _Azalea_ Happiness is mine. _Bachelor’s Button_ Hope in love for you. _Balm_ Sympathy; strength of soul. _Balm of Gilead_ Healing my heart. _Balsam_ Impatience at delay. _Basil_ Hatred and disdain. _Bay Leaf_ Change of heart. _Beech_ Prosperity with you. _Bee Orchis_ Error and pain. _Bell Flower_ Gratitude to you. _Belladonna_ Coquetry becomes you. _Birch Tree_ Meekness is a virtue. _Bluebell_ Fidelity to my love. _Box_ Constancy; pity. _Bramble_ Envy of those about you. _Broken Straw_ Dissension is cruel. _Broom_ Neatness a virtue. _Buckbean_ Calm repose to my heart. _Bugloss_ Falsehood. _Buttercup_ Riches in your smile. _Calla Lily_ Feminine beauty is yours. _Camellia_ Loveliness of soul. _Candytuft_ Indifference to all but you. _Canterbury Bell_ Gratitude to you. _Cape Jessamine_ Ecstasy in your presence. _Cardinal Flower_ Distinction. _Carnation, yellow or white_ Disdain and sorrow. _Carnation, red_ My poor heart grieves. _Catchfly, white_ A victim of your spells. _Cedar_ I live for thee. _Cedar of Lebanon_ Incorruptible memories. _Celandine_ Future joys be yours. _Cherry Tree_ Education of my heart. _China Aster_ Variety desired. _China Pink_ Aversion to love. _Chrysanthemum, rose_ True love. _Chrysanthemum, white_ Truth will out. _Chrysanthemum, yellow_ Forever love and happiness. _Cinquefoil_ Beloved girl. _Clematis_ Artifice, coquetry. _Clover, 4-leaf_ Good luck to all. _Clover, red_ Industry helps. _Clover, white_ Think of me always. _Coboea_ Gossip is cruel. _Cockscomb_ Affectation mars. _Coltsfoot_ Justice follows. _Columbine_ Folly to be loved. _Columbine, purple_ Resolved to win. _Columbine, red_ Anxious waiting. _Convolvulus Major_ Dead hope. _Convolvulus Minor_ Uncertainty and pain. _Corchorus_ Impatience to see you. _Coreopsis_ Love at first sight. _Corn_ Wealth and joy. _Cornelian, Cherry Tree_ Durability of love. _Cornilla_ Success in wooing. _Cowslip_ Pensiveness. _Cowslip, American_ My divinity is here. _Crape Myrtle_ Eloquence in pleading. _Cress, Indian_ Resignation. _Crocus_ Cheerfulness with you. _Crown, Imperial_ Majesty of your glance. _Currants_ You please me. _Cypress_ Mourning for you. _Cypress and Marigold_ Despair in my heart. _Daffodil_ Chivalry tells. _Dahlia_ Forever thine. _Daisy, Garden_ I agree with you. _Daisy, Michaelmas_ Farewell, my dear. _Daisy, white_ Innocence and faith. _Daisy, wild_ I think of you. _Dandelion_ Coquetry is not like you. _Daphne Odorata_ I would have you always. _Dead Leaves_ Sadness in my soul. _Diosma_ Uselessness of pleading. _Dock_ Patience will tell. _Dodder_ Meanness is despicable. _Ebony_ Hypocrisy hurts. _Eglantine_ Healing my heart. _Elder_ Compassion from you. _Elm_ Dignity in your attention. _Elm, American_ Patriotism. _Endive_ Frugality wins. _Eupatorium_ Delay no more. _Evening Primrose_ Inconstancy is pain. _Evergreen_ Poverty disguised. _Ferns_ Fascination. _Filbert_ Reconciliation with you. _Fir Tree_ Elevation to your heart. _Flax_ Kindness wins. _Flowering Reed_ Confidence in you. _Forget-me-not_ True love. _Foxglove_ Insincerity disgusts me. _Fraxinella_ Fire purifies. _Fuchsia, scarlet_ Taste differs. _Gardenia_ Ecstasy is mine. _Geranium, Apple_ Preference for you. _Geranium, Ivy_ Happiness will come. _Geranium, Nutmeg_ A meeting soon. _Geranium, Oak_ Deign to smile on me. _Geranium, Rose_ Preference for me. _Geranium, Silver Leaf_ Recall that word. _Gillyflower_ Beauty wins. _Goldenrod_ Be cautious, dear. _Gooseberry_ Anticipation of evil. _Goosefoot_ Goodness conquers. _Gorse_ Affection for you. _Grape_ Charity at home. _Grass_ Utility. _Guelder Rose_ (_Snowball_) Winter is near. _Harebell_ Grief sears the soul. _Hawthorn_ Hope for spring. _Hazel_ Reconciliation. _Heartsease_ Think of me. _Heartsease, purple_ You cheer my thoughts. _Health_ Solitude is harmful. _Helenium_ Tears conquer. _Heliotrope, Peruvian_ Devotion to an ideal. _Hellebore_ Scandal is ripe. _Hepatica_ Confidence wins. _Holly_ Foresight is best. _Hollyhock_ Fruitfulness. _Hollyhock, white_ Ambition will conquer. _Honesty (Lunaria)_ Sincerity for you. _Honeysuckle_ Sweet love. _Honeyflower_ Secret love in my heart. _Hop_ Injustice hurts. _Hornbeam_ Ornament. _Horse-Chestnut_ Luxury will be yours. _House-Leek_ Economy is best. _Houstonia_ Content be mine. _Hoya_ (_Wax Plant_) Sculpture. _Hyacinth, white_ Unobtrusiveness wins. _Hyacinth, blue_ Constancy a blessing. _Hyacinth, purple_ Sorrow. _Hydrangea_ Heartlessness grieves. _Indian Cress_ Resignation. _Iris_ Message of love. _Iris, German_ Warmth of heart. _Ivy_ Fidelity to me. _Jessamine, Cape_ Joy and rapture. _Jessamine, white_ Amiability. _Jessamine, yellow_ Elegance of dress. _Jonquil_ Return of affection. _Juniper_ Protection and love. _Justicia_ Perfection of duty. _Kennedya_ Beauty becomes you. _Laburnum_ Pensiveness. _Lady’s Slipper_ Win me! I am for you. _Lantana_ Rigor of conscience. _Larch_ Boldness of action. _Larkspur_ Fickleness will lose. _Laurel_ Glory and fame. _Laurestinus_ Don’t neglect me. _Lavender_ Distrust me. _Lemon Blossom_ Discretion is best. _Lettuce_ Cruel girl. _Lilac_ Emotion of love. _Lilac, white_ Youth and hope. _Lily_ Modesty becomes you. _Lily-of-the-Valley_ Happiness is here. _Lily, Day_ Coquetry harms. _Lily, Water_ Eloquence tells. _Lily, yellow_ Gaiety. _Linden Tree_ Conjugal love. _Live Oak_ Liberty of action. _Locust_ Affection for me. _London Pride_ Frivolity is bad. _Love-Lies-Bleeding_ Hopeless passion. _Lungwort_ Life art thou to me. _Lupina_ Imagination fails. _Lychnis_ Feeling for me. _Madder_ Calumny harms. _Magnolia, Chinese_ Love of nature. _Magnolia_ Peerless girl. _Magnolia, Swamp_ Perseverance wins. _Mallow_ Mildness is best. _Mandrake_ Horror of evil. _Maple_ Reserve of force. _Marigold_ Cruelty weakens. _Marigold, African_ Vulgar-minded. _Marigold, French_ Jealousy pains. _Marjoram_ Blushes for shame. _Meadow-Saffron_ Age comes rapidly. _Meadow-Sweet_ Uselessness of refusing. _Mignonette_ Charm of love. _Minosa_ Sensitiveness. _Mint_ Virtue. _Mistletoe_ Kisses that delight. _Mock Orange_ (_Syringa_) Counterfeit love. _Moonwort_ Forgetfulness of pain. _Moss_ Maternal affection. _Motherwort_ Secret love. _Mountain Laurel_ Treachery to none. _Mulberry, black_ I will not survive trouble. _Mulberry, white_ Wisdom of the heart. _Mullein_ Good nature. _Mushroom_ Suspicion of infidelity. _Mustard-seed_ Indifference to me. _Myosotis_ Forget-me-not. _Myrtle_ Love me always. _Narcissus_ Egotism harms. _Peach Blossom_ Marriage with one’s love. _Pride of China_ (_Melia_) Worry and pain. _Primrose_ Youth is jovial. _Primrose, Evening_ Inconstancy. _Privet_ Mildness of temper. _Quince_ Temptation. _Ragged Robin_ Wit and gaiety. _Reeds_ Music has charms. _Rose_ Love will win. _Rose, American_ You are lovely. _Rose, Bridal_ Happy love. _Rose, Burgundy_ Unconscious beauty. _Rose, China_ Grace is yours. _Rose, pink_ Smile upon me. _Rose, damask_ Freshness of youth. _Rose, hundred leaved_ Pride of innocence. _Rose, Moss_ Compassion of love. _Rose, red_ Hastefulness. _Rose, Sweetbrier_ Sympathy with you. _Rose, Tea_ Always lovely. _Rose, white_ I am worthy of you. _Roses, withered_ A transient joy. _Rose, Wild_ Worthy of you. _Rose, yellow_ Jealousy in my heart. _Roses, Garland of_ Reward of virtue. _Rosebud_ You are a girl of taste. _Rosebud, white_ Innocence. _Rue_ Disdain me not. _Rush_ Docility to me. _Saffron_ Danger threatens. _Sage_ Esteem me. _Satin Flower_ (_Lunaria_) Sincerity. _Sensitive Plant_ Timidity becomes you. _Service Tree_ Prudence is best. _Shamrock_ Light-heartedness. _Snapdragon_ Presumption of love. _Snowball_ Thoughts of bliss. _Snowdrop_ Consolation be mine. _Sorrel_ Jest not. _Southernwood_ Jesting is cruel. _Spearmint_ Warmth of passion. _Speedwell_ Fidelity. _Starwort_ Welcome home. _Stock, Ten-week_ Promptitude of action. _Stramonium_ Disguise your feelings. _Straw_ Agreement with me. _Strawberry_ Excellence of taste. _Strawberry Tree_ I esteem you. _Sumac_ Splendor of thought. _Sunflower_ An adorer is here. _Sweet Pea_ Depart not from me. _Sweet William_ Finesse is necessary. _Sycamore_ Curiosity to know. _Syringa_ Memory of the past. _Tansy_ Forgetfulness. _Teasel_ Misanthropy. _Thistle_ Sadness at home. _Thorns_ Severity of deed. _Thyme_ Activity will win. _Tuberose_ Danger is near. _Tulips_ Declaration of passion. _Verbena_ Pray for me. _Violet, blue_ Loving-kindness helps. _Violet, white_ Modesty and passion. _Weeping Willow_ Forsaken by all. _Witch-Hazel_ You cast a spell over me. _Yew_ Sorrow is mine.

