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                             _Everybody's_

                                 BOOK

                                  OF

                                 LUCK

                            [Illustration]


                      WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
                 RACINE, WIS.      POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.

                           PRINTED IN U.S.A.




                               CONTENTS


  CHAP.                                                            PAGE.

  I.     THINGS THAT BRING YOU GOOD LUCK AND BAD LUCK                  3

  II.    HAVE YOU A TALISMAN?                                          6

  III.   HINTS ON FORTUNETELLING                                      12

  IV.    PALMISTRY--WHAT MAY BE LEARNED FROM HANDS                    13

  V.     YOUR HANDWRITING REVEALS YOUR CHARACTER                      32

  VI.    YOUR FACE IS YOUR FORTUNE                                    40

  VII.   WHAT DO YOUR BUMPS MEAN?                                     46

  VIII.  HOW ASTROLOGY DECIDES YOUR DESTINY                           49

  IX.    YOUR CHILD'S OCCUPATION DECIDED BY THE STARS                 55

  X.     WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?                                       59

  XI.    WHAT IS YOUR LUCKY NUMBER?                                   60

  XII.   YOUR LUCKY COLOR                                             65

  XIII.  WHICH IS YOUR LUCKY STONE?                                   67

  XIV.   DREAMS--WHAT THEY MEAN                                       72

  XV.    TEACUP FORTUNETELLING                                        83

  XVI.   LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS                                       91

  XVII.  THE LUCK OF FLOWERS                                          99

  XVIII. SUPERSTITIONS REGARDING ANIMALS                             104

  XIX.   CRYSTAL GAZING                                              107

  XX.    THE MOON AND THE LUCK IT BRINGS                             111

  XXI.   FORTUNETELLING BY MEANS OF PLAYING CARDS                    113

  XXII.  FORTUNETELLING GAMES                                        137

  XXIII. THE LUCK OF WEDDINGS AND MARRIAGES                          151

  XXIV.  FOLKLORE AND SUPERSTITIONS OF THE MONTHS                    159

  XXV.   A CALENDAR FOR LOVERS                                       173

  XXVI.  MAKING USEFUL MASCOTS                                       191




THINGS THAT BRING YOU GOOD LUCK AND BAD LUCK


Ask a dozen people whether they have any superstitions, and the
majority will tell you, without hesitation, that they have not the
slightest belief in such things. If the truth is told there are very
few of us who do not cherish some little weaknesses in this direction.
One person may believe in a number of superstitions; another has,
perhaps, only a few that are observed; but he or she that has none at
all is a remarkably rare individual.

As a matter of fact, most superstitions are based on reason and sound
common sense, and the man or woman who pays heed to them is acting
intelligently, whether he or she knows it or not. Take, for instance,
the belief that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder. True, the old
assertion is that it is unlucky to do so because Jesus Christ was taken
down from the Cross by means of a ladder. But the more practical reason
is that painters and other men on ladders are very likely to drop
things and, if you happen to be passing at the time, the paintpot or
the tools will fall on you.

Of course, the reasons for all superstitions are not so evident as this
one about walking under a ladder: nevertheless, there is a germ of
reason in them all, whether or not we know the reason. Thus, the man or
woman who observes the common superstitions of everyday life is acting
wisely. Not only will he or she avoid a good deal of trouble, but his
actions will provide him with a sense of well-being, and the effect it
will have on his mind, the psychological effect as it is called, is all
to the good.

It is not proposed to explain why this or that superstition is worthy
of being observed; in many cases, the reason is obscure; but here we
will give some of the beliefs which are current at the present time.

First of all, you should never pass anybody on the stairs of a
private house, and, while talking of stairs, it may be said that many
people believe that, for someone to fall up a step, is a sign of an
approaching wedding.

Never light three cigarettes with the same match unless you are
prepared for a spell of ill-fortune. This superstition gained currency
during the War, probably because a match held long enough to light
three cigarettes would give the enemy a clue to your position,
especially at night-time.

