The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PREDICTION CUSTOM

ON A CHILD'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE SET OUT ON A
TABLE: A PRAYER BOOK AND ROSARY, A KEY, A HALF-DOLLAR, AND A SHOT
GLASS. THE CHILD IS HELD UP TO THE TABLE AND ALLOWED TO PICK ONE OF
THE ITEMS; THE ITEM CHOSEN INDICATES THE FUTURE PROFESSION OF THE
CHILD. IF THE PRAYER BOOK AND ROSARY ARE CHOSEN, THE CHILD WILL
CHOOSE A RELIGIOUS VOCATION. IF THE KEY IS PICKED, IT MEANS THE CHILD
WILL BE A GOOD MANAGER OF HIS OR HER HOUSEHOLD. IF THE HALF-DOLLAR IS
PICKED, THE CHILD WILL BECOME WEALTHY. IF THE SHOT GLASS IS THE
CHOSEN ITEM, THE CHILD WILL GROW UP TO BE A DRUNKARD.

Submitter comment: IN 1920 A FRIEND OF MY INFORMANT FOLLOWED THIS PROCEDURE WITH HER SON
AND RECEIVED A SURPRISE WHEN THE BOY PICKED UP THE HALF-DOLLAR AND
IMMEDIATELY DROPPED IT IN THE SHOT GLASS. THIS SEEMED TO INDICATE
THAT THE BOY WOULD BE WEALTHY BUT ALL OF HIS MONEY WOULD BE SPENT ON
DRINK.
APPARENTLY THE PEOPLE WHO OBSERVED THIS CUSTOM DID NOT REALLY BELIEVE
IN ITS ACCURACY, THEY SIMPLY ENJOYED THE CUSTOM FOR ITS OWN SAKE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 02-17-1979