Ahhhhh ladies and gentlemen it is that time of year. We gather together in droves with our friends and family to traipse through fog laden the woods, the mind bending corn maze, and the hauntingly decorated neighborhoods all night long. All the while peering up toward the sky in hopes of catching a glimpse of the witch as she streaks across the moon on her broomstick. Perhaps we watch the trail a little more carefully lest we miss the black cat crossing our paths. Some would jump the cracks on the sidewalk while hunting for candy, others would walk carefully around Fae Circles when stumbled upon.
No matter how ghoulish and frightening your traditions are this season we smile and take comfort in it's familiarity. Fitting that we would, as many of these are rather ancient superstitions that have made the journey as far back as the times of the Pharos of Ancient Egypt and Druids of Érie. I love them all for their own special sort of perspective. They teach us where we came from, who we were, and can often show us how far we've come since. For that reason I'll give my thanks to @charmaine and share two of my favorite superstitions with you all here.
1) SHAMROCKS: Lets begin with a light hearted superstition that I as a gentleman of Gaeilge heritage absolutely adore! Is there anyone in the world that doesn't smile from ear to ear when they find a four leaf clover, or proper Shamrock!? My goodness I hope not. If so I'd care not to know them! That said, how wonderful a thing that such small and common plant can garner such a deep sense of happiness in the person who found it. My friends following Abrahamic faiths may smile knowing Eve carried a Shamrock with her out of the Garden of Eden to never forget the perfect beauty she enjoyed. My fellow Gaeilge brothers and sisters would smile to know it stands for hope, faith, love, and luck. Four traits that make those of us hailing from Érie a breed of lively a happy folks uniquely optimistic and lucky as hell! My favorite part of this superstition is that if one finds the Shamrock and gives it to another it supposedly increases the luck inherent to the charm. It rewards those who do good in the world. A truly beautiful concept. It is now the official symbol of Ireland and has been touted as the method Saint Patrick of Ireland employed to teach the Celts about the Holy Trinity. I'd be willing to bet, try as you may, you couldn't find a negative legend surrounding the Shamrock either far or wide.
2) KARMA: To finish I'll tell you my single most strongly adhered to superstition. Keeping in mind that the word superstition in and of its self is not a negative term. It merely serves to show us that we have a regard for the supernatural interaction in our daily lives. My life would not be what it is today without Karma. I have been a Buddhist for many years. I began studying Buddhism with my martial arts training. It gave me the peace I needed to calm my actions and allowed me to learn from the masters. When your mind is chaotic and loud it is impossible to hear the wisdom around you. So I tempered my behavior and began to truly listen. One can speak, and one can learn, but one will never be able to do both at the same time. As I realized the positive changes that resulted from Buddhism being a part of my lifestyle I made the decision to follow it as a religion.
One of the main tenants of Buddhism, Hinduism as well, is that our past existences and actions when coupled with our current will determine our future. I do my absolute best never to act without considering the possible unforeseen consequences of my actions. Most often these consequences manifest in either the joy or sorrow of another person. In all reality no man or woman can perfectly ensure that their actions will ONLY result in joy. My goal is to do everything that I possibly can to help others feel that joy. At the very least I will never do anything that I feel could result in someone's unhappiness. There are a few instances where I know full well such sorrow is unavoidable. In those times it is important to look further into the future and decide if the ultimate, as opposed to the immediate results, will be either happy or sad. Then one acts, solidifying their action's place in the cycle of Karma.
Cheers and have a lovely, safe, and happy Halloween season one and all!
