Superstition has been with us since Man began walking upright on two legs. The effect that superstition has had on our lives, even now in the so-called technologicaly-aware 21st century, is profound. Indeed, superstitions from person to person, nation to nation has seeped itself into our very psyche.

As much as we may not want to admit it, the majority of us are controlled completely by superstition. From making sure the TV volume is set to an even number, {or an odd number whatever the case may be} to walking with our socks inside out, we all have our little foibles and rituals to go through. And what happens, if we don’t wear, do or say a certain thing, at a certain time of day?  Are we are then doomed to whatever fate has in store for us?

Indeed, some people are so superstitious that they refuse to leave their homes on certain days, for fear of bad luck striking them down. Or they may insist on carrying with them a charm of some sort, or wearing the same bracelet, watch or necklace that they have always worn, to bring them luck. Or they may refuse to drink tea or coffee unless it is from their own cup.

Superstition effects millions of us, and it can get to the stage where we are actually hampered by it. It can reach a stage where superstition begins to effect our very lives. It can stop us from living normal, healthy lives, and make our lives miserable in the extreme. Yet it is as if some people cannot live without having to go through their daily rituals. But can they help it?  Can we, help it? It seems not, because it would then seem that we are fighting against our very basic human need…the need to perform rituals, no matter how simple.

Rituals, whether big or small, have been performed by human beings since the beginning of human existence. Indeed, they are in our genes, in our DNA. Rituals to appease superstitions such as evil and demonic spirits visiting us, or to appease whatever gods we purpose to worship will continue to be acted out.  One may say that such things are foolish in the extreme, that people do not believe in rituals anymore, and that we control our own destiny…but still, rituals are all around us and we continue to perform them.

The ritual of wearing a cross, a pentagram or any other kind of lucky charm to ward off the superstition of evil is a very strong belief indeed.  Indeed we perform other deeds too, to ward off bad luck, such as making sure we say a certain word, or do a certain thing, or walk - avoiding the cracks of course in the pavement, or avoiding black cats crossing our paths. or not walking under ladders etc etc. The breaking of mirrors is also looked upon as very bad luck indeed, bringing the perpetrator 7 years of none stop bad luck.

Again, the effect that such superstitions have on some of our lives is profound, and controls the way some of us may live our lives.  There is no getting away from the fact that superstition, in today’s society, is as strong as it has ever been. People do not have to talk about superstition these days because all around us we can see it for ourselves. We can see the charms that people wear, the acts they play out to avoid ‘bad luck’ hitting them.  We can view with our own eyes how the belief in superstition is so strong in some people that they cannot function without performing a certain ‘something’ to ward off evil.

Sports clubs too are not saved from the world of superstitiion, as clubs and even players are very superstitious and are steeped in tradition - many having been so since their formation.. Many are believers in such rituals as playing with a certain ball, a certain colour kit, a certain a player etc etc. Players are steeped in the superstitious world that they themselves and their clubs they play for, have created.

One interesting thing to note about superstitions and it is this, that the old saying holds true: Believe in something strong enough, and that ‘something’ becomes very real. In other words, could our belief in certain superstitions be so strong as to actually, by the power and will of our minds, bring them to the fore?

So even as advanced as we are, {or we may think we are} those ancient and old superstitions come back to play a major part in our lives.  One has to look at it and think to themselves that superstition will be with us… for as long as Man continues to exist upon this world.