Appalachian Folklore: The Legend of Stingy Jack (HIstory of the Jack o' Lantern)

As I was recently reading some Appalachian Folklore, I came across a tale that I had never heard but thought would be good to share now that it's time for Halloween! As you may know, much of Appalachian folklore was brought to the area from wherever the settlers came from and this tale is said to have originated in Ireland. Out of all the versions I read, Dave Tabler's over at Appalachian History is my favorite. Hope y'all enjoy! 

     There's an old Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." Stingy Jack was a drunken brawler who found great enjoyment from playing tricks on anyone who crossed his path Jack also had the great misfortune of running into the Devil more than once.

     Jack's first encounter with the devil happened at a local Irish pub within the village. Obviously Stingy Jack was called Stingy Jack for a reason, and he wasn't about to change now in the face of the Devil. Jack convinced the Devil to transform into a sixpence piece so that Jack could use him to pay for their drinks. In exchange for this transaction, the Devil would receive Jack's soul. Little did the Devil know, Jack sill had a few tricks up his sleeve. 

After changing into the sixpence piece, Jack quickly tossed the Devil into his pocket next to a silver cross - thus preventing the Devil from returning to his original form. Jack then bargained with the Devil to keep his soul for 10 more years - in return for the Devil's freedom. The Devil reluctantly agrees and Jack frees him. Ten years pass and Jack crosses path with the Devil a second time. With the Devil ready to claim his soul, Jack made a last request: "I'll go, but before I do - will you retrieve and apple from that tree for me? I'm awfully hungry!"

The devil began to climb the tree, and while the Devil was climbing to the top of the tree, Jack carved a large cross into the back of the tree. Again, the Devil had been tricked and could not get down. 

Jack being quite pleased with himself; bargained yet again with the Devil - this time for the promise that the Devil would never, ever try to take his soul again. With no way out of the tree, the Devil agreed. 

Year pass and Jack finally passes away. Unfortunately for Jack, after all of his evil trickery and horrible deeds - God did not allow Jack into Heaven. The Devil, still bitter at Jack and his bag of tricks, kept his word and did not claim his soul. Jack was unable to get into Heaven, and unable to get into Hell. 

"Where shall I go?' Jack asked the Devil, confused and afraid.

"Back to where you came from!" The Devil growled angrily at Jack and sent him on his way back to earth.

Jack's journey back was very dark, and he begged for the Devil to lend him a light to help him lead the way. The devil provided Stingy Jack with a coal from the fires of Hell - which Jack then placed into a turnip he had in his pocket. The carved out turnip lead the way back to earth. Since then; Jack appears every Halloween. doomed to roam the earth in search of eternal rest - leading the way with his turnip lamp.

The Irish people began to refer to the ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern, " and soon "Jack O 'Lantern."

Traditionally on All Hallows Eve, many Irishmen make their own versions of Jack's lantern by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them near doors and windows to scare away the body-snatching spirits. 

According to Appalachian History, pumpkins weren't actually used until the Irish immigrants brought the tradition of the Jack-o-Lanterns with them to America - only to discover that pumpkins were easier to carve than their traditional turnips and potatoes. 

Have you ever heard this tale? I was very surprised to learn that the tradition all started with a turnip! Dave has all sorts of Appalachian related lore and info over at his website and I encourage you to check it out.

Hope y'all enjoyed the tale and I hope you have a Happy Halloween! 

Signs, Superstitions, and Omens: Week Three

Here is our last week of Signs, Superstitions, and Omens! If you happened to miss the past two installments, you can find them HERE and HERE.

*SIGNS*

A sign is believed to predict the future but unlike the omen, signs do not foretell negative happenings.

• According to Native American superstition, biting your tongue is a sign that you will soon receive either good news or a present.
• A dropped towel is a sign that you will have the arrival of an unwanted visitor. According to Scottish pioneers, you can nullify the sign by stepping backwards over the towel.
• If you dream that your teeth fall out, its a sign that your enemy will soon die. I always heard that it meant you would have sickness approaching.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation.

• Is there a thief in your community? Have a group of suspects dance around an upturned axe & when if falls over, the shaft will be pointing to the thief.
• If a baby sees it's image in a mirror before the age of six months, it will die before it turns one year old. 
• I remember when my Dude was around 5 months old, I left him sleeping on the couch while I went to make up my bed. I heard a thump and a cry not even 2 minutes after leaving the room. I raced back to the living room and scooped him up and cried right along with him. My Papaw Glenn happened to call about that time and calmed me down. He told me that he had always heard that if a baby didn't roll off of the bed before it was a year old, it would die. I'm not sure if that was really a superstition he had actually heard or if he was just trying to make me feel better...it helped a little.

