Fortune-Telling

Fortune-Telling
   Although comparatively few Gypsy women practice fortune-telling, it provides a useful first or second income for those families who pursue this profession. Many Kalderash families specialize in fortune-telling, with the daughters learning from their mothers, but Sinti also have traditionally told fortunes. In western Europe, fortune-telling is usually done by palm-reading while in eastern Europe, coffee beans are often thrown to form a pattern.
   In England and Wales, fortune-telling was controlled until recently by the Vagrancy Act of 1824. Any person professing to tell fortunes could be arrested without a warrant. In fact, prosecutions normally take place under section 15 of the Theft Act, where, for example, a fortune-teller takes money away "to be blessed" and does not return it. The Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 is rarely used against Gypsy fortune-tellers.
   See also Tarot Cards.

Historical dictionary of the Gypsies . .

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  • Fortune-telling — is the practice of predicting the future, usually of an individual, through mystical or supernatural means and often for commercial gain. It often conflates with the religious practice known as divination.European and Euro American fortune… …   Wikipedia

  • Fortune telling — Fortune For tune (f[^o]r t[ u]n; 135), n. [F. fortune, L. fortuna; akin to fors, fortis, chance, prob. fr. ferre to bear, bring. See {Bear} to support, and cf. {Fortuitous}.] 1. The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fortune-telling — fortune teller ► NOUN ▪ a person who tells people s fortunes. DERIVATIVES fortune telling noun …   English terms dictionary

  • fortune-telling — I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun Etymology: fortune (I) + telling, gerund of tell : the art or practice of telling fortunes II. adjective Etymology: fortune ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • fortune-telling — ➡ gypsies * * *       the forecasting of future events or the delineation of character by methods not ordinarily considered to have a rational basis. Evidence indicates that forms of fortune telling were practiced in ancient China, Egypt, Chaldea …   Universalium

  • fortune-telling —    The urge to know one s future takes many forms. Children count cherry stones or daisy petals, adults observe *omens and interpret *dreams; formerly, young women performed *love divinations on set nights such as *Halloween or *St Agnes Eve to… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • fortune-telling — noun or adjective see fortune teller …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • fortune telling — 1. noun The act of predicting a persons future. 2. verb Predicting a persons future …   Wiktionary

  • fortune-telling — noun The prediction of future events, especially those of a personal nature …   Wiktionary

  • fortune telling — for·tune tell·ing || ‚fÉ”rtʃn‚telɪŋ /‚fɔːt foretelling the future, predicting the future …   English contemporary dictionary

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