Superstitions, Beliefs, and Use of Astrology

1. By: Melissa Tso, Julia Xiong, and Julia Pyo Superstitions, Beliefs, and Use of Astrology

2. “And the shrieks of mandrakes torn out of the earth, that living mortals hearing them run mad” Introduction

3. Most famous for its theatrical superstitions • Commonly known as “the bards play”, “the Scottish play”, or “MacBee” • Mentioning name MacBeth would cause bad luck, injuries, or even death • Rumour – Shakespeare used real spells of witches in his play • Premiere of play- Rumour-> actor of Lady MacBeth got really ill and died or got stabbed by real dagger instead of fake • Saying name in theatre would cause production failure • Many actors died -> saying MacBeth

4. Cleansing Rituals • “turning three times, spitting over one's left shoulder, swearing, or reciting a line from another of Shakespeare's plays”(Garber, Marjorie.B.1997).

5. God Bless You • Act of Politeness nowadays, back then there was a different meaning • Phrase created during Elzabethan Era • Devil would enter body if phrase was not said • Reason for this superstition -> no one knew why people sneezed

6. Household Superstitions • Men mainly worked while women stayed at home to take care of children and do chores • Superstition -> women can fly on broomsticks • Why broomsticks? -> found in almost every household • Thought broomstick had magical powers

7. Witches • Witch -> old women divorced or single (no man to stand up for them) • Believed witches could make potions • Had black cats as their side-kicks • Accused of being a witch -> Tied up and thrown in water • Die either way

8. Knock On Wood • Knocking on wood -> takes away bad luck • Spilling salt and pepper meant bad luck

9. Medical Superstitions • Based their philosophies on Aristotle and Hippocrate’s teachings • Gemstones -> medicinal powers • Topaz & Jacinth – ease anger • Emerald & Sapphire – calm mind

10. Medicinal Superstitions • Magic and astrology died down in era • Few physicians believed -> if planets were not in line, someone would get sick

11. Miscellaneous Superstitions • During the time of the plague, many people believed burning scented firewood on the streets and carrying flowers around would prevent them from receiving diseases. • Stirring a pot counter clockwise would cause bad luck. • Leaving a door open would cause bad luck because it lets evil spirits enter your house. • If you want good luck, you have to touch a man before he gets hung, spit into a fire or let a cow to breathe on you. • Losing hair would be considered bad luck. • If there was an eclipse, people would believe that it was an omen of evil. • The bride should wear the right shoe first because it is good luck. • It would be bad luck to marry on Friday the 13th.

16. Love Superstitions “A contract of eternal bond of love, confirm’d by mutual joiner of your hands, attested by the holy close of lips, strengthen’d by interchangement of your rings” • Ring is the final act of sexual penetration • Kiss between groom and bride witnessed by several townspeople • People throw wheat over bride to represent fertility • Bride covers her face with a veil for fear of the evil eye

17. Astrology • Study of objects in space and belief that it affects how things behave on earth • Helps predict the future and fix their problems • People believed stars were medium between man and god • Uses: medicine, horticulture, agriculture • Prominent astrologer: Dr. John Dee

18. Chain of Beings

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