Chapter V: Part 5

In January, seven days: the 3d, 4th, 6th, 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st.

In February, seven days: the 3d, 7th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 23d.

In March, eight days: the 1st, 2d, 5th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 28th and 29th.

In April, two days: the 24th and 25th.

In May, five days: the 17th, 20th, 27th, 29th and 30th.

In June, eight days: the 1st, 5th, 6th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 18th and 24th.

In July, four days: the 3d, 10th, 17th and 18th.

In August, two days: the 15th and 20th.

In September, two days: the 9th and 16th.

In October, six days: the 4th, 9th, 11th, 17th, 27th and 31st.

In November, four days: the 3d, 9th, 10th and 21st.

In December, two days: the 14th and 21st.

IMPORTANT ADVICE.

TO FEMALES.--It has often been observed, and experience has shown the observation to be a true one, that some event of importance is sure to happen to a woman in her thirty-first year, whether it prove for her good or it be some great evil or temptation; therefore we advise her to be circumspect in all her actions. If she is a maiden or widow, it is probable she will marry this year. If a wife, that she will lose her children or husband. She will either receive riches or travel into a foreign land; at all events, some circumstance or other will take place during this remarkable year of her life, that will have great effect on her future fortunes and existence.

TO MALES.--The like is applicable to men in their forty-second year, of which there are so many instances that there is not a doubt of its truth. Observe always to take a lease for an odd number of years; an even number is not prosperous. The three first days of the moon are the best for signing papers; and the first five days, as well as the twenty-fourth, for any fresh undertaking.

MOLES. THEIR SITUATION AND THE INDICATION THEY GIVE OF A PERSON’S DISPOSITION AND FUTURE LOT IN LIFE.

Though moles are, in their substance, nothing else than excrescences, or ebullitions which proceed from the state of the blood whilst the fœtus is confined in the womb, yet they are not given in vain, as they are generally characteristic of the disposition and temper of those that bear them; and it is also proved by daily experience that from the shape, situation and other circumstances, they bear a strong analogy to the events which are to happen to a person in future life. Herein are given the common prognostications by moles found in all the various parts of the body, according to the doctrine of the ancients. The larger the mole, the greater the prosperity or adversity of the person; the smaller the mole, the less will be his good or evil fate. If the mole is round, it indicates good; if angular, it gives a mixture of good and evil; if oblong, a moderate share of fortunate events; the deeper the color, the more favor or disgrace; the lighter, the less of either. If it is very hairy, much misfortune may be expected; but if few long hairs grow upon it, it denotes that your undertakings will be prosperous.

A mole that stands on the right side of the forehead, or right temple, signifies that the person will arrive at sudden wealth and honor, according to their birth and situation in life; which must always be attended to with due consideration.

A mole on the right eyebrow announces speedy marriage; and that the person to whom you will be married will possess many amiable qualities and a good fortune.

A mole on the left of either of these three places announces unexpected disappointment in your most sanguine wishes.

A mole on the outside corner of either eye denotes the person to be of a sober, steady and sedate disposition; but will be liable to a violent death.

A mole on either cheek signifies that the person shall never rise above mediocrity in point of fortune; though at the same time he will never fall into real poverty.

A mole on the nose shows that the person will have good success in most of his or her undertakings.

A mole on the lip, either upper or lower, proves the person to be fond of delicate things and much given to the pleasures of love, in which he or she will most commonly be successful.

A mole on the chin foreshows the person will be attended with prosperity and be highly esteemed.

A mole on the side of the neck shows that the person will narrowly escape suffocation; but will afterward rise to great consideration by an unexpected legacy or inheritance.

A mole on the throat denotes that the person shall become rich by marriage.

A mole on the right breast declares the person to be exposed to a sudden reverse from comfort to distress, by unavoidable accidents. Most of his children will be girls.

A mole on the left breast signifies success in undertakings and an amorous disposition.

A mole on the bosom portends mediocrity of health and fortune.

A mole under the left breast, over the heart, foreshadows that the man will be of a warm disposition, unsettled in mind, fond of rambling and light in his conduct. In a lady, it shows sincerity in love, quick conception and easy travail in childbirth.

A mole on the right side, over any part of the ribs, denotes the person to be pusillanimous, and slow in understanding anything that may be attended with difficulty.

A mole on the belly, denotes the person to be addicted to sloth and gluttony, selfish in almost all articles and seldom inclined to be nice or careful in point of dress.

A mole on either hip shows that the person will have many children and such of them as survive will be healthful, lusty and patient in all hardships.

A mole on the right thigh shows that the person will become rich and also fortunate in marriage.

A mole on the left thigh denotes that the person suffers much by poverty and want of friends, as also by the enmity and injustice of others.

A mole on the right knee signifies that the person will be fortunate in the choice of a partner for life and meet with few disappointments in the world.

A mole on the left knee portends that the person will be rash, inconsiderate and hasty, but modest when in cold blood, honest and inclined to good behavior.

A mole on either leg shows that the person is indolent, thoughtless and indifferent as to whatever may happen.