*OMENS*

Omen- a phenomenon that is believed to tell the future, which also signifies change...usually negative.

• Bad luck will come to a household if someone dreams of an axe.
• Dreaming of a lizard is an omen that you have a secret enemy.
• If a bat comes close to flying into a person, it is an omen that the person will be betrayed by a friend. 
• A cat in a coal mine is an omen and the cat must be killed to avoid a death in the mines.

I hope that y'all have enjoyed this last week of SSOs. I've enjoyed reading the ones some of you have shared in the comments here and over on the Appalachian Mountain Roots Facebook page!

Signs, Superstitions, and Omens: Week Two

It's time for our next installment of signs, superstitions and omens! If you missed last week's you can  CLICK HERE to catch up.

*SIGNS*
A sign is believed to predict the future but unlike the omen,

signs do not foretell negative happenings.

• Two blackbirds flying together is a sign of good fortune.
• If a person's medicine has been spilled accidentally, it is a sign that he will soon recover. 
• A bee that flies into the house is a sign that a stranger is coming. 
• If a chair falls over as a person rises from the table, it is a sign that the person is a liar. 
• It's a sign of good luck when your right eye itches.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation.

• If you walk barefoot in the first snow of winter you will not catch cold all year. -submitted by Mary Blevins
• If you leave a piece of tin on top of an ant's nest during the full moon it will turn to silver.
• Placing a knife on the doorstep of the house where a birth had taken place will prevent witches from entering and harming the baby. (Scottish)
• You should not was a baby's right hand for its first three days or life or you will wash all of it's luck away.
• If a coal miner washes his back right before going to work, the mine roof will collapse on him. 

*OMENS*

Omen- a phenomenon that is believed to tell the future, which also signifies change...usually negative.  

• If a picture falls off a wall for no apparent reason, it is an omen of a coming catastrophe. 
• It is an omen of an extremely hard winter ahead if several plants come into bloom out of season. 
• See a butterfly at night? It is an omen of unexpected death. 
• A candle that has been put out but continues to glow is an omen of misfortune. 
• If a rooster crows as you leave to go on a trip, it is an omen of trouble. 

I loved reading some of these that you shared with me here and over on Facebook. I would love to hear any more that you happen to thing of! *This post was originally published here on 9/27/16*

Signs, Superstitions, and Omens: Week One

As the diversely ethnic settlers came into the Appalachian region, a detailed system of folklore was developed by combining signs, superstitions, omens, music, stories and beliefs. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. I've heard many of these stories and beliefs while growing up and while I would not consider myself a superstitious person, the possible outcomes of not abiding by these rituals will inevitably worm its way into my mind. Better safe than sorry, right?

Over the next few weeks, I plan on sharing some of these signs, superstitions, and omens and hope that you will be willing to share any that have been passed on in your families and communities. 

*SIGNS*

A sign is believed to predict the future but unlike the omen, signs do not foretell negative happenings. 

• A chin dimple is a sign of bad character. Dimples on the chin are said to be made by the devil's shoe. (Why not start off with one the applies to me, huh? I have a chin dimple and like to think that I'm not known for my bad character!)
• Tingling or itching ears are a sign that someone is talking about you. If it is the left ear, you're being gossiped about. If the right, good things are being said.
• Sole of your foot itching? This is a sign that you are about to embark on a long journey.
• If you have a candle that is hard to light, it is a sign that rain is on the way.
• Dreaming of bees is a sign of good fortune.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation. 

• An acorn placed on a window will will protect the house from lightning strikes.
• Treading on an ant nest will cause rain that day.
• A man who wipes his hands on a girl's apron is sure to fall in love with her. (German)
• Spitting on a new baby will bring the child good luck. (Irish)
• Never leave a baby's washed diapers on the clothesline during a full moon because they will attract evil forces.

*OMENS*

Omen- a phenomenon that is believed to tell the future, which also signifies change...usually negative

• A chicken laying an uneven number of eggs is an omen of danger.
• If a rabbit crosses your path before sunrise, unhappiness will cloud your day.
• If the dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon.
• If a broom falls over for no reason when someone walks past, it is an omen of bad fortune.
• Calling out the name of a deceased person while dreaming is an omen of a death.

