The Elizabethan Period

Elizabethan Superstitions

• 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.

Witch Trials

• 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.

Common Superstitions

• 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.

Other Superstitions

• 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.