The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and TalesGrant, James (Archaeologist)
History
The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales
Grant, James (Archaeologist)
Occultism; Superstition; Trials (Witchcraft)
When one, by mistake, puts on his stockings in the morning wrong side
out, he secures good luck for that day at least. Birds' eggs hung up
in a house, prevent good luck entering that dwelling. He who wishes to
thrive should abstain from burning fish bones. A spark in the candle
gives notice that a letter is coming. If the cat sneeze or cough,
nothing is more certain than that one person, at least, in the house
will soon have a cold. When one's ears tingle, lies are being told
about him. When his cheeks burn, he is assured people are talking
about him. If the right eye itches, good luck is expected; and when
the left eye waters, misfortune is looked for. When the nose itches,
vexation--probably the death of friends--is expected. The meeting of a
fox, or the seeing of one crossing the path, presages the attempt of
an impostor to commit a fraud at the expense of the traveller. Owls or
ravens appearing on important occasions, portend unlucky events. If a
weasel be met in the morning, it is necessary to turn three times on
the heel and throw three stones, to prevent ill luck. It is more lucky
to meet a man than a woman as a first-foot. Every person is advised to
avoid meeting a cat, when going on an important mission. It is also
unlucky to meet a pig; and it is thought prudent to return home when a
hare or a reputed witch crosses the path ere the morning dew
disappears before the sun. A man leading or riding on a mare with
foal, is cautioned against allowing the animal to go in the track of a
wolf; because, if she place a hoof on the spot where that ravenous
beast's foot has been, she will cast her foal.
Time was, in Great Britain as in the East, when almost every one,
whether walking, riding, or sailing in a boat, went with the sun, when
setting out on a journey, or proceeding to sea. The Highlanders of
Scotland invariably went _deiseal_, or to the right, at every meeting
of importance. They went to the right, around the grave, with the
corpse--to the right three times around the consecrated well before
drinking. The company at a marriage went three times round the house
before crossing the threshold. Companies, on taking their seats at
table, were expected to turn to the right. Even at the present day,
the loving-cup and decanters are handed to the right around the social
board. When one lets salt fall on the floor or table, he should not
omit to cast a small quantity of the condiment over his left shoulder.
Beware of passing the salt at table unless it be asked for, and of
placing your fork and knife cross-ways.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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