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Posted: 24-07-2004 01:30 Post subject: Superstition

Are you a superstitious person? Do you follow any particular superstitions? Any reason for it? Do you actually believe it, or is it just a habit?

I spit whenever I see single magpies (I'm aware that spitting in public is disgusting). I don't believe that anything specific will happen if I don't, although I do tend to become a bit anxious for no reason and get a feeling of forboding.

I remember reading an article about how superstitious people were stupid, according to some study (and feeling quite affronted) - does anyone have any information on this?

Any other information on the subject is welcome.

Posted: 24-07-2004 03:40 Post subject:

Although my rational mind (and I do have one...somewhere) tells me there's nothing to it, I still can't open an umbrella indoors or spill salt without chucking some over my left shoulder. I think the discomfort that surrounds breaking either of these self-imposed rules is as significant as whatever evil I'm supposed to be preventing with my observances.

Posted: 24-07-2004 10:11 Post subject:

I pride myself on not being superstitious but still have to force myself to walk under ladders.

Posted: 24-07-2004 10:39 Post subject:

A lot of superstitions are actually common sense in disguise.
Walking under ladders - the hazards of dropped objects.
Leaving scissors open - danger of cutting accident.
Whistling on the stage - old habits die hard, even when sailors no longer do the rigging in theatres.
Most are inherited, distorted memories of old rituals and social conventions.

I'm not very superstitious but I've found if I "daydream" about something I look forward to, it doesn't happen or something goes wrong. So, as odd as it sounds, I try not to think about something I want to happen ...
confused

Posted: 24-07-2004 11:34 Post subject:

Not really superstitious, but I am very concious of not ' tempting fate ', of saying something along the lines of ' well, that ( insert whatever ) hasn't happened to me/them yet, ' in case ' fate ' puts the finger up at me.
Since I was chased out of the house like a stray chicken at the age of 5, by my mother and grandmother, for bringing May blossom into the house ( I vaguely think it was something to do with death? ) I have also avoided that, as I was so shocked that it left a very big impression on my little brain.
And new shoes on the table. I have no idea why that's unlucky, but it was a big taboo when I was growing up.

Posted: 24-07-2004 16:59 Post subject:

The only superstition I have is to knock on wood whenever I say something that I don't want to happen to me, although it unfortunately doesn't always work.
However, this made me think of the movie Drugstore Cowboy. If you haven't seen it superstition plays a big part in the characters lives, especially Matt Dillion's character. Apparently the biggest no-no anyone can do is place a hat on a bed. I've never heard of this superstition. Has anyone ever heard of this and if so do you know why it is supposed to be so bad? In the movie he says something to the effect of if he sees a hat on a bed he'll just start walking and never come back to that house or town again.

Posted: 27-07-2004 21:01 Post subject:

Posted: 27-07-2004 21:35 Post subject:

Posted: 27-07-2004 21:43 Post subject:

I'm quite supersitious, even though I know there's nothing in it . . .

Never put shoes on a table
Never wear red and green together
Don't walk under ladders
Don't wear green on a Monday

to name but a few . . .

Oh, and I always pick up a pin if I see one lying on the ground.

Carole

Posted: 27-07-2004 22:21 Post subject:

I wouldn't say I'm superstitious. Just eccentric Wink

It's not that I believe certain things cause bad luck; I just have certain things I don't like.

I salute magpies.
I throw salt over my left shoulder.
I don't like shoes on the table - at all
I don't like crossed cutlery.
I don't like slammed doors.
I don't like Welcome mats, as I'm rather particular about who I invite into my home.
I don't like peacock feathers.
I'm aware that Opals are bad luck. So are emeralds in certain circumstances.

Walking under a ladder doesn't bother me, unless someone is up it. Opening an umbrella indoors doesn't bother me either.

A lot of the superstitions I adhere to are simply me being awkward, I'm afraid. I like traditions, so I like keeping them alive.

Mind you, I'm quite serious about the Welcome mat.

Posted: 27-07-2004 22:22 Post subject:

We've had this subject before but I have no problems about repeating myself.

Angels. Eek Eek

You fools who dress your kids up in old white sheets and tinsel for the xmas play, don't you know you're marking them out for DEATH??

Angels are (according to my Methodist upbringing) dead people.

Letting kids play angels is TEMPTING FATE.

Don't do it, 'rents. Sad

Posted: 27-07-2004 23:07 Post subject:

A jeweller I know tells me that opals are considered unlucky because they are quite fragile and easily chipped or shattered.

When I was in hospital having my twins, one of the sisters asked me if she could take a yellow flower from one of my vases to put in a bouquet of one of the other patients, who'd been given a bunch of red and white flowers.

Red and white = blood and bandages, apparently. I think that supersition comes from the time of the first world war.

Carole

Posted: 28-07-2004 11:24 Post subject:

Ah Peacock feathers! I'd forgotten that. My friend had a fan of peacock feathers which I thought was very beautiful when I was young and often admired. My friend was quite a lucky person, but whenever I was at her house and playing with the thing, afterwards things often went a bit pear shaped for me. When I mentioned it to my grandmother she said that the feathers were unlucky and that the shape on them had always represented the ' Evil Eye '. So I left it alone.
I think opals are beautiful stones, and if I was lucky enough to have any jewellry given to me bearing opals I think I'd wear it, regardless of superstition - until something bad happened Very Happy

Posted: 28-07-2004 12:39 Post subject:

Ah yes! Blood and bandages. That's another of mine.

And stepping in fairy rings.

Emeralds are considered unlucky for the same reason as opals, although they are also green, of course.

And saying 'thank you' if someone says 'bless you' after sneezing. That kills fairies, that does Very Happy

. Mind you, if you believe in the kind of fairies I believe in, you really don't want to be stepping in any fairy rings, and you really don't mind some of them dying!

Posted: 28-07-2004 12:42 Post subject:

More habits that superstition really, but I don't walk under ladders, I salute magpies, if I spill salt I throw it behind my shoulder, don't open umbrellas indoors, and when performing it's break a leg not good luck. Oh, and it's the Scottish Play too.