Chapter 8 of 16 · 3970 words · ~20 min read

Part 8

_SERPENT._--If on the side of the cup and appearing to be rising to near the brim you may take comfort in the fact that you will shortly receive some information which will be of use.

_SHEAVES._--A good omen of a bounteous harvest of prosperity.

_SHIELD._--A reminder that you have just escaped from a great calamity.

_SHIP._--A large ship with funnels and masts is a token of a long journey, usually on business.

_THIMBLE._--This homely picture denotes that industry and devotion to duty bring their own reward.

_THIN PERSON._--The figure of a very slender person is usually the sign of very prosperous days ahead.

_THISTLE._--This striking leaf-picture is a sign that you will only achieve success by plain living and high thinking.

_THORN._--This is always an excellent omen. Good luck and many friends are indicated.

_TONGS._--Suggests you are of a fiery nature, and will quarrel with your best friend.

_TONGUE._--Someone you are fond of who is far away is speaking about you.

_TOOL._--Any instrument of manual operation denotes that hard knocks may be coming.

_TRIANGLE._--This is a token of all-round prosperity in love.

_TRIDENT._--This is a token of success and honors in the Navy.

_WAGON._--A reminder that you are soon to undertake a long journey.

_WAITER._--This picture denotes that riches and married happiness will come to you.

_WALKING STICK._--A warning not to lean too much on your own efforts.

_WATERFALL._--Indicates the removal of many obstructions in your path to happiness.

_WEATHERCOCK._--This picture points to a friend who is unreliable.

_WEB._--Signifies you will one day be caught in the toils as the result of ignoring friendly warnings.

_WELL._--This denotes you are not dipping deep enough into knowledge.

WHEN WILL YOU MARRY?

It has long been held that an unmarried person can tell how many years it will be before he or she is married, in the following manner.

Balance a small spoon on the edge of a teacup. The spoon should be perfectly dry. Then, with the assistance of a second spoon, tilt drops of tea into the balancing spoon and count them, one by one. The number of drops it takes to upset the spoon reveals the number of years that will elapse before the wedding takes place.

[Illustration]

LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS

Most of us have discovered that certain days of the week, or even the year, are more favorable to us than others. But there are some people who have not made this discovery. To them, the indications given in this chapter will be of considerable interest.

_Friday--an Unlucky Day._--Fortunately, six of the seven days of the week are charitably disposed towards the majority of us. Here and there, a person may be found who affirms that Monday, Thursday or some other day never did him or her a kindness; but such a remark is not general. Friday, however, can be put on the black list, as it is a notoriously unlucky day. Most men and women cherish a superstitious fear of it, and this opinion has existed since the first Good Friday. Many will never embark upon any enterprise of importance; there are fewer marriages on this day than any other, and sailors are averse to sailing on Friday. Many are the tales they tell of vessels which put to sea on a Friday, and were never heard of again. If all the bank or financial crashes of the last century were counted up, it would be found that Friday supplied the greatest number. A lengthy list could be added to prove that Friday is a day of bad luck.

One good thing can be said for it, however--it favors its own: for people born on a Friday are not affected by its evil disposition.

_Unlucky Dates._--In an old calendar, astrologers indicated the following dates as unlucky. If any of them fell on a Friday, they were doubly unlucky:

January 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 17, 29--very unlucky. February 26, 27, 28--unlucky; 8, 10, 17--very unlucky. March 16, 17, 20--very unlucky. April 7, 8, 10, 20--unlucky; 16 and 21--very unlucky. June 10 and 22--unlucky; 4 and 8--very unlucky. July 15 and 21--very unlucky. August 1, 29 and 30--unlucky; 19 and 20--very unlucky. September 2, 4, 21, 23--unlucky; 6 and 7--very unlucky. October 4, 16, 24--unlucky; 6, very unlucky. November 5, 6, 29, 30--unlucky; 15 and 20--very unlucky. December 15, 22--unlucky; 6, 7, and 9--very unlucky.

These were regarded as perilous days to fall ill upon, to have an accident, to be married, to start on a journey, or commence any work.

What is most striking about this list is that the "thirteenth" does not appear on it at all, although most people will tell you that the thirteenth is the date they avoid more than all others.

