A Dictionary of Omens and Superstitions: The Complete Guide to Signs of Good Fortune and Bad Luck

by Philippa Waring

What does it mean if a cat sits and washes itself in your doorway?
And why should women have their hair cut only when the moon is waxing?

Belief in superstitions links us to a time when everyday events and objects had magical significance, and knowledge of these could change your fate. If you avoid anything with the number thirteen and cross the road to avoid walking under ladders, then you would be wise to learn about the many other signs that surround us.

Whether you wish to increase your good fortune, ward off bad luck, or simply desire to know what today has in store, A Dictionary of Omens and Superstitions provides a complete guide to hundreds of portents, signs and customs from around the world, tracing the origins of our superstitions and explaining their rich symbolism.

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2020

Reviews

[Maddie Mooney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give this 0 stars if I could.
Every page of this book is stuffed with misogyny and racism. The author giving us roughly 550 omens and superstitions credits absolutely 0, that’s right there is not a single point of reference in this book.

[Seher · Rating 2 out of 5]

They said dictionary and they meant (a really short) dictionary. It focuses a lot on western superstitions and it got really boring.

[Jeannine Morin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is basically a plagiarism of the The Dictionary of Superstitions by David Pickering, with a tiny bit of new information added to it. At times it was word for word, like his book. It was something that was published that shouldn't have been in my opinion. It seemed lazy and unqualified to produce a new book with information that has already been published. The new information was good, however, I'm sure they could have wrote a book based off today's superstitions or found old information that hasn't been published yet, or rarely heard of.

[Larrykins · Rating 2 out of 5]

All it is, is a list.