| CURRENT SUPERSTITIONS BY FANNY BERGEN Current Superstitions by Fanny Dickerson Bergen is useful book that makes one familiar with superstitions prevalent in 19th century America. It is a comprehensive survey of superstitions and beliefs of people classified into categories like childhood, love and marriage, dreams, weather, warts, cures and money etc. These superstions are still believed in by many either as such or in a modified form. The writer also analyses the mind and attitude of the masses who believe in them. Many of these superstions have astrological or occult values as they are still practised. The writer says, "The record contained in the present volume forms the first considerable printed collection made in America of superstitions belonging to English-speaking folk." Some of the beliefs presented in the book are: HAIR. 126. Beware of that man, Be he friend or brother, Whose hair is one color And moustache another. _Portland, Me._ 127. The color of the hair growing on the neck indicates the color of the hair of one's future husband. 128. A single white hair means genius; it must not be pulled out. 129. If you pull out a white hair, two will come in its place. _Somewhat general in the United States._ 130. Hair growing upon the upper lip of a woman means riches. _Boston, Mass._ MOLES. 148. A mole on the eyebrow denotes that one will be hanged. On the ear it denotes that he will be drowned. _Chestertown, Md._ 149. Mole above breath Means wealth. 150. Moles on the neck, Money by the peck. _Prince Edward Island and Northern Ohio._ 151. A mole on the neck indicates that its owner will be hanged. _Boston, Mass._ 152. A mole on the side of the neck means a death by hanging. _Central Maine._ FOUR-LEAVED CLOVER. 194. If a girl puts a two-leaved clover in her shoe, the first man who comes on the side where the clover is will be her future husband. _Michigan._ 195. Put a four-leaved clover in your shoe, and you will marry a man having the first name of the man whom you meet first after doing it. _Province of Quebec._ 196. With a four-leaved clover in your shoe, you will meet your lover. _Michigan._ 197. If the finder of a four-leaved clover put it in her own shoe, she will marry the first person with whom she crosses a bridge. _Michigan._ Usefulness of the book can be understood from having a look at its contents: CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE INTRODUCTION 1 I. BABYHOOD 21 Baptism.--Physiognomy.--Introduction to the World.--First Actions.--Various. II. CHILDHOOD 26 Asseveration.--Challenge.--Fortune.--Friendship.-- Mythology.--Punishment.--Sport.--Various. III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 32 Beauty.--Dimple.--Ears.--Eyes and Eyebrows.-- Finger-nails.--Foot.--Forehead.--Hair.--Hand.--Moles.-- Nose.--Teeth. IV. PROJECTS 38 Apples.--Apple-seeds.--Babies.--Bed.--Bible.--Birds.-- Buttons.--Four-leaved Clover.--Counting.--Daisy Petals.-- Doorway.--Eggs.--Fingers.--Garments.--Letters of the Alphabet.--Midnight.--Plants.--Ring.--Stars.--Tea-leaves.-- Walking Abroad.--Water.--Various. V. HALLOWEEN AND OTHER FESTIVALS 55 VI. LOVE AND MARRIAGE 59 Engagement.--Attire of the Bride.--Lucky Days.--The Marriage Ceremony.--Courting and Wedding Signs. VII. WISHES 67 VIII. DREAMS 70 Animals.--Colors.--Dead Persons.--Earth.--Eggs.--Fire and Smoke.--Human Beings.--Meteorological Phenomena.--Money and Metals.--Teeth.--Water.--Weddings and Funerals.-- Miscellaneous IX. LUCK 79 Cards.--Days.--Dressing.--Horseshoes.--Pins.--Salt.-- Sweeping.--Turning Back.--Miscellaneous. X. MONEY 87 XI. VISITORS 89 XII. CURES 94 Amulets.--Charm.--Water.--Miscellaneous. XIII. WARTS 101 Causes.--Cures. XIV. WEATHER 106 Cold.--Days and Times.--Fair or Foul.--Moon.--Rain.--Wind and Storm. XV. MOON 117 Divination.--Fortune.--Moonlight.--Wax and Wane. XVI. SUN 123 Domestic and Mechanical Operations.--Cures. XVII. DEATH OMENS 125 XVIII. MORTUARY CUSTOMS 131 XIX. MISCELLANEOUS 134 Actions.--Bodily Affections.--Apparel.--Customs.--Days.-- Domestic Life.--Various. NOTES 151 Please read the copyright terms before downloading. Downloading implies your acceptance of the terms. Copyright: © 2009 Standard Copyright License Language: English PDF File size : 1.2 MB IMPORTANT! This ebook is free. However if you use this ebook and find our efforts worthwhile, we expect you to donate generously to keep this good work going. Donation Options |
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