May 2008

You know the saying "some people have all the luck"? Well, it is true! Some people DO have all the luck and my husband is one of those people. The only problem is, it isn't all GOOD luck. He has lots of bad luck too! Maybe he needs to read some of these fun superstitions I found.

Just about everybody has heard that Friday the 13, black cats, walking under ladders and spilling salt are bad luck, but did you know about the following simple acts that are reported to bring bad luck?

· mending a garment while wearing it

· spilling ink

· a candle falling over

· hearing an owl hoot 3 times

· putting a hat on a bed

· hearing a rooster crow at night

· cutting your nails on Friday

· doing anything with your left foot first

· singing before breakfast

· crossing knives

· seeing a gravedigger coming towards you

Some make sense, candles that fall over usually start fires and singing before breakfast - well, that would just be the worst possible way to start the day! (If you ever heard me sing, you would agree :)

Some of the superstitions get a bit complicated and have little rhymes to help one remember them.

See a pin and pick it up... All the day you'll have good luck; See a pin and let it lie... Luck will surely pass you by

See a penny and pick it up...All day long you'll have good luck; See a penny and leave it be...misfortune will surely fall upon thee

Touch blue and your wish will come true

Others are even more complicated! Did you know...

When you see crows, you should count them to see what omen they hold:

1 - unlucky

2 - good luck

3 - good health

4 - wealth

5 - sickness

6 - death

If your ear is burning, someone is talking about you: Left for love - Right for spite.

If the palm of you RIGHT hand itches, money is coming - scratch it and the money leaves. If it is the palm of your LEFT hand itching, it is you who will pay -- so scratch away!

Where you place the head of your bed is said to influence your luck:
North - foretells a short life - South - A long life
East - Riches - West - Travel

To break uncolored glass in any form but that of a mirror or a bottle is a fortunate omen; but if the glass is red, trouble and anxiety. If the glass is green, bitter disappointment it will be.

Sneezing can foretell your financial fate. Sneezing to the right brings riches, to the left brings loss. (I wonder what sneezing down the middle brings -- oh wait, I know... snotty shoes!)

It is unlucky to see your face in the mirror by candlelight (They thought that was bad?!? (I disagree, they are lucky they didn't have to see their faces by fluorescent light - not to mention makeup mirrors!!!)

There are also purportedly things that can be done to ward off evil and increase your good luck, like tying a knot in your handkerchief, carrying an acorn, crossing your fingers or sleeping on un-ironed sheets. Other things have specific purpose...

· Wearing a blue bead will protect against witches

· Amber beads will protect against illness

· Spitting on a new bat will make it lucky although I am not sure the bat is too thrilled about it!

· Planting rosemary by the doorstep will keep witches away

· Bury animal bones by your doorway and ghosts will stay away (so will the neighbors!)

· Wearing the dried body of a frog in a silk bag around your neck will avert epilepsy and other fits. (It also prevents stomach contents from remaining where they belong -- gaaaak!)

· Walking around your home three times backwards and counterclockwise before sunset on Halloween is said to ward off evil

And last but not least,

On the night of Halloween, evil spirits and things unseen
Impart ill luck to passersby, yet what is it that I do spy?
A pumpkin carved and set a glow with ember from the fire low
By magick law the Jack is bound to keep its master safe and sound.

Stop by our blog and share some of your favorite superstitions with our Halloween Artists!

Till next time,
Jan

About the Author:
Jan Pierce is a Chester County, Pennsylvania artist who creates one of a kind folk art treasures. Her current and future projects include miniature paintings, paper mache sculpture, lampwork bead jewelry and anything else that happens to capture her interest! She has graciously agreed to contribute a column for us in her "spare time". Visit Jan here on HalloweenArtists.com or on her website at MoonhallowVintage.com.

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