With all the United States Thanksgiving focus of the last week here at my blog, I wanted to offer up some holiday fun from other countries, and especially to do that for any themes which tied into singles, dating, and marriage.
St. Andrew’s Day Opens the Christmas Markets
Which then led me to Scotland’s St. Andrew’s Day. I have a little Scots ancestry, so this amused and delighted me in particular to offer up. Apparently the tradition of St. Andrew’s Day is that is marks the opening of the Christmas Markets. Americans can definitely think of that as being a kissing cousin to our Black Friday, while, of course, not identical. It is connected to the start of the pre-Christmas Christian season of Advent which commences on the last Sunday of November.
Pray for a Husband
Now here is the fun part of the commemoration of St. Andrew’s Day that ties into Singles, Dating, and Marriage. Dating, per se, really started in the 20th century. Prior to that, really, couples courted. The intentions from the start were for Marriage. So, young girls wanted to attract a husband. In the whimsical traditions of St. Andrew’s Day, about midnight on November 29th, the day before St. Andrew’s Day, maidens, aka single girls, would pray to St. Andrew for a husband. This was followed with their making a wish and looking for an “omen” or “sign” that their prayers had been heard and potentially granted.
The Reading of the Signs
A marriageable girl could:
- Shoes = Love: Shoe Toss: She can toss a shoe at a door. If the toe of her shoe pointed in the direction of the door exit, then she would marry and leave her parents’ house within a year. Which makes me wonder in our current age with girls LOVING shoes and we have so many, can a modern girl just keep tossing her Manolo Blahniks until she receives the omen she desires? Is this like a best 3 out of 5 tosses?
- Is She Apealing? Apple = Love: She should peel a whole apple without breaking the peel and toss the peel over her shoulder. If the peel formed a letter of the alphabet, then the skin peel suggested the name of her future groom. I’m intrigued by this one as an apple reference to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, taking the apple in another direction. Is she cannot manage a single string of peel with her apple, does that mean she will forever live out her life as a spinster who has lost her appeal?
So, to have some fun with your girlfriends and celebrate St. Andrew’s Day, enjoy an Apple Martini, utter a pray for your future husband, and toss your shoes at the door while listening to some bagpipe music. It’s all in good fun.
Until next time…
Happy Dating and Relationships,
Las Vegas Baby Boomer Dating Expert
6 Comments
Hi April
I lived in Scotland for four years and never knew this – and I was dating at the time! If only… (not that I’m not now happily married)!
I could have applied myself to inventing and marketing easy peel apples which always peel in one go and when the peel is thrown create the letter M (or W)!!
Martin Wright
Impact, Poise, Presenting
April,
Interesting customs & beliefs!
It makes decisions much easier, like tossing a coin for head or tail.
Is it helpful? I’m not sure
)
JOhn HO
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
April,
Funny thing is these signs were probably as good an indicator as any, judging by people’s success ratio with marraige these days.
I have never heard of St. Andrews Day but it sounds like fun. I wonder how many people really participate these days.
Steve
Very interesting traditions. I had never heard of St. Andrews Day, let alone the relationship to dating of it. My daughter had asked about Sadie Hawkins Day one time. I told her what I knew but didn’t know all the details about its origins.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitter in your area
I love to learn about some of the customs of old. And I love how you tied it all together. All in fun!
Lynn Lane
Success Strategies For Life
That does sound like it would be fun for someone that is single. April you have the best ideas.
Jose Escalante
Business Marketing Small