I have previously touched the subject of superstition and I have also wrote I was raised in a religious household. In theory those two should cancel each other and yet most of us don’t dare to tease the Lady Luck, no matter the religion or belief. 

No matter where in the world you are while reading this little post, I have no doubt you will share a superstition or two with me. When writing about old wives tales I said they usually come with some sort of an advice or ‘cure’ while the superstition is more of an advice on how to attract or keep good luck. Weather you believe in what you were taught or not, I am pretty sure you make sure not to push good luck away, you know,  just in case. Let’s begin with the most common ones, in no particular order. 

Everyone knows it’s bad luck to break a mirror; bad luck for 7 years, no less.  Black cat was considered by most to be bad luck, but not by all. Just like old wives tales, some ‘omens’ tend to be interpreted as opposites depending on culture, country or folklore of the place. In my neck of the woods, black cat passing across your path is considered bad luck, but if you quickly spit three time as soon as you see it, it should prevent bad luck coming your way. Do I actually believe black cat is bad luck ? No, I don’t. Would I still spit a bit three times ( just in case) if I see one crossing my path? Well, yes I would. Just like I still knock on wood if I say something I don’t want to jinx, still throw salt over ( in my case both shoulders, because I can never remember which one I’m supposed to throw it  over to ‘overturn’ potential bad luck ) shoulder if I spill some by accident, don’t toast with water ( just in case), make sure my umbrella doesn’t open indoors and yes, I still make a wish on a wishbone even though I’m not actually expecting it to come true if I do pull the larger part of it. 

I wasn’t blessed with good luck upon my arrival to this place we call Earth, in fact if I didn’t have bad luck I’d have no luck at all most of the time. Religion I was brought up with is now a compilation of fairytales and stories I don’t in actuality believe in, but if there’s a ‘warning’ within some of those tales, I will most likely avoid testing them. If for no other reason than: just in case. If there’s one thing nobody needs more of is bad luck!

 Now that you think I’m a complete mess, walking around avoiding everything that could potentially bring me bad luck and doing anything to lure good luck my way, let me reassure you there are plenty of superstitions I’m aware of but for some reason not bothered with. Whistling indoors or while working is, apparently, by many  cultures considered bad luck or summoning demons. The reason I don’t do it is because I can’t. Like riding a bike, never mastered the skill of whistling, though I really did try all the methods anyone offered to teach me.  Apparently many cultures also believe trimming your nails at night is bad luck. I’ve heard it from so many different sources, but never heard an actual reason as to why, so, nope, not scheduling my pampering and grooming around that one. Number 13 is one of those that people either consider unlucky and to be avoided at all cost ( in US most elevators I’ve been in really don’t have a button with number 13 to press) or very lucky. Personally I don’t feel any sort of way regarding that particular number, but I’ve also heard you never invite 13 people to dinner party, because the first person to leave is the first person in that group to die. A bit extreme? I’d say so, though if I was ever to host a dinner party for that big of a group, I’d invite an extra person ( you know: ‘just in case’).  Surprisingly many people believe in throwing water after someone who is off to a new job or any kind of first day of a new venture. Maybe I’m still waiting on my good luck cause nobody ever did that ritual for me. Then again I also never placed a hat or shoes on my bed ( both supposed to bring bad luck) and that didn’t stop bad luck from making an appearance. Maybe the reason for that is that I actually did test the theory of bad luck by walking under a ladder. No, I don’t actually believe that, but I have done it because I’ve heard it so often and was never offered any kind of reason or explanation for it, so…sure, I’ve tested that one in particular. Only couple of years ago did I read somewhere that apparently it represents the Holy Trinity and that is ( allegedly) the reason you shouldn’t walk under to mess with it. Well, too late for that one.  

Then there were some things I’d like to think are common sense, but if you’ve been reading this for a while now , you are aware there’s nothing common about having sense these days. Recently I went on a trip to the south ( Savannah, Georgia) and took a cemetery tour. (will write a bit more about that). The guide said, among many things, it’s considered bad luck to take the dirt or pieces of gravestones from the graves.  Why would you even consider doing that is my question? In my world that would fall under the category of common sense and respect for someone’s final rest, regardless of your personal beliefs on the subject. Since ‘common sense’ has left the building long time ago let’s write it up with a warning label and call superstition so people would behave better and let others be. 

While writing this little post I’ve consulted with internet on the subject and found more than 200 superstitions are considered ‘common’ these days around the world and people practice some form of ‘protection’ against bad luck based on it. So, as an actor, I can’t leave the subject without mentioning the most common one of all in the business of acting : you never refer to “The Scottish Play” by its title/name! 

*** ‘Luck Be A Lady’ by Frank Sinatra