In 1905, Samuel Miller Sener delved into the enigmatic world of folklore and superstitions in South Central Pennsylvania, compiling his findings in the 1905 edition of the Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. His collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs that colored the daily lives of the people in this region more than a century ago.
Here are some of the intriguing and whimsical superstitions documented:
Morning Rituals
In the realm of morning rituals, superstitions played a crucial role in how people started their day. A common belief held that placing your left foot on the ground first when getting out of bed invited bad luck.
To counteract this, it was always encouraged to lace your right shoe first to attract good luck. Additionally, wearing a sock or stocking inside out was traditionally seen as an omen of evil, but modern twists on old superstitions often turn such mishaps into signs of good luck. These rituals reflect how small actions were thought to influence the day’s fortunes, blending daily routines with a touch of the mystical.
Encounters to Avoid
Meeting a tailor was considered an omen of ill fortune.
Animal Omens
If a cat crosses your path, it’s bad luck, and you should restart your journey! But if a stray cat comes your way, consider yourself lucky and don’t chase it away. And a word to the wise: never harm a cat, or you might just invite some seriously bad vibes.
If you kill a snake, particularly a blacksnake, and hang it on a fence or a tree limb, it will rain. Speaking of snakes, it was believed they never die until sundown.
Farming Lore
Agricultural practices have long been guided by a fascinating blend of horticulture and astrology, reflecting a deep connection between farming and celestial events. For example, farmers believed that planting corn under the astrological sign of Gemini and melons under Cancer would yield the best results. However, they avoided planting anything when Scorpio was dominant. Additionally, planting potatoes was considered optimal when the moon was waning, whereas other crops were best planted between the new moon and the full moon to maximize growth.
Superstitions even extended to construction and personal health. Building the bottom rails of a fence after the full moon supposedly caused them to sink, and allowing moonlight to shine on a sleeping person was thought to lead to mental disturbances. Even the act of sowing parsley was associated with causing family discord, illustrating how deeply these astrological beliefs permeated daily life and activities.
Weather Lore
Weather lore has long been a fascinating aspect of cultural traditions, encapsulating how people tried to predict the weather before the advent of scientific meteorology.
One rhyme suggests a pattern for rain: “Rain on Friday, rain on Sunday. Rain on Tuesday, rain all the week.” Interestingly, thunder on April Fool’s Day was thought to bring good luck, mixing superstition with seasonal observations.
Animal behavior also played a crucial role in weather predictions. For instance, if geese were seen splashing their wings in the water, rain was expected soon. Similarly, a cat running wildly around the house or a wren whistling near it were both signs that rain was on the horizon. These pieces of weather lore show how closely our ancestors watched the world around them to glean clues about the coming weather.
Household and Wildlife
Many superstitions involved common wildlife and domestic practices. Allowing swallows or mockingbirds to nest around your home supposedly brought good luck, whereas a wild bird entering the house was a harbinger of impending doom.
Good Luck Charms
Carrying a buckeye was believed to prevent rheumatism. Similarly, an ash leaf with an even number of spikes brought good fortune if preserved.
Foreboding Signs and Prophetic Dreams
In the tapestry of superstitions, dreams and everyday actions were believed to carry profound meanings and consequences. Dreams, especially, were taken seriously. For instance, seeing snakes in your dreams was thought to be a warning of enemies lurking, while any dream occurring after midnight was expected to manifest in reality. Intriguingly, dreaming of a death foreshadowed news of a wedding, and conversely, a dream about a wedding predicted news of a death.
Daily routines also had their own set of rules; for example, cutting fingernails on a Sunday was considered a harbinger of bad luck. However, if you trimmed your nails on a Saturday, it was said you would see your sweetheart the next day. Cutting them on a Monday, on the other hand, was supposed to bring good luck. These beliefs reflect how deeply ingrained superstitions can shape even the minor details of daily life.
Bizarre Beliefs
Some old beliefs truly stretched the bounds of the bizarre. Take, for example, the eerie superstition that a cat sleeping close to a baby’s mouth could mysteriously steal the infant’s breath, potentially causing harm.
Equally strange was the belief regarding bees: if a family cursed frequently or failed to inform the bees of a death in the family, the bees would not produce honey. On a lighter note, if a bee or a similar insect buzzed around your room, it was considered a sign that you could expect pleasant visitors soon. These odd notions highlight how deeply folklore and superstition were woven into the fabric of everyday life, influencing how people interpreted the natural world around them.
These superstitions paint a vivid picture of a community deeply entwined with the rhythms of nature and the mysteries of the unseen. They also reflect the human need to find control or meaning in the unpredictable forces of life and nature. While some may smile at these quaint beliefs today, they are a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that historical studies like Sener’s help preserve. Exploring these old beliefs not only entertains but also enriches our understanding of past societies, offering insights into the fears, hopes, and everyday lives of our ancestors.
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1875 map of Lancaster County, PA$24.99 – $44.99