Chapter VII: Part 7

Usually the Morris dances were only performed at special seasons once or twice a year, and in some districts they were only indulged in at Christmas. It is highly significant, and bears out the belief in the religious origin of the movement, that the first of the Whitsuntide dances in some villages was performed on the top of the tower of the church. Lucky indeed were those who took part in these church-top revels, for they were certain to be free of the devil's attentions for some while to come.

Weather lore affirms the following:--

(a) Dry May
Brings nothing gay.

(b) Mist in May, heat in June,
Makes the harvest come right soon.

(c) Shear your sheep in May,
And shear them all away.

(d) Change not a clout
Till May be out.

(e) A dry May and a leaking June
Make the farmer whistle a merry tune.

(f) A May wet was never kind yet.

(g) For an east wind in May,
'Tis your duty to pray.

(h) Fogs in February mean frosts in May.

(i) Who shears his sheep before St. Gervatius' Day
(May 13th), loves more his wool than his sheep.

JUNE

June owes its name to Juno, the goddess of heaven, who takes a special interest in women and protects their interests. She is supposed to accompany every woman through life, from the moment of her birth to her death. Little wonder, then, that the women of ancient times considered that, by propitiating Juno, their fortunes were assured. This they usually did on their birthdays.

Midsummer Day (June 24th) is sacred to the memory of John the Baptist, and the ceremonies practised at this season in the Middle Ages were partly relics of the saints and partly relics of old sun worship. Great fires of wood or bones blazed on every mountain top, and were supposed to be typical of the saint, who was called a burning and a shining light.

These Beltane fires burned often on bare, flat rocks, not only in England, Scotland, and Ireland, but on the Alps, the Hartz Mountains, and elsewhere. It was a great thing to be present at or in view of one of these fires, for the evil spirit was dispelled by the potency of the light and flames.

Rhymes regarding June:--

(a) A dripping June
Brings all things in tune.

(b) If St. Vitus' Day (June 14th) be rainy weather,
It will rain for thirty days together.

(c) He who bathes in May will soon be laid in clay;
He who bathes in June will sing a merry tune;
But he who bathes in July will dance like a fly.

(d) Look at your corn in May,
And you will come weeping away:
Look at the same in June,
And you'll sing a merry tune.
(e) June, damp and warm, does the farmer no harm.

(f) If it rains on Midsummer Eve, the filberts will be spoilt.

JULY

This month was so named in honor of Julius Caesar, whose birth-month it was. The Saxons called it Hey Monat on account of the hay harvest.

The following old sayings regarding July may be noted with interest:--

(a) A shower of rain in July,
When the corn begins to fill
Is worth a plough of oxen
And all belonging theretill.

(b) Ne'er trust a July sky.

(c) Whatever July and August do not boil, September cannot fry.

(d) If the first of July it be rainy weather,
It will rain more or less for four weeks together.

(e) Dog days bright and clear
Indicate a happy year.
But when accompanied by rain,
For better times our hopes are vain.
(The dog days are from July 3rd to Aug. 11th.)

(f) St. Swithin's Day, if ye do rain,
For forty days it will remain.
St. Swithin's Day an ye be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.
(St. Swithin's Day is July 15th.)

(h) Whoever eats oysters on St. James's Day will never want
money. (July 25th.)

AUGUST

Augustus Caesar, not to be behind Julius, named this month in honor of himself. He was born in September, and it may seem strange that he did not bestow his name on that month; but he preferred August as a number of lucky incidents befell him then, and he gained several important victories.

Rhyming prophecies regarding this month are as follows:--

(a) If Bartlemy's Day (Aug. 24th) be fair and clear,
Hope for a prosperous autumn that year.

(b) Dry August and warm,
Doth harvest no harm.

(c) Yet there is a saying that "A wet August never brings dearth."

(d) On St. Mary's Day (Aug. 15th) sunshine
Brings much good wine.

(e) So many August fogs,
So many winter mists.

(f) Mud in May means bread in August.

(g) After Lammas (Aug. 1st) the corn ripens as much by
night as by day.

(h) As the Dog days commence, so they end.
(The Dog days are from July 3rd to Aug. 11th.)

(i) All the tears that St. Swithin can cry,
St. Bartlemy's dusty mantle wipes dry.

(St. Swithin's Day is July 15th, and St. Bartlemy's Day Aug. 24th.)

SEPTEMBER

September takes its name from the Latin word, _septem_, meaning seven. It was the seventh month of the year as long as March was constituted the first month. The Saxons named it Gerst Monat, or barley month, because they reaped the barley then.

Sayings regarding the month:--

(a) If it be fair on the First, it will be fair all the month.

(b) A wet June makes a dry September.

(c) September blow soft,
Until the fruit is in the loft.

(d) If Matthew's Day (Sept. 21st) is bright and clear
There will be good wine in the coming year.

(e) If the hart and the hind meet dry and part dry on Rood Day
Fair (Sept. 14th), for six weeks there will be no more rain.

(f) If on September 19th there is a storm from the south, a mild
winter is certain.

(g) If it does not rain on St. Michael's (Sept. 29th) and Gallus
(Oct. 16th), a dry spring is certain for the coming year.

(h) If St. Michael's (Sept. 29th) brings many acorns, Christmas will
cover the fields with snow.

(i) So many days old the moon on Michaelmas Day (Sept. 29th), so
many floods after.

(j) Michaelmas chickens and parsons' daughters never come to good.

OCTOBER

October is so called from being the eighth month in the old Latin calendar.

