Northern mythology

152 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
arms or legs be bound five or six times round with it,
then they will speedily become sound. Grochwitz.
In the Twelfths a piece of yarn should be spun and
wound the contrary w^ay, through which if a child that is
unquiet be put thrice it will be quiet. Or it may be put
as many times through the steps of a ladder, or through
its mother^s wedding-dress.
Useclom.
Into yarn spun during the Twelfths no moths will
come.
Liepe near Rathenoiv.
In the Twelfths neither baking utensils
lie before the oven.
Wi^edenhagen in Meklenburg.
nor wood may
In the Twelfths no peas should be eaten. Ukermark,
Meklenburg, Thuringia.
In the Twelfths, but especially on Christmas- day, green
kale, pig^s head and pudding (sausage) of lights should
be eaten.
Ukermark.
At Quatzow in Meklenburg the prohibitions during the
Twelfths are still rigidly observed. Many animals may
not be called by their right name, and, instead oi fox, one
must say long-tail; instead of mouse, floor-runner (Bonloper),
etc.^ Whoever neglects so to do pays a line, which
is afterwards spent in drinking.
In the Havelland it is a saying, that in the Twelfths
they have a calendar for the whole year; i. e. as the weather
is during the twelve days, so it will be the whole year.
Those who w^ar linen made from yarn spun during the
Twelfths will be devoured by the wolf.
Usedom and TJ^ollin.
Whatever is dreamed during the Twelfths will come to
pass in the twelve months of tlic year.
Arnstadt.
If hens are fattened with peas during the Twelfths, they
will lay many eggs.
Camern.
Animals, unless known to you, are not to be trusted
during the Twelfths, as the witches often assume their
forms, particularly those of cats, dogs, three-legged hares,
1 See vol. ii. p. 83.