Changes

83:4.4 Childlessness was greatly dreaded, and since barrenness was [[attributed]] to [[spirit]] [[machinations]], [[efforts]] to insure [[fecundity]] also led to the [[association]] of [[marriage]] with certain [[magical]] or [[religious]] [[ceremonials]]. And in this [[effort]] to insure a [[happy]] and [[fertile]] marriage, many [[charms]] were employed; even the [[astrologers]] were consulted to ascertain the [[birth]] stars of the contracting parties. At one time the [[human]] [[sacrifice]] was a regular feature of all [[weddings]] among [[Wealth|well-to-do]] people.

83:4.4 Childlessness was greatly dreaded, and since barrenness was [[attributed]] to [[spirit]] [[machinations]], [[efforts]] to insure [[fecundity]] also led to the [[association]] of [[marriage]] with certain [[magical]] or [[religious]] [[ceremonials]]. And in this [[effort]] to insure a [[happy]] and [[fertile]] marriage, many [[charms]] were employed; even the [[astrologers]] were consulted to ascertain the [[birth]] stars of the contracting parties. At one time the [[human]] [[sacrifice]] was a regular feature of all [[weddings]] among [[Wealth|well-to-do]] people.

83:4.5 Lucky days were sought out, Thursday being most favorably regarded, and weddings celebrated at the full of the [[moon]] were thought to be exceptionally fortunate. It was the [[custom]] of many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near East|Near Eastern] peoples to throw grain upon the newlyweds; this was a [[magical]] [[rite]] which was supposed to insure [[fecundity]]. Certain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental Oriental] peoples used rice for this [[purpose]].

83:4.5 Lucky days were sought out, Thursday being most favorably regarded, and weddings celebrated at the full of the [[moon]] were thought to be exceptionally fortunate. It was the [[custom]] of many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_East Near Eastern] peoples to throw grain upon the newlyweds; this was a [[magical]] [[rite]] which was supposed to insure [[fecundity]]. Certain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental Oriental] peoples used rice for this [[purpose]].

83:4.6 [[Fire]] and [[water]] were always [[considered]] the best means of resisting [[ghosts]] and evil [[spirits]]; hence [[altar]] fires and lighted candles, as well as the baptismal sprinkling of [[holy]] [[water]], were usually in [[evidence]] at weddings. For a long time it was customary to set a false wedding day and then suddenly postpone the [[event]] so as to put the [[ghosts]] and spirits off the track.

83:4.6 [[Fire]] and [[water]] were always [[considered]] the best means of resisting [[ghosts]] and evil [[spirits]]; hence [[altar]] fires and lighted candles, as well as the baptismal sprinkling of [[holy]] [[water]], were usually in [[evidence]] at weddings. For a long time it was customary to set a false wedding day and then suddenly postpone the [[event]] so as to put the [[ghosts]] and spirits off the track.