You Feelin' Lucky?

It's only the end of my first week back in school and I already feel like I'm gonna need some serious luck in these upcoming weeks. 

So that got me thinking....

GOOD LUCK CHARMS!

Now, I'm gonna split this into two categories.

First, I'll share some common ones and then I'll share what some of my friends and family consider their personal lucky charms.

 COMMON LUCKY CHARMS!!!

four leaf clovers

Clovers themselves were originally a good sign to Celts simply because they meant a new spring had come. Though the Celts found four leaf clovers to be especially lucky as those that carried them were believed to be able to see demons and drive away evil spirits. 

rabbit's foot

Once again, the Celts were amongst the first to find rabbits lucky. They believed so since the rabbit could burrow below ground, so obviously that meant that they could speak with the spirits of the underworld. Makes sense. However, what doesn't make sense is they found the entire rabbit lucky. So that begs the question of just who had a foot fetish towards rabbits? Apparently, the tradition comes from African American spirituality where the rabbit's foot was believed to bring luck in fertility since that's what they tend to be known for: their reproductive habits. That's not where it stops though. There are a few rules that come with the practice such as:

1. It must be the left hind foot

2. It must be done on a certain day

3. They need to be captured or killed in a cemetery and more power to you if it's killed on a person's grave...

horseshoes

The Celts strike again with another tradition. They believed in the fae and evil spirits that were known to cause mischief. However, these creatures also had an aversion to iron, the metal burning them where it touched. Therefore, the Celts would hang horseshoes above their doors so as to prevent fae from coming inside. Despite the well known origins, there's still argument on the proper way to hang them. Those that hang it with the points facing up says it keeps all the good luck from spilling out. On the flip side, those that hang it the other way do it so the luck pours out onto those that walk through the door. 

ladybugs

There are actually multiple superstitions that come with ladybugs. One of the first was started by farmers who wanted to keep these tiny crop protectors alive. The belief was if you kill a ladybug, it would bring you bad luck. While that doesn't necessarily make them lucky, it prevents bad luck. There's no really clear reason behind why else they are considered lucky, but there are more good luck superstitions as they are another sign that spring is here. If a ladybug lands on you, that's good luck and if you just see one then that's a sign of good weather or fortune to come. 

rainbows

There's no real backing to this one except the obvious thought of there being a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The Celts (once again...) did associate curved things such as a rainbow with fertility as the arch is similar to that of a pregnant woman and were sure that making love under a rainbow would result in a successful pregnancy. In the Bible, God creates a rainbow as a covenant between him and the people of Earth, so often rainbows will also represent promises. Overall, I just think of them as pretty to look at. 

#7

There's no real luck attached to the number seven, but it is quite often people's favorite number. When I did a survey of my classmates in middle school, the favorite number of my peers was by far seven. Why is that? It's probably because it's all around us: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, seven days in a week, seven seas, 007, seven deadly sins, seven colors of the rainbow, and seven continents.

Personal Luck!!!

Me: #13

For some reason, I've always thought of the number thirteen as my lucky number. Not only is it the date of my birthday, but I've always been lucky with anything concerning it. 

my mother: me 

My mother was incredibly corny, but adorable at the same time when she informed me that I was her lucky charm saying that when something good happens, she's usually gotten some form of 'good luck' from me. As cute as that is, I'd also like to state that her lucky number that sh always relies on is the #3.

my grandmother: cats

My grandmother has grown up with cats, and has owned seven in total. Overall, they are a very calming presence for her and help her focus and get things done.

my grandfather: my grandmother

My mother clearly got her corniness from my grandfather as he claimed my grandmother was his lucky charm after 45 years of marriage. Originally though, he said that he had no lucky charm. 

Amelia: nothing

My friend, Amelia, on the other hand, was very resolute in the fact she did not have a lucky charm.

Katlyn: her necklace 

This is Katlyn's necklace. It's a family heirloom and has been in her family for around 100 years give or take. She also keeps it in a rather pretty box.

Cat: her puzzle necklace 

Cat's necklace is her lucky charm as it reminds her that she could be the missing piece in someone's life. It encourages her to go and meet new people. 

Lily: her Howl's Moving Castle book

Last, but certainly not least, Lily's copy of Howl's Moving Castle is her lucky charm simply because it makes her happy. 

That's all for now!

Love you all and adios!

*not my images except the necklaces