HOW SUPERSTITIOUS ARE YOU.............?

[letric]

The definition is irrational belief usually founded on ignorance or fear and characterised by obsessive reverence for omens, charms, etc.,
Collins English Dictionary (1986)

Belief, half belief, or practice of which there appears to be no rational substance. Those who use the term imply that they have certain knowledge or superior evidence for their own scientific, philosophic, or religious convictions.
Encyclopedia Britannica (15th edn, (1974) 401.

a) Luck - Belief in luck as a real and not simply a metaphorical force in human life, and that future luck can be manipulated or influenced by present behaviour.,
b) Omens/Signs - Belief that the future can be foretold or predicted by physically unconnected events such as the presence or behaviour of animals/birds or accidental occurrences in every day life.
c) Beginnings - Belief that coincidences have deeper meaning and significance than random accident.
d) Occult powers - Belief in the power of words to affect physical change, to cure, or to protect from harm. Belief in the power of armulets or other items worn to cure or protect the wearer from harm.

*These descriptions beg the further question of what is 'belief.'

[Wayne]

My belief is dat wen I am in Trinidad (1-17 Oct)....I will have ah nice time.....like you :: :: [smilie=beach.gif].......to answer a part of your question....I believe that
LUCK is when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY.

[snowbird]

.... HOW SUPERSTITIOUS ARE YOU.............?

Not...there is a reason and a purpose for everything and every event in the universe..... and I don't think any one person or thing can alter the 'master plan'...the past is past, and the future is 'not yet'.

[letric]

It has already indicated that many regard other people's religious beliefs as superstitious, and, indeed to the atheist, they all are. Some people have appropriated passages from the Bible into their charms and divinations. Nevertheless, the question is often asked whether we are more or less superstitious today than we used to be.

1) You wish to help find a cure for cancer. Do you give money to scientific research or to the faith healer?
2) Things seem to be going wrong in your life. You are having a run of bad luck. Do you think that someone has bewitched you?
3) Unlucky to walk under a ladder
4) Lucky/Unlucky to meet a black cat
5) Unlucky to spill salt
6) Unlucky to open an umbrella indoors
7) Lucky to touch wood
8) Thirteen/Friday 13th unlucky

*These are not obscure beliefs but were all very widespread, it is only now we can afford to be nostalgic about it, and some may say regret its passing.

[letric]

Long standing superstitions show great concern about how one get out of bed in the morning, as this will affect one's fortune and temperament for the rest of the day.

You got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning

regularly said to someone who is unaccountably grumpy.

It is unfortunate to rise out of bed on one's left side. It is a common saying when evil befalls a person, who seems to himself have rushed to meet to meet it. 'I did not rise on my right hand today' l

[letric]

Two somewhat contradictory superstitions feature bird droppings, or more precisely their effect when humans are on the receiving end.

I was on my way to an important meeting, and my shoulder was suddenly covered in bird's mess. My colleague, helping me to clear it off, remarked. "I think it's meant to be lucky when that happens".

[letric]

One of the several unofficial uses of the Bible for divination purposes involves opening the book at random and interpreting the first verse which meets the eye, to guide or predict future action or fate. The activity was typically carried out on the morning of NEW YEAR'S DAY
Opening the Bible on New Year's Day is with some solemnity before breakfast. The Holy Book is laid on the table unopened, and the parties who wish to consult it open it succession. They are not allowed to choose any particular part of the book, but must open it at random. In whatever portion of the sacred volumes this may happen to be, the inquirer is to place his finger on any chapter contained in the two open pages, but without perusing its contents. This part of Scripture is then read aloud, and commented on by the people assembled, and from it they form their conclusions as to the happiness or misery that will ensue during the coming year.

[letric]

One of the most common superstitions today, the idea that breaking a mirror means back luck, is widely known to believers, and non-believers alike.

To break a looking glass is accounted a very unlucky accident.

When death occurs in a house, there has been a number of traditionally sanctioned customs which could be carried out. One of these is covering any mirrors or pictures in the room (or whole house). a practice which was sometimes extended to all ornaments.

The custom of covering, not looking glasses only, but various articles in the house where the corpse is laid, it was, and is even yet, a well known custom. When a death takes place, another custom is to stop the clock, or clocks, if there are several in the house.

