I’m sometimes asked “where do you get your inspiration for your blog topics?” Most days the universe just speaks to me. Take today for example: this is my 13th blog post, and today is Friday the 13th. Coincidence? Hmm… It appears that the question of the day is: are you a superstitious person? Do you believe in luck?
Superstitions, by definition, are beliefs based in something supernatural or a feeling or an instinct. Some superstitions may be somewhat fact-based: it may be bad luck to walk under a ladder because it is, in fact, unsafe to walk under a ladder.
I am most definitely superstitious. In particular, I become ridiculously superstitious when I’m gambling. On a hot craps table, with a really hot shooter, I’ll leave the table once that shooter is done. When a new blackjack dealer rotates onto the table, if I lose three hands in a row, I’ll switch to a different table.
I come from a long line of superstitious Irishmen (and women). My Irish Nana had all kinds of “Nanaisms.” Her personal belief system was strong:
- Never trust a man with a widow’s peak.
- Never trust someone with thin lips. This one is a bit troublesome for me: as I get older and my lips seem to be thinning out, does this mean that I am becoming less trustworthy? Yeah, probably.
- Never wear your hat in the house and never place your hat on the table.
Nana also believed she could get rid of warts by spitting on them. I’m here to tell you that when I was a kid she spit on a wart on my left middle finger and I swear that sucker was gone the next day.
I’ve always been fascinated with the superstitious underpinnings of most sports. Baseball in particular seems to have its own magical code of superstitions and good luck traditions. For example, never, ever, discuss a no hitter while it’s in progress. You’ve seen where a pitcher it the midst of a possible no hitter, or the even more elusive perfect game, will sit remotely by himself at the end of the dugout bench to avoid any discussion that could jinx his performance. And, who hasn’t heard of the Curse of the Bambino?
President Franklin Roosevelt was famously superstitious, suffering from triskaidekaphobia (also known as the fear of the number 13). Today, and this blog, would have troubled him. It is reported that he even changed travel dates or the number of people attending a dinner party in order to avoid the dreaded number thirteen.
You may think superstitions and beliefs in luck are just a bunch of hooey. However, can you honestly tell me that if a black cat crossed your path you wouldn’t view this as a bad omen? By the way: what do people who own black cats do? Do they freak out every time the cat walks across the room?
I’ve come across other superstitions that are not as universally well known as the black cat omen:
- Dreaming of a lizard is a sign that you have a secret enemy. OK, someone is gonna have to explain this one to me.
- It’s bad luck to change the name of a horse or a boat.
- It’s bad luck to carry a banana on a boat (there are all kinds of theories about the origins of this superstition).
- If your palms itch you’re going to come into money.
Whatever your beliefs, I wish you luck and good fortune today; and please be careful out there.
Cheers,
Kimba
Beverly Monical says
July 15, 2012 at 3:06 pmI love all these sayings.When I was little you heard them often.I don't hear them as often these days. Every time my palm itches, I do buy a lottery ticket. 🙂
Kim D says
July 15, 2012 at 4:24 pmLOL, thanks for sharing Beverly. Have you ever had a winning lottery ticket, even just a small amount? I keep hoping!
Vanessa Van Horn says
July 14, 2012 at 10:27 pmHaha! Loved your post. I will never carry a banana on a boat! Who knew?? Ps. Friday the 13th is my lucky day!! 😉
Kim D says
July 14, 2012 at 10:32 pmLoving how many folks now see Friday the 13th as a lucky day. Thanks for stopping by Vanessa.
Jean says
July 14, 2012 at 1:50 pmKim, I'm not superstitious. But one I remember as a kids was picking up a coin that was tails up. Personally, if I see money on the ground I pick it up, no matter what side is up and then the Lord for the blessing.
Jean
30 Days of Gratitude Challenge Coach
https://www.socgratitude.com/32934
Kim Dalferes says
July 14, 2012 at 3:07 pmJean, I hear you – money is money. However, I don't pick up pennies that are tail up; instead I turn them over to heads up so the next person can pick it up for luck – fun AND good karma, don't you think??
Elizabeth says
July 14, 2012 at 9:35 amHi Kim,
Friday the 13th has turned out to be my most successful day and I have changed my mind and no longer superstious about the date anymore!
Kim D says
July 14, 2012 at 10:08 amSeems that many folks like you now see Friday the 13th as a lucky day – I like any day that will bring luck and happiness to folks.
Christy Abram says
July 14, 2012 at 8:31 amLOL!! Funny! I love this. My mother used to get obsessive if you swept her feet. She would spit on the broom. I still don't know why it was bad luck.
I need a good laugh! Thanks for sharing.
Kim D says
July 14, 2012 at 9:26 amChristy, I've never heard about the "sweeping your feet" superstition – good one! My Nana used to spit too – really, what is up with that?!
Tonya Sheridan says
July 13, 2012 at 9:38 pmHi Kim,
My Mom was born Friday the 13th so it's a lucky day for me! I love black cats so I consider it good luck if they cross my path!
My grandmother, mom and aunts had lots of superstitions when I was growing up…putting your shoes on the table was bad luck (not to mention unsanitary). another one: Every thing comes in threes! Of course this was mostly for the bad stuff 🙂
Kim D says
July 14, 2012 at 9:24 amTonya, how could I have forgotten about the "things happen in threes" belief?! Every time a famous person dies my Mom calls me and says "I wonder who the other two are going to be?" Thanks for reminding me!
William Kendall says
July 13, 2012 at 4:45 pmOne of the superstitions we've had over the last few years in Canada has involved the winter Olympics. It seems placing a Canadian dollar coin in the ice at the hockey rinks is meant to bring us good luck.
I know they say black cats are bad luck, but my family had one for years, and I have very fond memories of her.
Kim D says
July 13, 2012 at 7:04 pmHey William, wouldn't that kinda be bad luck if it caused the hockey players to trip?! 🙂 On behalf of my family in St Johns, whatever it takes to win the game, eh?
Susan Elizabeth says
July 13, 2012 at 2:14 pmI like the combinations of itchings!
Kathi – my dad's birthday also falls on Friday the 13th sometimes. Not sure if he was born on one though…
Shelly Allen says
July 13, 2012 at 11:12 amNope… not superstitious one bit:)
Kathi Casey says
July 13, 2012 at 10:28 amI always thought if your nose itched you were going to kiss a fool! Funny, the superstitions in family traditions…
I am not superstitious – especially about Friday the 13th. My mom was born on Friday the 13th and 90 years ago it was also July 13th. Hmmmmm….. Wonder if today means something?
Kathi
Kim D says
July 13, 2012 at 12:08 pmKathi, it sounds like Friday the 13th is actually lucky for you! Wonder what FDR would think about that?!
Susan Elizabeth says
July 13, 2012 at 10:19 amAnd if your nose itches it means someone's coming to visit! (My mom's favorite)
When I was little, we actually had 2 black cats, so we only counted it as a bad omen when they crossed your path on Friday the 13th. Then it became kind of a little game to physically avoid their path for the entire day.
Kim D says
July 13, 2012 at 12:03 pmHey Susan, so, if your nose AND your palms itch maybe someone who is coming to visit is bringing you money!