The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TO PREDICT HOW MANY CHILDREN ONE WILL HAVE, TAKE A
NEEDLE AND THREAD, PLACE THE NEEDLE IN THE ERASER
END OF A PENCIL, THEN HOLD THE POINT OF THE PENCIL
JUST ABOVE THE VICTIM'S WRIST, LETTING IT SWING
FREELY. AT FIRST IT WILL CIRCLE, THEN ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING WILL OCCUR:
1. IF IT SWINGS NORTH TO SOUTH, IT SIGNIFIES A BOY
CHILD.
2. IF IT SWINGS EAST TO WEST, IT SIGNIFIES A GIRL.
3. IF IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL, IT MEANS
THE END OR NO CHILDREN.
BETWEEN THE PREDICTIONS (BOY OR GIRL) THE NEEDLE WILL
CIRCLE, AND WHEN THE PREDICTIONS HAVE STOPPED, IT
WILL STOP CIRCLING.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT BELIEVED IN THIS METHOD BECAUSE SHE HAD
DONE IT ON MARRIED WOMEN AND IT TOLD HOW MANY
CHILDREN (BOYS AND GIRLS) THAT THEY DID GIVE
BIRTH TO.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 09-00-1971