Strange but True by Stapelberg, Monica-Maria -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page About the author Dedication Introduction 1. MAGIC PRACTICES

Image Magic The Healing Touch of Class Curative Powers Associated with the Dead The Scapegoat The Transference of Disease Like a Hole in the Head Curative, Sacred Waters What's in a Name? Magic in a Word Which is Best – Right or Left? To Point the Magic Wand or Finger To Lay the Foundation Stone Deliberately Concealed Items Sailing Vessels Referred to as 'She' Ominous Crossroads or Trivia

2. CHARMS

Spellbinding 'If Looks Could Kill' The Preventative Amulet A Hand of Glory 'All Tied Up in a Knot' The Lucky Horseshoe The Providential Shoe The Protective Tattoo Sacred Salt Spilled 'Saved by the Bell' or Curfew

3. WITCHCRAFT AND THE DEVIL

Ancient Practices of Witchcraft Witchcraft during the Middle Ages Unleashing the Witch Terror Witch-Finders The Alleged Powers of Witches A Scientific Explanation? The Weaker Sex Witches' Servants Confession and Condemnation The Horny Devil

4. DIVINATION, OMENS AND PORTENTS

Divining the Future Lily-livered Coward The Ancient Oracle It's All in the Cards Seven Years of Bad Luck To Walk under a Ladder To Be Moonstruck Auspicious or Sinister Heavenly Signs Messengers of the Gods and Other Omens Unlucky Friday the 13th

5. SPECIFIC DAYS AND FESTIVITIES

Pervadingly Pagan New Year on March 25? 'Be My Valentine' Ladies Privilege Day April Fool! The Feast of Eggs Sweet Easter Bunnies Hot Cross Buns Trick or Treat Why is Christmas Celebrated on December 25? Christmas Celebrations Banned? Santa Claus The Christmas Tree To Kiss under the Mistletoe

6. RITES OF PASSAGE

Born Lucky or Friday's Child The Holy Hood Boys in Girls' Clothes True Blue for Boys The Changeling The Name-Giving Ceremony 'Born with a Silver Spoon' Marriages of the Past 'To Tie the Knot' Bride and Bridal Right of the Lord Lucky June Weddings Something Old, Something New A White Wedding Dress? The Virtuous Bouquet Circle of Love and Power Which Finger? The Grim Reaper Mourning the Dead Black - The Color of Death Watching the Dead The Funeral Flowers and Trees for the Dead

7. THE HUMAN BODY

The Soul in Animal Form Ablation of the Heart To Walk in Someone's Shadow Healing, Magical Blood Dangerous Menstrual Blood To Spit for Luck and Health God Bless You Make No Bones About It! All Thumbs and Poison Fingers The Magic Power of Hair The Tooth Fairy

8. ANIMALS, PLANTS AND TREES

Birds of a Feather The Cock - Favorite of the Gods The Wise, Healing Serpent The Magical, Mythical Cat The Rose - Funeral Flower and Symbol of Silence Royal Fleur-de-Lis Touch Wood The Thunder Tree

9. NUMBERS, METALS AND PRECIOUS STONES

Odd Numbers The Curative value of Three, Seven, and Nine Everything Comes in Threes Seven - The Vehicle of Life Unlucky Thirteen Sacred Forty Magical iron Supernatural Silver Divine Mythical Gold Clear as Crystal - Precious Stones Natal or Birthstones The King of Gems

Epilogue Bibliography Copyright Also available from Crux Publishing

A Short History of the World

Notes