A mole on either ankle denotes a man to be inclined to effeminacy and elegance of dress--a lady, to be courageous, active and industrious, with some spice of the termagant.

A mole on either foot forebodes sudden illness or unexpected misfortune.

A mole on the right shoulder signifies prudence, discretion, secrecy and wisdom.

A mole on the left shoulder declares a testy, contentious and ungovernable spirit.

A mole on the right arm denotes vigor and undaunted courage. On the left arm, resolution and victory in battle.

A mole near either elbow declares restlessness, a roving and unsteady temper, also a discontentedness with those whom they are obliged constantly to live with.

A mole between the elbow and the wrist promises the person prosperity, but not until he has undergone and suffered many hardships.

A mole on the wrist, or between it and the ends of the fingers, denotes industry, parsimony, fidelity and conjugal affection.

A mole against the heart denotes wickedness. If a woman have a mole on her right knee, she will be honest and virtuous; if on the left, she will have many children.

If a woman have a mole on her lower jaw, it signifies she will pass her life in sorrow and pain of body.

A mole in the midst of the forehead, near the hair, denotes a discourteous, cruel mind and of unpleasant discourse; if it is of a honey color, the person will be beloved; if red, sullen and furious; if black, inexpert and wavering; if raised more like a wart, very fortunate. But if a woman, it shows her to be a slut; and if in her forehead black, treacherous, consents to evil and murder.

A mole on the left side of the forehead, near the hair, predicts misery and abundance of tribulations to a man, by means of his own misconduct; if honey-colored or red, his sorrows are lessened; but if black, unfortunate in every undertaking.

A mole on the left side of the forehead, about the midway, threatens a man with persecutions from his superiors; if of honey color, he prodigally wastes his estate; if red, he will become poor; if black, let him beware of the wrath or malice of great men; if a woman, it threatens sorrow by the perfidy of some men; if black, she will partake of the extremity of misery.

A mole on the left side of the forehead, a little above the temple, if it appear red, denotes a man has excellent wit and understanding; if black, he is in danger of being branded for his falsehoods; if he has a wart, his fate is mitigated. To a woman it signifies justification of innocence, though not deserved; if black, malignity, and it represents every evil.

A mole appearing on the right temple, above the eye, near the head, denotes a long life and good fortune; if pale, or red, he is studious; to a woman, it signifies good and happy fortune in marriage, as she will be of careful conduct.

A mole on the right temple, inclining towards the neck, promiseth ingenuity and riches, as also long life; if honey or red colored, good fortune; if black, trouble; but if as a wart, he shall obtain all good things.

A mole on the left side, towards the upper part of the eye, signifies sickness; if black, a short life; if as a wart, it denotes a good end. To a woman, moderate health, loss of favor of friends, perverse children and enemies; if black, many miseries.

A mole on the ear signifies riches and respect.

If either in a man or woman’s hand a mole appears, it denotes great prosperity and enjoyment of children.

A mole on the left side of the stomach shows a luxurious person.

A mole on the left side of the belly denotes afflictions.

A mole under the hollow of the right eye signifies the party to be furious.

CHARTOLOGY, OR DIVINATION BY CARDS.

Take a pack of cards, shuffle and cut them three different times, lay them on a table, nine in a row; if a man, he may choose one of the kings to represent himself; if a woman, she must select one of the queens; then the queen of the chosen king or the king of the chosen queen, will stand for a husband or wife, mistress or lover, of the party whose fortune is to be told; and the knave of the suit for the most intimate person of their family. Remember that everything is within your circle as far as you can count nine, any way from the card that represents the person, his wife, or her husband, and their intimate friend; also, that the ninth card, every way, is of the greatest consequence.

CLUBS.

_Ace of Clubs_ promises great wealth, much prosperity in life and tranquillity of mind.

_King of Clubs_ announces a man who is humane, upright, affectionate and faithful in all his undertakings; he will be happy himself and make his connections so if he can.

_Queen of Clubs_ shows a tender, mild and rather amorous disposition, one who will probably yield herself to a kind lover before the matrimonial knot is tied; but they will be happy, love each other and be married.

_Knave of Clubs_ shows an open, sincere friend, who will exert himself warmly in your interest and welfare.

_Ten of Clubs_ denotes that riches will come speedily from an unexpected quarter; it also threatens the loss of some dear friend.

_Nine of Clubs_ shows that you will displease some of your friends by a too steady adherence to your own opinion.

_Eight of Clubs_ shows the person to be covetous and extremely fond of money; that he will obtain it, but that it will rather prove a torment than a comfort to him, as he will not make a proper use of it.

_Seven of Clubs_ promises the most brilliant fortune and the most exquisite bliss that this world can afford; but beware of the opposite sex, as from these alone can you experience misfortune.

_Six of Clubs_ shows you will enter into a very lucrative partnership and that your children will behave well.

_Five of Clubs_ declares that you will be shortly married to a person who will improve your circumstances.

_Four of Clubs_ shows inconstancy for the sake of money and change of object.

_Trey of Clubs_ shows that you will be three times married and each time to a wealthy person.

_Deuce of Clubs_ shows that there will be some unfortunate opposition to your favorite inclination which will disturb you.

