Socyberty » horseshoe http://socyberty.com Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:58:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Old Wive’s Tales on “Witches” http://socyberty.com/folklore/old-wives-tales-on-witches/ http://socyberty.com/folklore/old-wives-tales-on-witches/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:26:19 +0000 cardy http://socyberty.com/folklore/old-wives-tales-on-witches/  

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An old wife’s tale is a type of urban legend, similar to a proverb, which is passed down by old wives to the younger generations. These tales usually opened a path way to superstitions, and folklore that often became exaggerated in there details.

 

Most of the old wives tales are false and were used to discourage unwanted behaviour, involving good luck, and bad luck in some way. In the witching times, the old wives tales or superstitions were in there prime of being believed.

 

The witch and horseshoe.

 

To stop a witch from entering you’re house people were said to nail a horseshoe to the front door. Many people believed a witch was afraid of horses at the time of this old wives tale was told, and for the witch to keep away from horses the witch would fly on her broom stick.

 

Later the old wives tale changed to, the witch was no longer afraid of horses and made friends with them and now the witch could turn herself into a horse, to avoid attention, it was thought that holding a horseshoe upside down would all the good energy (the good luck) to run out.

The witch and her warts and dimples.

For a so called witch, having a dimple on the chin was, believed that they had the devil within them. To even support a wart, was considered the mark of the devil, birth marks were in this old wives tale, as people believed they were the sign of the devils touch.

The witch and her cat.

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Cat’s themselves were said to bring bad luck and good luck, but a cat that was owned by a witch crossed you’re path it was said that Satan himself had noticed you.

Witches and cattle.

If there was a witch in the area and the cattle fell ill, the witch got the blame. People would make many good luck charms and wooden crosses and attach them to the cattle stalls to fend of the evil witchcraft.

The witch and the mirror.

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On Halloween night a witch was believed to speak to the devil through a mirror to ask for guidance in her wicked ways.

A witch and her broom stick.

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It was said that if you walked passed a witch while she was sweeping in you’re direction, she would sweep bad luck all over you. A witches broom was thought of as good luck for the witch herself, as it could be used to sweep out the bad luck of the old year and in sweep in the good luck for the new year. For someone to posses a witches broom, it was seen as good luck, to sleep with on under their bed, and dream of their lover, would bring good luck on their relationship, maybe even leading to marriage.

To day.

Old wives tales are ancient, and over time have reached into modern day lives through, pregnancy, puberty and nutrition, the tales get longer and the superstitions grow, how many do you take heed of?

]]> http://socyberty.com/folklore/old-wives-tales-on-witches/feed/ 11 Seven Significant Symbols of Luck in English Custom http://socyberty.com/folklore/seven-significant-symbols-of-luck-in-english-custom/ http://socyberty.com/folklore/seven-significant-symbols-of-luck-in-english-custom/#comments Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:15:53 +0000 Sher D Fly http://socyberty.com/folklore/seven-significant-symbols-of-luck-in-english-custom/

  • Horseshoe

    Horseshoe is considered a lucky symbol in English custom. It resembles the other symbols associated with good fortune in other cultures such as crescent, half circle or “U”. Crescent or “U” shape is often said to be the symbol of fertility and also possesses power to ward of evil spirit. As it is made of iron for horses, it is also linked to strength and power. As such, combining all these signs of good luck, horseshoe is regarded as a powerful device to bring fortune and repel evil. It is usually nailed to the front door to protect the household from uninvited visitors like witches and evils. However, the horseshoe must be placed in an upright “U” position so that the good fortune will be retained by the household.

  • Rabbit’s Foot

    In the old English custom, the hare (not rabbit) was said to have an evil eye, whose glance can only be countered by people who own a hare’s hind foot. In the olden days, it was said that the warrior Queen Boadicea of Norfolk, East Britain, brought a hare with her to ensure luck in battle against the Roman Empire who had invaded her kingdom. This has brought people to believe that hare had miraculous powers. However, the pagan practice of worshiping hare eventually stopped after most Britons were converted to Christianity in 6th century by the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Nevertheless, many Britons carried hare’s foot in their pocket or purse. Later, rabbits were introduced in Britain from the other European countries and as rabbit can be easily obtained than that of hare, rabbit’s foot replaced hare’s foot as lucky charm.

  • Wishbone

    Wishing upon a wishbone is an ancient custom. The wishbone custom involves two people who would break the wishbone and the one with a bigger piece would make the lucky wish. The wishbone is actually the forked bone from the fowl’s breast or better known as the “furcula”. In many cultures, fowl is regarded as a special creature which could bring luck and good fortune. The wishbone shape itself is good luck symbol of life and fertility.

  • Old Boot

    In the olden days, old boots or shoes are said to retain the good spirit and courage of the owners. Therefore, it is a common belief that old boot is a good luck charm. For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day, he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish. In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands’ save journey. Old boot was also left on the roofs of old houses to ward of evil spirits.

  • Wood

    Back in pagan times, tree is considered as sacred symbol of immortality. Touching the tree was a sign of respect to the gods after a favor has been requested or thankful to gods for the request that had been fulfilled. After the English embraced Christianity, the people retained their belief that wood is holy as Christ died on wooden cross. People at that time wore wooden crucifixes and often touched them as a sign of penitence. Until now, people who are superstitious will try to touch or knock on wood after gloating, talking bad things about other people, making any rash statement of intent or so on so that the act would ward of any bad lucks during the day.

  • Coin

    Coins especially gold coins were said to bring good fortune to the person who possess them. Gold like in any other culture, is always the symbol of wealth. In the earlier years, “lucky” gold coins are turned into ring to be worn as a remedy for many types of illness. Sometimes, brides put them in a shoe to ensure good marriage life.The English for instance, dropped coins into wells to protect themselves from being bewitched and to make a wish in hope that their dreams would come true. This is due to the fact that, people in the earlier times believed that there are good spirits who lived in the well and fountains or springs.

  • Four-leaf Clover

    Clover is actually a type of wild plant with flowers shaped like cotton balls and usually has three leaves on each stem. In fact it is very rare to find a a four-leaf clover. It is believed that, to accidentally find a four-leaf clover is a sign of good luck. Moreover, the shape of four-leaf clover resembles the symbol of crucifix. There is also an English saying ” to live in clover” which basically means “to have enough money to be able to live comfortably”.

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