I have heard of persons turning the face of looking glass to the wall on the occurrence of a death, while some turn the face of a portrait of the deceased in like fashion, should there be a chance of one in the house.

[letric]

Occasionally, it has been reported unlucky to place an umbrella on a bed - it is either unlucky or portends a long illness.

A number of items must not be placed on a TABLE, for fear of bad luck or a quarrel, including shoes.
Upon entering a house, some one took his umbrella, and was about to deposit it, for a moment, on a table, and then remarked:

I mustn't put your umbrella on the table.

[letric]

It was an old custom long ago with tailors to put either a penny of half-penny in the pockets of the suit he would have made. Some say it was to hansel the suit. Others say that the person that would wear the suit would always have luck. Some used to put a halfpenny in one pocket and a penny in another pocket and so on like that. Many people used not to go to a tailor that would not put something in the pockets of the suit.

[Mr Majik]

From what I understand the superstitions regarding opening umbrellas in houses and putting umbrellas on tables emanate from Old London.
It seems that back in those days, before indoor plumbing was prevalent, people used to throw the contents of their bed pans out their windows. Seeing that London had many multi-storied buildings, quite often this practise led to passersby getting rained upon with the foul waste flying out of upper story windows. Hence, people took to carrying open umbrellas to protect themselves from getting soiled while walking along the sidewalk.
Naturally, it would then be unwise to open these same umbrellas in one's own home. Most people would leave their brollies parked outside their door to await their next journey.

[letric]

Walking stick/umbrella share certain characteristics with other everyday items such as GLOVES and CUTLERY in the event of being accidently dropped. If dropped, should be picked up by someone else, or bad luck will follow, nevertheless, a different version has been offered:

If you let your stick fall you will be sure to meet a friend immediately afterwards.

Another version varies a little in detail, for some it was important that the umbrella owner did not thank the picker-up, others believed the latter will get good luck, or a surprise, for their timely intervention.

[letric]

See a pin and pick it up
All the day you'll have good luck
See a pin and let it lay
You will have bad luck all day
or
See a pin and let it lie
In the evening you will cry

Memories of my childhood

[letric]

FRIDAY 13th.......
The belief that Friday 13th is an especially unlucky day is one of the wildest known superstitions today, and is erroneously assumed to be of great antiquity

Thirteen at Dinner: I apprehend that there is no doubt that this notion has reference to the Last Supper, at which thirteen were present. Some I believe, have carried it to the extent of disliking that number at all times; but the commoner form limits to Friday. Not that there is any fact for this, for the Last Supper was on the fifth, not the sixth, day of the week.

Nowadays even non-believers can hardly fail to be aware of the date on that day. Popular and local newspaper regularly run features whenever the day occurs, and list the dreadful things reported to have happened .

[Chicabonita]

0% superstitious.

[letric]

It is supposed to be unlucky to hang up a new almanac on the wall before the new year is out.

Calendars received about Christmas time should not be hung on the wall till the new year as it s unlucky to do so,

My mother applied this concept during my formative years.

[drolannod]

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places.

Bible.Ephesians

[drolannod]

All argument is against it, but all beliefs is for it.

Samuel Johnson

[drolannod]

Superstition is the religion of feeble
minds.

Edmund Burke

[SilverEagle]

I still say "Rabbit Rabbit" at the beginning of each new year. Hasn't failed me yet...

[drolannod]

Nothing in all the world is more
dangerous than sincere ignorance and
conscientious stupidity.

Martin Luther King

[drolannod]

16 million plus Brits admit they are superstitious, that they regularly carry out routines they believe will bring them good luck.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/top stories

[letric]

A friend tells me that she went recently to see a mother and daughter who were moving into a new flat. She found them busy strewing salt in the rooms. They explained that it was lucky and that they always salted the dwelling into which they moved.

Unlocated Folk Lore 1934

[letric]

All fishermen also know how unlucky it is to count one's fish until the catch has been landed, as however,freely they may be biting, counting them would invariably stop all sport for the day.

Guernsey MacCulloch (1864)

[letric]

On the authority of the Bible, the number 666 is the 'number of the Beast'

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich
and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark, in
their right hand, or in their forehead. And
that no man might buy or sell, save he that had
the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number
of his name. Here Is wisdom. Let him that hath
understanding count the number of the beast: for
it is the number of a man: and his number is Six
hundred threescore and six.

Book of Revelations 13: 16 - 18