Superstitions

I can’t say or think “touch wood” without doing so even if I have to struggle to find some!

I like graveyards on the whole, Tuaim.
They speak to me of love and connection.
Sorrow yes, but also peace.

Whilst some people may believe in superstitions or not, in folkloric terms, they provide a cosy familiarity that connects one to ones ancestors. If we get to clinical and become forensic truth seekers, it sort of takes the colour out of life. There is nothing more spooky that being in an old graveyard on a late grey November afternoon. It becomes a liminal place where the imagination runs rampant of all the lives, loves, and laughter of those silent around you. It is all part of our human experience.

Septimia

Green was considered very unlucky in my mum's family (long story, but based on experiences!) and I feel uncomfortable wearing or buying green things (unless no choice). But I haven't imposed that on the next generations.

No shoes on the table (hygiene?), salt over the shoulder, don't open umbrellas indoors, don't walk under a ladder (safer not to, anyway).

I went to 2 primary schools and one senior school. School uniform in all 3 was green. I didn't wear green for years after I left school.

Not walking under a ladder is the only one I remember being at all a ‘thing’ when I was growing up.

I came across several old wives’ tales, though, when a bit older. First, my German exchange girl’s mother was adamant that you couldn’t have a bath or wash your hair when you had your period.

TBH I was amazed in that day and age (60s) - my own mother had never mentioned such nonsense. Of course I quietly took zero notice of ‘Mutti’ while staying with them, but the younger daughter once had a proper tantrum at the dinner table because she wasn’t allowed to wash her hair!

Later, living among mostly Greek Cypriots in the Middle East, I was told that if I went swimming while pregnant, ‘your bones will open and you’ll lose the baby’. Also, that if I went on carrying dd1 on my hip while obviously pregnant, my baby would be born with a broken arm. 😱

Plus of course if I took the baby out after dark, I must cover her face to keep the evil spirits away!

All decades ago now, I doubt whether younger women still believe all this stuff.

Somewhere in my family was an aged aunt who believed in spirits. Every night at midnight she opened the back door to let the bad spirits out and then opened the front door to let the good spirits in.
The only other thing I can remember about her was that she was very bow legged. I think this was caused, back in those days, by lack of a certain vitamin. Not sure which.

I think it’s mostly nonsense - harmless, but if some want to follow family traditions that’s up to them. I don’t agree that it’s a form of OCD though.

It’s left to leave, right to receive here.

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. 🤔

Left hand out, right hand in from what I heard, Whiff. And either foot for travelling.

Not superstitious but I do hold back with personal comments and questions because I don't want to be on the receiving end of 'None of your business' type answer. I usually just smile and say nothing if someone comes out with a whopper!

I remember breaking a mirror when I was 6 yrs old and crying knowing that bad luck would embellish me until I was 13 and there was nothing I could do about it. I was doomed.

My mum said that if a picture fell off a wall it meant that someone just died.

She also said, "Stir with a knife, stir up strife" so 50 years later, I would never use a knife to give a quick stir to anything.

My memory is not so good but I think she also said that if you drop your fork from the table, a stranger is coming over.

All of this still scares me !

I’m not one bit superstitious it’s a lot of baloney if you ask me.

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. 🤔

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.

NotSpaghetti

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

*NEW moon - not 'full' moon.
🙄

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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

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.

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

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..

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