* * *The Irish are very susceptible to omens. They say, "Beware of a childless
woman who looks fixedly at your child."
Fire is the holiest of all things. Walk three times round a fire on St. John's
Eve, and you will be safe from disease for all that year.
lt is particularly unlucky to meet a red-haired man the first thing in the
morning. There is a tradition that Judas Iscariot had red hair, and it is from
this the superstitious dread of the evil interference of a red-haired man may
have originated.
Never begin work on a Friday.Never remove from a house or leave a situation on Saturday.Never begin to make a dress on Saturday, or the wearer will die within
the year.
Never mend a rent in a dress while on, or evil and malicious reports will
be spread about you.
Some days are unlucky to certain families--as Tuesday to the Tudors.
Henry VIII., Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth all died upon a Tuesday.
To throw a slipper after a party going a journey is lucky. Also to
breakfast by candle-light on Christmas morning.
It is fatal at a marriage to tie a knot in a red handkerchief, and only an
enemy would do it. To break the spell, the entire handkerchief should be
burned.
The first days of the year and of the week are the luckiest. Never begin a
journey on a Friday or Saturday, nor move from your residence, nor change
a situation. Never cut out a dress or begin to make it on a Friday, nor fix a
marriage, for of all days the fairies have the most malific power on a Friday.
They are present then, and hear all that is said, therefore beware of speaking
ill of them, for they will work some evil if offended.
Never pay away money on the first Monday of the year, or you will lose
your luck in gaining money all the year after.
Presents may be given on New Year's Day, but no money should be paid
away.