DIAMONDS.

_Ace of Diamonds_ signifies a letter.

_King of Diamonds_ shows a man of fiery temper, continued anger, seeking revenge and obstinate in his resolutions.

_Queen of Diamonds_ signifies that the woman will be fond of company, be a coquette and not over virtuous.

_Knave of Diamonds_, however nearly related, will look more after his own interest than yours; he will be tenacious of his own opinion and will fly off if contradicted.

_Ten of Diamonds_ promises a country husband or wife, with great wealth and many children; the card next to it tells the number of children; it also signifies a purse of gold.

_Nine of Diamonds_ declares that the person will be of a roving disposition, never contented with his lot, and forever meeting with vexations and disappointments.

_Eight of Diamonds_ shows that the person, in youth, will be an enemy to marriage and thus run the risk of dying unmarried; but that if he does marry, it will be late in life and then it will be with a person whose disposition is so ill assorted to his own that it will be the cause of misfortune.

_Seven of Diamonds_ shows you will be tormented by the infidelity of your conjugal partner and waste of goods.

_Six of Diamonds_ shows an early marriage and premature widowhood, but a second marriage will probably be worse.

_Five of Diamonds_ shows that you will have good children, who will keep you from grief.

_Four of Diamonds_ shows the incontinence of the person you will be married to, and great vexation to yourself through the whole course of your life.

_Trey of Diamonds_ shows that you will be engaged in quarrels, lawsuits and domestic disagreements; your partner for life will be a vixen and of abusive temper, fail in the performance of the nuptial duties and make you unhappy.

_Deuce of Diamonds_ shows that your heart will be engaged in love at an early period; that your parents will not approve of your choice, and that if you marry without their consent they will hardly forgive you.

HEARTS.

_Ace of Hearts_ signifies feasting and pleasure; if the ace is attended by spades it foretells quarrelling; if by hearts, it shows affection and friendship; if by diamonds, you will hear of some absent friend; if by clubs, merry-making.

_King of Hearts_ shows a man of good natured dissipation, but hot and hasty, rash in his undertakings, and very amorous.

_Queen of Hearts_ denotes a woman of fair complexion, faithful and affectionate.

_Knave of Hearts_ is a person of no particular sex, but always the dearest friend or nearest relation of the consulting party. You must pay great attention to the cards that stand next to the knave, as from them alone you can judge whether the person it represents will favor your inclinations or not.

_Ten of Hearts_ shows good nature and many children; it is a corrective of bad tidings of the cards that stand next to it; its neighboring cards are of good report and it ascertains and confirms their value.

_Nine of Hearts_ promises wealth, grandeur and high esteem; if cards that are unfavorable stand near it, you must look for disappointments, and a reverse if favorable cards follow; these last at a small distance, except to retrieve your losses whether of peace or of goods.

_Eight of Hearts_ is a sign of drinking and feasting.

_Seven of Hearts_ shows the person to be fickle and of an unfaithful disposition; addicted to vice, incontinent, and subject to the mean art of recrimination to excuse themselves although without foundation.

_Six of Hearts_ shows a generous, open and credulous disposition; easily imposed upon, ever the dupe of flatterers, but the good natured friend of the distressed. If this card comes before your king or queen, you will be the dupe; if after, you will have the better.

_Five of Hearts_ shows a wavering and unsteady disposition, never true to one object, but free from every violent attachment.

_Four of Hearts_ shows the person will not be married until very late in life, which will proceed from too great a delicacy in making a choice.

_Trey of Hearts_ shows that your own imprudence will greatly contribute to your experiencing much ill-will from others.

_Deuce of Hearts_ shows that extraordinary success and good fortune will attend the person; though, if unfavorable cards attend, this will be a long time delayed.

SPADES.

_Ace of Spades_ totally relates to affairs of love, without specifying whether lawful or unlawful; it also denotes death when the card is upside down.

_King of Spades_ shows a man ambitious and successful at court, or with some great man, who will have it in his power to advance him; but let him beware of a reverse.

_Queen of Spades_ shows that a person will be corrupted by the rich of both sexes; and, if she is handsome, great attempts will be made on her virtue.

_Knave of Spades_ shows a person who, although they have your welfare at heart, will be too indolent to pursue it with zeal, unless you frequently raise their attention.

_Ten of Spades_ is a card of bad import; it will in a great measure counteract the good effects of the cards near you.

_Nine of Spades_ is the worst card in the pack; it portends dangerous sickness, a total loss of fortune, cruel calamities and endless dissension in your family.

_Eight of Spades_ shows you will experience strong opposition from your friends, or those you imagine to be such. If this card comes close to you, leave your plan and adopt another.

_Seven of Spades_ shows the loss of a most valuable friend, whose death will plunge you in very great distress.

_Six of Spades_ announces a mediocrity of fortune, and very great uncertainty in your undertakings.

_Five of Spades_ will give very little interpretation of your success; it promises good luck in the choice of your companion for life, that you will meet with one fond of you, and immoderately attached to the joys of Hymen; it shows your temper rather sullen.

_Four of Spades_ shows much sickness, and that your friends will injure your fortune.

