I am not superstitious at all, I don’t believe in ghosts or the supernatural, or fairies or bad or good luck… however… when I notice a pair of knives with crossed blades, I always uncross them, I’m always cheered by the sight of a black cat crossing my path, I always say ‘good morning/afternoon’ three times if I see a single magpie, and I’m always a little cautious of walking under ladders – sensible really because something might fall from above… See a pin and pick it up, and all that day you’ll have good luck – if I pick up a pin I’ll usually put it through my collar… if I’m wearing on of course!
Are people still superstitious? When I was young there were always comments about two teaspoons in a saucer (someone’s expecting twins) spilt salt (quick! throw some over you shoulder) knocking or touching wood for good luck, not opening an umbrella indoors, not putting new shoes on a table… And yet I’m sure my parents didn’t believe in these things, so how did we know them? I asked my daughter about young people and superstitions; one I had never heard of was not walking on three drains – drains in a pavement… I’ve heard of not walking on cracks in a pavement, but three drains?
Horseshoes, a sprig of mistletoe left over from Christmas, not giving or accepting scissors or knives as a gift without ‘paying back’ with a coin, even if it’s only a penny, whistling when you say the same thing as somebody else at exactly the same time, itchy palms, accidentally wearing clothes back to front or inside out (I’m forever doing that) dropping a knife on the floor and of course lucky or unlucky thirteen and broken mirrors!
Of course, I don’t believe in superstitions, although I’ll just touch wood to make sure all’s well after that statement!
Lois Elsden 
My friend from South London always throws a coin into the river when he walks across any of the Thames bridges. A very ancient superstition going back to the Romans apparently and it’s to placate the river gods. I wonder how many younger people do it?
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I don’t do it with the Thames – but I’ve never lived in London, but I do with little quiet rivers and streams.. if I have a coin! Have you read The Rivers of London series? So good!
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Ben Aaronovitch? Yes, I love them. Waiting for the net one….
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They’re so funny (especially the first ones!) Have you read his graphic novels?
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No I haven’t, any good?
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I haven’t yet, a friend has and reads them in tandem with the word books, he says their excellent. I must have a look
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I just pre ordered book 7, out next May.
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Oooh! I must do the same!!!
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I love them I am fascinated by rivers and waterways anyway
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Yes, me too!
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I always worry when I see a single magpie!
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