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The Encyclopedia of Superstitions
"For the expert investigation of the human will to believe, we recommend The Encyclopedia of Superstitions ."--The New York Times
Do you avoid walking under a ladder, or touch wood to ward off misfortune? It may not be logical, but underlying these irrational beliefs are centuries of long-forgotten ways of thought--and many affect us still. This classic and thoroughly delightful reference explores the origins of hundreds of superstitions, and many of the entries read like short stories in themselves. Here are the charms once in daily use in dairy and kitchen; spells used by witches--and against them; fairy lore and legend; folk remedies and customs of birth, marriage, and death. You'll discover why it's unlucky in some countries for a person to reveal his age; why ships have long been fitted with figureheads; why lettuce was believed to possess magical properties; and why a child born after its father's death was said to have healing powers. This is truly a collection to muse over...but expect an occasional chill down the spine.
Do you avoid walking under a ladder, or touch wood to ward off misfortune? It may not be logical, but underlying these irrational beliefs are centuries of long-forgotten ways of thought--and many affect us still. This classic and thoroughly delightful reference explores the origins of hundreds of superstitions, and many of the entries read like short stories in themselves. Here are the charms once in daily use in dairy and kitchen; spells used by witches--and against them; fairy lore and legend; folk remedies and customs of birth, marriage, and death. You'll discover why it's unlucky in some countries for a person to reveal his age; why ships have long been fitted with figureheads; why lettuce was believed to possess magical properties; and why a child born after its father's death was said to have healing powers. This is truly a collection to muse over...but expect an occasional chill down the spine.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2008
By far the funniest book I have ever read. Sorry this review is short: I'm off to boil a mouse so I can feed the broth to my child to cure his cough.
June 27, 2012
A really interesting read. I had no idea where some superstitions came from or that they'd vary so much from region to region. A great insight into the human mind.
August 3, 2020
This is a quirky and eccentric yet comprehensive A-Z of all things superstition.
I was struck when reading this and sometimes giggling at our forebears, how very much like religion superstition really is, and how this book is probably little different to The Bible, The Koran, The Talmud; stories pertaining to rituals, habits, and customs which breed ultimately from fear; fear of being punished, fear of disrespecting an unseen force, fear of doing something wrong. All our medieval cousins were doing was practicing an ancient form of religion!
Religion essentially is superstition in mass form.
So there you go!
Fun book all the same!
I was struck when reading this and sometimes giggling at our forebears, how very much like religion superstition really is, and how this book is probably little different to The Bible, The Koran, The Talmud; stories pertaining to rituals, habits, and customs which breed ultimately from fear; fear of being punished, fear of disrespecting an unseen force, fear of doing something wrong. All our medieval cousins were doing was practicing an ancient form of religion!
Religion essentially is superstition in mass form.
So there you go!
Fun book all the same!
October 27, 2021
The perfect kind of read for someone who is researching for a fantasy/supernatural book, or for anyone who likes to learn way too much about something. Truly reads as an encyclopedia and is therefore very useful and informative.
Wishing I had a copy of my own to keep for future reference.
Wishing I had a copy of my own to keep for future reference.
July 16, 2018
This was a fascinating book. Tons of great little stories and information on were some of our strangest superstitions come from.
May 29, 2019
Charming and full of historical insight.
June 4, 2020
You learn many. many different superstitions, and what counties share like superstitions, but never any speculation as to the origin of them.
July 4, 2020
A true encyclopedia, and cross-referenced, so not exactly a page-turner, but very entertaining in small doses! Oh, the things people believed and did!
March 31, 2022
This book was cool but I got really bored reading it
October 12, 2018
It is nearing the middle of October. I feel I should contribute something ghoulish and wicked to the mix of my reviews. With All Hallows' Eve fast approaching, I think it only fitting that we understand--as a collective group of easily persuaded people--where some of our traditional (and weirdly off the chart) irrational beliefs have sprouted from.
I'm thinking oftentimes from the warted chins of many of our trickstering elders, but in truth, they are usually just the ones to pass down the folklore, as the stories have been around far longer than most of their old bones.
