In Poland, St. Andrews day is celebrated on the night of November 30th. St. Andrews night was celebrated since XVI-XVII centuries. The tradition to celebrate this day has its roots in the medieval ages and is focused on special superstitions and fortune telling especially for non-married girls. They also have some games through which people can catch up on having fun and wonderful moments.
Let me describe the rituals we had to participate in:
Pouring hot melted wax through a key into a bawl of cold water – hardened wax is held up to the light and the future is guessed from its shadow cast on the wall. The lights are usually off except the light of the lamp. The shape of the shadow is observed from different angles and the future of the girl is guessed from it. In the past not a usual key was used to this ritual but a key from door in the church was the best one.
Another ritual – six bowls flipped upside down to cover marriage ring – girls are choosing one bowl and it indicate their future fate- the ring of course signify marriage.
Lunging a needle through paper heart with the names of males or females on the back – everyone had a chance to lunge a needle through different hearts and they made a names of their future husband or wife names. The names were usually Polish ones.
Telling future from the hand lines – on the feast we had a person from the Polish leaders, who was the best future fortune teller. It was very interesting to know things, I did not even imagine to know about myself until then. Every guest on the event was very happy to participate in this ritual.
And the last but not least ritual, was tossing apple skins – girls were asked to peel the skins of an apples and toss then through their shoulders. Usually, when it’s examined, the peels often resemble a letter, which indicates the first letter of their future husband’s names.
To conclude, people do not take this fortune – telling day seriously, but this day is still celebrated because it is lots of fun and it is the day for all Andrews in Poland. The bigger part of the fortune tells did not come true, but we are waiting for it to happen this year. Cannot wait until I celebrate this day again!