I would love to hear any of the signs, superstitions, and omens that are a part of your families or communities. Feel free to share in the comments section below or you can send me a message on the Appalachian Mountain Roots Facebook page. 

*This post was originally published here on Appalachian Mountain Roots on 9/20/16.*

Mountain Remedies Part 2

Last week I shared part one of my Mountain Remedies posts. (You can click HERE if you missed it.) I mentioned that my husband's Aunt Carol had sent me an exert from Smoky Mountain Remedies circa 1920. It has a lengthy list and I have decided to break it up into at least two parts. I've also found some interesting remedies in one of the Foxfire books that may end up becoming part four! Whew, I had no idea that I'd have so much information to share but I've loved reading about what my people had to do to survive and am glad that I can share them with y'all. Some of these are pretty hard to believe and I don't recommend anyone trying them.

Before I share this information, I must first post a legal disclaimer:
This is a website/blog. The opinions expressed are my own and are shared as a source of information and entertainment. I am not a medical professional and do not recommend using any of these remedies without first consulting with your physician.  

Mountain Remedies 

The hardy mountain people relied upon their own resources for many things. Home remedies were included in this resourcefulness. First of all, because of geographical lay of the land, it was not always an easy task to get to town, nor was transportation as modern and convenient as we now have. Herbs and plants were used for many things and frequently with much success. 

There were individuals who spent a lifetime searching for the natural treatment and cure for various ailments. These folks were called "Yarb Doctors." The "Yarb Doctors" would search for sheep sorrel, or Indian turnips, ginseng, sassafras and many other plants that had medicinal properties. 

Some of these remedies were:

Catnip Tea: Brew a weak catnip tea and five to newborn babies to bring out the hives.

Catnip Poultices: Used on nursing mothers whose breast became caked with milk. 

White Oak Bark Tea: Boil the white oak bark, making tea, used as a gargle for tonsillitis. 

Other home remedies utilized items that were hardy and that most families had readily available. 

Wasp Stings: Treat by daubing the insect bite with a dip of wet snuff.

Fever: Make onion poultices, place on the body, then cover the sick person with many quilts or feather beds. This would cause sweating which would make the fever break.

Bad Cuts: Keep saturated with coal-oil (kerosene).

Toothache: Hold vanilla flavoring in the mouth. 

After Giving Birth: The mother was instructed to remain in bed at least nine days, although may people felt that twenty-one days was better. 

Bad Cut or Cut Off Finger: Put back in place and tie good with a rag, soak every day in kerosene. 

To Prevent Contagious Disease: Put asafetida in rag, tie around neck, chew on it several times a day, wear all winter. 

Cough: Use whiskey, honey, and lemon juice. 

Nail In Foot Or Puncture Wound: Poultice of scraped potato or salty meat skin. 

Chest Cold: Use a poultice of fried onions in a wool rag. 

Ear Ache: Blow tobacco smoke in ear or put a few drops of warm urine in the ear.

Bad Sore: Let dog lick it.

Strained Muscle: Use a poultice of red oak ooze.

Croup: Take a mixture of molasses and soda.

Worms: Turpentine and sugar. 

That's all for now! I have at least this many more to share next week and I hope that y'all will come back to check them out. Please leave in tried and true remedies that you know of in the comments section below.

 

Mountain Remedies Part 1

I've wanted to write a post about "mountain backwood remedies" for quite a while now but I always seem to get distracted by another subject. Today, as I was pondering on some blog post topics, my husband's Aunt Carol sent me an exert from a book that she was thumbing through that was titled "Mountain Remedies." Great timing, huh? Because this is a lengthy topic, I've decided to make this a two part post (maybe 3) and will share the complete exert next week. 

Google Image

Before I share some of my findings, I must first post a legal disclaimer:
 This is a website/blog. The opinions expressed are my own and are shared as a source of information and entertainment. I am not a medical professional and do not recommend using any of these remedies without first consulting with your physician.

The exert is from "Smoky Mtn. Heritage circa 1920" and as I was doing a little more research on the subject, I came across Dave Tabler's website, Appalachian History:
"Big Pharma had not yet perfected the widespread manufacture of synthetic drugs in 1932. Instead, the industry relied on “western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and eastern Tennessee [to] furnish 75% of the crude botanical drugs which the continent of North America supplies to the drug markets of the world,” according to an article in Economic Geography that summer."

