Encyclopedia of Superstitions

Encyclopedia of Superstitions PDF

Author: Edwin Radford

Publisher: Open Road Media

Published: 2018-06-19

Total Pages: 787

ISBN-13: 150405508X

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“For the expert investigation of the human will to believe, we recommend The Encyclopedia of Superstitions.”—The New York Times Why is it said that breaking a mirror or walking under ladders will bring bad luck and misfortunate? Ever wonder why so many people throw salt over their shoulders after spilling it, or wish on shooting stars? The Encyclopedia of Superstitions holds the answers to these questions and more. This classic and captivating reference book catalogs the origins of hundreds of superstitious beliefs and includes a rich history of charms, spells, folklore, and rural remedies drawn from cultures around the world used to commemorate births, marriages, deaths, to ward off evil, or invite good fortune. Edwin and Mona A. Radford uncover why catching a falling leaf in autumn is believed to stave off colds all winter and explain the traditional Norse mythological roots of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas. They explore the myriad of beliefs surrounding the moon or what spotting a rainbow portends and why. This thought-provoking collection provides a wealth of entertaining entries—stories that have the power to thrill, intrigue, and perhaps send a chill down the spine of even the most skeptical of readers.

The Encyclopedia of Superstitions

The Encyclopedia of Superstitions PDF

Author: Richard Webster

Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide

Published: 2012-09-08

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 0738725617

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Have you ever rubbed a frog on your freckles? Trivia fans and fun fact fanatics will adore this fascinating, flickable encyclopedia of superstitions! Richard Webster presents over five hundred of the most obscure, curious, and just-plain-freaky superstitions of the Western world. Discover batty beliefs about baldness, beans, and the Bermuda Triangle, and peculiar practices regarding hiccups, hearses, and hunchbacks. From modern myths to centuries-old lore, The Encyclopedia of Superstitions offers a wealth of wonderfully weird beliefs on just about every topic you can imagine: Holidays Birth Death Weddings Colors Gemstones Trees Flowers Fairies Weather Numbers Animals Birds Insects Household Items Zodiac Signs Gambling The Human Body Food Praise: "[T]his reference makes for compulsive browsing."—Publishers Weekly

Superstitions

Superstitions PDF

Author: Diagram Group

Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 516

ISBN-13: 9781402755026

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Explains the meanings of thousands of signs, omens, spells, charms, cures, rituals, and taboos; arranged alphabetically by topic.

A Dictionary of Superstitions

A Dictionary of Superstitions PDF

Author: Iona Archibald Opie

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780192806642

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"If you've ever wanted the definitive answers on subjects such as black cats and white heather, look no further than this classic dictionary. Entries are illustrated by quotations that trace their development through the centuries. A work of reference for anyone with an interest in superstitions and their history." "Entries give real examples of usage, illustrating the meaning, history, and origin of superstitions. Subjects covered include spells, cures, rituals, taboos, charms, and omens. The dictionary is fully cross-referenced for easy browsing."--BOOK JACKET.

The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions

The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions PDF

Author: Diagram Group

Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 516

ISBN-13: 9780806969138

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Broken up into categories such as Animals, Astrology, Dreams, and Flowers, this fascinating dictionary will alert you to thousands of beliefs, omens, and proverbs that you may never have known. Many other subjects range from Clothing to Food to Marriage numbers.

Cassell's Dictionary of Superstitions

Cassell's Dictionary of Superstitions PDF

Author: David Pickering

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 527

ISBN-13: 9780304365616

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Alphabetically arranged entries provide coverage of a wide range of ancient and modern fears, beliefs, and taboos, explaining the rituals, charms, and talismans invoked by the superstitions.

Black Cats and Evil Eyes

Black Cats and Evil Eyes PDF

Author: Chloe Rhodes

Publisher: Michael O'Mara

Published: 2012-09-13

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1843179164

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This collection investigates the origins of our most intriguing old-fashioned superstitions, many of which we still find ourselves abiding by today. Hundreds of the beliefs passed down through the generations have their foundations in our ancestors' efforts to ward off evil, which they blamed for hardship, illness and injustice in times when life was, as often as not, 'nasty, brutish and short'. Black Cats and Evil Eyes sets these superstitions in their historical and social context, explaining how fear of the Devil, demons, evil spirits and witchcraft drove people to arm themselves with rituals and talismans to repel dark forces and allow them to live long and healthy lives. In examining many of our common superstitions, this book illuminates the customs, beliefs and practices that link us to an ancient, and often darker, human past.

The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland

The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland PDF

Author: Steve Roud

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2006-04-06

Total Pages: 1004

ISBN-13: 0141941626

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Are black cats lucky or unlucky? What should you do when you hear the first cuckoo? Since when have people believed that it's unlucky to shoot an albatross? Why does breaking a mirror lead to misfortune? This fascinating collection answers these and many other questions about the world of superstitions and forms an endlessly browsable guide to a subject that continues to obsess and intrigue.

Unexplained

Unexplained PDF

Author: Judy Allen

Publisher: Kingfisher

Published: 2011-08-16

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780753464823

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Even with today's high-tech science, many events and ancient mysteries remain unexplained and surrounded by theories that stir the imagination and challenge scientific fact. This book systematically explores all aspects of the human fascination with the unknowable, from hauntings and the power of the mind, to physical mysteries such as lost civilizations, ancient superstitions and symbols, and the persistent ideas about life from other planets. Evocative illustrations and intriguing photographs, combined with riveting text by an award-winning author, shed light on the world's greatest mysteries.