There’s something rather fascinating about superstition, isn’t there? I absolutely love anything mysterious, magical or a little bit witchy, so this month’s Tell Us About theme is right up my street. But here’s the funny thing: I’m not actually superstitious. Well, not really!
I always say “touch wood” when I mention something I’m hoping won’t go wrong. I avoid walking underneath ladders and I certainly wouldn’t dream of opening an umbrella indoors. Yet, if you asked me whether I genuinely believe any of these things will bring me bad luck, the answer would be a definite no. So why do I still do them?
Perhaps it’s simply childhood conditioning. We’re told these things when we’re little, usually by parents or grandparents, and they somehow become ingrained in our brains. We grow up knowing that walking under a ladder is supposedly unlucky, that breaking a mirror means seven years of bad luck and that opening an umbrella indoors is a big no-no. Even when we don’t believe a word of it, we still follow the rules!
I suspect there’s a little bit of magical thinking going on, too. It’s almost as though we’d rather not tempt fate, just in case!
Talking of superstition, I can’t help thinking of Stevie Wonder’s absolute classic, Superstition. Oh, I LOVE that song! The moment those opening notes kick in, I get goosebumps every single time. It’s one of those songs that grabs you immediately, isn’t it? Although, thankfully, Stevie wasn’t suggesting we should actually believe in all those superstitions!
One person’s bad luck is another’s good fortune
One of my favourite things about superstition is how differently it’s interpreted around the world. Take black cats, for example. In Britain, they’re often associated with witchcraft and, depending on who you ask, either good or bad luck. In some countries, they’re considered particularly lucky, while elsewhere they’re still regarded with suspicion. So which is it? Are black cats lucky or unlucky? Surely they can’t be both!
Then there’s Friday the 13th, which has become notorious for being an unlucky day in many Western countries. Yet in Spain and Greece, it’s Tuesday the 13th that people tend to be wary of. Apparently, even bad luck has its own postcode!
And what about peacock feathers? Some people consider them unlucky because of the eye-like markings, while others see them as beautiful symbols of protection and good fortune. I rather like them, so I think I’ll stick with the latter!
My dad and his lottery-winning omens!
Now, my dad is a completely different story. He makes me laugh because he seems to think that absolutely anything with a hint of superstition attached to it is a sign that he’s about to win the lottery.
Last week, a black cat walked in front of him. Well, that’s surely a good omen! He dreams about royalty? Even better! He might stumble across a four-leaf clover? Quick, get those lottery numbers in!
I think he’s convinced that the universe is constantly sending him little hints that his big win is just around the corner. I do hope he’s right, although I suspect we’ll be waiting a while!
There’s something rather lovely about his optimism, though. Perhaps we could all do with a little more of that. Who knows? Maybe the next black cat that crosses his path really will bring him a fortune.
Why are we so fascinated by superstition?
I think part of the appeal is that superstitions connect us to the past. They’re little pieces of folklore that have been passed down through generations, sometimes for hundreds of years. They tell us something about how our ancestors understood the world before science could explain so much of what happens around us.
And perhaps that’s why I love them. I don’t necessarily believe that finding a four-leaf clover will change my fortunes or that a black cat can influence my future, but I absolutely love the stories behind these beliefs.
There’s also something rather magical about leaving a little room for mystery. Not everything needs to be explained or taken seriously. Sometimes it’s just fun to wonder!
So, am I superstitious? Not particularly. But will I continue saying “touch wood”, avoiding ladders and keeping umbrellas firmly closed indoors? Absolutely! After all, why take the risk?
Tell Us About: Superstition
This month’s theme is part of our Tell Us About monthly blogging challenge, where a group of us get together to explore a different topic each month. It’s a lovely way to discover different perspectives, share ideas and, hopefully, meet some new bloggers along the way.
Last month’s theme was Birthday, and I wrote about the rather unusual experience of being a Boxing Day baby. If you missed it, you can read it here: The Strange Curse of Being a Boxing Day Baby.
I’m lucky enough to share hosting duties with some lovely bloggers:
- Leslie – Leslie shares a few superstitions that have adorned her life. Hope you will stop by to learn more. Once Upon a Time, Happily Ever After Again
- Sally – Sally discusses the Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit phenomenon and shares some bunny-themed goodness from her closet. Within a World of My Own
- Marsha – Marsha doesn’t consider herself superstitious, but there are some things that make her think twice! Marsha in the Middle
- Debbie – Debbie is sharing an Australian take on the old rhyme ‘one for sorrow, two for joy’. Deb’s World
- Cat – Cat is talking about tree spirits, bog bodies, and Groucho Marx. Cat’s Wire
- Amy – Amy questions if she is a superstitious person and which superstitions, if any, she follows. Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa
If you’ve joined us this month, don’t forget to add your own post to our Tell Us About link-up below. We’d love to read your take on superstition!
And talking of the power of the mind and the things we don’t always fully understand, I have something rather exciting to share! I’m a huge fan of Dr Joe Dispenza and his book Becoming Supernatural, which I read a couple of years ago. His complete three-day workshop is going to be available to watch FREE on Gaia from 16th–25th November, including all eight sessions and his guided meditations. If you’re curious about consciousness, personal transformation and what we’re truly capable of, I highly recommend taking a look! Register for free here.
