PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
DAYS AND SEASONS
CANDLEMAS DAY.
VALENTINE'S DAY (February 14th)
SIMNEL SUNDAY
MAUNDAY THURSDAY (OR SHERE
THURSDAY)
SHROVE TUESDAY
GOOD FRIDAY: Hot Cross Buns
GOOD FRIDAY LOAVES
PICKING UP SIXPENCES AT SMITHFIELD
EASTER HOLIDAYS
BIDDENDEN CAKES
EASTER EGGS
KNUTSFORD: THE MAY QUEEN AND THE
MORRIS DANCES
FURRY DANCE--HELSTON
BAAL FIRE--ST. JOHN'S EVE
HOCKTIDE--OR HOKE DAY
GARLAND DAY AT ABBOTSBURY
ASCENSION DAY--"BEATING THE
BOUNDS"
ASCENSION DAY--OTHER
SUPERSTITIONS
ALL FOOLS' DAY
LICHFIELD GREENHILL BOWER
LAMMAS DAY
HARVEST HOME--THE KERN BABY
HALLOWEEN
THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER
WROTH MONEY
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS BOXES
YULE LOGS
LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS
MARRIAGE SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS
THE ENGAGEMENT RING
BRIDESMAIDS AND BEST MAN
MAY MARRIAGES
THROWING THE SHOE
KISSING THE BRIDE
WEDDING RINGS AND BRIDE CAKE
THE DUNMOW FLITCH OF BACON
SELLING WIVES
CHRISTENING CUSTOMS
DIVINATION AND OMENS
DREAMS
WITCHCRAFT
DIVINATION BY BOOKS
DIVINING ROD (DOWSING ROD)
PALMISTRY
ASTROLOGY
CRYSTAL GAZING
COLOUR SUPERSTITIONS
NUMBERS
AMULETS, GEMS, CHARMS,
TALISMANS, MASCOTS
OMENS--Introductory
LOOKING-GLASS OMENS
STUMBLING AND FALLING
SPILLING THE SALT
THIRTEEN AT TABLE
THE OWL
THE HOWLING OF DOGS
EAR-TINGLING
SNEEZING
SPITTING
KNIFE SUPERSTITIONS
SHARKS FOLLOWING SHIPS A SIGN OF DEATH
BLACK CATS
THE CUCKOO
COMETS
MISCELLANEOUS
HOLY WELLS
THE HORN DANCE--ABBOTS BROMLEY
"TELLING THE BEES"
THE DEATH-BELL
VAMPIRES
ROBIN REDBREAST
DRINKING CUSTOMS: TOASTS
YEW TREES IN CHURCHYARDS
THEATRE SUPERSTITIONS
CHRISTENING SHIPS
HORSESHOE TRIBUTES IN OAKHAM
CASTLE
THE DUTY OF NOT SAVING A
DROWNING MAN
PLAYING CARD SUPERSTITIONS
OMENS RELATING TO CARD GAMES
