Burning the Nuts

31 October · Scotland, Ireland and England

Lore and belief

On Hallowe’en a pair of nuts was named for a lad and a lass and laid in the fire. If they burned quietly together the couple would marry; if one cracked or jumped away the lover would prove false. Burns described the charm among the country people of the west of Scotland, and Hone and Chambers both give the same test from Ireland and parts of England.

Burning the nuts is a favourite charm. They name the lad and lass to each particular nut, as they lay them in the fire; and accordingly as they burn quietly together, or start from beside one another, the course and issue of the courtship will be.

From Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. 1, col. 1409; Chambers's Book of Days, vol. 2, p. 519. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

The Luck of Edenhall Lore and belief CumberlandThe Musgrave family of Edenhall kept an old painted glass drinking cup as a treasured heirloom.
Lating the Witches No longer kept LancashireOn Hallowe'en a party led by an old woman went round the bigger houses near Longridge Fell asking for lating candles, one for each person in the household.
Ale for Shony No longer kept Outer HebridesAt Hallowtide the people of Lewis met at the church of St Mulvay, each family bringing malt that was brewed into ale.
Coel Coeth No longer kept North WalesOn All Saints' Eve every family in North Wales lit a large bonfire, called Coel Coeth, in the most prominent spot near the house.
The Apple and the Looking-Glass Lore and belief ScotlandA girl who wanted to see her future husband went alone with a candle to a looking-glass on Hallowe'en and ate an apple in front of it, some said while combing her hair.
Pulling the Kail Stocks No longer kept ScotlandThe first rite of a Scottish Hallowe'en was to go out hand in hand, eyes shut, into the kailyard and each pull the first cabbage stalk they touched.
Nutcrack Night Still kept Northern EnglandIn the north of England Hallowe'en was called Nutcrack Night, from the nuts cracked, eaten and thrown on the fire.

Burning the Nuts

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