_ALL HALLOW E'EN._--Hallow E'en, the vigil of All Saints' Day, was wont to be a season of merry gathering and quaint observances, especially where lovers were concerned. It is still kept up with great success in Scotland. Propitious omens were sought. Nuts, for instance, were burnt in pairs. If they lay still and burned together, it meant a happy marriage, but if they flew apart, the lovers would not live in harmony. All sorts of charms were practised. Girls pared apples and sought to discern an initial in the shape the peel assumed. The apple had to be peeled in one strip without any break, and the whole strip was then thrown over the left shoulder. Also, they stuck an apple pip on each cheek, and that which fell off first indicated that the love of him whose name it bore was unsound.

The customs varied with the locality, but many of them were not unlike the rites of St. Valentine's Day. Burns's poem enshrined most of the Scottish practices, such as throwing a ball of blue yarn into a kiln, winding it in a new one off the old, and, as the end was approached, the maiden enquired, "Who holds?" and a voice from the kiln-pot gave her the name of her future spouse.

Some girls took a candle into a dark room and peered into a looking glass while they ate an apple or combed their hair, and saw the face of their true love looking over their shoulder. Others went out into the garden in couples, hand in hand, with eyes shut, and pulled the first kail-runt or plant they came to. According to its being big or little, straight or crooked, it was regarded as prophetic of the kind of man they would marry. If the heart of the stem was soft or hard, so would be the man's nature, and, if any earth adhered to the root, it signified "tocher" or fortune.

October prophecies:--

(a) If October brings much frost and wind,
Then are January and February mild.

(b) Dry your barley in October and you will always be sober.

(c) In October manure your field,
And your land its wealth shall yield.

(d) October never has more than fifteen fine days.

NOVEMBER

November was the ninth month according to the old Latin calendar. It was known as Wint Monat, or wind month, by the Saxons, as the stormy weather then experienced prevented the Vikings putting to sea and attacking their shores. It was sometimes called Blot Monat, or blood month, as it was then customary to kill large numbers of cattle and salt them for winter use.

November prophecies:

(a) If ducks do slide at Hollantide (Nov. 11th),
At Christmas they will swim.
If ducks do swim at Hollantide,
At Christmas they will slide.

(b) At St. Martin's Day (Nov. 11th),
Winter is on the way.

(c) Set trees at Allhallo'n-tide (Nov. 1st), and command them to
grow. Set them at Candlemas (Feb. 2nd) and beg them to
prosper.

(d) Where the wind is on Martinmas Eve, (Nov. 10th), there it will
be for the rest of the winter.

(e) If there be ice that will bear a duck before Martinmas (Nov. 11th),
there will be none that will bear a goose all the winter.

(f) Wind north-west at Martinmas (Nov. 11th), severe winter to
come.

(g) As at Catherine (Nov. 25th), foul or fair, so will be the next
February.

DECEMBER

_Decem_ means ten and December was the tenth month of the early Roman calendar. Probably it has had more names conferred upon it than any other of the twelve months. Among the Saxons, it was originally Winter Monat, but after their conversion to Christianity, it was Heligh Monat, or holy month, in honor of the birth of Christ.

December proverbs:

(a) December frost and January flood,
Never boded the husbandman good.

(b) Frost on the shortest day (Dec. 22nd) indicates a severe winter.

(c) The day of St. Thomas, the blessed divine
Is good for brewing, baking and killing fat swine.
(St. Thomas's Day is Dec. 21st.)

(d) Never rued the man that laid in his fuel before St. John
(Dec. 27).

_CHRISTMAS EVE._--The Latin Church called Christmas the Feast of Lights, because Christ, the true light, had come into the world, hence the Christmas candle and the Yule log, which sometimes were of immense size.

"Now blocks to cleave this time requires,
'Gainst Christmas for to make good fires."

In the western parts of Devonshire, a superstitious notion prevails that on Christmas Eve at 12 o'clock the oxen in the stalls are found on their knees, as in an attitude of devotion.

Mince pies were intended to represent the offerings of the wise men. As many of the ingredients come from the East, the connection of ideas is plain, but what can be the origin of the notion that it is desirable to eat mince pies made by as many different cooks as possible to ensure as many happy months is not so easily explained. Some authorities are of the opinion that mince pies were formerly baked in coffin-shaped crusts intended to represent the manger, but in all old cookery-books the crust of a pie was styled the coffin.

It is said, by those who should be able to speak with authority, that ghosts never appear on the night of December 24th-25th. This is a fact that Charles Dickens must have overlooked.

Christmas Proverbs, etc.:--

(a) A warm Christmas, a cold Easter.

(b) A green Christmas, a white Easter.

(c) Christmas in snow, Easter in wind.

(d) Christmas wet, empty granary and barrel.

(e) If there is wind on Christmas Day, there will be much fruit the following year.

(f) Snow at Christmas brings a good hay crop next year.

(g) If Christmas falls on a Sunday, there is good luck in store for all of us.

(h) A child that's born on Christmas Day, is fair, and wise, and good, and gay.

(i) Carols out of season, sorrow without reason.

(j) If Christmas Day on Thursday be,
A windy winter ye shall see:
Windy weather in each week,
And hard tempest, strong and thick.
The summer shall be good and dry,
Corn and beasts will multiply.

(k) Light Christmas, light wheatsheaf. ("Light" here refers to the full moon.)

(l) There is a firm belief that to leave Christmas decorations hanging beyond Twelfth-Night is to bring ill-luck to everybody in the house.

_HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY._--December 28th was formerly reckoned as the most unlucky day of the whole year, and few had the temerity to begin any work or start any new undertaking then.

_HOGMANAY._--In Scotland, the night of December 31st is known as Hogmanay. Then the fire is "rested," and on no account is it allowed to go out on the hearth, nor is the house swept, nor ashes nor water "thrown out," in case all the luck should be swept out. "Dirt bodes luck." It is lucky to give away food or money, to break a drinking glass accidentally, for a girl to see a man from her window on New Year's morning, and the birth of a child brings good luck to the entire family.

OTHER WEATHER PROPHECIES

A blustering night, a fair day.

One fair day in winter is often the mother of a storm.

A snow winter, a rich summer and autumn.

A summer fog is for fair weather.

A foot deep of rain will kill hay and grain. But a foot deep of snow will make all things grow.

A sunshiny shower never lasts an hour.

A late spring is a great blessing.

A wet spring, a dry harvest.

After a wet year, a cold one.

As the days lengthen, so the cold strengthens.

Between twelve and two, you'll see what the day will do.

Cloudy mornings, clear evenings.

Evenings red and mornings grey help the traveller on his way. Evenings grey and mornings red bring down rain upon his head.

A bee was never caught in a shower.

If fowls roll in the sand, rain is at hand.

If hoar frost comes on mornings twain, the third day surely will have rain.

If Friday be clear, have for Sunday no fear.

If the cock goes crowing to bed, he'll certainly rise with a watery head.

If the moon changes on a Sunday, there will be a flood before the month is out.

If the oak is out before the ash, twill be a summer of wet and splash.

If the wind is north-east three days without rain, eight days will pass before south wind again.

Neither give credit to a clear winter nor a cloudy spring.

On Thursday at three, look out and you'll see what Friday will be.

Rain at seven, fine at eleven. Rain at eight, not fine till eight.

It is not spring until one can put down a foot on a dozen daisies.

Mackerel sky, mackerel sky; never long wet and never long dry.

Thunder in spring, cold will bring.

Sharp horns do threaten windy weather (referring to the points of the moon).

When the squirrel eats nuts on a tree, there'll be weather as warm as warm can be.

When the wind veers against the sun, trust it not, for back 'twill run.

When a cow tries to scratch its ear, it means that a storm is very near.

A CALENDAR FOR LOVERS

The information set out below is derived from star-readings and other heavenly data. It applies only to the average individual. The days of the months refer to the birthdays of those whom the information concerns.

JANUARY

1.--Will make a good partner, though desirous of being the ruler.

2.--Likely to marry late.

3.--Women born on this day often marry men younger than themselves.

4.--Will make an excellent partner if allowed to lead a peaceful life.

5.--Likely to marry late, but the union will bring considerable happiness.

6.--Married life will be a success if both partners are prepared to run the home on business lines.

7.--Will be cautious in entering the matrimonial state.

8.--Married life will become more and more a boon, as the years pass by.

9.--Will marry late and have much difficulty in making up his or her mind.

10.--Money matters will cause the greatest concern during married life.

11.--Such an individual will make a difficult partner unless he or she marries someone with a stronger will.

12.--Somewhat slow in deciding on marriage.

13.--Likely to miss rare opportunities by wavering.

14.--Will be critical regarding his or her partner.

15.--A faithful lover, but should avoid too close a relationship with his or her partner's relatives.

16.--Will need a good deal of persuasion or assistance in agreeing to marriage; but will not regret having taken the step, afterwards.

17.--Unduly shy in facing the routine of his or her wedding.

18.--Will want to keep dark the facts of his or her wedding, but not because he or she is ashamed of the partner.

19.--A late marriage.

20.--Not likely to show the extent of his or her affections.

21.--Will think overmuch of gaining security in the world before plunging into marriage.

22.--Will probably have an exalted opinion of his or her partner, due to great affection.

23.--A faithful lover.

24.--Likely to marry late and will want to rule the roost.

25.--Slow at expressing feelings of love, but once the mind is made up there will be no wavering.

26.--Such an individual should see that he or she is not marrying on insufficient money. Considerable difficulties are likely to result, if this warning is overlooked.

27.--There will be more love expressed after marriage than before.

28.--Such an individual must seriously question himself or herself whether he or she is really marrying for love.

29.--Not a person to fall in love at first sight.

30.--Love is likely to be a matter of business.

31.--A very faithful lover and one that will take his or her obligations very seriously.

FEBRUARY

1.--Unlikely to marry before a number of romances have been experienced.

2.--Will think worlds of the one he or she marries.

3.--Is not likely to enter matrimony without considering all the "pros and cons."

4.--Likely to put too much faith in his or her partner and to think too highly of him or her.

5.--A rather late marriage, but it will be a real love match when it is eventually planned.

6.--Very likely to consider him or herself unequal to the partner; perhaps unworthy is the more correct description. This erroneous idea should be banished.

7.--Rather slow in showing affection.

8.--It is highly important that this individual marries the right person; otherwise he or she will never be thoroughly happy.

9.--It is "fifty-fifty" whether he or she marries at all.

10.--Probably a breaker of hearts.

11.--Likely to expect the partner to be a paragon of virtue and to be disappointed if he or she is not.

12.--If relations can be kept from interfering, marriage will bring great blessings.

13.--Not likely to marry the person everybody supposes will be the one.

14.--Will make a very kind and attentive partner, if the partner plays a similar role.

