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February 14th 1650 |
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Foretelling romanceYoung people have always been curious to know whom they might marry. The ceremony that used to be carried out in Breadalbane was to drop the white of an egg into a glass of water and from the shape it formed to guess the trade of their future spouse. This had the added attraction that it allowed the young people’s imagination full play. The yolk of the egg was then mixed with oatmeal and either soot or salt, and baked into the form of a cake. Part of it was eaten and the rest put under the pillow. It was believed that that night they would dream of their future spouse.There was also the custom of using gall (or bog myrtle) as a means of assessing future prospects. At around sunset three twigs of gall were taken and each time one was pulled the same ritual was pronounced.
Gaisean ruagh roid (Brown twigs of gall, execute speedily my wish. By the dreams of this night may I know my future lover and fortune.) The twigs were then brought home and placed above the door and the first person of the opposite sex that entered was to be the future spouse. On going to bed the gall was put under the pillow which it was believed would induce further dreams concerning their sweetheart. |