Who, Me? Superstitious?

By: Newman, Judith, Good Housekeeping, 0017209X, Mar98, Vol. 226, Issue 3 Notes: Vocabulary: Several years ago I had 22 men locked in my freezer. A girlfriend had once told me that if a guy caused me emotional pain, I could "freeze" him out of my life by writing his name on a slip of paper, rolling it up carefully, immersing it in a tiny jar of water, and putting it on ice. Of course, the jar would have to stay frozen indefinitely, since you never know what could happen if he thawed.

After awhile, the number of nut jobs and heartbreakers mounted-- in my life, and in my refrigerator. I realized that if I didn't do something about my captives soon, the only thing I'd be able to fit in my freezer would be an ice tray and a single package of Tater Tots. What's a girl to do? I bought a refrigerator with a bigger freezer. One can't be too careful.

Oh, sure, mock me. Though my little ritual may sound like full-blown voodoo, most superstition is rooted in the same philosophy that a symbolic act will bring about a physical reality. So before you start feeling superior, ask yourself this question: When was the last time you crossed your fingers, said "Bless You" to a sneezer, or knocked on wood? And you do it even though you don't think you’re superstitious. Why? Three words: Just in case.

"If people were to examine their own behavior, they'd find they do something that's superstitious," says Stuart Vyse, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Connecticut College in New London, CT, and author of Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition. Being superstitious, in fact, is one of the qualities that separate humans from lower life forms. And not only is it not bad for us, Vyse declares that a certain degree of superstition is a sign of mental health.

"We know that people need to have a sense of control, yet there really isn't very much we can control at all," says Terence Sandbek, Ph. D., a clinical psychologist in Sacramento, CA, who has studied superstitions. "We derive tremendous comfort from thinking we can either avoid an undesirable result, or bring about a desired result. In this way, superstition is an extremely useful tool."

The fact is, our brains are hardwired to think in terms of cause and effect. To do otherwise is to acquiesce to the forces of chaos—and human beings are not great fans of chaos. We like a world where boundaries are clearly defined, and where everything will be all right--if we just play by the rules.

Of course, superstitions can be destructive-if they turn into obsessive compulsions that prevent you from getting on with your life. "Superstitions are like alcohol," says Sandbek. "A little may actually be constructive. More than a little might impair the ability to function." Who's a Believer?

Plenty of us, according to a recent Gallup poll of 1,000 adults. Twenty-eight Vocabulary: percent said they were a little superstitious, and 25 percent considered Notes: themselves "somewhat" or "very superstitious." Twenty-seven percent don't miss a chance to knock on wood; 13 percent get the heebie-jeebies if a black cat crosses their path; 12 percent never risk walking under a ladder. percent think something bad will happen if they break a mirror, 2 percent believe in the power of lucky clothing; and 1 percent believe in picking up pennies.

Women tend to be significantly more superstitious than men--or at least they admit to it more in studies--and less educated people have more superstitions than the better-educated. But don't assume men and brainiacs have never fingered a rabbit's foot. In 1918, Max Planck, a physicist, won the Nobel Prize for developing quantum theory. After he won, reporters flocked to his laboratory. One noticed a horseshoe hanging above his door. "You don't believe in such outmoded superstitions, do you?" he asked. Planck replied, "Surely not. However, I'm told a horseshoe will bring you good luck whether you believe in it or not."

The Stress Connection

Anxious times lead to superstitions. During the Gulf War, for example, Israelis built sealed rooms in their homes where family members would go during bombing raids. It was considered bad luck to allow a neighbor whose house had been bombed into your room.

Performance anxiety is an occupational hazard for lots of athletes and politicians, which is why baseball player Wade Boggs ate chicken before each game, and basketball star Michael Jordan laced up his shoes a certain way before every game.

And what's more nerve wracking than trying to sell your home? Last summer, religious-articles suppliers began reporting increased sales of statues of St. Joseph, patron saint of home and family, to frazzled house sellers who then buried the statues in their yards. According to current practice, the statue must be buried in a particular way, although believers disagree as to precisely what that way is. Some say right side up; others, upside down. Some say facing the house; some, facing away.

Weddings and births are likewise awash in superstitious ritual. A bride wears "something borrowed" from a previous bride who has a happy marriage; she wears "something blue" because the color signals virtue. In ancient Rome, veils were thought to scare off evil spirits (hence that custom), and the practice of a bride not showing herself to her groom right before a wedding began when many marriages were arranged, and it was feared that if a groom didn't like the looks of his wife, he would back out.

1. Saying "God bless you" to a sneezer: In the Middle Ages, it was Notes: Vocabulary: thought that a sneeze could expel the soul from the body. Saying "God bless you" became a way to ward off that dark possibility.

2. Not letting a black cat cross your path: During the witch hunts of the Middle Ages, black cats were thought to be witches in disguise. Why cats? The Roman goddess of witches was closely associated with the goddess of cats.

3. Crossing fingers: This was a Sign of the Cross that early Christians could use to avert bad luck without attracting the notice-and wrath-of pagans.

4. Hanging horseshoes: One philosopher said horseshoes ward off evil because Mars (god of iron) is the enemy of Saturn (god of the witches). A horseshoe is supposed to be nailed to a house with me two ends facing up, so that a person's luck does not "run out."

5. Carrying a rabbit's foot: Because rabbits live underground, they were assumed to have connections with the forces of darkness. Therefore, those who carried a rabbit's foot shared l those powerful connections and could ward off evil.

6. Knocking on wood: In medieval times, sinners could find sanctuary in a church. A criminal who fled to a church knew he was safe when he could touch the wood of the church doors. Also, among pagans, certain trees had sacred properties, and, thus, were lucky.

7. Breaking mirrors: It was once presumed that one's reflection in a mirror was a part of one's soul. Breaking a mirror could, therefore, unleash the soul and prevent it from reuniting with the body; bad luck would result.