POPULAR BELIEFS AMONG THE ANCIENTS AS TO THE INFLUENCE OF PRECIOUS STONES

It would require a volume to give a summary of all the quaint and mysterious beliefs that cluster about precious stones. From very ancient times they have been more or less associated with the idea that they influence human life and happiness. Below we give a few of the many traits and influences of the stones in general use. We do not desire to appeal to the credulity of our readers, but merely to enlighten them as to the folklore of this subject.

These indications are taken literally from “many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.”

_Agate._—An old popular notion regards it as a guarantee against drunkenness. The water in which it is steeped is said to cure sterility. It is said also to counteract magical charms.

_Batrachite._—This substance, which is really silicate of magnesia, used to be regarded as a stone found in the body of a frog, and it was supposed to have great powers against poison and sorcery.

_Beryl._—The water in which this stone has been dipped causes sympathy between those who drink it.

_Chrysolite._—Albertus Magnus regarded it as a preservative against frenzy, but it is also a penitential stone, causing sorrow for wrongdoing in the heart of the sinner who wears it. Finally it is a cure for the gout.

_Chrysoprase._—Has the property of strengthening the eyes, raising the spirits and rendering a man liberal and joyous.

_Coral._—Was said to protect any house against epidemic disease, to stop the flow of blood, to drive away evil spirits, to avert lightning and hail.

_Diamond._—It would be curious if many traditions of occult power had not centralized about this precious stone, and a bare enumeration only of its virtues is possible in the present place. It prevails against poison, plague, panic, insomnia, charms and enchantments. It soothes anger, reconciles husbands and wives. When it has been consecrated under the planet Mars and engraved with an image of that deity, it renders the wearer invincible, whence it naturally inspires courage. Worn round the neck, it insures safe childbirth. In some other ways, it seems to have been regarded as unpropitious.

_Emerald._—If ground into powder, this stone was supposed to cure dysentery and the bites of venomous animals. There is a chance that those who wear it will not be subject to epilepsy. It also strengthens memory and maintains chastity.

_Heliotrope._—The stone bearing the name, in common with a beautiful and well-known flower, should be sought by the curious, as it renders the wearer invisible. But it is unknown in these days.

_Hematite or Bloodstone._—Valuable for its power in incantations, against the sorcery of the evil eye, and to cement the bonds of friendship among male persons.

_Hyacinth._—This also is a preservative against the plague, which was a common scourge in the old days, and was therefore an especial concern of occult medicine and its substitutes. The hyacinth was also a cure for dropsy.

_Jade._—This is another stone which protects against venomous beasts.

_Jasper._—This stone is noticeable chiefly as a favorite gem on which magical signs were engraved, so that they might be worn as amulets. But it also preserved the wearer from poisonous bites.

_Linurgas or Lapis Lineus._—A stone of ancient repute which would turn white if enveloped in a linen cloth, and the use of it would then prove beneficial in projects of magic. But it has been decided that the gem itself is fabulous, not to speak of the properties attributed thereto.

_Onyx._—When engraved with the head of a camel, this stone procured evil dreams. It may have been used against enemies.