By: Darcie Thom

Until fairly recently, I was under the assumption that I wasn’t an over-the-edge superstitious person…. but boy was I wrong! It seems as though, through my life, I was unintentionally taught to believe that  superstitions (A.K.A. ‘Old Wives Tales’) were very much real and believed that they had some sort of impact on myself and the people around me…. what a sad reality to find out that all along I have been just plain ’stupid-stitious’!

For instance, I learned that finding a four leaf clover, finding a horseshoe and finding a penny heads up were all superstitions based on getting good (or better) luck, I never really thought of these as superstitions - just luck! I always believed that superstitions were a warning so that bad children would behave!

Luck is something that I seem to find on special occasions, like finding good sales and getting good deals on stuff… but that’s about the most I have with luck. I often say that if I didn’t have bad luck - I would have no luck at all, as a matter of fact, I think this is our family slogan! I’m a big believer in luck and fate, believing that every person and event has a special meaning in our lives, good or bad, even if it means crossing a black cat every once in a while (they’re harmless - I hope!).

I don’t believe that I know many people who are brave enough to knowingly walk under any ladder, open an umbrella indoors, or start breaking mirrors just for the fun of it, that would be crazy right?! Or is that just the superstitious side of me speaking out?!

“Step on a crack - break your mother’s back”… oops, sorry Mom - we couldn’t help it - all the kids did it! I promise, no more stepping on cracks, at least not knowingly!

Have you ever had an itch in the palm of your hand? Apparently, it is a superstition that means money will come your way…. and for some silly reason, I just get…. Annoyed, still no lottery!

If anyone knows me, they know that I wait until very last minute to wash my car before any big plans and/or events because I know what always happens - it rains! That’s just my luck!

In attempts to fool the nature’s ‘bad’ luck, my family has always ‘knocked on wood’ and/or crossed our fingers, which is pretty normal… for most people, especially in our family when we knock on each other’s heads…. it’s family ritual, if it’s not broken don’t fix it!

With my upcoming wedding, I have been informed of the many ‘rules’ that I must follow including the old phrase: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in order to have a happy marriage. I am old(er), the dress will be new, the flower girls will be borrowed and my Groom and my Dad will be blue-ish green….! Does that count?

Apparentely, it brings good luck to an individual if you wear your clothes inside out. I don’t know that I would do that for the extra boost of luck… I’d just hope for the best!

And finally, did you know that it is bad luck to chase someone with a broom?! Not only is it bad luck to chase someone with a broom - isn’t it worse luck to be the one being chased by that crazy person and their broom?! I would have assumed that running with a broom would be slightly dangerous, but who woulda’ thunk….?!

It’s all superstition to me!