Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-08-02

GO Since marriage became an institution
there have been certain signs and supersti-
tions that have clung TO its celebration
through all ages aud in all countries. Even
to-day in the most civilized nations We have
not entirely rid our minds of these super
stitions, and warrant there is never a bride
but indulges herself in looking for some
happy ouen- Few people are dauntless
enough to be married on Friday, and we all
have the most unlimited confidence in that
old shoe thrown after the newly welded
pain. Nearly every b'iie of to-day wears
about her when she is married some triiling
thing borrowed from lady friend, and all
know that ..Blest is the bride on whom the
sun doth shine," and are equally certain
that
To change the name and not the letter,
Is change for the worse and not for the
better"
So on, quite indefinitely, it is wonderful
how these ancient signs are handed down
from generation TO generation, and how I'M
potent reason is TO do away with their hold
upon the human mind. Let us recall a few
of the olden beliefs concerning marriage
superstitions. In the earliest weddings We
read of among the Jews, we find that the
fourth day of the week was considered the
unlucky day for virgins TO wed, and the
fifth for widows. The Romans also believed
that certain days were unfavorable tor the
performance OF marriage rites, and these
were the Calends, Nones aad Ides of every
month, the whole months of February and
May, and many of their festivals. June
was considered the most propitious month
of the year for matrimony, especially il the
4 .l.. ttnr. ..f fba +rrlt
the conjunction OF the sun and moon.
The month of May was especially to be
avoided, as it was under the influence OF
spirits adverse to happier households, and
for centuries this superstition seemed to
prevail in Italy against May marriages, aud
even to this day prevails in some parts of
England and our own country In China
marriages are positively prohibited at GER
tain times and seasons, on account of their
being unlucky.
There was at one time a superstition cur
rent in England against marrying on Inno-
cents Day, the 2Sth of Decem Der, day of
ill omea, because it was the one which COM
memorated Herod's massacre of the chill
dren. And ii is still thought unlucky TO
marry in Lent. Marry in Lent and you'll
live to repent" An old line also says,
"May never was ye month of love-" and
another, . Who marrics between We sickle
and We scythe will never thrive.n The old
rhyme that We have all heard tells us to
marry on
MONDAY for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday the best day of all,
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses,
Saturday no luck at ALL"
AT one time it was thought that all those
who married on Tuesdays and Thursdays
would be happy. Among the Romans no
marriage was celebrated without an augur
being first consulted.
In the middle ages it was considered an
i'll omen if the bridal party, in going to the
church, met a monk, priest, hare, dog, cat,
lizard or serpent; while all would go well il
a wolf, spider ct toad were encountered.
1t is lucky if the initials Of welded
couple spell a word.
in the South of England it is said to be
unlucky for bride to look in the glass after
she is completely dressed before she goes
to the church so glove or some other
article is put on after the last look has been
taken at the mirror. Gray horses at a we'd
ding are lucky. 1t is supposed to be un-
lucky if wife does not weep on her we'd
ding day. In Scotland it is considered an
unhappy omen if couple are disappointed
in getting married on the day first liked for
that purpose.
In the Isle of Man II is believed that il
insures good luck to carry salt in the pocket
when going to be married. At Hull it is
considered unlucky to go in at one door
and out at another when a person gets mar
ried.
Whoever goes to sleep first on the we'd
ding night will die first.
If there is an odd number of guests at
a wedding one is sure to die within the sue
ceeding twelve months"