15.--Too fond of comforts and one's own company to embark on marriage lightly.

16.--Will expect a great deal from married life. May easily be disappointed.

17.--Will find it difficult to choose the right partner from a large circle of acquaintances.

18.--Marriage will be late.

19.--Will fall in love many times before making the all-important choice.

20.--Will not fall into love unconsciously. It will need an effort.

21.--Nobody will know what this individual thinks in regard to love matters. Most likely he will announce, one day, to the astonishment of all that he is to be married shortly.

22.--A long courtship awaits this person.

23.--Should marry someone with totally different qualities and an entirely different outlook on life.

24.--Will grow to think so highly of his or her partner that life without this person, even for a day, becomes unbearable.

25.--Likely to be fickle.

26.--Men born on this date are liable to find that the girl has formed an attachment elsewhere, while they were weighing up her good qualities. Girls may hesitate to say "yes" and find that the opportunity has passed.

27.--Marriage might easily prove somewhat disappointing.

28.--Such individuals should make absolutely sure of their minds before sealing the bargain.

29.--People born on the twenty-ninth are always considered to be very lucky in matters of love and marriage.

MARCH

1.--There are signs that point to dangerous flirtations.

2.--Greatest happiness will come after the first few years of married life have passed away.

3.--Marriage will mean considerable happiness.

4.--Such individuals have a most compelling way with the opposite sex and they make excellent partners.

5.--Is not likely to remain satisfied with the love of one person.

6.--Marriage for such as you is necessary. It will be the making of you.

7.--A very faithful lover.

8.--Will be extremely happy, if he or she does not rush into marriage and choose the wrong partner.

9.--It is probable that you will have numerous tempting chances to marry. The proper selection will be a matter fraught with great difficulties.

10.--Will treat matrimony too much as a business.

11.--Likely to make a very suitable match.

12.--An early marriage, most likely, not with the person most friends think probable.

13.--A happy married life is almost certain.

14.--This individual will be at his or her wits' ends to make the final and proper decision.

15.--After marriage, this person will thank his or her lucky stars that events have shaped as they have, especially in view of doubt experienced at the moment of deciding.

16.--"A dark horse." Nobody understands him or her, not even the partner for life. This only adds to the individual's attractions.

17.--If this individual works hard, as the horoscope says he or she should, married life will prove a great blessing.

18.--Married life will not be supremely romantic, but it will be congenial.

19.--There are dark patches in this individual's married life. They may be quarrels and estrangements, but they will not be continuous.

20.--He or she will be very faithful and have an extremely high opinion of the partner.

21.--This individual will have unnecessary disappointments, largely through a temperament which blinds him or her to the partner's point of view.

22.--Likely to put up with difficulties rather than cause unpleasantness. Is worthy of better treatment.

23.--The opposite of March 22nd. Is likely to cause trouble for things that hardly matter.

24.--Rather fickle in love affairs.

25.--A very passionate individual. Will only be satisfied with marriage if the partner gives way to him or her on almost all matters.

26.--Very fond of the opposite sex. May find the situation becomes awkward.

27.--A thoughtful individual who will make the partner of the marriage very happy.

28.--Will make a good husband or wife, but money matters may cause difficulties.

29.--This individual may easily take offence at things done by the partner. Otherwise, he or she will be affectionate.

30.--This person will probably show more affection before marriage than after.

31.--A person who will make a charming partner if the one he or she marries sets out to pander to his or her foibles.

APRIL

1.--An early marriage is probable and it should be a very happy one.

2.--Will make a marriage in which the man plays a subordinate part.

3.--The general course of marriage will be very happy, but there are likely to be times of estrangement.

4.--A somewhat rebellious nature is likely to cause occasional difficulties.

5.--Likely to marry without giving the matter all the consideration it deserves.

6.--This individual will probably hesitate before accepting a partner for so long that the opportunity will be missed.

7.--This individual will only be happy in the married state if the partner is particularly amenable.

8.--A rather passionate lover, but the ardor will considerably lessen as time rolls on.

9.--Married life may fall short of expectations because the individual refuses to face difficulties.

10.--Marriage should be undertaken early.

11.--Has great attractions for the opposite sex and is likely to be fickle.

12.--Very affectionate but is likely to overlook the desires of his or her partner.

13.--This individual may neglect his or her partner through being unthoughtful.

14.--An individual who will be quite content to sail through married life in a placid manner.

15.--Likely to fall in love at first sight.

16.--Will find married life very congenial if he or she takes the upper hand.

17.--An individual who will be difficult to understand, but with better qualities than are usually attributed to him or her.

18--Will only be happy in married life if the home is artistically planned.

19.--A happy married life if the partner can understand this individual's temperament.

20.--Will marry early.

21.--Love and marriage will be the means of providing considerable happiness.

22.--An individual who will love deeply, but may be inclined to jealousy.

23.--Marriage will be planned and carried out in a very short space of time.

24.--Should avoid marriage with a person of strong likes and dislikes.

25.--The course of true love never runs smoothly, and it will not with this individual.

26.--Warm-hearted, this person will make an admirable partner.

27.--An individual who should not rush into marriage lightly. He or she is liable to be guided more by the heart than the head.

28.--Will make an admirable lover and partner in marriage.

29.--Very emotional, this individual should guard against marrying someone who is too matter of fact.

30.--An individual who will put the home before everything else.

MAY

1.--A very affectionate person where the right partner is concerned.

2.--Will be most concerned in providing joys for his or her partner.

