The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-17
DO NOT MARRY IN MAY.
superstition From Time Im-nemoriaI
Holds It Unlucky.
From the Chicago Times.

WHO marries in May viii rue the day"
IS a proverb almost as old as time. Ithas
been regarded by ancient nations-almost
sacredly kept by some-and may account
for the notable decrease in the number of
marriages celebrated during the fifth
month of nineteenth century years.
This was probably one of the many
superstltiOns born in the NEUROLOGICAL
beliefs of the early Greeks, as some traces
OF II have been found at a very early date.
LII was by no means confined to that nation.
not even for a short time, as frequent
mention is made in both Roman and
Hebrew history of ''ill-favored mating in
May" So firm hold did it obtain upon
these superstitiOus people that crude laws
were passed forbidding marriage at this
time except under peculiar circumstances.
A SORT OF GREEK LENT.
Inc Greeks prohibited marriage during
this month under any conditions. and il
was the cause of great rejoicing through
out the land when this thirty-one days of
forced abstinence We're over. Temples
and public buildings were decorated and
great preparations were made by the
priests for the reception of the sacrifices
supposed to be most pleasing to the gods
protecting hymcneal love. The finest of
the flock and field were not grudgingly Of
fered. For days the public roads were
thronged with merry jewellers, who were
Fastening from far and near to the tenn
pies. Chariots, hurdles and low 2-wheeled
cars drawn by oxen and almost hidden
by flowers and evergreens carried these
offerings to the altar. The oxen, too,
were decorated with long streamers of
bright-colored ribbons and had golden
chains attached to their horns, which
were held by young men, free born and
comely.
The early Romans, like the Greeks,
were influenced by superstition, even 60
ing further, inasmuch as they refused to
make contracts of any kind during this
month. May and February, or the calends
non6S or ides of any month, were regarded
by them as black days, and the children
resulting from marriages celebrated at
these times were believed to constitute
the greater portion, if nos all, of the Grim
inal classes.
When Plutarch was asked why the fifth
month was unlucl1y he assigned three rea-
sons First, because May came between
April and June, the former month being
COnsecrated to Venus and the latter to
Juno, two deitieS propitiOus to marriage
and not to be sighted. Second, because it
was the month of the great eXpiatory Gel
ebratlOn of the 1emuria, when women
were supposed to abstain from the bath
and all the decorations of their persons,
so necessary as preludes to the marriage
rites. Last, and perhaps best, because
May was dedicated to old men, while i'm
mediately following was the month of the
strong, vigorous youth. Whether
Plutarch's solution carried any weight
with it or not there is no gainsaying the
fact that this same superstition is re-
garded by many of the nations to-day,
The girls are all stark naught that wed in
May,
it is said and
From the marriages in May
All the BARNS die and decay,
are two couplets to the truth of which
any good Scotch dame will bear witness,
and which she will probably supplement
with the warning mot to write Of love in
May, else you'll wed on rainy day."
Now, everybody knows that of all the
things to be,avOided q rainy day is most
to be dreaded. Happy is the bride that
the sun shines on" has been quoted more
often than any of the proverbs, and has
been the cause Of bringing down the
wrath of many bride on the poor, I'M
fortunate almanac maker because his
representations proved unreliable.
One of the most popular superstitions
! with Scotch lassieS is the "Baurich
Brander" or dreaming bannochs," and
| many a wedding has been postponed until
this potent charm could be tried A bat
ter Of meal and goats milk, into which a
little SCOT from the chimney has been
stirred, constitutes the ingredients for
these cakes These are placed in the ashes
of wood gathered the previous May, and
one for each member of the family is
baked They are Immediately hidden
under the pillows, and, as single word
breaks, the charm, all retire in silence
In the morning each member of the family
recOunts his dream or vision, and if no
strong warning has been received, the
proposed wedding is thought to be looked
upon with favor by Fate, but if on the
contrary bad dreams come the betrothal
is broken.
IN sHAKEsPEARE'S TINE.
Ovid's lines referring to May marriages,
"dense malas mals fubere vulgus ait, -
were fixed on the gates Of Holyrood on
the morning after the union Of Mary
Queen of Scots and Boutwell, May 16, and
Shakespeare makes frequent mention of
unluck May.
In a book written in his time are the
following lines:
Advent marriages doth deny,
But Hilary gives thee liberty;
SeptuageSima says thee nay,
Eight days from Easter says you may;
Rogation bids thee to contain.
But Trinity sets thee free again,
While Mai gives but despair.
German frauleins are not exempt from
superstition. No persuasion will make
maiden marry in cOlors or a widow in
white; both must avoid yellow and by all
means the 18th of the month If while en-
route to church the bride sees a fight of
birds she feels assured that her life will
be prosperous and that she will be blessed
with brave sons and handsome daughters,
but if she meets a funeral it is onninous of
a speedy separation and misfortune.
The custom of giving wedding favors
and of throwing shoes after the bride,
whico signifies a change in authority, as
well as the throwing of rice and parched
corn, dates from the ancient Hebrews,
while the throwing of barley, bonbons and
flowers is a legacy from the Greeks and
was intended to insure abundance of good
cheer and fair grants Of Joy from Juno.
The lighting Of the brides candle is of
later date, and a marriage without it in
the old country is but a poor affair in
deed.
If you would insure your peace, love,
and prosperity you must be mindful of
Mother Symptoms prophecy:
Monday for health,
Tuesday for wealth,
Wednesday the best day Of ALL
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses.
Saturday no luck ut all.