Look out for black cats?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The other day I made a mid morning discovery.  I checked my hair in the mirror and noticed I had my jumper on back to front.  Luckily I had not left the safety of my own home and was saved embarrassment.  I removed my arms from my jumper and spun it around to the correct position and re-entered my arms.  Why not just take it off?  Well that would be back luck you know!  If you put it on wrong its bad luck to take it off and put it back on, you have to do it whilst still wearing it.  And you know what, this little revelation is only the start of my families superstitions list!

They have been passed from generation to generation and the list is extensive.  I am not sure why we are such a superstitions family but I think it may possibly stem from our farmer background.  I can only think that its the fear of bringing bad luck to crops or livestock each year, as both our precious in the life of a farmer.  I will list a few of the most prominent ones.  I also invite any family members reading this to add any I have missed.  I only hope that I do not pass on a fears of ladders and new shoes!

The Parkinson Superstition List

  • Never walk under ladders
  • Never put new shoes on a table
  • No owls in your house- including armaments, pictures and anything owl like
  • If you put clothes on backwards you must leave them or change them whilst still wearing them
  • Its bad luck if a black cat crosses your path
  • You must salute at Magpies- warning this practice can be dangerous when driving and very distracting for you and other drivers!
  • Horse shoes should always be placed like this
Otherwise the good luck will spill out of them


I follow these rules, much to the amusement of my hubby.  He thinks we are barking mad- but I simply point out its part of my charm and you know what, my family are simply unique not crazy!  

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10 comments

  1. Grandad Parkinson will never start anything new on a Friday. I can remember Uncle Brian having to mow once round the field after milking at night so that they didn't start siloing or haymaking on a Friday. Worse than this though ,is moving house -never on a Friday. I've heard it said many times that " Friday flit, short sit" !! Now can you explain that to your friends or will they really think we're a bit loopy? lots of love Aunty Vera xxx

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  2. Dont forget pass salt pass sorrow .... always put it down and let someone else pick it up for themselves . Also The Elephant thing !
    If you have one, real or ornament , it must face the door so it can get out !!!! Mum xxxx

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  3. I have popped over from the blog hop!! What a great list of superstitions - never heard about not putting new shoes on a table.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! Not sure what is so bad about new shoes on a table but I simply obey- my Nan would never forgive me if I didnt! xx

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  4. My grandparents were very superstitious. I heard many of those you listed from them. My grandfather would never have shoes on the table, new or otherwise. And the colour green was always bad luck. I think it was our Irish roots.

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  5. I cam over from the blog hop too! I've never heard of the first superstition, my Nanny always used to say about the no shoes on the table thing though. V funny! x

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    1. The ladder one can be a nightmare if your anywhere near a building site or the window cleaner is at your house! Thank you for stopping by xx

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  6. What is with the owls and the magpies? I haven't heard of those before. Superstitions are weird aren't they? But you can't help but 'obey' them. There is the one about not putting up an umbrella in the house. And seven years bad luck if you break a mirror. Thanks for visiting the Weekend Rewind x

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    1. Owls are a farmers friend as they catch mice, so they need to be outside and magpies are a real pest if you are raising game birds as they steal eggs from nests so I think that is where it comes from. We are an odd bunch! Thank you for stopping by xx

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