So only 12 years after the information I'm going to share with you (next week) was published, the world still obtained the majority of their botanical drugs from Southern Appalachia. That's pretty incredible!

Interestingly enough, according to Folk Medicine In Southern Appalachia by Anthony Cavender, "by the 1920s commercial medicines had displaced much of the folk materia medica in most households." Here are some examples from the same book:

• Burns: Traditional Medicines (TM)- potato slice/scrapings. Commercial Medicine (CM): Cloverine Salve
• Constipation: TM - Mayapple, Epsom salts. CM - Black Draught
• Cough: TM - Cherry bark, mullein. CM - Troutman's Cough Syrup
• Diarrhea: TM - blackberry. CM - Pepto Bismol
• Heat Rash: TM - parched flour, cornstarch. CM - Gold Bond Powder
• Kidney Disorders: TM - corn silk, dandelion. CM - Doan's Pills
• Liver Disorders: TM - ratsbane. CM - Carter's Little Liver Pills
• Low Blood: TM - sulfur and molasses. CM - Geritol, Hadacol.
• Muscle Ache: TM - turpentine and hog fat. CM - Watkins Red Liniment, Sloan's Liniment 
• Upset Stomach: TM - goldenseal, calamus, peppermint. CM - Pepto Bismol, Rolaids. 
• Worms: TM - pumpkin seed. CM - Fry's Worm Medicine

 A couple of years ago, I got to thinking about the fact that if my family's health and well-being were left solely up to me, the gravedigger could just go ahead and dig our spots. That's a very scary thought. 

Since then, I've read up on many different natural remedies. I make and can my own elderberry syrup which just so happens to be something that the people of Appalachia have used to boost the immune system and ward of things like the flu for many, many years. I love honey and happen to have family members who are beekeepers. Honey is good for everything! I've researched the different uses of oils and extracts and the benefits of them. I make, use, and sell organic insect repellent, lotions, and salves. I recently read about the benefits of turmeric and ginger and luckily found a local farm that grows both and now make a paste with both. I'm also hoping to grow some of my own now that I know it can be grown in this region. What I would love to learn more about it how to identify plants and how to use them. Luckily, I live in botanical heaven! 

As promised, I will share the complete list of "Mountain Remedies" (circa 1920s) next week. Hope y'all will come back to read it. Some of them are quite unusual! Until then, how about sharing some of your tried and true home remedies in the comment section below. I'd love to compile a list from all of my Appalachian Mountain Roots readers!   

A Candle In The Window

 This was originally published here at AMR on 12/22/16.

The tradition of placing burning candles in the windows during Christmas has its roots in Irish culture. Many people, including myself, still practice this custom and the history behind it is very interesting.

During the British persecution, religion was suppressed throughout Ireland and the people had no churches. Priests were known to hide in forests and caves and they would secretly visit homes to say Mass during the night. 

Every Irish Catholic family hoped to have a priest come to their home so they could receive sacraments and offer hospitality. When Christmas came around, the Irish families would leave their doors unlocked and would place a lit candle in the window. This was a sort of signal to let any priests who happened to be in the area know they were welcome and to let the candles guide them to the homes during the dark night.

The priest would enter silently through the unlocked door and was welcomed by those who were grateful that their home would be used to worship and celebrate Jesus' birth. 

Over time, the British persecutors became suspicious and asked what the lit candles were all about. The faithful Irish explained that they burn the candles and keep the door unlocked so that Mary and Joseph, who searched for a place to stay, could find their way to our homes and be welcomed with open doors and open hearts. The British soldiers thought that it was a harmless superstition and didn't bother suppressing it.

I didn't know the history behind the candle until recently. I just thought that the battery operated candles looked pretty in my windows. Now, they mean much more. I want them to represent John 8:12 - "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Do you leave a burning candle in your window during Christmas? 

Appalachian Folklore: Love (Week 2)

Oh, I can't get enough of these vintage Valentine cards!

Hey, y'all! It's time for more love related folklore. Valentine's Day is just around the corner! (You can find last week's love folklore HERE.)