_Lucky and Unlucky Dates depending on Birth-dates._--Much the most accurate way of determining which dates are lucky and unlucky is by using the portents displayed by the Signs of the Zodiac. To do this, it is necessary to know when the individual affected was born. The following is a list worked out on these lines:

Born--Dec. 22nd to Jan. 20th.

Born--Jan. 21st to Feb. 19th

Born--Feb. 20th to March 20th

Born--March 21st to April 19th

Born--Feb. 20th to March 20th

Born--March 21st to April 19th

Born--June 22nd to July 22nd

Born--July 23rd to August 21st

Born--August 22nd to September 22nd

Born--September 23rd to October 23rd

Born--October 24th to November 22nd

Born--November 23rd to December 21st

It should be noted in connection with the above figures that no birth-date is unlucky. Thus, should any particular reader find that his birthday is given as unlucky, he may transfer it immediately to the list of lucky dates. As an example, take the last line of unlucky figures, given above. They are Dec. 6, 11, 18 and 28, and they operate for people born between Nov. 23rd and Dec. 21st. Should a person born on Dec. 6th be consulting this list, the only unlucky dates in December for him or her are Dec. 11, 18 and 28.

THE LUCK OF FLOWERS

It has been a favorite pastime with maidens in all ages to try to foretell their future by the aid of flowers and plants.

One of the most popular fancies is provided by the four-leaved clover, the story of which is told in various legends. One runs to the effect that three beautiful sisters, Faith, Hope and Charity, came from over the seas, and wherever they walked three-leaved clovers, crimson, white and yellow, bloomed profusely. In their footsteps came another more beautiful being, whose name was Love, and in his honor the clover added a fourth petal to the trefoil.

In time, it became the talisman of love-sick maidens, who wore it in their shoe to ensure a speedy meeting with their sweetheart, wore it over their heart to frighten away evil spirits and to prevent being jilted. In the case of a quarrel, it served to effect a reconciliation.

Apart from its sentimental associations, a four-leaved clover has long been regarded as an emblem of good luck, and has been worn by those who believe in such things when they wished to increase their chances of good fortune.

_SPRING FLOWERS._--Naturally, many beliefs flourish around the flowers of the garden and the hedgerow.

If you chance to find the first flower of the season on a Monday, it means good luck.

If on a Tuesday, big undertakings are likely to be successful.

If on a Wednesday, it denotes your approaching wedding.

If on a Thursday, hard work with little profit will fall to your lot.

If on a Friday, unexpected wealth reaches you.

If on a Saturday, you may look out for misfortune.

If on a Sunday, phenomenal good luck will come to you.

_THE FIRST WILD FLOWER._--From the first wild flowers which you gather in spring, it is possible to discover the initials of your future husband or wife. If, for instance, they should chance to be daisies, violets and buttercups, then expect to find some suitable person with the initials D. V. B., but they may not be necessarily in this order.

If someone presents you with a yellow flower, then you may expect a gift of money directly.

If you can turn a bluebell inside out without breaking it, then your lover will be true as long as both of you live.

[Illustration: No. 21.]

_THE PANSY._--If you wish to know your future destiny, pluck a pansy, which takes its name from _pensee_, a thought. Count the streaks or lines upon the petals.

Four streaks tell that your dearest wish will be fulfilled.

Five streaks stand for hope with fear.

Six streaks suggest a surprise.

Seven streaks tell of constancy in your lover.

Eight streaks, fickleness.

Nine streaks, a change and then riches.

Markings leaning towards the left denote trouble.

Markings leaning to the right denote prosperity.

Should the central streak be the longest, then Sunday should be chosen as your wedding day.

_THE DAISY._--One of the oldest of flower charms is to pluck at the petals of a daisy or marguerite. At first pluck, these words are said, "He loves me"; at the second, "He loves me not." These sentences are repeated alternately until the flower is deprived of all its petals. Whichever sentence was uttered last describes "his" affections.

_THE IVY._--

Ivy, ivy, I thee pluck, And in my bosom, I thee put. The first young man who speaks to me My own true lover he shall be.

[Illustration: No. 22.]