Superstitions: 10,000 You Really Need

by William Carroll (Editor)

10,000 Reasons for everything. How to win. Why you lost. Folklore supporting our best superstitions. Superstitions, illusions, or delusions, myths or "old wives tales," have been a comforting or disturbing portion of our lives since day one when eating an apple became associated with sinning while having fun. On the other hand to "believe," in parallel with the world of superstition and folklore, has long been a form of sociological cement holding societies, religions and governments in a common community of interests and objectives. Psychiatrists find it practical to enhance the day to day acceptance of superstition foundationed on the comforting control (A belief?) they try to give the patient over that same patient's daily destiny. Further, the value of "belief" (A superstition?) is supported by countless experiments in the medical field. Pills of medical value and pills of none (placebos) are administered in an identical manner to control groups, with acceptable beneficial results reported for patients who received placebos as compared to patient receiving the stated medication. So who could easily proved that "belief" is valueless, be it superstition or placebo. With the simple caveat that when a superstition, such as remaining in bed all day because it is Tuesday, becomes a compulsion, it is simply a restrictive stupidity which should be abandoned as quickly as possible. Which all adds up to learning more of superstitions you may find comforting for the day and understanding why an experienced seamstress often sews with a spare needle between her lips...for Good Luck of course! So place tongue in cheek (A superstition?) and enjoy 10,000 of the very best.

603 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a lover and collector of superstitions so this book was a dream come true! Well organized and easy to reference, I found not only intriguing folk beliefs that were new to me but many that were part of my upbringing and many more that I'm still surrounded by and repeating. A fascinating read!