If the cord of a picture frame snaps and the picture falls to the
ground, it is an omen that somebody is going to die. If the picture
is a portrait of a living person, then that person's life is the one
likely to be terminated. This omen may be considered a remarkably silly
one, with not a shred of sense to recommend it. Yet how many people can
point to instances when the prophecy has come true!

Of salt, there are several omens. The chief one tells you not to
help anybody to salt; in other words, it is unwise to put some on a
person's plate. Helping them to salt is helping them to sorrow. Another
superstition says that if you spill salt you will be unlucky unless
you throw a pinch of it over your left shoulder.

To break a mirror is known by all as a serious matter. The reason
why it is unlucky, we are told, doubtless finds its origin in a mere
association of ideas. The mirror being broken, the image of the person
looking into it is destroyed: therefore, bad luck in some form must be
the fate of the careless one. What exactly is the penalty one must pay
for breaking a mirror is not definite. Some people speak of seven years
of misfortune, while others claim that it means seven years of celibacy.

To take certain things into the house is the height of folly, if you
believe in superstitions. May or hawthorn blossom is one, though the
berries of this flower seem to have no ill-potency. Peacock's feathers
are another. Somewhat similar is the contention that it is very unlucky
to open an umbrella indoors.

While sitting at the meal-table, there are several things that must
not be done. Helping a friend to salt has been already mentioned, but
you must not allow the knives or forks to become crossed. Quarrels
with your friends will result if you do. Of course, you must not sit
down, thirteen of you, around the table. As is well known, this belief
has its origin in the Last Supper, when our Lord sat at meat with his
twelve apostles. On the other hand, should you taste a fruit for the
first time in that season, you have only to frame a wish and it will be
granted. Much the same applies to mince-pies. You will be awarded with
a whole happy month for each pie that you eat at Christmas-time which
is made in a different house. Of course, it is highly unwise for two
people to pour tea out of the same pot at the same meal.

To give a friend an edged tool is sure to cut the friendship, whether
it be a knife, a pair of scissors, a razor or a chisel. When such a
gift is to be made, the usual plan is to sell it to your friend for a
penny.

You should never put a shoe on a table, and, to see a pin lying on the
floor and leave it there, is an omen that you will want before you die.
As the jingle runs:

    See a pin and let it lie, you're sure to want before you die.
    See a pin and pick it up, then you're sure to have good luck.

Elsewhere, a good deal is said about dreams. Here it will be sufficient
to mention one or two items of interest. It is decidedly unlucky to
dream of a baby, yet to dream of a funeral is lucky. The following is
worth bearing in mind:

    Friday dream and Saturday told;
    Sure to come true, if ever so old.

And here it will be appropriate to recall the fact that it is an unwise
thing to get out of bed on the wrong side. The devil will be with you
all the day, if you do.

You should avoid looking at the new moon through glass; but if you have
a wish that you want fulfilled, you have only to count seven stars on
seven nights in succession. Let it be said, however, that to count
seven stars for this space of time is not as simple as it appears.

It is unlucky to treasure locks of people's hair, and, should you drop
a glove, it is to your advantage if someone else picks it up for you.
If the fire refuses to light properly in the morning, anticipate a
whole day with the devil.

Everybody knows that one of the luckiest things that can be done is to
pick up a horse-shoe. But it is not generally known that the more nails
left in it, the better. Nor is it sufficiently well recognized that
a shoe, hung up, should have the tips pointing upwards. If they are
turned down, the luck will run out of them.

Naturally, you will never start anything fresh on a Friday, and you
will not cut your fingernails on a Sunday. Regarding fingernails, a
poet, of sorts, has said:

    Cut them on Monday, you cut them for news.
    Cut them on Tuesday, a new pair of shoes.
    Cut them on Wednesday, you cut them for health.
    Cut them on Thursday, you cut them for wealth.
    Cut them on Friday, a sweetheart you'll know.
    Cut them on Saturday, a journey you'll go.
    Cut them on Sunday, you cut them for evil:
    For all the next week, you'll be ruled by the devil.

