Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-11
BALM Kennsbrr JonrnaI.
Some Matrimonial superstitions.

Some Matrimonial SuperstitiOns.
There is perhaps no period in awoman's
life that so completely changes her whole
existence as marriage. and for that very
reason she Is apt to be more superstitlous
and fanciful at that time than at any other !;
and while superstitions are fast becoming
a 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 the sun shines on" June and
October have always been held as the
most propiuous months in the II. 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 superstitous
about marrying in MAY or February; they
avoided all celebration days. and the Cal
ends, Nones, and Ides of every month.
The day of the week on which the 14th
of MAY fell, was considered very unlucky
in many parts of ''merry old England"
and in the Orkney islands bride selects
her wedding day 80 that its evening may
have a growing moon and 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
a wedding taxes place, the brides cup of
happiness is expected to be always full.
In Perthshre the couple who have had
their banns published at the end of one,
and are married at the beginning of an
other, quarter of year, can expect moth
ing but ends.
The day of the week is also OF great
importance. Sunday being great tavorite
in some 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 the best day of all;
Thursday tor 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, con-
tanning a few small 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 expect to escape misery.
In Sweden. 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. Should the bride
lose her slipper, then she will lose all
troubles. only in this case the person 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 when the day has been fixed,
and it is believed much harm will ensue
il bridegroom stands at the junction of
cross roads or beside closed gate on his
wedding morn. In England it is thought
to be bad sign if bride fails to shed
tears on the happy day, or if she INDUCES
herself by taking last glance at the look
ing glass after her toilet is completed
but 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 ut another. When the bridesmaids
undress the bride they must throw away
all the pins. Woe to the bride if single
one be left about her, nothing will go
right. Woe to the bridesmaids il they
keep one of them. for they will not be
married before Whitsuntide. or until 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
Something old and something new,
Something gold and something blue.
If she should see strange cat, or hear
a cat sneeze on her wedding day, then she
will be very happy; and il on her we'd
ding morning she steps from her bed onto
something higher still. she will from that
moment rise in the world. For this pur-
pose table is placed beside the bed. and
if she 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
should be very careful to put her right
foot forward. and on no account allow
anyone to speak to her husband until she
has called him by name.
To break the wedding ring is an omen
that the wearer will soon be widow; but
As your wedding.rng wears,