3.--Is likely to be an admirable husband or wife as long as he or she may indulge in harmless flirtations.

4.--Early married life may have its ups and downs owing to misunderstandings. Later on, things will materially improve, due to a better knowledge of each other.

5.--Very affectionate if allowed to idolize his or her partner.

6.--A very charming lover.

7.--This individual is apt to be swayed by extremes, but on the whole he or she will prove an excellent partner in marriage.

8.--He or she is much too practical to allow petty worries to mar the married life.

9.--An individual who will take marriage very seriously.

10.--Marriage will mean some sacrifices but many joys. It will be tremendously worth while.

11.--An individual who will have numerous "affairs" before settling down to the right partner.

12.--There are disappointments for this partner, and the greatest joys of marriage will only come in middle life.

13.--A person who will expect his or her partner to be perfect. Given this, he or she will be adorable.

14.--Love will be life to this person.

15.--A person who will work hard to give the partner a glorious time.

16.--An individual who will be sought after by numerous members of the opposite sex.

17.--One who will love very deeply.

18.--An individual who will play with love for a long time before giving it serious consideration.

19.--Having a warm heart and a generous nature, this person is sure to bring his partner much happiness.

20.--This individual will have so many attachments that he or she will find difficulty in making the right choice.

21.--An excellent and faithful husband or wife.

22.--This individual will aspire to marrying beyond his or her station.

23.--This person is likely to seek elsewhere, if refused on the first occasion, be he a man. Thus, the prospective bride should be wary of saying "no" out of caprice.

24.--Of a sensitive nature, this person will be very shy in showing his or her feelings.

25.--Rather apt to grumble about the trifles of married life. Quick to notice faults.

26.--This person is likely to work out the affairs of love much as he or she would attend to a tradesman's account.

27.--A person who would prove a more practical than ardent lover.

28.--Very much admired by the opposite sex, but one who is likely to cool down a great deal after marriage.

29.--One who finds it difficult to be more than three-quarters in love.

30.--A number of minor love affairs will suddenly give place to finding the right partner, followed by a speedy marriage.

31.--Likely to be jealous without sufficient cause.

JUNE

1.--An individual who will treat matrimony with a great deal of caution.

2.--Slow in showing affection, but is in earnest when he or she does.

3.--This person will have to be careful if he or she is not to lose the partner, wanted most.

4.--You have a very high opinion of the opposite sex, and your affections are not centered on one person. This will make your married life somewhat difficult.

5.--This person will have difficulty in knowing his or her mind.

6.--Marriage will be the beginning of much happiness.

7.--Do not be discouraged if things appear black at first. The end is what matters most, and things will work out happily.

8.--His or her love affairs must be carefully handled if success is to come of them.

9.--A happy married life is in store.

10.--It will require much tact if the good ship "Matrimony" is to sail the seas of adventure without coming to harm.

11.--This individual may never realize all his or her dreams of matrimony.

12.--Will most likely drift into the married state hardly knowing it.

13.--You are too practical to make anything but a very sensible union.

14.--This individual will have numerous flirtations, then a time of quiet, followed by a happy marriage.

15.--It will require two sensible heads to make a successful marriage.

16.--This individual will look for an accomplished partner who will understand all his or her peculiarities.

17.--Rather given to flirting.

18.--Will not fall into love easily.

19.--This individual will be much esteemed by the opposite sex, more for his or her inner qualities than for those appearing on the surface.

20.--Will make a very charming partner.

21.--This person will make love a matter of fact affair and rob it of its romance.

22.--A person who is apt to delay marriage too long, being afraid of making a mistake.

23.--This person will expect the one he or she marries to be extremely Victorian. There must never be as much as a suspicion of flirting.

24.--He or she will put the home before everything else.

25.--Much liked and even spoiled by the opposite sex, it will be difficult for him or her to settle down comfortably to a married life.

26.--An individual who will never forget the first love.

27.--It is advisable to marry early to avoid entanglements.

28.--A person who will deny him or herself much in order to make his or her partner happy.

29.--Many mistakes before marriage, but a life of great comfort after.

30.--A great decision will have to be made. It will depend on which of two is the better to take.

JULY

1.--This person is likely to choose a partner without taking into consideration all that he or she should.

2.--The course of early love may result in a certain amount of unhappiness.

3.--Likely to marry early, after having experienced several attachments.

4.--There will be more happiness after marriage than before.

5.--This individual will thank his or her lucky stars that someone else was not chosen for a partner. The "someone else" was thought by everybody to be the favorite.

6.--A very attractive lover, but a breaker of hearts.

7.--A married life with several ups and down, but none of them really serious.

8.--This individual belongs to the type of person who marries the girl or man he or she knows best.

9.--Marriage will open a new and more beautiful life for this person.

10.--It is doubtful if this person really wants to marry.

11.--An individual who prefers the excitement of flirtations to the settled life of marriage; that is until it is too late.

12.--Likely to seek a good marriage financially.

13.--A very happy marriage, if interfering relations can be kept at a distance.

14.--Marriage may not be all that is expected of it.

15.--A long courtship followed by a happy union.

16.--Given a partner of worthy character, this individual will bless the day of marriage.

17.--Will think more and more of his or her partner as time wears on.

18.--An individual whose matrimonial affairs will surprise his or her friends.

19.--Many passionate romances will be experienced before the fateful decision is made.

20.--An individual who will wish to be as romantic after the wedding as before.

21.--A very sympathetic lover.