• If two people put spoons in a cup at the same time, the will be married.
• You can tell if your mate truly loves you by striking a match and holding it upside down. If it burns to the end, it's love!
• If you put a four leaf clover in your shoe, you'll marry the first person you meet. 
• If your lips itch it means that you want to be kissed.
• Name a fishing hook after the person you love. If you catch a fish with the hook, it means the love is true. 
• If you look in a mirror held over a spring (I've also heard a well), you will see the face of the person you will marry.
• If you swallow a chicken's heart, you'll win the hand of the one you love. *Ew, I don't recommend doing this. Just buy the gal some flowers!*

I hope you enjoyed these love superstitions. Again, if you know of one that I've missed, please leave them in the comments below.

Appalachian Folklore: Love (Week 1)

I'm in LOVE with these vintage Valentine cards that I found online!!

I think of one word when I think about love in early Appalachia: courting. I found the following in the Encyclopedia of Appalachia:
In rural Appalachia, a young person would often meet his or her love interest in church, which was usually the social as well as the religious center of a community. The first stage of courtship, which some people referred to as "talking," began shortly after boys and girls reached their adolescence. It might occur following Sunday service, at which time a young man would walk a young woman home from church after obtaining permission from her parents. In the next stage of courtship, often referred to as "sparking," the young man would escort the young woman to church on subsequent Sundays and bring her gifts at her parents' house, where his visits were under supervision. In preparation for seeing her boyfriend, the young woman would don her finest clothes and would occasionally apply some kind of makeup, but Appalachian society's behavioral codes expected a young single woman to act coyly toward her suitor.

Courting wasn't something that was drawn out over a long period of time. Sometimes, a wedding would take place within weeks of a first kiss. The gentleman suitors followed tradition by asking the father for his blessing and permission to marry his daughter. I'm glad that this tradition is still practiced by many, including my husband. He, like many nervous suitors before him, asked my Dad for his blessing and for permission before asking me to marry him. Dad was on board with the idea and my husband and I are looking forward to celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary in May. 

Now that it's getting closer to Valentine's Day, I thought that I would share some folklore centered around love. 

• If a young woman leaves her house early on Valentine's Day, walks down the road and the first person she meets is a man, she will be married within the next three months.
• If a courting couple each place an acorn in a bowl of water and the acorns drift toward one another, the couple will soon marry. 
• If you pin bay leaves to a pillow and sleep on it you'll dream of your future love.
• Never allow a pot of water to boil over or it will boil away your love's affection as well. 
• German folklore says that a man will surely fall in love with a woman if she urinates in his shoe. 
• Break a coin under the new moon and sew half of it in the clothes of the person you're after, and the person will fall in love with you.

I'll be sharing more love folklore with you next week and I would love to hear any that you may know. Just leave me a comment down below! 

A Candle In The Window

The tradition of placing burning candles in the windows during Christmas has its roots in Irish culture. Many people, including myself, still practice this custom and the history behind it is very interesting.

During the British persecution, religion was suppressed throughout Ireland and the people had no churches. Priests were known to hide in forests and caves and they would secretly visit homes to say Mass during the night. 

Every Irish Catholic family hoped to have a priest come to their home so they could receive sacraments and offer hospitality. When Christmas came around, the Irish families would leave their doors unlocked and would place a lit candle in the window. This was a sort of signal to let any priests who happened to be in the area know they were welcome and to let the candles guide them to the homes during the dark night.

The priest would enter silently through the unlocked door and was welcomed by those who were grateful that their home would be used to worship and celebrate Jesus' birth. 

Over time, the British persecutors became suspicious and asked what the lit candles were all about. The faithful Irish explained that they burn the candles and keep the door unlocked so that Mary and Joseph, who searched for a place to stay, could find their way to our homes and be welcomed with open doors and open hearts. The British soldiers thought that it was a harmless superstition and didn't bother suppressing it.

I didn't know the history behind the candle until recently. I just thought that the battery operated candles looked pretty in my windows. Now, they mean much more. I want them to represent John 8:12 - "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Do you leave a burning candle in your window during Christmas? 

Christmas Superstitions & Folklore In Appalachia

Christmas is a magical time not only in Appalachia but throughout the world. There are more traditions associated with this holiday than any other. With Appalachia being rich in superstitions and folklore, I thought it would fun to find a few centered around Christmas to share with you. 

