We all want good fortune, and sometimes we might feel like we are not getting our fair share from the universe. With times as they are today with high gas and food prices, anything extra would help, right? I thought a little write-up on some superstitions that might increase our good luck game would be fun. Superstitions, sometimes called “old wives’ tales,” are longstanding, traditional beliefs that aren’t based on logic or fact.
Knocking on wood, carrying a good luck charm such as a four-leaf clover, lucky dice, or a particular gemstone, and making a wish on a stray eyelash, falling star, wishing well, rainbow, or birthday candles are all superstitions.
Of course, we can do things to increase our good luck, such as maximize opportunities and keep trying new things. Listen to hunches. Trust your intuition, especially if it’s an area where you have some experience. Expect good fortune, and be an optimist. Turn bad luck into good, and don’t dwell on the bad.
Be positive, and you are already winning. Some of us like to attract all things good, like health, wealth, and love. To do that, we must be grateful for what we already have.
The belief that some days bring luck and others don’t is beyond location and culture.
Old astrologers believed there were six days that you never did anything important on. Those days are January 3rd, April 30th, July 1st, August 1st, October 2nd, and December 31st. Many religious folks believe the last Monday in December is unlucky because Jesus was betrayed that day. Many think, too, that ANY Friday is unlucky because Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
Some other beliefs include not moving into a new home on a Friday. Monday or Wednesday are your best days to move.
Carrying a crust of bread in one’s pocket is considered lucky and brings prosperity. If in eating you miss your mouth and the food falls, it is unlucky and denotes illness. To find an old flint arrow is considered lucky. To find nine peas in a pod is a forerunner of luck. If your palm itches, you will soon receive money.
If you scratch it, your money will never come. Right to receive; left to pay out. Many people believe if you spill salt, it’s bad luck. However, taking a quick pinch and tossing it over your shoulder counteracts the bad juju.
Why? Since salt has historically often been a valuable resource and even used as money, it’s thought that spilling it attracts evil spirits who want to steal from you and tossing it over your shoulder wards them off.
Throwing rocks into the wind makes bad luck. When a coyote crosses your path that’s bad luck. An owl flying over your house, you guessed it, bad luck. Seeing ravens or crows is considered bad luck*.
For good luck in your house, Scatter Solomon’s seal on the floor to banish serpents and venomous creatures from the room. To protect your house from lightning, gather hazel tree branches on Palm Sunday and keep them in water.
Never carry a hoe into the house. If you do so by mistake, carry it out again, walking backward to avoid bad luck. Never walk under a ladder, which is Satan’s territory. If you must do it, cross your fingers or make the sign of the fig (closed fist, with thumb between index and middle fingers).
Nail an evergreen branch to new rafters to bring good luck. An empty hornets’ nest, hung high, also will bring good luck to a house of any age. When you move to a new house, always enter first with a loaf of bread and a new broom. Never bring an old broom into the house. Hope you enjoyed reading. Remember to keep a positive attitude and you are winning! Good luck!
*The editors would like to note that they respect the crows and ravens, and know they are both brave and noble creatures. May our bird overlords have mercy upon us.