Of course, bad luck has not a monopoly on your superstitions, for good
luck has something to say also. To see a piebald horse is fortunate;
to find white heather, four-leaved clover or four-leaved shamrock is
even more fortunate. To open a pea-pod and find ten peas in it is
particularly lucky. For a black cat to come into your house is worth
much. To come across a nickel with a hole in it is not without its
merits, but the best thing of all is to put on some article of clothing
inside out, and to wear it all day long, without being aware of it
until bed-time.




HAVE YOU A TALISMAN?


"A person who finds a four-leaved clover, and believes it is a
harbinger of something good, has adopted the right attitude, for he
keeps a keen look-out for that particular good and holds out both hands
for it. Seldom is he disappointed, for he has unconsciously set going
the mental machinery which brings his wishes within reach. Had he not
found the clover and had gone along life's highway unexpectant of
anything good, he would never have discovered this pleasant happening.
And therein lies the true psychology of luck, which seems too simple
to be true, but then its simplicity is really the sign-manual of its
verity."

This quotation from the writings of a well-known author goes direct to
the point about talismans. If you adopt a talisman and put your faith
in it, you immediately prepare your mind for receiving an abundance
of good fortune. Reject all talismans and argue that there is no such
thing as luck, and you straightway set going the mental machinery which
looks on the dark side of things and which misses every slice of luck
that comes along. Therefore, we say, with emphasis, take to yourself a
talisman, a mascot, a charm--call it what you will--and you will never
regret it.

[Illustration]

Of talismans, there are countless varieties; some are known the world
over, others are the particular choice of individuals. They range from
the amulets and scarabs of the ancients to the <DW57>s and crudities
of the ultra-moderns. Your choice may roam between these two extremes,
but whatever your choice, it must be set with the seal of your faith.

In order to assist you in picking out a talisman for yourself, we
append the following accounts of those examples which are favored
most:--

_THE HORSE-SHOE._--No symbol is a greater favorite than the horse-shoe.
There are many legends regarding its origin, but the most commonly
accepted concerns the well-known visit of his Satanic Majesty to the
shoe-smith. As a consequence, the Devil evinced a wholesome dread of
horseshoes, and would not go near a house or person possessing one.
It is more likely, however, that the horse-shoe was accepted as a
symbol of luck because it was a commonplace object very nearly the same
shape as the metal crescents worn by the Romans when they wanted to be
fortunate. These crescents were always carried with the horns turned
up, and, if a horse-shoe is to bring good luck, it, too, must be placed
with the prongs uppermost. The reason for the prongs being so turned
depends on a belief that misfortune always travels in circles, but when
it reaches the tips of a horse-shoe, it is baffled, unless all the luck
has already run out of the tips through them being turned downwards.

Of course, an old, worn shoe is more lucky than a new one, and it is a
recognized fact that the more nails found in it the luckier will be the
finder.

_THE SCARAB._--This device is accounted very lucky or very unlucky,
according to the disposition of the wearer. The symbol represents
the scarab beetle with its wings outspread or with them closed. Such
charms are made to-day in large numbers for sale in Egypt, but those
who trade in them usually claim that each particular specimen has been
in the family since Biblical times. As a rule, the device is made in a
rough kind of bluish porcelain and is carved, in intaglio, with divine
figures. The Egyptians used to make up the scarab as a neck pendant
or as a little ornament for placing in the coffins of the dead. Its
mission was to scare away the evil one.

[Illustration: No. 2.--An Egyptian Scarab, such as were used as
talismen. Two forms are shown, one with the pectoral wings outspread;
the other, with wings closed.]

_THE TET._--This symbol was shaped somewhat like a mallet, and was
always worn with the head uppermost and the handle hanging down. It
was made in porcelain or stone, and was often  gaudily. The
Egyptians were the first to find efficacy in this charm, and they wore
it suspended around the neck to ward off attacks from