Rabbit, Rabbit

Have you rabbited today? Many people say some variation of “rabbit, rabbit” upon waking on the first day of the month to ensure good luck for the rest of the month. For instance, some people say “rabbits”, “white rabbits,” or “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit.” It should be the very first thing you say when you wake up.

My kids and I say “rabbit, rabbit” on the last night of the month before bed, then “hare, hare” immediately after waking on the first. I stumbled upon this tradition when I was a child; being a lover of superstition as I was, it stuck.

It isn’t precisely clear when this tradition originated. I’ve read it could be as far back as the 13th century. I don’t know when it began exactly, but it seems to have stuck around. In the 1900s in England, a periodical was written about it. It’s mentioned in a Trixie Beldon book. I also read about it in a Southern Superstitions book. Nickelodeon promoted the holiday in the ‘90s.

Sarah Jessica Parker and President Roosevelt are fellow rabbiters. (I cannot say for certain that President Roosevelt was, as I didn’t know him. But I read it in an article once.)

My kids love it. I couldn’t tell you if it has indeed been any luckier than the months when we forget, but it is a fun tradition. And we seldom forget it.

Do you rabbit, rabbit?