Life Write Now

So what is a superstition? The dictionary’s definition of superstition says it’s a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation. There are a lot of superstitions out there. There are other definitions but this first one is most common one. And the one that causes people to do some pretty weird stuff.

The list of superstitions is huge. I have a book that lists 8414 of them. Most are irrational. Some make sense like not walking under a ladder. Off the top of my head here’s a top ten list:

1. If a black cat walks towards you it brings very good luck to you – but if it walks away from you it takes its good luck with it.

2. If a bird flies into your home it is an omen of death.

3. If a dog suddenly barks for no apparent reason in a house that has a sick person it means death is coming.

4. Bad things will happen if you walk under a ladder.

5. If the palm of your right hand is itchy, it foretells that money is coming to you, but don’t scratch it. That stops the money from coming. If your left palm is itchy, scratch away, as that means that you’ll soon be paying out money for something.

6. If you spill some salt you must take a pinch of the spilt salt and throw it over your left shoulder as the devil waits there. By throwing the salt you are driving him away.

7. Breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck.

8. Never put shoes on a table. That means bad luck for the rest of the day.

9. Knock on wood. You must knock on wood three times after mentioning good fortune or the evil spirits will ruin things for you.

10. A four leaf clover means good luck.

How superstitious are you? I’m sure most of you have heard of the playoff beard. Athletes are notorious for being superstitious. Wikipedia calls it a tradition. But traditions can be born from superstitions. NHL players stop shaving when their team gets into the playoffs. They don’t shave again until their team has been eliminated or wins the Stanley Cup. There are even guidelines for trimming the beard and dealing with others who might not like the beard. Other teams have been known to die their hair blond.

How superstitious are you? I had an exceptionally bad day last November. It was a Monday. To this day I won’t eat what I had for breakfast that day. I haven’t worn the top I wore that day. If I hear the song that was playing on my way home from work that day I change the station. I don’t turn it off because that’s what I did that day. It’s a song I can’t stand. It’s all irrational of course. Bad days happen. But that bad day I still can’t shake. It still makes me sad when I drive home.

How superstitions are you? Is anyone completely not superstitious? Would you scoff at a ladder and walk under it? Would you tempt fate and break that mirror? Would you leave that spilled salt on the table and not throw any over your shoulder?

Must get to work. Traffic should be light today because it’s Friday. Knock on wood.

Until next time…

Cindy