_Trey of Spades_ shows that you will be fortunate in marriage, but that your partner will be inconstant, and that you will be made very unhappy thereby.

_Deuce of Spades_ always signifies a coffin, but who it is for must depend entirely on the other cards near it.

PROGNOSTICATIONS BY DICE.

This is a certain and innocent way of finding out common occurrences about to take place. Take three dice, shake them well in the box with your left hand, and then cast them out on a board or table, on which you have previously drawn a circle with chalk.

_Three._--A pleasing surprise.

_Four._--A disagreeable one.

_Five._--A stranger who will prove a friend.

_Six._--Loss of property.

_Seven._--Undeserved scandal.

_Eight._--Merited reproach.

_Nine._--A wedding.

_Ten._--A christening.

_Eleven._--A death that concerns you.

_Twelve._--A letter speedily.

_Thirteen._--Tears and sighs.

_Fourteen._--Beware that you are not drawn into some trouble or plot
by a secret enemy.

_Fifteen._--Immediate prosperity and happiness.

_Sixteen._--A pleasant journey.

_Seventeen._--You will either be on the water or have dealings with
those belonging to it, to your advantage.

_Eighteen._--A great profit, rise in life, or some most desirable
good will happen almost immediately; for the answers to the dice are
always fulfilled within nine days. To show the same number twice at
one trial, portends news from abroad, be the number what it may. If
the dice roll over the circle, the number thrown goes for nothing,
but the occurrence shows sharp words; and if they fall to the floor,
it is blows. In throwing out the dice, if one remains on top of the
other, it is a present of which I would have them take care.

AUGURIES BY DOMINOES.

Lay them with their faces on the table and shuffle them; then draw one, and see the number.

_Double-six._--Receiving a handsome sum of money.

_Six-five._--Going to a public amusement.

_Six-four._--Lawsuits.

_Six-three._--Ride in a coach.

_Six-two._--Present of clothing.

_Six-one._--You will perform a friendly action.

_Six-blank._--Guard against scandal, or you will suffer by your
inattention.

_Double-five._--A new abode to your advantage.

_Five-four._--A fortunate speculation.

_Five-three._--A visit from a superior.

_Five-two._--A water party.

_Five-one._--A love intrigue.

_Five-blank._--A funeral, but not of a relation.

_Double-four._--Drinking liquor at a distance.

_Four-three._--A false alarm at your house.

_Four-two._--Beware of thieves or swindlers. Ladies take note, this
means more than it says.

_Four-one._--Trouble from creditors.

_Four-blank._--Letter from an angry friend.

_Double-three._--Sudden wedding, at which you will be vexed, and by
which you will lose a friend.

_Three-two._--Buy no lottery tickets, nor enter into any game of
chance, or you will lose.

_Three-one._--A great discovery at hand.

_Three-blank._--An illegitimate child.

_Double-two._--Vexations from a jealous partner.

_Two-one._--You will mortgage or pledge some property soon.

_Double-one._--You will find something to your advantage.

_Double-blank._--The worst presage in all the set; you will meet
trouble from a quarter for which you are quite unprepared.

TALISMEN, CHARMS, SPELLS AND INCANTATIONS.

TALISMAN FOR WAR AND BATTLE.

This Talisman, which is to be made of highly tempered steel, bears on it the powerful words, and also the awful sign, which were conveyed to the Emperor Constantine from heaven, in daylight, and in the presence of his whole army, and whereby he was victorious in battle. It is to be tied around the sword arm.

An ancient manuscript says of it, “He that beareth this sign about him, shall be helpen in every need and necessity.”

A TALISMAN FOR DESTROYING INSECTS AND REPTILES.

This Talisman is to be made of iron, when the sun and moon enter the sign Scorpio. It has been proved to be powerful in effect; so much so, that no kind of venomous reptile or troublesome insect can come within some yards of the house or place in which it is. The manuscript from which the account of this talisman is taken cost a very large sum, and a medical gentleman, to whom it belonged, affirms that he has himself proved its efficacy; for being at one time much annoyed by beetles, he made a talisman, according to instructions here given, and screwed it to the floor, when these troublesome insects immediately disappeared; but afterwards, when the servant removed it, through ignorance, they returned in great numbers; when he again nailed it to the floor, and they again disappeared.

TALISMAN FOR LOVE.

This Talisman is said to be wonderfully efficacious in procuring success in amours and love adventures. It must be made when Venus, the planet of love, is the evening star. It should be made of pure silver and worn directly over the heart, on the left breast.

TALISMAN AGAINST ENEMIES.

This Talisman is to be cast of the purest grain tin, and during the increase of the moon. The characters are to be engraved on it also during the increase of the moon. It may be suspended about the neck, or worn on any part of the body, so that it be kept from the sight of all but the wearer. Its effects are to give victory over enemies, protection against their machinations, and to inspire the wearers thereof with most remarkable confidence.

TALISMAN FOR HEALING DISEASE.

