The season of the year is an important consideration. She must avoid
Lent if she hopes for good luck, but the forty days following Easter
are supposed to be extremely fortunate for the celebration of nuptials;
and so is June, which takes its name from Juno, the goddess who is
generally regarded as the patroness of womankind.
If she values her prospects of happiness, a bride will avoid May. The
belief dates from the time of the Romans, who observed the Festival of
the Dead at that time. All other religious ceremonies and observances
were neglected for the time being, even the temples were closed, and
those who contracted matrimony then were considered to be acting
in defiance of the Fates, who revenged themselves on the foolhardy
mortals. In Scotland the feeling against May marriages dates back to
the time of that most fascinating and tragic figure in history, Mary
Stuart, who married her third husband, the Earl of Bothwell, then
aroused criticism by wearing blue and white, and lived so unhappily all
the rest of her life. Superstitious people shook their heads at the
temerity of King Alfonso and Princess Ena of Battenberg, who elected to
be married on May 31, and were the objects of a dastardly attempt on
their lives whilst on their way back to the palace.