万圣节的迷信和占卜

　　我们的传统节日总是和一些传说有关，于是就有了在节日的时候要注意的事情，该做不该做的事情，万圣节也是一样，虽然其中有些属于迷信，不过一代一代流传下来，也就成了习俗。

　　Precautions must be taken on this night of enchantment¹.

　　在这个群魔乱舞之夜必须注意：

　　On Halloween, journeys must be finished before sunset.

　　在万圣节，旅行必须在日落之前结束。

　　A piece of bread crossed with salt (holy bread with witch- repellent salt) was carried in the pockets of travellers to keep them safe.

　　旅行的人包里会带着蘸着盐的面包(神圣的面包和巫婆讨厌的盐)来确保安全。

　　Apples, nuts and candles figured prominently in many of the superstitions² practised at Hallowe'en

　　苹果，坚果和蜡烛是万圣节一些迷信活动中的常用物品。

　　Hazel Nuts 　榛果

　　Girls placed hazel nuts along the front of the fire grate, each one to symbolize³ one of her suitors. She could then find out who her future husband would be by chanting, 'If you love me, pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die.'

　　女孩们把榛果排列在炉排前面，每一个榛果代表一个求婚者。女孩唱着歌就可以发现哪个人将成为她的丈夫，唱词是“爱我飞出来，恨我烧到坏。”

　　People believed that the Devil was a nut-gatherer. At Halloween, nuts were used as magic charms.

　　人们相信恶魔收集坚果。在万圣节，坚果被当作有魔力的物品。

　　Apples　苹果

　　1) If you slice an apple through the equator (to reveal the five-pointed star within) and then eat it by candlelight before a mirror, your future spouse⁴ will appear over your shoulder.

　　如果把一个苹果横着切开(露出中间的五星)，然后在镜子前借着烛光吃掉，你将来的配偶的形象就会出现在你身后。

　　2) Peel an apple, making sure the peeling comes off in one long strand⁵ and then throw it over your shoulder. The shape it lands in will be the initial of your beloved.

　　给一个苹果削皮，确保削下的皮成一条线，然后朝身后扔。果皮落地的形状就是你爱人的首字母。

　　3) If you place an apple under your pillow you will dream of your future husband.

　　如果把一个苹果放到枕头下，你就会梦到未来的丈夫。

　　Candles　蜡烛

　　Take a candle and look into a mirror whilst combing your hair or eating an apple. Your future husband will appear peeking⁶ over your shoulder.

　　点一根蜡烛，照着镜子梳头发或者吃苹果，就能看见你未来的丈夫出现在你身后。