Superstition is perhaps a bad word to describe the certain cultural practices that do not necessarily align with societal standards. Merriam Webster defines the word as “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.” A fine definition it is. However, the problem occurs not in how the term is defined rather how the term is applied. For many Americans tend to apply the word superstition not simply towards what has been defined as such but only those practices what are not wholly socially accepted.
Some may argue that what is termed as superstition is labeled as such due to being unscientific in practice. A fair point but need a practice be upheld by science to disqualify it as superstition? This becomes problematic when we examine something like the interview process, for example. Many are the theories as to why interviews are effective and essential but little is there any definitive scientific evidence. For this matter, one can also state rather than argue that the necessity of political parties is upheld by little more than tradition and opinion in the absence any basis neither scientific nor constitutional. Yet one would not hold the power of interviews and political parties in the same light as that of black cats and broken mirrors. Because that would be taboo, which, of course, is a different subject from superstition.
The point to be made is that our conceptualization of superstition goes hand and hand with what is viewed as acceptable in our society. And the only way for any person to advance beyond the point of superstition, like many other things, is through introspection. Not pointing a finger at others but in the other direction.
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AMERICAN FOLKLORE.
White specks on the nails are luck.
Whoever reads epitaphs loses his memory.
To rock the cradle when empty is injurious to the child.
To eat while a bell is tolling for a funeral causes toothache.
The crowing of a hen indicates some approaching disaster.
When a mouse gnaws a hole some misfortune may be apprehended.
He who has teeth wide asunder must seek his fortune in a distant land.
Whoever finds a four-leaf trefoil—shamrock—should wear it for good luck.
Beggars’ bread should be given to children who are slow in learning to speak.
If a child less than twelve months old is brought into a cellar it will become timid.
When children play soldier on the roadside it forebodes the approach of war.
A child grows proud if suffered to look into a mirror while less than 12 months old.
He who proposes moving into a new house must first send in bread and a new broom.
Whoever sneezes at an early hour either heare some news or receives some present the same day.
The first tooth cast by a child should be swallowed by the mother to ensure a new growth of of teeth.
Buttoning the coat awry, or drawing on a stocking inside out, causes matters to go wrong during the day.
By bending the head to the hollow of the arm the initial letter or one’s future spouse is represented.
Women who sow flaxseed should, during the process, tell some lies; otherwise the yarn will never bleach white.
When women are stuffing beds, the men should not remain in the house, otherwise the feathers will come through the ticks.
When a person enters a room he should be obliged to sit down, if only for a moment, as he otherwise takes away the children’s sleep with him.
The following are omens of death : A dog’s scratching on the floor or howling in a peculiar manner, and owls hooting in the neighborhood of the house.
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POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS.
Dream of snakes, sign of enemies.
If you sing before breakfast you’ll cry before supper.
Dream of muddy or rushing water brings trouble.
Finding a horseshoe or a four-leaved clover brings good luck.
If you cut your nails or sneeze on Saturday you do it “for evil.”
She who takes the last stitch at a quilting will be the first, to marry.
If you cannot make up a handsome bed your husband will have a homely nose.
If you spill the salt some one will be “mad” with you unless you put some in the fire.
Stump your right toe, you are going where you are wanted ; your left, where you are not wanted.
If the rooster crows on the fence, the weather will be fair ; if on the doorstep, he will bring company.
If the first Sunday in the month is unpleasant, there will be but one pleasant Sunday during the month.
If by any chance a mourning hat or bonnet is placed upon your head, you will need one of your own soon.
If your right ear burns, some one is praising you; if your left, your friends are raking you over the coals.
Returning to the house for a moment after having once started out will bring bad luck unless you sit down.
When, in dropping a fork, it strikes the floor and stands upright, it will bring a gentleman visitor; if a knife, a lady.
While at the washboard, if the suds splash and wet the clothes you are wearing, you will have a drunken husband.
If you drop your dishcloth you will have company ; also if you sweep a black mark, or if two chairs stand accidently back to back.
If a boy sees his face in the glass it will be the death of him. If his nails are cut he will be a thief. If he tumbles out of bed it will save his being a fool.
Break a mirror, sign of death. Death is also foretold by a dog bowling under a window ; hearing a mourning dove, a strange dove hovering about, or dreaming of a white horse.
If you see the new moon through the glass you will have sorrow as long as it lasts. If you see it fair in the face you’ll have a fall. Over the left shoulder bad luck—over the right good luck.—Cleveland Plaindealer.
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