22.--An individual who will show very little affection, but who will have, however, more than his or her share. A peculiarity of temperament will cause him or her to hide it.

23.--Will make an excellent partner.

24.--This individual has only to idolize his or her partner to make a perfect success of married life.

25.--As long as the partner does not wish to rule this person, marriage will be extremely successful.

26.--Great happiness will come of the union as long as both the partners retain their affections for the other.

27.--Many minor love affairs before the right one is experienced.

28.--An individual who is likely to marry someone of a very different age--either considerably older or younger.

29.--A very bright and attractive husband or wife. That is what this individual will be.

30.--A person who will be happy in marriage, as long as finances cause no troubles.

31.--There is little indication that this person troubles much about love matters.

AUGUST

1.--Marriage likely to be rather late.

2.--Will be very generous towards his or her partner.

3.--The first love will never be forgotten by this individual.

4.--The course of true love will not run smoothly at first: later, it will mend.

5.--This person possesses a strong will and, as long as the partner bends to this will, all will be well.

6.--It will be advisable to go slowly. Any undue haste may result in a fiasco.

7.--This individual must put aside all the old loves, once the marriage ceremony has been performed. It will be dangerous to meet them again.

8.--This person will prove a great favorite with the opposite sex. He or she will be so successful that a good deal of caution is needed.

9.--The latter half of the married life will bring the most happiness.

10.--Marriage must be considered from all its angles before the important step is taken: otherwise, disappointments will be caused.

11.--Your generous nature will assure a happy married life.

12.--Several love affairs are indicated before the real one will be experienced. There should be no undue haste in the choosing.

13.--Your happiness in love affairs will not depend so much on you as on those with whom you associate.

14.--Do not become apprehensive if the right partner is slow in coming to you. A rather late marriage is indicated.

15.--There is every reason to think that this individual will choose the right partner and enjoy a happy married life.

16.--It is likely that this person will marry someone well-off.

17.--There is an indication that there may be a break in the engagement, but that the affair will be patched up to the satisfaction of both parties.

18.--Money matters are the only ones that are likely to cause any disagreements in the marriage life. Steer clear of these and all will be well.

19.--Marry before you have settled habits or it will be difficult to make the mutual concessions that marriage entails.

20.--There may be some unhappiness in the early part of your married career.

21.--This person is likely to be very passionate.

22.--Likely to marry late, owing to a desire for personal comforts.

23.--This person will be easily pleased with married life, and the union will be a very happy one if the partner is not of an exacting nature.

24.--Is very fond of the opposite sex. He or she will find some difficulty in deciding whom to marry.

25.--Somewhat fickle. He or she may cause the marriage partner some anxiety on this account.

26.--An individual who will see the utmost good in his or her partner.

27.--This person's marriage will be a proper sequel to the years of courtship.

28.--Married life should bring many joys and blessings.

29.--This person will find it difficult to be satisfied with the love of one person.

30.--This individual will have the power of making his or her partner think worlds of him or her.

31.--A person lacking passion; one who looks upon marriage as a business proposition. The man will marry for a housekeeper; the woman for a roof over her head.

SEPTEMBER

1.--Will make an excellent husband or wife.

2.--Likely to expect too much of marriage.

3.--This individual may tire of marriage if the partner is not decidedly emotional and passionate.

4.--Greatest happiness is likely to come in the middle period of married life. In the early portion, you and your partner will not have learned to understand each other: in the late portion, there will be a tendency for you to go your own ways.

5.--There is a likelihood that secret romances will be continued after the knot has been tied.

6.--You are a little too independent and will not consider the feelings of your partner as much as you should.

7.--There are signs that you may neglect to make love to your partner after the wedding. Then the happiness of both will be jeopardized.

8.--You lack sufficient emotion to make marriage the success it ought to be.

9.--Your marriage may be too much of a business and not enough of a love affair.

10.--You are likely to be drawn to those who are not sufficiently attracted to you. It means that the chances are you will marry late.

11.--Capable of being very affectionate.

12.--Will make an admirable husband or wife. You will be blind to the faults of your partner.

13.--You will fall in love several times and have some difficulty in deciding whom you ought to marry.

14.--A person who is too sensitive in love affairs. Likely to experience some disappointments before marriage.

15.--You are an ardent lover, perhaps too ardent to make the happiest of marriages.

16.--A person likely to enter upon marriage without giving the matter all the consideration it deserves.

17.--Your knowledge of people enables you to judge accurately who will make the best partner to fit in with your ideals.

18.--An individual who has a strong will and who, therefore, can do much towards persuading the person of his or her choice to share life with him or her.

19.--Your love-making will be governed less by your affections than by your reason.

20.--Likely to marry late, as you do not feel your position good enough to share with a partner.

21.--You are likely to be attracted to two very different people at the same time. Your choice ought to be made in favor of the one who more approximates your own station of life.

22.--You can be a delightful companion and ought to make an excellent husband or wife.

23.--Your marriage will make a great difference to you, for the better.

24.--All your love affairs will not bring happiness, but your marriage will be a success.

25.--Probably you will marry a person with whom you fell in love at sight.

26.--Married life will bring considerable happiness, but there will be occasions when your vanity will be hurt and you will then be somewhat morose.

27.--You will usually treat your partner with considerable affection, but there are times when you will speak in a very hasty manner.

28.--You must be careful whom you marry, as you are not likely to be too sure of your own mind.

29.--Likely to have many strings to your bow.

30.--Be very certain that the attachments you form are worthy of you.

