Let three young women join in making a long chain, about a yard will do,
of Christmas juniper, and mistletoe berries; and at the end of every link
put an oak acorn. Exactly before midnight let them assemble in a room by
themselves, where no one can disturb them; leave a window open, and take
the key out of the key-hole and hang it over the chimney-piece; have a
good fire, and place in the midst of it a long thinnish log of wood, well
sprinkled with oil, salt and fresh mould; then wrap the chain around it,
each maiden having an equal share in the business; then sit down, and on
her left knee let each maiden have a prayer book, opened at the
matrimonial service. Just as the last acorn is burned, the future husband
will cross the room; each one will see her own proper spouse, but he will
be invisible to the rest of the wakeful virgins. Those that are not to wed
will see a coffin, or some misshapen form, cross the room. Go to bed
instantly, and you will all have remarkable dreams. This must be done
either on a Wednesday or Friday night, but no other.