A B R A C A D A B R A
A B R A C A D A B R
A B R A C A D A B
A B R A C A D A
A B R A C A D
A B R A C A
A B R A C
A B R A
A B R
A B
A

The letters which compose this charm must be inscribed in a pyramidical form, as above, on the purest white beeswax, of the ordinary thickness, and of a size sufficiently large to admit of the letters being distinctly written by the individual who is sick; or, if he is too sick, by his dearest friend next at hand. Use for writing them a pen made of the quill of a raven, and ink compounded of the smoke of a concentrated taper and rain water. Let the party who is afflicted with the disease wear the charm hung around his neck, enclosed in a bag of virgin parchment, during the time that the moon performs one circuit through the twelve signs of the zodiac, and let it be commenced on the day of the full moon. The wearer must have full faith in Divine Omnipotence, and repeat the letters of the talisman in some one of the different directions in which they may be read, daily.

If it be required to perform a cure upon one at a distance, or without the afflicted party’s knowledge thereof, write the talisman as above and then you may perform the cure by scraping out one line of the talisman every day with a new knife kept for the express purpose. At the scraping out of each line, say, “So as I destroy the letters of this talisman, _Abracadabra_, so, by virtue of this sacred name, may all grief and dolor depart from [here mention the name of the sick person]. So I destroy this disease. Amen.”

Many have healed divers diseases in this way; the disease wearing, little by little, away.

_Charms to be used on particular Eves of Feasts and Festivals, to procure Dreams, Tokens, and other Insights into Futurity._

FEAST OF ST. ANNE’S.

This is a hard trial, but what is not possible to any young lady who wishes to know her lot in marriage?--that most important change in human life.

Prepare yourself three days previous to the eve of this female saint, by living on bread and water and sprigs of parsley, and touch no other thing whatever, or your labor will be lost. The eve begins at the sixth hour. Go to bed as soon as convenient, and speak not a word after you once begin to undress; get into bed, lie on your left side with your head as low as possible, and repeat the following verse three times:

St. Anne, in silver clouds descend,
Prove thyself a female’s friend;
Be it good or be it harm,
Let me have knowledge from the charm;
Be it husbands one, two, three,
Let me in rotation see;
And if Fate decrees me four,
(No good maid could wish far more),
Let me view them in my dream,
Fair and clearly to be seen;
But if the stars decree
Perpetual virginity,
Let me sleep on, and dreaming not,
I shall know my single lot.

MAGIC ROSE.

Gather your rose on the 27th of June; let it be full blown, and as bright a red as you can get; pluck it between the hours of three and four in the morning, taking care to have no witness of the transaction; convey it to your chamber, and hold it over a chafing dish or any convenient utensil for the purpose, in which there is charcoal and sulphur of brimstone; hold your rose over the smoke for about five minutes, and you will see it have a wonderful effect on the flower. Before the rose gets the least cool, clap it in a sheet of writing paper, on which is written your own name and that of the man you love best; also the date of the morning star that has the ascendancy at that time; fold it up and seal it neatly with three separate seals, then run and bury the parcel at the foot of the tree from which you gathered the flower. Here let it remain untouched till the 6th of July; take it up at midnight, go to bed and place it under your pillow, and you will have a singular and eventful dream before morning, or, at least, before your usual time of rising. You may keep the rose under your head three nights without spoiling the charm. When you have done with the rose and paper be sure to burn them.

CUPID’S NOSEGAY.

On the first night of the new moon in July, take a red rose, a white rose, a yellow flower, a blue one, a sprig of rue and rosemary, and nine blades of long grass; bind all together with a lock of your own hair; kill a white pigeon, sprinkle the nosegay with the blood from the heart, and some common salt; wrap the flowers in a white handkerchief, and lay it under your head, on the pillow, when you go to rest; and, before morning, you will see your fate as clear as if you had your nativity cast by the best astrologer in the world; not only in respect to love, lovers, or marriage, but in the other most important affairs of your life. Storms, in this dream, foretell great trouble; and graves or churchyards are fatal tokens, and so is climbing steep and dangerous places.

LOVE’S CORDIAL.

_To be tried the Third Night of a New Moon._

Take brandy, rum, gin, wine and the oil of amber, of each a teaspoonful; a teaspoonful of cream, and three of spring water; drink it as you get into bed; repeat--

This mixture of love I take for my potion,
That I of my destiny may have a notion;
Cupid befriend me, new moon be kind,
And show unto me the fate that’s designed.

You will dream of drink, and, according to the quality or manner of it being presented, you may tell the condition to which you will rise or fall by marriage. Water is poverty; and, if you dream of a drunken man, it is ominous that you will have a drunken mate. If you dream of drinking too much, you will fall, at a future period, into that sad error yourself, without great care; and what is a worse sight than an inebriated female? She cannot guard her own honor, ruins her own and family’s substance, and often clothes herself with rags. Trouble is often used as an excuse for this vicious habit; but it gives more trouble than it takes away.

THE NINE KEYS.

Get nine small keys; they must all be your own by begging or purchase (borrowing will not do, nor must you tell what you want them for); plait a three-plaited band of your own hair, and tie them together, fastening the ends with nine knots; fasten them with one of your garters to your left wrist on going to bed, and bind the other garter around your head; then say--

St. Peter, take it not amiss,
To try your favor I’ve done this;
You are the ruler of the keys,
Favor me, then, if you please:
Let me then your influence prove,
And see my dear and wedded love.

