Luck
From Traditional Witchcraft Wiki Project
Luck is a chance happening that is beyond one's control, and is closely associated with one's personal fate or lot, that is to say their fortune. As such luck may be considered as influenced by divine providence.
That luck is alloted to a person is a basis of Norse thought, but that such is not fated in a fatalistic sense is understood by the great number of things that may influence one's luck, whether for good or bane. Included in this are rites, amulets and objects such as:
- Four-leafed clover.
- Hare's foot.
- Treading on cracks.
- Breaking mirrors.
- Crossing on stairs.
- Crossing fingers.
- Finding a penny coin.
- Cutting hair and nails on certain days.
- Prayer or sacrifice to bring good luck/avert bad luck.
- Breaking a taboo.
- Affronting one's honour.
There are also a great number of things that augur good or bad luck, such as a cat crossing one's path, a bird in the house etc; also included in this are those counting rhymes relating to magpies and crows.
In Norse thought it is often implied that one is born with a certain store of good luck, and that when one's good luck runs out, one is doomed.