OCTOBER

1.--You have a strong desire to create a good impression with the opposite sex. This desire may lead you into danger.

2.--An individual who will make an excellent partner except when he or she is in the wrong. On such occasions he or she will present a very unsympathetic nature.

3.--Marriage will mean everything to such individuals. They must be careful that the wedded state brings no disillusions.

4.--What unhappiness comes in married life will be due to friends who interfere.

5.--Home life will give you the existence you require: therefore you must avoid marriage with a gad-about.

6.--Your marriage will be eminently successful.

7.--You are an individual of somewhat fickle temperament; but you will settle down once you meet the right person.

8.--You are an excellent companion and will make numerous friends of the opposite sex. Choosing the right partner, in your case, will be difficult.

9.--An individual who will love intensely and who has the capacity for making an excellent partner in marriage.

10.--Marriage should be thoroughly successful if financial worries do not upset your calculations.

11.--An individual who will experience much pain as a result of unsuitable friendships.

12.--Likely to find it difficult to remain in love with one person for any length of time.

13.--Married life will bring considerable happiness, but lovemaking should be indulged in after the wedding as much as before.

14.--Your partner will appreciate little surprises, such as tokens of your affection, even after you are married. Do not forget this.

15.--You are liable to be too cold towards your partner. Recall the early days of your friendship.

16.--An individual who will treat married life in a too matter-of-fact way.

17.--Love is not life to you: but once you meet the right person, happiness will reign supreme.

18.--You will approach your love affairs in a very common-sense manner. Thus, you are not likely to make any mistake.

19.--A very worthy partner.

20.--The earlier years of married life will not be the most successful, though they will be the most exciting.

21.--Do not expect every comfort and joy after the wedding ceremony. Money may be a cause of difficulties.

22.--An individual who will experience some trouble in knowing his or her mind.

23.--Slow in acquiring affection; but once a friendship is formed, he or she will be in great earnest.

24.--A happy married life is almost certain.

25.--An individual who is likely to be a more practical than affectionate lover.

26.--Unduly shy in facing the business of a wedding.

27.--This person will have much deeper affections than are suggested by appearances.

28.--Family relations are not likely to make the path of matrimony any rosier.

29.--More love and affection will be expressed after marriage than before.

30.--Rather apt to rule his or her partner when things have settled down after the wedding.

31.--A lover who would satisfy any reasonable being.

NOVEMBER

1.--There will be many surprises for this person.

2.--Great happiness will come of the union, as long as both the partners avoid trouble-making friendships.

3.--Harmless flirtations are hardly harmless, when indulged in by this person.

4.--There will be ups and downs in this person's married life, but the "ups" will exceed the "downs."

5.--This person will not be rebuffed. If a man, he will not take "no" for an answer.

6.--An attractive person with the opposite sex, but likely to cool down a great deal after marriage.

7.--There will be many love affairs, but it is doubtful if marriage will result with any of them.

8.--A person likely to make an admirable partner in marriage, if allowed to follow his or her own harmless way.

9.--Marriage will come early.

10.--A very affectionate lover and marriage partner.

11.--Of a practical nature, this person will know exactly how to steer clear of matrimonial troubles.

12.--Will make an admirable husband or wife.

13.--This person will love very deeply, perhaps too deeply, as it may lead to unfounded jealousy.

14.--It is doubtful if this individual wishes in his heart to marry.

15.--Somewhat fickle in love affairs.

16.--Married life will be less romantic than anticipated, but it will be more congenial and placid.

17.--Too fond of comforts and one's own company to embark on marriage lightly.

18.--This person will be conscious of the fact that he or she invariably falls in love with the wrong person. This will last until the age of 22 or 23 is reached.

19.--Marriage should turn out very well.

20.--A late and happy marriage is indicated.

21.--Likely to be very passionate.

22.--A person who is sure to have several love affairs. A feature of these is that some of them will be revivals of old ones.

23.--Marriage means everything to you and you are decidedly unsuited to living a lonely life.

24.--You are sentimental and emotional and will think highly of your partner.

25.--Do not rush into marriage without considering the matter very seriously.

26.--You have an ideal for whom you are searching. However, the ideal does not exist. There are plenty of good fish in the sea, nevertheless.

27.--A rather sudden wedding.

28.--You will be happy only as long as your partner gives you the upper hand.

29.--Marriage will be mixed. Much happiness, some sorrows.

30.--This person will have many love affairs, in fact he or she is the type that prefers a succession of such affairs to settling down to marriage.

DECEMBER

1.--Somewhat headstrong, this person will want to rule the home.

2.--A very easygoing partner. Happy as long as his or her mate guides the ship through the troubled seas.

3.--Men born on this day often marry women older than themselves.

4.--Somewhat slow in deciding on marriage.

5.--Likely to find marriage more of a boon than anticipated.

6.--This person will, probably, marry someone whom nobody anticipated would be the individual.

7.--This individual should marry someone with totally different qualities and an entirely different outlook on life.

8.--Such people have a most compelling way with the opposite sex and they make good partners.

9.--Very fond of the opposite sex; a character that may easily experience difficulties.

10.--Will make a marriage in which the man plays the minor part.

11.--Marriage will be planned and carried out in a short space of time. The haste may be deplored later on.

12.--A person who will take marriage very seriously.

13.--This individual will play at lovemaking for a long time before treating it seriously.

14.--A person who will have numerous flirtations, then a period in which the other sex is more or less ignored, followed by a sudden and happy marriage.

15.--Liable to delay marriage too long, or until it cannot provide the blessings anticipated of it.

