All Superstitions Page 6
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Moonlight
1110. Some say you can see the man's axe and dog in the moon. New Brunswick. 1111. If the moon shines in your face as you lie in the bed at night, you'll die inside of a year. Central Maine. 1112. It is a general belief tha... Morturary Custom
1240. If salt water pigeons' feathers are in a bed, the sick person on it will not die easily. Newfoundland. 1241. In old colonial burying-grounds--in Plymouth, Concord, Cambridge, and Rutland, Mass.--the graves are so placed that the... Mythology
81. The stars are angels' eyes. Westminster, Mass. 82. The stars are holes made in the sky, so that the light of heaven shines through. I remember, as a child, that this idea was suggested to me on seeing the effect of holes in the lamp... Nose
156. A vein across the nose is an omen of short life. General in the United States. ... Physiognomy
10. An open hand in a baby is a sign of a generous disposition, but a habit of closing the fingers indicates avarice, or, as we say, closefistedness. Cambridge, Mass. 11. If a child favors its father, it is good luck for it. It will get... Pins
637. See a pin and pick it up, All the day you'll have good luck; See a pin and pass it by (or let it lie), All the day your luck will fly. Eastern Massachusetts. 638. See a pin and pick it up, All the day yo... Plants
248. Take beans in the hand, go out of doors and throw them against the window. The first man's name that you hear spoken is the name of the man you will marry. Connecticut. 249. Put three raw beans in your mouth, go out of doors, stand... Punishment
89. An eyewinker placed in the palm of the hand will cause the ferule to break when the teacher strikes the palm with it. Portsmouth, N.H. 90. Pine tar or pitch in the hand will prevent the blows of the ferule from causing pain. (Portsm... Rain
1003. A load of barrels foretells wet weather. Eastern Massachusetts. 1004. When the Brothers (Catholic theological students) turn out in a procession it will rain soon. Baltimore, Md. 1005. When a great many women are seen... Ring
263. Suspend a ring by a hair from the finger. Let it swing over a tumbler. The number of strokes against the side of the tumbler indicates the number of years of age of the future husband. Prince Edward Island. 264. Hang a gold ring ov... Salt
644. It is unlucky to pass salt across the table. 645. Spilling salt is unlucky; throw some over your left shoulder, or burn a pinch to avert ill luck. Northern Ohio. 646. It is bad luck to spill salt unless it is burned. V... Sport
91. At croquet, if your ball was about to be sent flying, the safeguard was to draw an imaginary X with your mallet, saying, Criss cross. It made your enemy's foot slip, and many a girl would get mad and not play, if you did it often. Bro... Stars
267. If you look at a bright star intently before retiring, you will dream of your sweetheart. Alabama. 268. Count nine stars for nine successive nights. (If a rainy or cloudy night intervene, the charm is broken, and the project must b... Sweeping
650. If the broom is moved with the rest of the household furniture, you will not be successful. The broom should be burned while standing in the corner, being watched meanwhile, to prevent the house from taking fire. 651. Never sweep the floor af... Tea-leaves
273. After drinking tea, turn the cup upside down, whirl it round three times, set it down in the saucer, whirl again, take it up, turn right side up, and look at the grounds. If all are settled in the bottom of the cup, you will be married right of...