• Eating an apple on Christmas Eve will bring you good luck during the next year.
• Ghosts will never appear to their family on Christmas Day.
• Listen closely to a bee hive on Christmas Eve and you will hear bees humming the Psalms. It is also believed that bees hum the hundredth Psalm from dusk until dawn on Old Christmas (January 6).
• Children who are born on Christmas Day will not be troubled by ghosts and do not have to fear hanging or drowning.
• Water is said to turn to wine at midnight on Christmas Eve but it is bad luck to taste it. 
• A rooster crowing on Christmas Eve scares away evil spirits. Shooting off fireworks or guns works too.
• Christmas Day weather forecasts the weather for the coming year: a warm Christmas foretells a cold Easter; a green Christmas, a white Easter; a windy Christmas will bring a good corn crop.
• It is bad luck for a cat to meow on Christmas Day. If it does, you will be visited by evil spirits every day during the coming year.
• Children born on January 6th (Old Christmas) often develop the powers for healing the sick.
• If you sit under a pine tree on Christmas Day, you can hear angels sing but if you hear them, you'll be on your way to heaven before the next Christmas.

Have you heard any Christmas superstitions or folklore? I'd love to hear them so please let me know in the comments. 

Halloween - Spooky Signs and Omens

Halloween was always a fun time for me growing up. We would either dress up in something thrown together from around the house or we'd end up with the cheap plastic costumes that seemed to be so popular in the 80s. Remember those? My big brother is Scooby and I'm the Smurf. 

We'd jump in the car and head over to our grandparent's house & the houses of other family and friends. My Dad always made sure to take us to one house in particular. A lady that worked at our school cafeteria always made and gave candied apples and popcorn balls. That was Halloween GOLD back in the day. I don't even know anyone that makes either of those treats these days...today's generation is missing out! 

I thought I would share a few of the spookier Signs and Omens to go along with this spooky night. I hope you enjoy them and you can find past installments here on my blog.

I found these vintage Halloween items in an antique store, Black & White Antiques, in Blairsville, GA.

• Settlers would dress a child in clothes of the opposite sex as a way to confuse the devil. Some Irish settlers would do this until the children reached 14 years of age.
• You shouldn't turn down the bed too early in the evening because it invites evil spirits to hop in. 
• You should always check under the bed before going to sleep to make sure that the devil isn't hiding there.
• Ringing a church bell can frighten off evil spirits.
• If a flying witch hears the sound of a church bell, it will cause her to fall to the ground.
• A birch tree planted beside the front door provides protection from a witch trying to enter the house. She will be drawn to counting the leaves before she can go in.
• Dark birds that flock around trees but never land are said to be the souls of evil persons who cannot rest.
• Placing bread and coffee under a house will keep ghosts from entering it.
• A girl can learn what type of husband she'll marry by pulling up a cabbage by the roots on Halloween. If the roots are sturdy and straight, her husband will be handsome and strong. If they are crooked, he will be dishonest and cruel.
• Chestnuts must be placed on a table on Halloween as a gift for the dead. This insures that the house will not become haunted.
• If you're walking down a road on Halloween night and you hear someone walking behind you, you must not turn around because it may be death himself. 
• Never go hunting on Halloween because you may accidentally wound a wandering spirit.
• If you stop at a crossroads on Halloween and listen carefully to the wind, you may be able to hear what the future holds.
• If a girl stands in front of a mirror on Halloween, eating an apple while combing her hair at midnight, her future husband's image will be reflected over her left shoulder.
• An old Scottish superstition says that a young girl can count the number of grains on an oak stalk on Halloween to see how many children she will have.
• Bleeding on Halloween is an omen that the injured person will die in the near future.
• If the flame of a candle flickers and then turns blue, there is a spirit in the room.
• If you feel a chill go up your spine, someone has just walked over your grave.
• Hold your breath when you walk past a cemetery or you might breathe in the soul of someone who has recently died.
• Not sharing your Halloween candy means you're greedy. Ha, I had to throw that one in there. ;)

I'd love to hear of any old Halloween superstitions or traditions that you've heard or observe! 

Superstitions: Mirrors

Hey, y'all! I was all ready to share another week of SSOs but decided to focus on the superstitions surrounding one topic: mirrors. Since we're only a week and a half away from Halloween, I'll share some of the spookier mirror superstitions.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation.

