I , I
I - Í
; J
i 1
of which she would divulge), and then burnt, with the promised
result that just as the last Acorn was consumed, each of the three
maidens should see her future husband walk across the room, or
if she were doomed to celibacy, then a coffin or some misshapen
form.
The Witch was cunning in the composition of draughts which
should procure dreams, and the secret of many of these potions is
still known and treasured. T h u s : fresh Mistletoe-berries (not
exceeding nine in number), steeped in a liquid composed of equal
proportions of wine, beer, vinegar, and honey, taken as pills on
an empty stomach before going to bed, will cause dreams of your
futiire destiny (providing you retire to rest before twelve) either on
Christmas-eve or on the first and third of a new moon. Similar
dreams may be procured by making a nosegay of various-coloured
fiowers, one of a sort, a sprig of Rue, and some Yarrow off a grave ;
these must be sprinkled with a few drops of the oil of Amber,
applied with the left hand, and bound round the head under the
night-cap, when retiring to bed, which must be supplied with clean
linen. A prophetic dream is to be procured through the medium
of what is known as “ Magic Laurel,” by carrying out the following
formula:—Rise between three and four o’clock in the morning of
your birthday, with cautious secresy, so as to be observed by no
one, and pluck a sprig of L au re l; convey it to your chamber, and
hold it over some lighted brimstone for five minutes, which you
must carefully note by a watch or d ia l; wrap it in a white linen
cloth or napkin, together with your own name written on paper,
and that of your lover (or if there is more than one, write all the
names down), write also the day of the week, the date of the year,
and the age of the moon; then haste and bury it in the ground,
where you are sure it will not be disturbed for three days and
three nights; then take it up, and place the parcel under your
pillow for three nights, and your dreams will be truly prophetic
as to your destiny. A dream of fate is to be procured on the third
day of the months between September and March by any odd
number of young women not exceeding nine, if each string nine
Acorns on a separate string (or as many Acorns as there are
young women), wrap them round a long stick of wood, and place
it in the fire, precisely at midnight. The maidens, keeping perfect
silence, must then sit round the fire till all the Acorns are consumed,
then take out the ashes, and retire to bed directly,
repeating—
“ May love and marriage be the theme,
To visit me in this niglit’s dream ;
Gentle Venus, be my friend,
The image of my lover send ;
Let me see his form and face,
And his occupation trace ;
By a symbol or a sign,
Cupid, forward my design,”
pFanbá) ®Kriragom(i>lTo to ©YV'ltoRomft.
The Rowan, Mountain Ash, or Care-tree has a great repute
among country folk in the cure of ills arising from supernatural as
well as natural causes. It is dreaded and shunned by evil spirits ,
it renders null the spells of Witches and sorcerers, and has many
other marvellous properties. A piece of Rowan wood carried m
the pocket of a peasant acts as a charm against ill-wishes, and
bunches of Care suspended over the cow’s stall and wreMhed
around her horns will guard her from the effects of the E v il Eye
and keep her in. health, more especially if her master does not iorget
to repeat regularly the pious prayer—
“ From Witches and Wizards, and long-tailed Buzzards,
And creeping things that run in hedge-bottoms.
Good Lord, deliver us ! ”
The Ash, in common with the Rowan-tree, possesses^ the
property of resisting the attacks of Witches, Elves, and other imps
of darkness; on this account Ash-sap is admmistered to newly-
born children, as without some such precaution the hairies or
Witches might change the child, or even steal it.
“ Rowan, Ash, and red thread
Keep the Devils frae their speed.”
The Hazel, according to German tradition, is inimical to
Witches and enchanters. North says that by means of Hazel-
rods Witches can be compelled to restore to animals and plants
the fecundity of which by their malign influence they had pre-
' ’‘ “ ' ' E w i f g S w i e / o n the last day of April, and affixed to the
doors and windows of the house, disappoints designing Witches
and protects the inhabitants from their diabolical spells.
Mistletoe, as a distinctly sacred plant, is considered a talisman
against witchcraft. A small sprig ot this mystic plant worn round
the neck is reputed to possess the power of repelling Wit J e s ,
always provided that the bough from which it was cut has not been
allowed to touch the earth after being gathered. Plucked with
certain ceremonies on the E v e of St. John, and hung up m
windows, it is considered an infallible protection again J Witdies,
evil spirits, and phantoms, as well as against storms and thun J r .
Cvelamen would appear to be consi J r e d a preservative from
the assaults of witchcraft and evil spirits, if we may judge from
the following couplet:—
“ St. Tohn’s Wort and fresh Cyclamen she in her chamber kept,
From the power of evil angels to guard him while he slept.
Vervain and St. John’s Wort, carried about the person, will
prove a sure preservation against the wiles of Satan and the
machinations and sorcery of Witches.
“ Gin you would be leman of mine,
Lay aside the St. John’s Wort and the Vervain.