Part 15
(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.