try this spell must strictly observe
these directions. Steal out all alone to the kiln, and darkling,
throw into the pot, a clue of blue yarn: wind it in a new clue off the
old one; and towards the latter end, something will hold the thread:
demand, _wha hauds_? i.e., who holds? and answer will be returned from
the kiln-pot, by naming the Christian and surname of your future
spouse.
[13] Take a candle and go alone to a looking glass: eat an apple
before it, and some traditions say you should comb your hair all the
time; the face of your conjugal companion to be will be seen in the
glass, as if peeping over your shoulder.
[14] Steal out; unperceived, and sow a handful of hemp seed; harrowing
it with anything you can conveniently draw after you. Repeat, now and
then, "Hemp seed, I saw [sow] thee, Hemp seed, I saw thee; and him (or
her) that is to be my true-love, come after me and pou thee." Look
over your left shoulder, and you will see the appearance of the person
invoked, in the attitude of pulling hemp. Some traditions say, "come
after me and shaw thee," that is, show thyself; in which case it
simply appears. Others omit the harrowing, and say, "come after me and
harrow thee."
[15] This charm must likewise be performed, unperceived and alone. You
go to the barn, and open both doors; taking them off the hinges, if
possible; for there is danger that the Being about to appear may shut
the doors, and do you some mischief. Then take that instrument used in
winnowing the corn, which, in our country-dialect, we call a wecht;
and go thro' all the attitudes of letting down corn against the wind.
Repeat it three times; and the third time, an apparition will pass
thro' the barn, in at the windy door, and out at the other, having
both the figure in question and the appearance or retinue, marking the
employment or station in life.
[16] Take an opportunity of going, unnoticed, to a bear-stack, and
fathom it three times round. The last fathom of the last time, you
will catch in your arms the appearance of your conjugal yoke-fellow.
[17] You go out, one or more, for this is a social spell, to a
south-running spring or rivulet, where "three lairds' lands meet," and
dip your left shirt sleeve. Go to bed in sight of a fire, and hang
your wet sleeve before it to dry. Lie awake, and sometime near
midnight, an apparition having the exact figure of the grand object in
question, will come and turn the sleeve, as if to dry th
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