Superstition

3 Pages 690 Words

Everyone has at least one superstition that they follow, whether they will admit it or not. Whether it’s from a certain religion, or a legend passed down from their ancestors. It’s in our human nature to come up with something to believe in, however obscure and ridiculous it may be. Many of these superstitions can dramatically affect a person’s life. Looking at the following examples will show what effects can come from trying to stay on the good side of the supernatural. Friday the 13th is thought of as the unluckiest day of the year. Some people take it so seriously they develop a morbid irrational fear called Paraskevidekatriaphobia. There are over 21 million people affected by this in the United States alone. Many people will avoid driving and ships will not sail. Others won’t even go to work or eat in restaurants, and you wouldn’t dare schedule a wedding on any Friday at all. Everybody knows about Friday the 13th and the story of it being cursed, but some will let it get in the way of their normal everyday functions. One of the sadder and more pathetic superstitions is the belief that a certain small, furry animal is possessed by evil spirits. Just because of the color of its fur, people will see a black cat and try to get as far away from it as possible. Over the years people have figured out certain rules that determine whether contact with the cat will bring good luck or bad luck. Rules like, if a black cat crosses their path, it will bring bad luck, unless of course they immediately walk 12 steps backwards. If a black cat walks towards them, it’s good, if it walks away; more bad luck will come upon them. This superstition can cause people to either not own a cat because of its color, or if they have one they must take special care of it. Some very mixed up people will steal black cats on nights of full moons and especially on Halloween. They use these poor creatures for special sacrifices, hoping to release evil s...