Elizabethan era had some superstitions that still exist in today modern world. Some believe they are irrational beliefs while others indulge. However during this historic era even nobility like the monarchy believed in superstition. Short summary of some of them:
1. Sneezing with your mouth open allows the devil to enter within provoking harmful behavior. Saying bless you like we do today apparently counters the devil out as it was said no demon can stay in a blessed place.
2. Stirring a pot of food clockwise is bad luck to whoever eat from it.
3. During the period of the plagues the people walked around with scented flowers in their pockets and burned scented firewood to drive out disease, this was because the balance of good and bad was very important during this era.
4. The 7th son of the 7th son is believed to be with supernatural powers.
5. Running water, fire, iron and silver were said to be lucky charms.
6. Retention of the female sperm caused violent sickness.
7. Provoking bad luck would be to leave a door open behind you, a lunar eclipse, spilling salt, a peacock's feather and a cat crossing your walk way. The cat was associated with witches.
8. Touch a man before he is executed, allowing a cow to breath on you and spit into a fire will all bring you good luck.
9. During this era it was highly believed of the existence of witches, and them casting spells. The witches were to blame for death, disease, famine basically all that was unexplainable had to be the work of a witch. A witchcraft Act was passed and many were bought to execution or left for dead in prison. There were many superstitions revolving around the witchcraft;
- Witches being able to fly on broomsticks
-To cast spells and prepare their potions a big black cauldron was used.
-Witches could also change their form, for example into a cat.
10. Losing hair suddenly was bad luck.
11. Sailors were never seen without gold hoops during this era, it was said that if they sunk to the ocean floor they could pay their way through to the underworld with their gold hoops.
12. Giving the bearer stealth and aiding the power to heal the right hand of an executed prisoners was to be lucky.
Superstitions of the Golden Era, The Elizabethan Era.