Long ago, in 1948 to be precise, Christina Hole edited a book by Edwin and Mona Augusta Radford. A super fun couple I'm guessing, as their book was filled with the research of spells used by witches (and of course against them), frightening fairy lore, and a few bits of spine-tingling mythical fables. They bound it all up between two thick slabs of cardboard and called it, The Encyclopedia of Superstitions.
It was a massive hit--especially with the folks who finally gained insight as to why they were forced to believe so many stories from their grannies with no better explanations than "because that's the way it is, and if you do things differently, doom is round the bend!"
Whether you're searching for a well-known cure for a stye in the eye (stroke it with a black cat's tail), or are surprised to learn that nuns are sometimes said to be ill-omened passengers in airplanes (I had a gut feeling), I'm going to bet that most people won't be any more delighted to know that lettuce has magical, healing properties. And that according to their doctors, they should be eating a lot more magic lettuce.
Regardless, find yourself a copy of this reference book. It's worthy enough to hunt for. After a page or two, you'll likely be cackling just as loudly as all the practicing Halloween witches in preparation for the end of the month.
I'm thinking oftentimes from the warted chins of many of our trickstering elders, but in truth, they are usually just the ones to pass down the folklore, as the stories have been around far longer than most of their old bones.
Long ago, in 1948 to be precise, Christina Hole edited a book by Edwin and Mona Augusta Radford. A super fun couple I'm guessing, as their book was filled with the research of spells used by witches (and of course against them), frightening fairy lore, and a few bits of spine-tingling mythical fables. They bound it all up between two thick slabs of cardboard and called it, The Encyclopedia of Superstitions.
It was a massive hit--especially with the folks who finally gained insight as to why they were forced to believe so many stories from their grannies with no better explanations than "because that's the way it is, and if you do things differently, doom is round the bend!"
Whether you're searching for a well-known cure for a stye in the eye (stroke it with a black cat's tail), or are surprised to learn that nuns are sometimes said to be ill-omened passengers in airplanes (I had a gut feeling), I'm going to bet that most people won't be any more delighted to know that lettuce has magical, healing properties. And that according to their doctors, they should be eating a lot more magic lettuce.
Regardless, find yourself a copy of this reference book. It's worthy enough to hunt for. After a page or two, you'll likely be cackling just as loudly as all the practicing Halloween witches in preparation for the end of the month.
March 30, 2016
This is a fascinating little book is one of the more exhaustive, yet thoroughly intriguing, writings on the topic. It works like a dictionary, find the word you hope to look up and it will tell you of the the historical powers, magic and superstitions behind that object. All the ideas are reseached from ancient folklores around the globe but Europe in the main.
You will discover the luck, wisdom and power of objects as diverse as besoms, juniper berries, finger-nails, peas or socks and stockings. Fun, incredibly entertaining indeed, but the historical angle is quite spine shuddering at times to know that people once had such beliefs because it shows us what superstitins our ancestors had and is quite an eye opener in todays world.
It's one of the best reference books I've come across for English superstitions.
You will discover the luck, wisdom and power of objects as diverse as besoms, juniper berries, finger-nails, peas or socks and stockings. Fun, incredibly entertaining indeed, but the historical angle is quite spine shuddering at times to know that people once had such beliefs because it shows us what superstitins our ancestors had and is quite an eye opener in todays world.
It's one of the best reference books I've come across for English superstitions.
April 29, 2007
This was gotten for me as a joke gift one Christmas from my family as apparently they did not think I have enough silly superstitions(It's only the salt over the shoulder I swear). This is a great book when you want to read up about how kooky the rest of the world is, or to find a great excuse as to why you don't kill spiders. in fant, you could probably find a decent excuse as to stop doing everything you could possible do, although that wouldn't be very fun.
February 15, 2015
I did a lot of papers in school about supersitions. This is a good reference book.
April 2, 2008
This is one of the most hilarious books of all time. The section on "mice" alone is to die for.
June 23, 2009
So far I've learned that black cats are generally considered lucky in Great Britain. I knew it!
April 17, 2009
great book
May 26, 2010
In some other parts of the world, it is white cats that are considered unlucky, and black ones lucky.
March 13, 2026
A fun book to crack open every now and then and see what people think about certain things. It talks about other cultures beliefs and treats them with respect. A well put together book.
August 5, 2011
great book. strange, but its awsome to see what people freak out over and such.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews