Around the world, superstitions and stories abound about of a thinning of the veil separating our daily mortal lives from the ethereal spirit realm. During this time, those pure (or dark) of heart can play games or perform certain rites to foresee their future – often focused on their romantic lives. What underpins these games is a deep-seated belief that vegetables, fruits, and animals were natural conduits through which an elemental nature magic could be performed.
Whether a cabbage, apple, or egg truly Is more susceptible to influence from the spirit realm is immaterial, what matters most is a shared belief in the power of ritual - the focus of intention or desire for knowledge, insight, or foresight; the willfulness to interpret the outcome; and the bravery to accept that it may spell benefit or disaster. That these rituals have not only endured the tests of time and memory, but that in many cases they were packed into the luggage of immigrants and brought to new lands speaks to the power of hope that a vegetable, a fruit, or an egg contains insight into our future.
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