1. If you break a mirror, you will have seven years of bad luck. This superstitions seems to stem from when early people believed that they could see the image of their soul in a mirror. If it was broken, so was the soul and it was a sure sign of a person's death. The seven years come from the ancient Roman belief that it took that many years for a soul to renew itself. An Appalachian remedy for remedying the seven year curse was to bury the broken mirror deeply in the ground.
2.  I mentioned this one last week: If a baby sees it's image in a mirror before the age of six months, it will die before it turns one year old.
3. It's considered bad luck to see your face in the mirror by candlelight because you might see the spirit of a loved one who has died. 
4. If three people look into the same mirror at the same time, the youngest will soon die. 
5. And the one that I find the most fascinating and will elaborate on more below: You must cover the mirror in the room where anyone who has passed so their soul will not be trapped. The covering can be removed after the funeral. 

I've decided to be a little vulnerable and share a secret with you...I'm afraid of old mirrors. I hate them! I'm a lover of many old things and love visiting antique shops but as soon as I spot an old mirror, I'll do anything I can to avoid it. 

I think this fear comes from the superstition that goes along with covering mirrors when someone dies. I've never personally witnessed anyone practicing this superstition but have read about it and seen it done in some movies. One of my all time favorite novels is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. I'm going to go a little off topic for a moment so please bear with me...Fannie Flagg is one of my FAVORITE authors and I've read all of her books. She is a brilliant and hilarious storyteller. If you want a good dose of southern humor, check her out! Okay, now that that's out of the way, back to why I mentioned Fried Green Tomatoes...as most of you know the novel was made into a movie. Those of you who have watched the movie may remember the scene where Ruth dies in bed. As soon as she passes, Sipsey covers the mirror in her room. Throughout the movie, Sipsey is a very superstitious person and I can only conclude that she covered that mirror because she believed her doing so would allow Ruth's spirit to cross over into her new life. If she hadn't, Ruth's soul would have become trapped and she would have to stay and haunt all who remain in this world.

Like I said, I've never personally witnessed anyone practicing the ritual that goes along with this superstition but it must have been scary enough to stay with me. Every time I look at an old mirror I can't help but wonder if it was in a room where someone passed or possibly where a wake took place. What if they didn't cover it? I don't want any part of that! Nope, nope, nope. I'd like to think that I'm a mature gal who has a decent IQ but I can't seem to even logically convince myself that there isn't anything to be afraid of. Whether anyone thinks this one is ignorant or not, you can bet the farm on me not having an old mirror in my house!

*You still have time to win a signed copy of Appalachian Lore: Haints, Hexes, Hoo-Doos and Such. If you'd like to find out how to enter the giveaway, you can go here.

Signs, Superstitions, and Omens - Week 3

*This post was originally published here at Appalachian Mountain Roots on 10/13/2016*

Hey y'all! It has been a few weeks since my last installment of signs, superstitions, and omens (SSOs). I ended up having to spend a few more days in the big house (how I fondly refer to the hospital) and it took a little longer for me to "get back on my feet." Anyway, enough about my moans and groans...if you happened to miss the past installments, you can find them here: Week 1 & Week 2. 
I hope you enjoy these and please share any that you've heard in your neck of the woods!

*SIGNS*

A sign is believed to predict the future but unlike the omen, signs do not foretell negative happenings.

• According to Native American superstition, biting your tongue is a sign that you will soon receive either good news or a present.
• A dropped towel is a sign that you will have the arrival of an unwanted visitor. According to Scottish pioneers, you can nullify the sign by stepping backwards over the towel.
• If you dream that your teeth fall out, its a sign that your enemy will soon die. I always heard that it meant you would have sickness approaching.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation.

• Is there a thief in your community? Have a group of suspects dance around an upturned axe & when if falls over, the shaft will be pointing to the thief.
• If a baby sees it's image in a mirror before the age of six months, it will die before it turns one year old. 
• I remember when my Dude was around 5 months old, I left him sleeping on the couch while I went to make up my bed. I heard a thump and a cry not even 2 minutes after leaving the room. I raced back to the living room and scooped him up and cried right along with him. My Papaw Glenn happened to call about that time and calmed me down. He told me that he had always heard that if a baby didn't roll off of the bed before it was a year old, it would die. I'm not sure if that was really a superstition he had actually heard or if he was just trying to make me feel better...it helped a little.

*OMENS*

Omen- a phenomenon that is believed to tell the future, which also signifies change...usually negative.

• Bad luck will come to a household if someone dreams of an axe.
• Dreaming of a lizard is an omen that you have a secret enemy.
• If a bat comes close to flying into a person, it is an omen that the person will be betrayed by a friend. 
• A cat in a coal mine is an omen and the cat must be killed to avoid a death in the mines.