This must be done on the eve of St. Peter’s, and is an old charm used by the maidens of Rome in ancient times, who put great faith in it.

THE WITCHES’ CHAIN.

Let three young women join in making a long chain, about a yard will do, of Christmas juniper, and mistletoe berries; and at the end of every link put an oak acorn. Exactly before midnight let them assemble in a room by themselves, where no one can disturb them; leave a window open, and take the key out of the key-hole and hang it over the chimney-piece; have a good fire, and place in the midst of it a long thinnish log of wood, well sprinkled with oil, salt and fresh mould; then wrap the chain around it, each maiden having an equal share in the business; then sit down, and on her left knee let each maiden have a prayer book, opened at the matrimonial service. Just as the last acorn is burned, the future husband will cross the room; each one will see her own proper spouse, but he will be invisible to the rest of the wakeful virgins. Those that are not to wed will see a coffin, or some misshapen form, cross the room. Go to bed instantly, and you will all have remarkable dreams. This must be done either on a Wednesday or Friday night, but no other.

LOVE LETTERS.

On receiving a love letter that has any particular declaration in it, lay it wide open; then fold it in nine folds, pin it next to your heart, and thus wear it till bedtime; then place it in your left hand glove, and lay it under your head. If you dream of gold, diamonds, or any costly gems, your lover is true, and means what he says; if of white linen, you will lose him by death; and if of flowers, he will prove false. If you dream of his saluting you, he is at present false and means not what he professes, but only to draw you into a snare.

STRANGE BED.

On going to rest, take a glass of water, half fill it with salt, and drink it off as quick as you can; do not speak afterwards, but compose yourself to sleep, and thirst will cause you to dream; which, joined to a strange bed, will have a true effect.

THE MAGIC RING.

Borrow a wedding ring, concealing the purpose for which you borrow it; but no widow’s or pretended marriage ring will do--it spoils the charm. Wear it for three hours at least before you retire to rest, and then suspend it by a hair off your head, over your pillow; write within a circle resembling a ring, the sentence from the matrimonial service beginning with, _With this ring I thee wed_, and around the circle write your own name at full length, and the figures that stand for your age; place it under your pillow, and your dream will fully explain whom you are to marry, and what kind of a fate you will have with them. If your dream is too confused to remember it, or you do not dream at all, it is a certain sign you will never be married.

HYMENIAL CHARM.

The night before your nuptials, write your name on a piece of paper, as small as possible, with the name of your spouse elect, the date of the wedding day, the month and the year; enclose all in a circle of blood drawn from one of your fingers, fold the paper into nine folds, place it in the stocking drawn from your left leg, and place it between your head and the pillow, and by your dreams of that night you may guess what will be the fate attending your nuptial life.

FOR A GIRL TO ASCERTAIN IF SHE WILL SOON MARRY.

Find a green pea-pod with exactly nine peas in it, and hang it over the door of a room or entry-way, without letting any person know that you have done so; you must then watch the door and see who goes through first; if it is a bachelor, or an unmarried young man, you will positively be married before the current crop of peas is disposed of; if it is a woman, you will have to sigh in single blessedness another year; if a married man, be careful and not allow your lover too much liberty in his attentions.

VALENTINE CHARM.

If you receive one of those love tokens, and cannot guess the party who sent it, or are in any doubt, the following method will explain it to a certainty: Prick the fourth finger of your left hand, and with a crow quill write on the back of the valentine the day and hour in which you were born, and the date of the year; also of the present one, the moon’s age, and the name of the present morning star, all of which you will find in the almanac, and the sign into which the sun has entered. Try this on the first Friday after you receive the valentine, but do not go to bed till midnight; place the paper in your left shoe, and put it under your pillow, lie on your left side, and repeat three times:

St. Valentine, pray condescend
To be this night a maiden’s friend;
Let me now my lover see,
Be he of high or low degree;
By a sign his station show,
Be it weal or be it woe.
Let him come to my bedside,
And my fortune thus decide.

The young woman will be sure to dream of the identical person who sent the valentine and be enabled to guess if he is to be her husband.

ACORN CHARM.

This is to be tried on the third day of the months between September and March. Let any number of young women (not exceeding nine, and minding that there is an odd one in the company) assemble together, and each string nine acorns on a separate string, or as many acorns as there are females in company, but not more; wrap them around a long stick of wood, and place it in the fire just as the clock strikes twelve at night. Say not a word, but sit around the fire till all the acorns are consumed; then rake out the ashes and retire to bed almost directly, repeating:

May love and marriage be the theme,
To visit me in this night’s dream:
Gentle Venus be my friend,
The image of my lover send.
Let me see his form and face,
And his occupation trace;
By a symbol or a sign,
Cupid, forward my design.

CHRISTMAS SPELL.

