I come from a family that held some superstitions close to their heart (particularly among the older folk). Things like walking under ladders and breaking mirrors were viewed as very unlucky. It was also viewed as respectful and lucky to bless yourself when you passed a Catholic chapel and disrespectful and tempting fate to walk over a grave.  “God bless you” if someone sneezed stopped their soul from jumping out and stopped the devil stealing it.  Saying “God Bless” when you were taking your leave was not just good manners but another way of ensuring some decent luck.  Black cats…I could never remember if they were lucky or unlucky! And off course banshees and Polkas who followed the ‘O’s and the ‘Macs’ Banshees were harbingers of death and if you heard one there would be a death in the family shortly there after. Polka’s were mischievous and quite nasty spirits. Then there was the fairy thorn and the stories about them. Fairies for the most part had an ambivalent attitude toward people; they could be cruel or kind and loved nothing more than to tease. The fairy thorn is the white thorn and even in Celtic times was regarded as a magical tree. They are often found at megalithic grave sites along with the oak tree.

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We grew up on ghost stories about the banshee, the fairy thorn and the polka. They were nothing close to the sort of horror flicks that my kids seem to thrive on. At the time though they fed our healthy imagination and scared us enough.

My generation was a bit better educated than the older generation. Being better read we found it easier to explain away or dismiss many of the superstitions. I must admit though some rituals remain as they are regarded as a mark of respect. It is important where families are concerned to ensure that older members are aware that last wishes will be followed and respect (as they see it is shown).

In Ireland when people die they hold a wake (this is a celebration of who ever has died life). I remember being at wakes where clocks were stopped, mirrors were covered and blinds were closed. Holy candles were lit and people sat around with their rosary beads praying in hushed respectful voices.