The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

VIGIL OF ST. ANDREW, MARRIAGE BELIEF

ON THE VIGIL OF SAINT ANDREW, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 29, ALL THE GIRLS
WRITE DOWN THE NAMES OF ALL THE BOYS THEY KNOW ON SMALL SLIPS OF
PAPER. THESE SLIPS ARE THEN FOLDED AND PLACED UNDER THE GIRLS'
PILLOW. IN THE MORNING WHEN THE GIRL WAKES UP, THE FIRST THING SHE
SHOULD DO IS TO PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW AND PULL OUT ONE
PIECE OF PAPER. THE NAME THAT APPEARS ON THE PAPER IS THE NAME OF
THE PERSON SHE WILL MARRY.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN POLAND ONLY. MY MOTHER
KNEW IT SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. WHEN SHE WAS IN HER TWENTIES
SHE DID THIS AND ONE OF THE NAMES SHE WROTE ON ONE OF THE SLIPS OF
PAPER WAS MY FATHER'S. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE NAME SHE
PULLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF HER PILLOW AT THIS TIME WAS MY FATHER'S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 10-09-1971