It was once believed that the flight of birds, which way the wind blew, sneezing and dreams were warnings about a person’s fate. As Christianity took over, signs from verses of the Gospels were look upon with importance.

If someone claimed to understand the language of animal and birds, they would quote the first through the fourteenth verses of St. John’s Gospel. If a cock crowed in the morning, they would repeat these same verses.

A charm against sickness was an amulet worn around the neck, with a piece of paper with the first three verses of St. John’s Gospel on it.

Omens that Forebode Evil:
If you were to stick a penknife in the mast of a boat while sailing, you would have bad luck.

It was unlucky to meet a cat, a dog, or a woman first thing in the morning. If you intended to go on a journey, it was the worse kind of luck. If you saw a woman with red hair, her presence meant that the person would have ill fortune and would come across evil.

First thing in the morning if you were to meet a man with red hair, or woman with a red petticoat, you were destine for bad luck.

If a hare crossed your path before sunrise, fortune would change for the worse.

It was considered bad luck to pass a churn and not give a helping hand.

If you meet a funeral procession, you must go back three steps with it to avoid ill fortune.

It is unlucky to pass under a hempen rope for the person would die a violent death, but it could also mean the person would be fated to commit an evil act some time in his life.

It is a bad omen to carry fire out of a house if someone lies ill within.

If a chair happens to fall as the person is rising, it is an unlucky omen.

If your ear itches and becomes red and hot to the touch, it is certain that someone is speaking ill about you.

It is believed on Hallowtide, (which is November 1st), the air was overflowing with the presence of the dead. On that day everything was a sign or prophecy of one’s fate. If a name of a person was called from outside it was a perilous omen. It was considered fatal to call the name three times.

Also on Hallowtide, birds were messengers of fate and usually meant evil. Ravens and water-wagtails were considered Satin’s own messengers.

It was unlucky to offer your left hand in salutation. The left hand was thought to offer a curse to one they disliked. The right hand was of honor.

A hen that crows should be killed immediately. Usually the hen was stoned for it was believed that that it had been bewitched by the fairies.

The most fatal sign was to break a mirror, for it meant that someone in the house would die before the year was over. There was no way of changing the fate.

A crowing hen, a whistling girl, and a black cat, are considered unlucky. Beware of them in the house!

I hope you have taken note of what to avoid. Come back next week and I’ll list omens that foretell that good luck is ahead.

Take Care!