CHRISTMAS SPELL.
Steep mistletoe berries, to the number of nine, in a mixture of ale, wine, vinegar and honey; take them on going to bed, and you will dream of your future lot. A storm in this dream is very bad; it is most likely you will then marry a sailor, who will suffer shipwreck at sea; but to see either sun, moon or stars, is an excellent presage; so are flowers; but a coffin is an index of a disappointment in love.
- The Witches’ Dream Book
THE WITCHES’ CHAIN.
Let three young women join in making a long chain, about a yard will do, of Christmas juniper, and mistletoe berries; and at the end of every link put an oak acorn. Exactly before midnight let them assemble in a room by themselves, where no one can disturb them; leave a window open, and take the key out of the key-hole and hang it over the chimney-piece; have a good fire, and place in the midst of it a long thinnish log of wood, well sprinkled with oil, salt and fresh mould; then wrap the chain around it, each maiden having an equal share in the business; then sit down, and on her left knee let each maiden have a prayer book, opened at the matrimonial service. Just as the last acorn is burned, the future husband will cross the room; each one will see her own proper spouse, but he will be invisible to the rest of the wakeful virgins. Those that are not to wed will see a coffin, or some misshapen form, cross the room. Go to bed instantly, and you will all have remarkable dreams. This must be done either on a Wednesday or Friday night, but no other.
- The Witches’ Dream Book
FIRST FOOT.
Our Scottish seers place implicit confidence in the “ First
Foot” of a Christmas morn, which is that of the first person
who crosses the threshold ; if this is a male, they prophesy
“ good fortune all the year round : ” if a female, they predict evil.
- Raphael’s Witch
THE RYE CHARM.
If you would have bread and cake in plenty during the whole year, hang a full sheaf of rye and a full sheaf of wheat upon a pole outside the door, on Christmas morning, so that the birds may come and feed from it.
-The Golden Wheel Dream-book and Fortune-teller
MIRROR.
By gazing fixedly in a mirror on Christmas eve at midnight, you will see appearing in the glass the outlines of the leading events to occur to you during the coming year.
- The Great Dream Book
THE ART OF SPEAKING WITH THE DEAD.
For this operation it is necessary to attend midnight mass at Christmas and at midnight precisely to have a conversation with the inhabitants of the other world and at the moment that the Priest lifts the Host, bow down and with a frank and severe voice say “Esurgent mortuit et ac me veniut.” As soon as you have pronounced these six words it is necessary to go to the cemetery and at the first tomb that meets your eye offer this prayer:
“Infernal powers, you who bring the turbid in the universe, abandon your obscure dwelling and retire to the other side of the River Styx.” Then remain there for a moment of silence. “If you have your power, he or she that interests me, I supplicate you in the name of the King of Kings to make him appear before me at the hour and moment that I will indicate to you.”
After this ceremony, which is indispensable to carry out, take a fistful of earth and spread it as one sows grain in a field, saying in a low voice: “He who is in dust awake from his tomb and leave his ashes and answer the questions that I pose him in the name of the Father of all men.”
Then bend a knee to the ground, turning your eyes to the East and when you see that the doors of the Sun are going to open, arm yourself with the two bones of the dead man that you will put in a cross of Saint Andrew. Then throw them at the first temple or church that offers itself to your eyes. Having well-executed the aforesaid, set out in a western direction and when you have taken 5,900 steps, lay yourself down to sleep on the ground in an elongated position, holding the palms of your hand against your thighs, and your eyes to the sky towards the Moon and in this position, call he or she whom you wish to see, when you see the specter appear, solicit their presence with the following words “Ego sum te peto, et videre queo.” After these words, your eyes will be satisfied to see the object that dearest to you and give you the most pleasurable delight.
When you have obtained from the shadow which you have Invoked, that which you believe to be to your satisfaction, send it away in this manner: “Return to the kingdom of the elect, I am content with you and your presence.” Then picking yourself up, return to the same tomb where you made the first prayer above which you need to make a cross with the end of your blade which you will be holding in your left hand.The reader should not neglect any of the prescribed ceremonies otherwise he could incur some risk.
- The Grand Grimoire
THE DISPOSITION OF THE TWELVE DAYS FROM CHRISTMAS, KNOWN BY THE SHINING OF THE SUN.
On Christmas day, if the Sun shineth the whole day, it betokeneth a peaceable year.
If it shine the 2nd. day gold will be bard to come by, and the corn much set by.
If it shine the 3d. day, great errors shall be among church-men.
If it shine on the 4th. day, then must weak children suffer much pain.
If it shine on the 5th. day then both the winter fruits and herbs, and fruits of the garden prosper well.
If it shine on the 6th, day, there shall be great-plenty of the fruits of the gardens, with all other fruits.
If it shine on the 7th. day, it betokeneth hunger and scarceness both of man’s food, and also of beasts ; for victuals shall be dear, with wine and corn.
If it shine on the 8th. day, it shall be good for fishermen that year, and fortunate.
[This text seems to skip the 9th day]
If it shine on the 10th. day, there shall be much evil weather that year.
If it shine on the 11th. day, there shall be much misty weather that year, and also commonly dearth.
If it shine on the 12th. day, then followeth that year much war, debate, and strife.,
- The Instructing Gypsy
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