Well, Saint Luke hasn't failed yet! Warm, bright, and sunny yesterday and today - a welcome relief, and one not entirely expected after the nor'easter of Friday and the continual cold winds of Saturday.
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Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist: the first ecclesiastical historiographer, author of the Gospel of Luke and of The Acts of the Apostles. His symbol is the horned ox, usually winged. Patron of artists, especially painters, and physicians, and a whole host of others. You can read a nearly exhaustive account of Saint Luke, including arguments for and against the authenticity of his writings, here. More ways to celebrate Saint Luke's day can be found on Catholic Culture.
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Today is another good day to find out who you are going to marry, but unlike Saint Faith's Eve, you can also find out what kind of husband he will be. This charm is taken from Mother Bunch's Closet Newly Broke Open, as found in Observations on the Popular Antiquities of Great Britain by John Brand:
"Take marigold flowers, a sprig of marjoram, thyme, and a little wormwood; dry them before a fire, rub them to a powder, then sift it through a fine piece of lawn; simmer these in a small quantity of virgin honey in white vinegar, over a slow fire; with this anoint your stomach, breast, and lips, lying down, and repeat these words thrice:
Saint Luke, Saint Luke, be kind to me
Let me in dreams my true love see
This said, hasten to sleep, and in the soft slumber of your nights repose, the very man whom you shall marry will appear before you, walking to and fro, near your bedside, very plain and visible to be seen. You shall perfectly see his visage, stature and deportment; and if he be one that will prove a loving husband, he will approach you with a smile; which, if he does, do not seem to be over fond or peevish; but receive the same with a mild and modest blush. But if it be one, who after marriage will forsake thy bed to wander after strange women, he will offer to be rude and uncivil with thee."
Good luck! Were I to see some guy walking to and fro near my bedside, I would be dialing 9-1-1; that is, I would if I could do anything more than pray, "Take me now, Lord!"
