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1. A single magpie is considered a sign of bad luck. A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar recites an old proverb concerning the incidence of bad weather when magpies forage alone and a possible scientific explanation for this.

2. According to an age old custom, carrying a dead shrew in your pocket wards off rheumatism!

3. Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.

4. An acorn at the window will keep lightning out

5. An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.

6. At times, a horseshoe may be found above doorways. When positioned like a regular 'U' it supposedly collects luck. However, when it is positioned like an upside-down 'U' the luck supposedly drains.

7. Before traveling a person should, apparently, sit on their luggage. (Russian)

8. Breaking a mirror is said to bring bad luck for 7 years. To "undo" this, take the shards of glass and bury them underneath the moonlight. In ancient times, the mirror was said to be a window to the viewer's soul. If that mirror were to break, it would

9. Collect seven or nine different flowers on Midsummer Eve and place them under your pillow and it is said that you will dream of your future spouse. (Sweden)

10. If one walks underneath an open ladder it is said to bring bad luck. Sometimes it is said that this can be undone by immediately walking backwards back underneath the ladder.

11. In some parts of England, rum is used to wash a baby's head for good luck.

12. It is bad luck to put new shoes on a bed (or a table) (comes from the tradition of dressing a corpse in new clothes and shoes and laying them out so everyone can give their respects) - (UK)

13. Many believe that if all of the candles on a birthday cake are blown out with one breath, while making a silent wish, the wish will come true.

14. Once a wedding ring has been placed on the finger, it is considered bad luck to remove it.

15. Opening an umbrella indoors is said to result in 21 days of bad luck. Some traditions hold that it is only bad luck if the umbrella is placed over the head of someone while indoors.

16. Placing a hat on the bed is, apparently, bad luck. (South Carolina)

17. Placing keys on a table is considered unlucky. (Sweden)

18. Some motorcycle enthusiasts hang a biker's bell from a portion of their bike to protect themselves from evil road spirits.

19. The superstitious symbolism of a black cat crossing one's path is dependent upon culture: some cultures consider this a sign of impending bad luck, while some cultures consider this a sign of impending good luck.

20. There are numerous sailors' superstitions, such as: it is considered bad luck for a ship to set sail on a Friday, to bring anything blue aboard, to stick a knife into the deck, to leave a hatch cover upside-down, to say "pig", or to eat walnuts aboard.

21. Two people breaking a wishbone is said to lead to good luck for the person with the larger piece.

22. When you speak of bad luck, it is said that one should always knock on wood. Also knocking when speaking of good luck apparently helps with having good luck. This is an old Celtic tradition related to belief of wood spirits.

Valentine's Day Superstitions
It is said that the kind of bird a girl watches on Valentine's Day predicts her future husband. For instance:
Sparrow: a poor man
Owl: remain spinster
Bluebird: a happy man
Blackbird: a priest or clergyman
Crossbill: an argumentative man

• If an apple is cut in half, the number of seeds found inside the fruit will indicate the number of children that individual will have.
• To be awoken by a kiss on Valentine's Day is considered lucky.
• On Valentine's Day, the first guy's name you read in the paper or hear on the TV or radio will be the name of the man you will marry.
• If you see a squirrel on Valentine's Day, you will marry a cheapskate who will hoard all your money.
• If you see a goldfinch on Valentine's Day, you will marry a millionaire.
• If you see a robin on Valentine's Day, you will marry a crime fighter - maybe they mean Batman!
• If you see a flock of doves on Valentine's Day, you will have a happy, peaceful marriage.
• If you find a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your future beloved will have the other missing glove.

Random Facts about Superstitions regarding Babies

SUPERSTITIONS REGARDING BABIES

It is believed by many that if a child cries at its birth and lifts up only one hand, it is born to command. It is thought very unlucky not to weigh the baby before it is dressed. When first dressed the clothes should not be put on over the head, but drawn on over the feet, for luck. When first taken from the room in which it was born it must be carried up stairs before going down, so that it will rise in the world. In any case it must be carried up stairs or up the street, the first time it is taken out. It is also considered in England and Scotland unlucky to cut the baby's nails or hair before it is twelve months old.

The saying: Born on Monday, fair in the face; Born on Tuesday, full of God's grace; Born on Wednesday, the best to be had; Born on Thursday, merry and glad; Born on Friday, worthily given; Born on Saturday, work hard for a living; Born on Sunday, shall never know want

This Nursery Rhyme is known with various changes all over the world; one deviation from the original makes Friday's child "free in giving." Thursday has one very lucky hour just before sunrise. The child that is born on the Sabbath day Is bonny and good and gay, While He who is born on New Year's morn Will have his own way as sure as you're born. And He who is born on Easter morn Shall never know care, or want, or harm.