Superstitions

From childhood, if you see an ambulance hold your collar until you see a four legged animal.

Never bring broom or lilac (flowers) into the house. I can’t do this as it is so ingrained.

If mum dropped a glove on the floor someone else had to pick it up. We used to laugh at this. Also she would never give a purse unless there was money in it. As for playing cards on a Sunday that was completely forbidden.

A friend who used to be a nurse said they were very superstitious about red and white flowers ( back in the day when you could take flowers in) and they would find a coloured flower to go in the patient’s bouquet if it was only red and white. Take note Liverpool and Arsenal fans!

The flowers thing in hospitals is about blood and bandages so a nurse once told me, so never red and white flowers.Now of course they won’t allow any flowers at all😲

My nan used to say never give an empty purse as a gift and she used to put a few pence in.

I’m not in the least superstitious and can happily break mirrors, walk under ladders and stroke any passing black cat.

I don't think it's just nurses, before I became one I remember the rule about nor mixing red and white flowers - for instance on garden borders.
I still get a shiver if I decide to put washing through on New Year's day "wash one (the New Year) in and you'll wash one out (someone will die)"

harrigran

Not at all superstitious, load of rubbish.

Quite.. but also quite amusing

None, nonsense.

No NEW shoes on the table.

pascal30
harrigran
“Not at all superstitious, load of rubbish.”
Quite.. but also quite amusing

Yes. And quite heartening that some old beliefs and traditions continue. One of our police family told me that when they’re sent to a death at home, they open a window to let the soul out. I find that very…human.

That used to always be done in care homes when a resident died.

And "turning your money over" on a full moon - this must not be through glass.

And "first footing" to welcome in the new year.

Maggiemaybe

pascal30
harrigran
“Not at all superstitious, load of rubbish.”
Quite.. but also quite amusing

Yes. And quite heartening that some old beliefs and traditions continue. One of our police family told me that when they’re sent to a death at home, they open a window to let the soul out. I find that very…human.

Funnily enough Maggiemaybe that is something I do believe in..

It's all harmless enough, unless it takes over, but that applies to most things in life.

Mum's really superstitious.
"never cut your toenails on a Sunday"
"if you wash on New Years Day you'll wash someone out of the family" -(how horrid)
"Gloves are a parting gift" (so if you give someone in our family gloves, they have to pay you 1p so it's not a gift)

I really try not to be, but umbrellas open in the house is one that really gives me the jitters.

Upside-down horseshoes (the luck runs out), broken mirror is 7 years' bad luck, & on & on....

Oh yes, forgot about upside down horseshoes. You must also never gift knives, the recipient must give you a coin in exchange.

Personally I find the connection with the "old world" quite comforting. Like nursery rhymes which beneath the sugar coating tell of the plague and other such human stories. I think it would be a shame to lose them as most superstitions are rooted in ancient beliefs. Although I don't think eating bananas whilst travelling is one of them!

Did most dads have a horse shoe above the shed door?

Or was that because it's the only place my mum would allow it?

Dreading Friday the 13th is the only one that I acknowledge without being reminded. We have a lone magpie in our garden almost every day but I’ve never thought of talking to it.

Maggiemaybe

pascal30
harrigran
“Not at all superstitious, load of rubbish.”
Quite.. but also quite amusing

Yes. And quite heartening that some old beliefs and traditions continue. One of our police family told me that when they’re sent to a death at home, they open a window to let the soul out. I find that very…human.

I like that one.
Also does anyone recall how back in the day everyone would close their curtains on the day of a funeral in the local community.
But I don’t think was superstition so much as a mark of respect.

I don't know for sure but think like mirrors, windows can trap the deceased person's spirit in this world.

Some cultures don't want tears to go into the casket either for the same reason.

NotSpaghetti

And "turning your money over" on a full moon - this must not be through glass.

*NEW moon - not 'full' moon.
🙄

Salt over the shoulder- yes. It has to be the left shoulder! The magpies eat out of my hand here, they are very tame. I believe once you have fed them they will never swoop you in any part of the country ( they are known for swooping in Australia).
This is a good thread Babs03 very interesting.

I do say fingers crossed or fingers and toes crossed to wish people well. I don't walk under ladder but that's because knowing my luck something will drop on my head 😁 also I have a strange walking gait due to disability and would walk into it 🤦.

I like routine it's how my life works. I do a set of exercises every morning and have to do them in the same order if I don't I start again .
I do throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it just because my parents did.

I do believe in karma and fate.

I dropped a carton of milk yesterday and the top came off and said spilt milk sign of a birth. What I should have said was xxxxxxx hell another mess to clean up 🤣.

Love nursery rhymes but they all have hidden meanings which are sort of pagan . But I refuse to pander to PC versions of them . As there are black sheep and Jacob sheep are black and white .
I find myself sounding more like my mom as I get older saying all the sayings she said. Plus I had an English teacher at high school who for hand writing practice used proverbs.

If I give a purse or money box as a present always put £1 in it.

Can't anyone remember the hand and foot saying . I know if you have an itchy hand one hand is meant you have money coming and the other money going out . Itchy foot means you are going on a journey but can't remember which foot. 🤔