16.--Married life will bring many joys and blessings.

17.--Do not be cold and uncommunicative to your partner. Act as you did before the wedding.

18.--You will be slow in acquiring affection. Once a friendship is formed, however, it will be a very deep one.

19.--As long as your partner is not one given to "laying down the law," you will have a very happy existence.

20.--Be very careful that you do not fall in love with someone after marriage.

21.--Marriage will be supremely happy.

22.--You are somewhat fickle and will, probably, suffer in consequence.

23.--Your marriage is likely to have the effect of complicating your financial position.

24.--A person who will find married life of average happiness.

25.--Do not keep from your partner information that should rightly be shared. You are not confiding enough and this may very well cause unhappiness.

26.--Avoid extravagance in married life and all will be well.

27.--A kind and generous partner.

28.--Take little notice of what your friends tell you of your intended one. Be guided by your feelings alone.

29.--You will marry late and your only regret will be that you did not find your partner earlier.

30.--You and your partner will, largely, keep yourselves to yourselves. You will be all in all to each other, and it will prove a very happy existence.

31.--You will make an admirable husband or wife, especially if your partner is one of the "easy-going" type.

MAKING USEFUL MASCOTS

Anyone of a handy disposition can make mascots that will bring luck to him or herself, as well as to countless friends. In addition, they may be made for selling at bazaars or even for profit in shops.

_HORSESHOES._--As a rule, it is best in this case to obtain a supply of old and worn horseshoes--any local farrier will be glad to sell them for a penny or two apiece--and to make them presentable. First, knock off the rust, and then wash them if necessary. It is not a bad plan to beg some old nails from the farrier, to slip one or two in the holes, here and there of each shoe, and to twist them round with pliers so that they cannot fall out. Then give the shoes a coat of paint--either aluminum or stove-black. When dry, thread a strip of ribbon of your lucky color through a hole on either side of the shoe, so that the shoe can be easily hung up. But, please do be careful to arrange the ribbon so that the shoe can only be hung tips upwards.

Failing a supply of worn shoes, the best idea is to cut horseshoes from a sheet of thick cardboard. There is an illustration on p. 6 which will give you an idea of the correct shape to aim at. When the shoes are cut, paint them with black or silver ink, and tie with ribbon, as already suggested.

_SWASTIKAS._--Large swastikas are best cut out of thick cardboard, as suggested in the previous paragraph for horseshoes, but small ones, suitable for wearing, are not difficult to cut out of sheet metal, if a triangular file is at hand for cleaning up the corners and edges. When worn, Swastikas are usually hung diamond-wise. Therefore, it is necessary to drill a small hole in one of the corners of the shape. A coat of gold paint or transparent lacquer will add to the appearance of the finish.

_SCARABS._--When scarabs are to be made, the shape with the closed wings will be found much the simpler to construct. They can be made out of large oval buttons. If the buttons are flat, it is advisable to give them a domed surface by applying a suitable layer of plastic wood. This is a putty-like substance which dries rapidly and which can be moulded to the required shape with the fingers. When the plastic wood is dry and hard, smooth the surface with fine glass-paper and ornament it with oil paints. A dull light blue serves best for the groundwork, and the pattern can be added with a small brush, using grey or black paint. In this way, some very realistic scarabs can be made easily.

_CADUCEUS OR STAFF OF MERCURY._--This lucky device is very difficult to make in the form of a model. However, the same purpose can be served by a picture. Draw the outline in pencil (see p. 9), give it a wash of silver color and line in the pattern with India ink. A picture, made in this way, about twelve inches high, on a white card, would look very attractive when framed.

_ARROWHEADS._--Those of us who have an eye for geology will have no difficulty in picking up flints, shaped like arrowheads (see p. 8), along the sides of country roads. Failing these, we can get some slips of granite, and, with hammer and chisel, shape them as shown on the page mentioned. The next thing is to obtain some gilt wire, and to make slings to support the arrowheads. These can then be hung up or worn, according to their size.

_TETS._--These mallet-shaped mascots can be made readily by cutting small strips of wood to serve as handles, and then moulding the heads in plastic wood. When the latter has dried hard, all the surfaces are coated with some bright colored paint, and, after that, additional bands of color are added to serve as ornamentation (see p. 8).

_BLACK CATS AND OTHER DOLL MASCOTS._--Any woman or girl who is good at needlework can make cats and doll-shaped mascots fairly readily. The first thing is to cut a paper pattern of the parts, using newspaper for the purpose. Usually, it is advisable to make the pattern in no more than two parts; one for the left side, the other for the right, or one for the front, the other for the back, according to the way the creature is to be executed. If this is done, it must be recognized that each part should be considerably larger than the animal is to appear, since although the pattern looks as though it need only serve for the front or back, or sides, it really has to supply the width as well.

When the paper pattern has been suitably shaped, cut out the stuff to agree with it, allowing an edging for turning in. Use black velvet or black fur cloth, unless some color is desired. Then, place the two pieces together, face to face, stitch round most of the edges; follow by turning the outside in and stuff the interior through the gap of stitches. Old but soft rags do for the stuffing. When nice and evenly plump, stitch up the gap, taking care to fold in the seams.

The last stage is to ornament the creature and form its features. Buttons serve for eyes, stitches of red wool or silk make the mouth and nose, and whiskers are supplied by hairs taken from a broom. A band of ribbon, tied in a bow, round the neck, completes the mascot.

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Transcriber's Notes:

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.