Steep mistletoe berries, to the number of nine, in a mixture of ale, wine, vinegar and honey; take them on going to bed, and you will dream of your future lot. A storm in this dream is very bad; it is most likely you will then marry a sailor, who will suffer shipwreck at sea; but to see either sun, moon or stars, is an excellent presage; so are flowers; but a coffin is an index of a disappointment in love.

LENT CHARM.

To be tried on any Friday in Lent, Good Friday excepted, when it is improper to try anything of the kind, and the mind ought to be more seriously disposed. Write twelve letters of the common alphabet on separate pieces of card, also twelve figures, and the same number of blank cards; then put them in a bag and shake them well, and let each one present draw one. A blank shows a single life; a figure, intrigue; and a letter, a happy marriage.

CHARMS TO KNOW WHO YOUR HUSBAND SHALL BE.

_On St. Agnes’ Day._--This falls on the 21st of January. You must prepare yourself by a twenty-four hours fast, touching nothing but pure spring water, beginning at midnight on the 20th, to the same again on the 21st; then go to bed, and mind you sleep by yourself, and do not mention what you are trying to any one, or it will break the spell. Go to rest on your left side, and repeat these lines three times:

St. Agnes, be a friend to me;
In the gift I ask of thee;
Let me this night my husband see,

and you will dream of your future spouse. If you see more men than one in your dream, you will wed two or three times; but if you sleep and dream not, you will never marry.

_By Bride Cake._--A slice of the bride cake thrice drawn through the wedding ring, and laid under the head of an unmarried woman, will cause her to dream of her future husband.

_By the Garter and Stocking._--The party inquiring must live in a different county from that in which she commonly resides, and, on going to bed, must knit the left garter about the right legged stocking, letting the other garter and stocking alone; and as you rehearse the following verse, at every comma knit a knot:

This knot I knit, to know the thing I know not yet,
That I may see, the man that shall my husband be,
How he goes and what he wears,
And what he does all days and years.

Accordingly, in a dream he will appear, with the insignia of his trade or profession.

TO KNOW WHETHER A WOMAN SHALL HAVE THE MAN SHE WISHES.

Get two lemon peels and wear them all day, one in each pocket, and at night rub the four posts of the bedstead with them; if she is to succeed, the person will appear in her sleep, and present her with a couple of lemons; if, not, there is no hope.

TO KNOW IF A WOMAN WITH CHILD WILL HAVE A GIRL OR A BOY.

Write the proper names of the father and the mother, and the month she conceived with child; add together the letters in these words, and divide the amount by seven; if the remainder be even, it will be a girl; if uneven, it will be a boy.

TO KNOW IF A NEW-BORN CHILD SHALL LIVE OR NOT.

Write the proper names of the father and the mother, and of the day the child was born; count the letters in these words, and to the amount add twenty-five, and then divide the whole by seven; if the remainder be even the child shall die, but if uneven, the child shall live.

TO KNOW WHAT FORTUNE YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND WILL HAVE.

Take a walnut, a hazel nut and a nutmeg; grate them together, and mix them with butter and sugar, and make them up into small pills, of which exactly nine must be taken on going to bed, and, according to your dreams, so will be the state of the person you will marry. If a gentleman, your dream will be of riches; if a clergyman, of white linen; if a lawyer, of darkness; if a tradesman, of odd noises and tumults; if a soldier or sailor, of thunder and lightning; if a servant, of rain.

CHARM TO CURE THE HEADACHE.

If the pain be on the _right_ side of the head, make a comb out of the _right_ horn of a ram; and if the head be combed with it, it will take away the pain. But if the pain be on the _left_ side of the head, then make a comb out of the _left_ horn of a ram, and if the head be combed therewith, it will stop the pain.

CHARM TO MAKE A TREE BEAR FRUIT.

The seeds of roses, with mustard seed, and the foot of a weasel, tied together in something, and hung among the boughs or branches of a tree which bears but little fruit, will remedy the defect, and render the tree amazingly fruitful.

CHARM TO HINDER FROM THE BITE OF A MAD DOG.

The tooth of a mad dog which has bitten any human being, tied in leather and hung at the shoulder, will preserve and keep the wearer from being bitten by any mad dog so long as he wears it. It may be worn next to the skin, or concealed in the clothing.

CHARM AGAINST PERIL BY FIRE OR WATER.

Repeat reverently and with sincere faith, the following words, and you will be protected in the hour of danger:

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

CHARM AGAINST FURIOUS BEASTS.

Repeat reverently, and with sincere faith, the following words, and you will be protected in the hour of danger:

“At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh, neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

“For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.”

CHARM AGAINST ENEMIES.

Repeat reverently, and with sincere faith, the following words, and you will be protected in the hour of danger:

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

“For the stars of heaven, and the constellations thereof, shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

“And behold, at eventide, trouble; and before the morning he is not; this is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.”

CHARM AGAINST TROUBLE IN GENERAL.

Repeat reverently, and with sincere faith, the following words, and you shall be protected in the hour of danger:

“He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

“In famine he shall redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword.

“And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace, and thou shalt visit thy habitation and shall not err.”

MISCELLANEOUS.

SIGNS AND AUGURIES.

Should you be the subject of a deep depression of spirits, contrary to your usual constitutional buoyancy and liveliness, it is a sign that you are about to receive some agreeable intelligence.

