A Wee Bit of Good Luck by Karen Michelle Nutt @KMNbooks @RebeccaJVickery #superstitions #Irishblessings

Luck of the Irish isn't easy to obtain, and you don't have to be Irish to have a wee bit of good luck come your way. Here are some superstitions and bad omens you'd be good to avoid, and more than a few charming ones as well.

1. If you be having an unstoppable itch on your left hand, this means a pot of gold is about to come your way. But if the itch is in your right hand, well you won’t be getting any money, but you may be making a new friend.

2. Leprechauns have the reputation of being deceitful tricksters, and you're best not to try to make friends with one; however, if you catch one, he'll most likely tell you where is treasure is hidden in exchange for his freedom. Don't take your eyes off the little guy, not even for a split second because to be sure, he'll vanish without granting you a thing.

3. The actual day of March 17th holds a bit of magic… Don't drop a dishtowel on this day unless you're wishing for some company.

4. Never under any circumstances accept a lock of hair from your lover or you are in for some bad luck.

5. You've all heard that if a black cat crosses your path you're in for some bad luck. However, the Irish have a sure way to ward this off. Make a triangle with your thumbs and forefinger, and then spit in the direction the black cat took. (Please, don't spit on cats.)

6. Never give a friend a knife for a gift. It will sever your friendship. In fact, don’t ever hand someone a knife. It will bring bad luck. Instead if someone asks for a knife, place it on the table near their plate, and allow them to pick it up.

7. Feeling a bit peaked from all that corned beef and cabbage? Tie a bunch of mint sprigs around your wrist to cure your upset stomach.

8. If you come across a horseshoe, nail it to the door. Sorry, buying a horseshoe or using a gifted one doesn't work.

9. If you're lucky enough to find a four-leaf clover, you'll have luck with the races and gambling, and for an added bonus, witchcraft will have no power over you. But keep this information to yourself. The luck only last as long as no one knows you possess the four-leaf clover.

10. Don't fret if you can't find a four-leaf clover. There’s another way to aid your gambling luck. A crooked pin in your coat is said to bring good luck at cards.

11. Have you ever wondered about shoes hanging from telephone wires? Well if it's March 18th (the day after St. Patrick's Day), it just may be someone trying for some luck. The Irish say throwing your shoes on the way home from a party brings good luck.

12. Never ever leave your child unattended. The fairies may take him or her and leave a changeling in its place. Irish born Yeats wrote a poem about this, "Come Away O human child".

13. Don't forget to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. If you don't, beware! You just might get pinched. This is an American tradition started in the 1700s. Wearing the green was thought to make the wearer invisible to the fairy creatures that would pinch those who did not wear green. People began pinching those who didn't wear the green as a reminder that these fairy creatures could sneak up on the non-green clothed person and do the honors themselves.

Irish Blessing

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

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Time Travel, Magic and OtherWorldly Tales ...embrace your destiny and enter my world!

 

Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chorkie, is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

When she’s not time traveling, fighting outlaws, or otherworldly creatures, she creates pre-made book covers to order at Gillian’s Book Covers, “Judge Your Book By Its Cover”. You can also check out her published cover art designs at Western Trail Blazer and Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing.

Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.

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