Is that special someone the person you're destined to be with forever? Most hopefuls to the matrimonial path have asked themselves the question. Or perhaps one wants to be sure to recognize their fated partner. After all, what could be worse than meeting 'the one' and not even knowing it!

The past is filled with practices and superstitions to help a lass speed a man to her side.

Here's a list of rituals to try around the winter holidays. If you're in doubt or trying to attract a mate give one of these methods a try:

• Christmas Eve in England finds the unmarried girls knocking on hen house doors. If a rooster answers her with a crow, it's sure she'll be married within the next year.

• Grind a poppy seed on Christmas Eve. The Polish believe it's a sure cure to find a quick marriage.

• In Germany, holiday games include all the unmarried girls circling a blindfolded goose. The first girl the goose touches is the next one to be married.

• Suppose you want to catch a glimpse of your future intended. That's easy. Just let loose twelve sage leaves to the Christmas Eve winds and watch the image appear.

• This method is a little more involved. Take three buckets of water into your bedroom before you retire. Arrange them in any way you like. Pin three sprigs of holly to your night dress and go to bed. Northern European girls are awakened by three load shouts and three hearty belly laughs which are followed by a vision of their future husband. The beauty of this method is the prediction that comes with it. If the buckets have been reordered a problem free marriage proposal is sure to follow. But if the buckets are still in their original spots, the future husband may not be so eager to the match.

If you miss your chance this season, fret not. You'll have another chance on May Day.

In Ireland girls gather snails on May Day. Why? They place the snail in a pan of smoothed over sand. The snail will spell out the name of their future husband.

Of course you can always frequent as many weddings as possible. Bachelorettes still line up for a chance to catch the bride's bouquet in hopes of being the next to wed. But just because you missed the flowers there's no need to worry. Take a piece of wedding cake home and slip it under your pillow. The dream of your future mate is sure to make up for the sticky mess you'll be cleaning up in the morning!