Fitting for today.
First thing this morning, a black cat crossed my path, and then sat staring as I passed.
How curious.
I’m not a superstitious person. However, who had not heard of a black cat crossing your path being bad luck?
Well, apparantly, to some it’s lucky:
Will you worry the next time a black cat crosses your path?
It may depend on where you live in the world. In Britain and Japan, having a black cat cross your path, is considered good luck, whereas if you live in the USA or several European countries, it is bad luck to have a black cat walk by.
Here are a few cat superstitions from various countries.
A strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity. – Scottish superstition
A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. – Italian superstition
It is bad luck to see a white cat at night. – American superstition
Dreaming of white cat means good luck. – American superstition
In the Netherlands, cats were not allowed in rooms where private family discussions were going on. The Dutch believed that cats would definitely spread gossips around the town.
In Egypt, it was once believed that the life-giving rays of the sun
were kept in a cat’s eyes at night for safekeeping.
To kill a cat brings seventeen years of bad luck -Irish superstition
Info from Petloveshack.
But, I found it most curious that today, of all days, it should happen.
August 19, 1692, 5 witches hung from Gallow hill in Salem. Among them, George Burroughs. Despite having no witches marks, and being able to recite the Lords Prayer, supposedly proof of his innocence, the former minister was hung as a witch.
I’ve always found the Salem witch trials a fascinating topic. And, in case you hadn’t noticed yet, bizaar research topics are something of a theme around here. So, for more information, a great place to start is over here.
Speaking of bizaar research topics, I’ld estimate anywhere from 80-90 percent of my ideas comes from some obscure research I do. I watch documentaries all the time, and you never know when some little tidbit there will make me go off in search of more info.
In the past, one of my favorite series for this was Digging for the Truth. Then Josh Bernstein left the show after season 3. And, the new host was a complete moron. At least Josh KNEW something about the stuff and would ask half-way intelligent questions.
And, the series fell flat in the 4th season. (Though the mummies of the clouds SURE has some Halloween potential…)
Last night, however, the Discovery Channel premiered Josh’s new series: Into the Unknown. I was hopefull it would be a decent replacement.
While last night’s show on Gladiators was of little value, and really shed no new light on the subject, a look at the episode guide reveals plenty more potential. Another look at the Cloud Warriors and New Guinea mummies among the potential additions to someone looking to bring a unique aspect to Halloween.