Omens Good and Bad
Omens that forbode evil
It is unlucky to meet a cat, a dog, or a woman, when going out first in the morning. But unlucky above all is to meet a woman with red hair first thing in the morning when going on a journey, for her presence brings ill-luck.
If a cat sneezes thrice, the household will get the sniffles
If a man is ploughing, no one should cross the path of the horses.
If the first lamb of the season is born black, it foretells mourning garmets for the family within the year.
Whoever kills a robin redbreast will never have good luck were they to live a thousand years.
If you hear a hoot owl persistently screeching near a home, death will come to a member of that household.
If an owl perches on the roof of a house, or flies around it three times, a member of that household will die soon.
If an owl hoots within the hearing of a mother giving birth, her child's life will be difficult.
Finding a spider in the morning is unlucky.
It forebodes evil to meet a man with red hair, or a woman with a red petticoat, the first thing in the morning.
It is unlucky and a bad omen to carry fire out of a house where anyone is ill.
A blue candle flame augers death in the family.
Bad luck will follow if you meet a funeral and do not go back three steps with it.
It is unlucky to pass a churn and not give a helping hand.
Never give away water before breakfast, nor milk while churning is going on.
Never give any salt or fire while churning is going on.
To upset the salt is exceedingly unlucky and bad omen; to avert evil, gather up the salt and fling it over the right shoulder into the fire, with the left hand.
Do not put out a light while people are at supper, or there will be one less at the table before the year is out.
Never mend a tear in a dress while on, or evil and malicious reports will be spread about you.
To stick a penknife in the mast of a boat when sailing is most unlucky.
If a chair falls as a person rises, it is an unlucky omen.
If the ear itches and is red and hot, someone is speaking ill of you.
It is unlucky to accept a lock of hair, or a four-footed beast from a lover.
It is very unlucky to take away a lighted sod on May Day or churning days; for fire is the most sacred of all things, and you take away the blessing from the house along with it.
Lunar eclipses are just plain unlucky. The effects last for 7 days total.
Flowers carried on to an airplane are ill omened, especially if they are a bouquet of white and red flowers.
Omens that foretell good luck
Finding a spider in the evening is always lucky.
The cricket is looked upon as a most lucky inmate of a house, and woe to the person who may happen to kill one; for all the other crickets will meet in general assembly and eat up the offender's cothes, as a just retribution for the loss of a friend and relation.
Never disturb swallows, wherever they may build, and neither remove nor destory their nests, for they are wise birds, and will mark your conduct for punishment or favor.
If, by accident, you find the back tooth of a horse, carry it about with you as long as you live, and you will never want money; but it must be found by chance.
If a cat sneezes rain is not far behind
A coal of fire thrown after the fisherman brings him good fortune.
If the palm of the left hand itches you will be getting money; if the right palm itches, you will be losing/spending money.
If the elbow itches, you will be changing beds.
People with crooked little fingers will be rich someday.
To breakfast by candlelight on Christmas morning is good luck.
ALL omens lose their meanings during a solar eclipse, and for up to three days before, and three days after. This period of time is completely neutral; meaning neither good nor ill omens have effect.