Friday the 13th and Other Silly Superstitions

Everyone knows that today is Friday the 13th. Everyone knows what that means. It means bad things will happen today. Don’t get out of bed, don’t even peek over the covers because you know that bad luck will surely find you. Well that’s if you’re superstitious.

Or if you’re this poor guy… I saw this minibus earlier today up town and by the time we got home (after stopping one place) it was three blocks from my home engulfed in flames. This guys Friday the 13th evidently was pretty shytty. I don’t think there were any injuries due to this fire. Thank goodness.

That brings me to the reason for this post. I’m going to share a few of the superstitions that have been passed down from generation to generation in my family.

The main superstition that everyone knows is “Don’t let a black cat cross your path”. Personally, it freaks me out when one crosses my path lol. They say to counteract the curse, you must turn in a circle three times. And I do that LOL Even in my car. I’ve gone around the block three times before continuing on my way.

“If you see a halo around the moon, it means a storm is coming”. And it is true. Usually you see a halo around the moon in the colder months right before a snow storm. But I have seen them in the summer time, and they’re usually always accurate. The bigger the halo, the worse the storm.

“Don’t walk under a ladder, you’re sure to bring yourself bad luck”. I myself go out of my way to avoid walking under a ladder.

“Break a mirror and it’s seven years bad luck”. And it’s happened with me lol.

Another bit of weather superstition… The bigger the hedge apples, the harder the winter. I’ve also noted this to be true.

“When your nose itches, someone’s coming without their britches.” or someone is just coming to see you.

“When your ears burn, someone is talking about you.”

When your left palm itches, it means you’re going to get a letter. When your right palm itches, it means you’re going to get money. If both itch, it means you’re going to get money in a letter. I’ve had this happen to me numerous times. Its always kind of fun!

When the constellation Orion lays down, it means the weather is changing.

When the Big Dipper is tipping up, it means it will rain soon.

If you spill salt, throw some of it over your left shoulder to ward off bad luck.

When a Hedge Apples leaves are as big as a squirrels ear, the fear of frost is gone.

When a broom falls over (on its own), company is coming.

Crows have been said by Native Americans to be the souls of the dearly departed coming back to Earth to watch over their loved ones.

If the mushrooms in your yard form a circle, the fairies will come out and play at night and cause mischief in your garden.

When a dog beys or cries, it means someone has died.

Always plant lavender for luck.

If a rocking chair rocks on its own, someone will pass away.

An outdoor bird flying around in your house is surely a sign someone is going to die. Why is it that so many superstitions center around people dying?!

The size of the orange stripe on a Wolly Bear Caterpillar’s back shows how long and hard the winter will be.

The bushier and thicker a squirrels tail is in the spring and summer shows how harsh the winter will be.

OK so a lot of my superstitions are weather based. Those are the ones that my grandpa always told me. He also told me, always plant your potatoes around St. Patty’s Day in the dark of the moon. So far so good, my potatoes are looking fabulous.

What kind of superstitions were you raised with? Let me know in the comments!