Practiced on

Halloween

Country of Origin 

Ireland

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Divination ritual using a blind folded participant who must choose a saucer that will reveal one's future life path

Brief Bio

"Puicini" is a historical Irish Halloween fortune-telling game where a blindfolded person feels for a saucer, with the contents predicting their future for the next year. The saucers are often set up with different items like earth, water, beans, or money to represent different fates. This tradition is an example of the fortune-telling games that were common during Halloween celebrations, alongside other activities like apple bobbing. 

The Game: A person is blindfolded and seated in front of a table with several saucers.

The Setup: The saucers are shuffled, and the person chooses one by touch.

The Meaning: Each saucer contains a different item representing a part of the person's future. Examples include:

Earth: Can mean death.

Water: Can represent the possibility of travel or change.

Beans or money: Can signify prosperity or wealth.

The Tradition: The game is an old Irish custom that became a part of the larger Halloween tradition in North America, especially after Irish immigrants shared their customs.