If the crown of your head itches more than ordinary, you may expect to be advanced to a more honorable position in life.

Should the hair on your head come off when combing in greater quantities than usual, it is a sign that you will soon be subjected to severe affliction.

If your right eyebrow should immoderately itch, be assured that you are going to look on a pleasant sight--a long-absent friend, or a long-estranged but now reconciled lover.

Should your left eyebrow be visited with a tantalizing itching, it is a sign that you will soon look upon a painful sight--the corpse of a valued friend, or your lover walking with a favored rival.

A ringing in your right ear, is an augury that you will shortly hear some pleasant news.

A ringing in your left ear, is a sign that you will in a short time receive intelligence of a very unpleasant nature.

When your left ear tingles, some one is backbiting you.

A violent itching of the nose, foretells trouble and sorrow to those that experience it.

An itching of the lips is a sign that some one is speaking disrespectfully of you.

When you are affected by an itching on the back of your neck, be assured that either yourself or some one nearly related to you is about to suffer a violent death.

An itching on the right shoulder, signifies that you will shortly have a large legacy bequeathed to you.

When you feel an itching sensation on your left shoulder, be sure that you are about to bear a heavy burden of sorrow and trouble.

If your right elbow joint itches, you may expect shortly to hear some intelligence that will give you extreme pleasure.

Should you be annoyed by a violent itching on your left elbow joint, you may be sure that some vexatious disappointment will be experienced by you.

If you feel an itching on the palm of your right hand, you may expect soon to receive some money which you have been long expecting.

When the palm of your left hand itches, you may expect to be called upon to pay some money for a debt which you have not personally incurred.

An itching on the spine of your back, is a sign that you will shortly be called upon to bear a heavy burden of sorrow and trouble.

An itching on your loins, is an indication that you will soon receive an addition to your family, if married; if single, that you are on the eve of marriage.

When you are affected with an itching of the belly, expect to be invited to feast upon a choice collection of savory meats.

When either or both of your thighs itch, be assured that you are about to change your sleeping apartment.

If you have an itching sensation in your right knee, depend upon it that you will shortly undergo a remarkable and beneficial change in your previous course of life, and become religiously inclined.

If a similar sensation prevails in your left knee, you may expect to undergo a change in your situation of an unfavorable nature.

An itching sensation on the shin, foretells that you will be visited by a painful and long-continued affliction.

When your ankle joints itch, be sure that you are about to be united to one whom you love, if single; if married, that your domestic comforts will be largely increased.

When the sole of your right foot itches, you may feel assured that you are about to undertake a journey from which you will derive much pleasure and enjoyment.

Should you experience a similar sensation on the sole of your left foot, you may expect to be called upon to take a journey of an unpleasant and melancholy nature.

SIGNS OF SPEEDY MARRIAGE, AND GOOD SUCCESS ATTENDING IT BY SUNDRY SIGNS.

For a woman to have the first and last letters of her christian name the same with the man’s surname, that makes love to her, denotes a great union and a generous love.

For a man to have the first and last letters of his christian name the same with the woman’s surname, denotes the same.

To think of a party on a sudden waking, without any meditation, on a Friday morning, that before had a place in the affections of the man or woman, is a demonstration of love or extraordinary friendship.

If a ring accidentally falls off a man’s finger, that is under no obligation of marriage, and runs directly to the feet of a maid or widow, it denotes not only that he is in love with the party, but that a sudden marriage will ensue.

The singing of a robin-red-breast at your window, in the time of courtship, on a Wednesday, is a sign you shall have the party desired.

If walking abroad with your sweetheart you perceive a pair of pigeons circle around you, it is a sign of marriage and happiness to ensue, with much content.

If a hare cross your path on a Saturday morning, it promises happy days, riches and pleasure.

THE ART OF TELLING FORTUNES BY THE GROUNDS OF A TEA OR COFFEE CUP.

Pour the grounds of coffee or tea into a white cup, shake them well about in it, so that their particles may cover the whole surface of the cup; then reverse it into the saucer, that all the superfluous parts may be drained off and the figures required for fortune telling be formed. The person that acts the fortune teller must always bend his thoughts upon him or her that wishes to have their fortune told, and upon their rank and profession, in order to give plausibility to their predictions. It is not to be expected, upon taking up the cup, that the figures will be accurately represented as they are in cards, but it is quite sufficient if they bear some resemblance to any of the thirty-two emblems; and the more fertile the fancy shall be of the person that inspects the cup, the more he will discover in it. In other respects, every one who takes pleasure in this amusement must himself be a judge, under what circumstances he is to make changes in point of time, speaking just as it suits, in the present, the past, or the future; in the same manner their ingenuity ought to direct them when to speak more or less pointedly and detrimentally with regard to sex.

_The Roads_, or serpentine lines, indicate ways; if they are severed with clouds, and consequently in the thick, they are said to be infallible marks of many past or future reverses. But if they appear in the clear and serene, are the surest token of some fortunate change near at hand; encompassed with many points or dots, they signify an accidental gain of money, likewise long life.