Hiya,
Being a true countryman, (a redneck I suppose our cousins across the pond might call me) I have been brought up to be very superstitious believing, for instance that magpies can decide my fate. to this day I will still salute one as a sign of respect and to ward off it's evil influence. Two and more however are a good omen, Talk about hedging ones bets! Another while I was fishing is whistling aboard a boat or ship. This is sure to whistle up a wind of hurricane proportions. Silly you may think but it will send a shudder down the spine of any fisherman or sailor. Of course there is the 'never light three cigarettes from one match' this came from WW1 I believe as that was all the time a sniper need to aim and fire. There are dozens of these superstitions I remember from childhood such as if a knife drops, a man will come to visit; if a fork drops, a woman will come to visit.
If a robin flies into the house; a death will follow.
If you eat cabbage you will grow large breasts.
If your right hand itches, you will receive money. If the left one itches, you will get a letter.
If your nose itches, company is coming.
Cross your fingers behind your back for luck; cross them twice for double luck.
Don't plant potatoes during the dark part of the moon.
Plant or sow seeds on Good Friday.
If you sweep under a maiden's feet she will remain a spinster (and, yes young girls are still referred to as maidens where I come from)
If you cross your eyes they will stay that way.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
When the wind is out of the east fish bite the least; when the wind is out of the west fish bite the best.
Red sky in the morning, sailors warning. Red sky at night, a shepherds delight.
It's bad luck to walk under a ladder, or let a black cat cross your path.
There are two ways of stopping a run of bad luck if you walk under a ladder by accident. Cross your fingers and keep them crossed until you see a dog, or spit on your shoe and let it dry.
Breaking a mirror bring seven years of bad luck.
Throw spilt salt over the left shoulder to dispel bad luck.
If the palm of your right hand itches it means you will soon be getting money.
If the palm of your left hand itches it means you will soon be paying out money.
You must get out of bed on the same side that you get in or you will have bad luck.
If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
A rabbit's foot will bring luck and protect the owner from evil spirits if carried in the pocket.
A rainbow in the Eastern sky, The morrow will be fine and dry. A rainbow in the West that gleams, Rain tomorrow falls in streams.
A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home.
If you sing before seven, you will cry before eleven.
All wishes on shooting stars come true.
It's bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house, especially if you put it over your head.
It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover.
So good people there you have just a few superstitions that I can remember off the back of my hand. You can see why us bumpkins look old and wizen before our time! We have so much we are constantly worrying about.
