The Elizabethan Period

Origins: Superstitions from the Elizabethan period stem from ancient traditions, magic beliefs, and mystical properties of animals and herbs.
Influences: Many customs link back to the Dark Ages and Roman beliefs in gods and goddesses.
Definition: Superstitions are irrational beliefs where non-logical elements may influence outcomes.
Fear and the Supernatural: Superstitions arose from fear of the supernatural and nature's forces, alongside the fear of witchcraft.

Prevalence: Among the 270 witch trials, 247 accused were women and only 23 were men.
Attribution of Blame: Unexplainable events such as the Bubonic Plague and poor harvests were attributed to witchcraft.

Witch Abilities:
- Witches were believed to fly on broomsticks.
- Often depicted as solitary women or hags.
- Association with certain animals regarded as familiars (e.g., cats, frogs, ravens).
- Brew magic potions using herbs like mandrake and henbane.

Saying "God Bless You": Done after a sneeze to ward off the devil entering the body.
Eclipses: Seen as omens of evil.
Black Cats: Crossing paths with one considered bad luck.
Seventh Son: Believed to have supernatural powers.
Peacock Feathers: Keeping them counted as bad luck (associated with the Evil Eye).
Valentine's Eve Ritual: Pinning bay leaves to the pillow to dream of a future spouse.
Touch Wood: Custom to touch wood for good luck, tracing back to the belief in tree magic.
Ladders: Walking under a ladder was considered bad luck due to gallows associations.
Shoes on a Table: Regarded as a very bad omen—thought to invite death.