Halloween Superstitions

Source: che11eness at www.budget101.com

Halloween superstitions date back thousands of years and many can be found within the history of Halloween from several different cultures, particularly those from English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh origins. Many of these myths and customs were brought to Amercia with the new settlers and some of these interesting beliefs continue to this day."But," you ask, "do people in the 21st century still really believe these superstions?"Surprisingly, there are millions who do have beliefs in some of these like the one where you will have 7 years bad luck if you break a mirror (not true) or you'll have bad luck if a black cat crosses your path (unless you live in Britian or Japan... in which case it's good luck).Here are some Halloween superstitions I've gathered over time. If you're looking for a party activity, why not make up a trivia quiz using superstitions? Very fun to see who knows what. Enjoy!* If a candle flame suddenly turns blue, there's a ghost nearby.* If you ring a bell on Halloween, it will scare evil spirits away.* As Halloween superstitions go, this is an interesting one. In Britian/Ireland it was believed that if you were walking along on Hallowen night and you heard footsteps behind you, you should not look back as it might be the dead following. If you did look back and meet their gaze, it was an indication that you will die soon.* If you see a spider on Halloween, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you.* Knocking on wood keeps bad luck away.* A Gaelic Halloween superstion suggests that all souls that are in Purgatory are released and free for 48 hours on All Hallows Eve.* You should walk around your home three times backwards and counterclockwise before sunset on Halloween to ward off evil spirits.* Some believe if you catch a snail on Halloween night and lock it into a flat dish, in the morning you will see the first letter of your sweetheart written in the snail's slime.* Many people used to believe that owls swooped down to to eat the souls of the dying. If they heard an owl hooting, they would become frightened. A common remedy was thought to be turning your pockets inside out and you would be safe.* In Britain, people believed that the Devil was a nut-gatherer. At Halloween, nuts were used as magic charms.* If a girl puts a sprig of rosemary herb and a silver sixpence under her pillow on Halloween night, she will see her future husband in a dream.* In North America, it's bad luck if a black cat crosses your path and good luck if a white cat crosses your path. In Britain, Ireland, and Japan it's exactly the opposite!* To prevent ghosts coming into the house at Halloween, bury animal bones or a picture of an animal near the doorway.* A person born on Halloween can see and talk to spirits.* A rural American myth states that children born on Halloween will be protected against evil spirits their entire life and will be given the gift of second sight.* If you go to a crossroads at Halloween and listen to the wind, you will learn all the most important things that will befall you during the next twelve months.* When bobbing for apples, it is believed that the first person to bite an apple would be the first to marry.* Peel an apple from top to bottom. The person with the longest unbroken peel would be assured the longest life. If you threw the apple peel over your shoulder, the initial it forms upon landing is the initial of your future mate.* If a bat flies around a house 3 times, it is a death omen.* In England, you are warned not to go hunting on Halloween night as you may injure a wandering spirit.* Another Halloween superstitions is an English tale that cautions you not to look at your shadow in the moonlight on the eve of Halloween or you will be the next to haunt a graveyard.* If bats come out early and fly around playfully, then it is a sign of good weather to come.* If a bat flies into a house it is a sign that ghosts are about and maybe the ghost let the bat in!