Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-08
Matrimonial SlpcrstitiOns.

There is no period in wOman's life that so
completely changes her whole existence as mar
rage, and for that very reason she is apt to be
more superstitOus and fanciful at that time than
at any other; and while superstitons are fast be-
coming something of the past, there are very
few women who will not hesitate before making
Friday their wedding day, or viii not rejoice at
the sunshine, for ''happy is the bride that the
sun shines on" June and October have always
been held as the most nr0ptious months in the
twelve, happy result being rendered doubly
certain II the ceremony was timed so as to take
place at the full moon, or when the sun and moon
were in conjunction.
The Romans were very superstitious about
marrying in May or February they avoided all
celebration days, and the Calends NOnes and
ldes OF every month. The day of the week on
which the l4th of May fell was considered very
unlucky in many parts of merry old England.
and In Orkney bride selects her wedding day
80 that its evening may have growing moon
and a flowing tide.
In Scotland the last day of the year is thought
to be lucky, and if the moon should happen to
be full at any time when wedding takes place,
the brides cup of happiness is expected to be
always fup. In Perthshire the couple who have
had their 'banns published at the end of one and
are married at the beginning Of another quarter
of year can expect nothing but ends.
The day of the week is also of great impor-
ahCc, Cuuudy UefHS u great ltlfOTlle Ill sOule
parts Of England and Ireland. And although
an English lass would not marry on Friday, the
French girl thinks the first Friday in the month
particularly fortunate. Most of us know the
old saying concerning the wedding day:
'.Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
wednesday Is the best day OF all,
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses,
Saturday no luck at all"
In Yorkshire. when the bride Is on the point of
crossing her fathers threshold, after returning
from church, plate containing few square
pieces of cake is thrown from an upper window
of the house by male relative; if the plate is
broken she will be happy, If not she will not eX-
pect to escape misery.
In Sweden q bride must carry bread in her
pocket. and as many pieces of it as she can
throw away. just so much trouble does she cast
from her; but it is no luck TO gather the pieces.
But should the bride lose her slipper then she
will lose old troubles, only in this case the per-
son who picks it up will gain riches. The Manx-
men put salt in their pockets, and the Italians
blessed charms.
1t is an unhappy omen for wedding to be
put Off whentte day has been fixed, and it is
believed much harm will ensue if a bridegroom
stands at the junction of crossroads or beside a
closed gate upon his wedding morn. In Eng
land it is thought to be a bad sign if the bride
tails to shed tears on the happy day. or if she
INDUCES herself by taking a last glance at the
she may crafty her vanity without danger if
she leaves one hand unglOved. To look back
or go back before gaining the church door, to
marry in green. or while there is an open grave
in the church yard. are all unfortunate and the
bride must be careful to go in at one door and
out at another
When the bridesmaids undress the bride they
must throw away and lose all the pins. Woe
to the bride if single one be lett about her.
Nothing will go right Woe also to the bride
maids if they keep one of them. for they will
not be married before Whitsuntide or till the
Easter following at the soonest.
If the bridal party venture off dry land. they
must go up stream. The bride must, to be lucky,
wear a.sl.v.st-s
"Something old and something new,
Something gold and something blue"
If she should see a strange cat or hear a cat
sneeze on her wedding day. then she will be
very happy; and if on her wedding morning she
steps from her bed on to something higher. and
again on to something higher still. she will from
that moment rise in the world. For this pur-
pose table Is placed beside the bed and if it
can stand near the dresser or something higher
than it, then she must step from the table to
that which is higher But woe betide her should
she fall!
In leaving the house and church. she must be
very careful to put her right foot forward, and
on no account allow any one to speak to her
husband until she has called him by name.
TO break the wedding ring is an omen that
the Wearer viii soon be a widow; but
Gas your wedding ring wears,
Wi yycsAr