Superst. I

1108. On St Mark's eve some young people watch all night in the churchporch, and see the spirits of all that are to die that year go past, dressed as usual. People that have so watched are a terror to the parish: by nods and winks they can hint men's approaching deaths (ibid. 229). In E. Friesland they say such people 'can see quad' (bad).
1109. On Christmas eve the yule log is laid on, and if possible kept burning 2 or 3 days. A piece of it is usually kept to light the next year's log with, and to guard the household from harm (ibid. 243). If it will not light, or does not burn out, it bodes mischief.
1110. In spring, when the farmer goes afield, and turns up the first furrows with unbolted plough, he sprinkles this earth in the four corners of the living room, and all the fleas retire (Krünitz 1, 42).
1111. (11) Dogss and black sheep have also the gift of 'seeing quad,' and you may learn it of them. When the howling dog has a vision, look through between his ears, and lift his left leg; or take him on your shoulder, and soo look between his ears. If you wish to be rid of the art, you can transfer it to the dog by treading on his right foot and letting him look over your right shoulder.
1112. Whichever way the howling dog points his muzzle, from the same quarter will the coming corpse be brought.
1113. Sometimes the steeple bells give out a dull dead clang: then some one in the parish will die soon (conf. 284). When the death bell tolls whichever side of it the tongue touches last, from that side of the village will the next corpse come.
1114. If a cabbage plant blossoms the first year, or gets white places on its leaves, a misfortune will happen in the owner's house.
1115. A house beside which a star has fallen will be the first to have a death.
1116. It betokens war when the cherry tree blossoms twice in a year.
1117. When the sun shines on the altar at Candlemas, expect a good flax year.
1118. A witch can hurt cattle by skimming the dew off the grass in their pasture.
1119. Eggshells should be smashed up small; else the witch may harm the men that ate out of them, and the hens that laid them.
1120. If you find something eatable, throw the first mouthful away, or witches may hurt you.
1121. When 7 girls running are born of one marriage, one is a werewolf.
1122. When lightning strikes, the fire can only be quenched with milk (conf. 1001).
1123. If you point your finger at the moon, you'll get a wooden finger.
1124. Wisps of straw, taken out of a bed on which a dead man has lain, and stuck up in the cornfield, keep the birds away.
1125. Birds are kept out of the corn, if in harrowing you go to the left, and say a certain spell, but you must have learnt it from one of the opposite sex.
1126. (12) If a child look into a mirror, and cannot yet speak, it is not good.
1127. Two babes that cannot talk shall not be let kiss one another.
1128. Crickets or ofen-eimichen bring ill-fortune.
1129. Ye shall not spin nor wash while a dead person is yet above ground.
1130. Three drops of blood falling from one's nose signifieth something strange.
1131. On the sea one shall not say thurm or kirche, but stift, spitze and the like.
1132. One shall not speak the while another drinks.
1133. It is not good that two drink together.
1134. Wood, when it lies on the fire, and by reason of wetness letteth out air and fumeth, it signifieth chiding.
1135. When a mess, though it be off the fire, still simmers in the pot, 'tis good warrant there be no witches in the house.
1136. Pocks can be sold, and he that buys gets not so many as otherwise.
1137. When one hath to do out of doors, and turneth about in the door, and goes not straightway, it is not good.
1138. Itching of the nose signifies a sudden fit.
1139. If a nail being driven into the coffin bends, and will not in, another shall follow soon.
1140. Go not into service on a Monday, nor move into a house, nor begin aught, for it shall not live to be a week old.
1141. To stretch over the cradle is not good, thereof comes tension of the heart.
1142. When ye move into a house, if ye bring salt and bread first thereinto, ye shall lack therein nothing needful.

Notes:
11. 1111-1123 E. Friesl. superst. (Westfäl. Anz. for 1810, nos. 68-72.) [Back]
12. 1126-1142 from 'Des uhralten jungen leiermatz lustigem corresondenz-geist,' 1668, pp. 170-176. [Back]