Northern mythology

;
160 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
the altar, they must stand as near together as possible, so
that no one can see between them>. Rauen,
Marriages should take place in the full of the moon
then everything afterwards will be in full. Tuesdays and
Fridays are particularly dedicated to marriages. Stendal.
At Marthe, near Templin, on a weddmg-day, it was formerly
the custom for three men, disguised as women, but
with blackened faces, to come at midnight and play all
sorts of pranks, and at last make the bride dance with
them. A nearly similar custom existed also in other
places.
On the wedding-night all the old pottery is to be thrown
out before the door of the bride : the more shards the
more luck. Rauen.
In the Saterland it was formerly a custom to put a ladle
into the hands of a bride, as soon as
she entered her husband's
house, and to lead her thrice round the fire.
BIRTH AND BAPTISM.
When there is a new-born child in the house, nothing
ought to be lent out; else the child will have nothing
hereafter. Mellin.
In some towns it is a common practice on the birthday
of a child to give it a cake with a life's light placed on it,
which must not be extinguished, but allowed to burn to
the end.
In the cradle of a new-born child there should be laid
orant^ , blue marjoram, black cumin, a right shirt-sleeve
and a left stocking ; the ' Nickert ' then cannot harm it.
Pechiile.
If a child is born with a mole, it must be stroked with
1
See vol. ii. p. 109, No. 10.
2 Antirrhinum (snapdi'agon), or, according to others, niarrubium (horchound).