I hope that y'all have enjoyed this week's SSOs. Next week, I'll be sharing some more along with my review of a book by Appalachian author, Philip Kent Church. The name of the book is: Appalachian Lore: Haints, Hexes, Hoo-Doos and Such. 

I will also be having a giveaway over on my Facebook page of a signed copy of the book! Be sure to keep an eye out for it!! 

Signs, Superstitions, and Omens - Week 2

*This post was originally published here on 9/27/16*

It's time for our next installment of signs, superstitions and omens! If you missed last week's you can go here to catch up.

*SIGNS*
A sign is believed to predict the future but unlike the omen,

signs do not foretell negative happenings.

• Two blackbirds flying together is a sign of good fortune.
• If a person's medicine has been spilled accidentally, it is a sign that he will soon recover. 
• A bee that flies into the house is a sign that a stranger is coming. 
• If a chair falls over as a person rises from the table, it is a sign that the person is a liar. 
• It's a sign of good luck when your right eye itches.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation.

• If you walk barefoot in the first snow of winter you will not catch cold all year. -submitted by Mary Blevins
• If you leave a piece of tin on top of an ant's nest during the full moon it will turn to silver.
• Placing a knife on the doorstep of the house where a birth had taken place will prevent witches from entering and harming the baby. (Scottish)
• You should not was a baby's right hand for its first three days or life or you will wash all of it's luck away.
• If a coal miner washes his back right before going to work, the mine roof will collapse on him. 

*OMENS*

Omen- a phenomenon that is believed to tell the future, which also signifies change...usually negative.  

• If a picture falls off a wall for no apparent reason, it is an omen of a coming catastrophe. 
• It is an omen of an extremely hard winter ahead if several plants come into bloom out of season. 
• See a butterfly at night? It is an omen of unexpected death. 
• A candle that has been put out but continues to glow is an omen of misfortune. 
• If a rooster crows as you leave to go on a trip, it is an omen of trouble. 

I loved reading some of these that you shared with me here and over on Facebook. I would love to hear any more that you happen to thing of! 

Signs, Superstitions, and Omens- Week 1

As the diversely ethnic settlers came into the Appalachian region, a detailed system of folklore was developed by combining signs, superstitions, omens, music, stories and beliefs. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. I've heard many of these stories and beliefs while growing up and while I would not consider myself a superstitious person, the possible outcomes of not abiding by these rituals will inevitably worm its way into my mind. Better safe than sorry, right?

Over the next few weeks, I plan on sharing some of these signs, superstitions, and omens and hope that you will be willing to share any that have been passed on in your families and communities. 

*SIGNS*

A sign is believed to predict the future but unlike the omen, signs do not foretell negative happenings. 

• A chin dimple is a sign of bad character. Dimples on the chin are said to be made by the devil's shoe. (Why not start off with one the applies to me, huh? I have a chin dimple and like to think that I'm not known for my bad character!)
• Tingling or itching ears are a sign that someone is talking about you. If it is the left ear, you're being gossiped about. If the right, good things are being said.
• Sole of your foot itching? This is a sign that you are about to embark on a long journey.
• If you have a candle that is hard to light, it is a sign that rain is on the way.
• Dreaming of bees is a sign of good fortune.

*SUPERSTITIONS*

A superstition is an irrational belief, usually arising from ignorance or fear, that is believed by a number of people but is without foundation. 

• An acorn placed on a window will will protect the house from lightning strikes.
• Treading on an ant nest will cause rain that day.
• A man who wipes his hands on a girl's apron is sure to fall in love with her. (German)
• Spitting on a new baby will bring the child good luck. (Irish)
• Never leave a baby's washed diapers on the clothesline during a full moon because they will attract evil forces.

*OMENS*

Omen- a phenomenon that is believed to tell the future, which also signifies change...usually negative

• A chicken laying an uneven number of eggs is an omen of danger.
• If a rabbit crosses your path before sunrise, unhappiness will cloud your day.
• If the dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon.
• If a broom falls over for no reason when someone walks past, it is an omen of bad fortune.
• Calling out the name of a deceased person while dreaming is an omen of a death.

I would love to hear any of the signs, superstitions, and omens that are a part of your families or communities. Feel free to share in the comments section below or you can send me a message on the Appalachian Mountain Roots Facebook page.
*This post was originally published here on Appalachian Mountain Roots on 9/20/16.*