By Kathleen M. Muldoon
Happy Halloween! Now, I’m sure that most of you reading this column think you’re past the “kid stuff” of Halloween-the costumes, the trick or treating- all that’s for little kids, right? Well, yes, maybe that part of it. But I’ll bet few of you know that for us “older kids,” Halloween offers the opportunity to find romance. Yes, romance! I was surprised, too, when I read some of the love opportunities available only on Halloween. I’m not sure I believe them, because I’m not superstitious-knock wood. But, for those of you who have yet to find Mr. or Ms. Right, I’m presenting this information as a public service.
Just for Girls
All right, ladies, get out your pencils and take notes on these age-old Halloween love remedies available to you:
Carry a lamp to a spring of water on Halloween night, shine the lamp on the water and you’ll see the face of your future husband in the reflection. (This might be hard on city dwellers who don’t live near a spring or creek-maybe try shining a flashlight in a mud puddle on the sidewalk?)
Stuff some hemp seed in your pocket and go into a field. Scatter the seed over the field while chanting, “Hempseed I sow thee. Come after me and show me.” Then turn around and you’ll see a vision of the man you will marry. (Of course, carrying hemp seed today can get you arrested. Try sunflower seed and see if that works.)
For the Guys
This is the only one I could find just for you fellows. It’s almost too gross for me to think about, but here goes: Go outside on Halloween and catch a snail. Trap it between two plates and leave it overnight. When you get up in the morning, the first initial of your sweetheart-to-be’s name will be readable in the snail slime. I told you it was gross.
For the Happy Couple to Be
Thankfully, there are also opportunities for either boys or girls. These are a little more complex. For the first one, you have to already have a crush on someone.
Have a love note from an admirer and want to know if he or she is the one? On Halloween night, fold the note nine times. Pin the folds together and place the note in your left hand right before bedtime. Put your left hand under the pillow. If during the night you dream of silver, gems, glass, castles or clear water, the author of the note is indeed THE ONE. If you dream of storms, wood, fire, or flowers, he or she is definitely not the one. (I guess if you find a dollar in your hand, the Tooth Fairy snuck in while you were sleeping.)
For those of you who want to know who among your friends will find Mr. or Ms. Right first, have them over to dinner Halloween night and cook up a mess of mashed potatoes into which you’ve stirred a penny, a ring, a heart shaped charm, a shell, and a key. Dim the lights and dig into the potatoes. Whoever gets the ring will marry first; whoever gets the penny will be wealthy; the winner of the button will remain single; whoever gets the heart will have a passionate lover; the shell winner will go on long journeys, and the one with the key will be powerful and successful. (If there’s anyone left over, I guess they will just get bigger as they eat the rest of the potatoes.)
So there you have it. There are no guarantees with these Halloween love options, but hey, it can’t hurt to try. As I said, I don’t know if I believe these superstitious remedies-oh, drat, a black cat just crossed my path. Excuse me while I go throw some salt over my shoulder…
Please let me know if you know of any Halloween superstitions that really work! You can share them by emailing action@unitedspinal.org or snail-mailing:
KIDS IN ACTION
United Spinal Association
75-20 Astoria
Boulevard
Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177
Have a love-filled Halloween!
Kathleen M. Muldoon is a children’s book author and writing instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.
