Lover of the Month

My tenth grade English teacher was eccentric, but in the semi-good way. She was known to go off on tangets, but it was also in her English class that I met two of my favorite books: A Separate Peace by John Knowles and Boy's Life by Robert McCammon.

Some of her tangets including learning rituals she did will growing up. The first could only happen the night of a full moon. You would go outside with your wallet, open it up and say, "Fill her up. Fill her up. Fill her up." This ritual would bring you unexpected money during the new moon cycle.

Another ritual she taught was Lover of the Month (LOTM). Lover of the Month did not just become part of high-school sleep overs, but  a ritual at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida, even when I was not on staff. 

Here are the rules of Lover of the Month:

1. This ritual is performed on the even of the 1st of the month.

2. Take a sheet of paper and tear it into 7 small pieces. 

3. On 6 of the 7 pieces of paper, right down names of potential lovers. Camp rules allowed for much creativity on this part. It was not uncommon for one's lover to be fictional. Of course, I do not like to sway from tradition.

4. On the last piece of paper, put a question mark. 

5. Now, crumble all 7 sheets into small paper balls. You should not be able to tell one apart form another.This part works best with a friend. Have a friend shake up the pieces in their hands, a pot, cup, etc. 

6. Select one of the seven balls of paper.

7. Place the selected ball of paper under your pillow. No peeking!

8. The six remaining pieces of paper need to be destroyed. This can happen in a bunch of creative ways -- burning, flushing, recycling, boiling, etc.

9. You will now sleep on your love of the month.

10. When you wake-up on the 1st of the month, rush to find the slip of paper. The name on your piece of paper is your lover for the whole month. If you receive the damned question mark, you lover of the month is still a mystery.

This all seems so ridiculous, I know it, but I loved the ridiculousness of taking part in this ritual with friends.