Superstitions

Superstitions of the Celestrial Bodies - Superstitions in Dream

Superstitions involving Dragons - General Superstitions and Beliefs

Superstitions of the Celestial Bodies

In Arascon, people are very superstitious about the movements of the sky. They take their movements and omens with them rather seriously. There are several superstitions involving the stars and other celestial bodies.

• • To see the first star after sunset means that you will have good luck the following day.

  • Glimpsing a shooting star means that news of a death is on its way to you.

  • If all three moons have two rings around them, expect rain the next day.

  • If you see the Moon Minol sitting between four stars, then battle is coming soon.

  • If you see the last star before sunrise, then you will make a new enemy.

  • Seeing both suns rise means that the day will present many opportunities for good tidings.

  • If one moon is in a haze of clouds and the others are not, then expect a bad dream that night.

  • If you see only one moon in the sky and it is Kar, expect a dream about your fate soon.

There are other superstitions involving the stars, but most of them involve star charts and the advice of Astrologers. For example, those who are born under the Kar sign of Uli, then you will be plagued with love troubles, yet have a large family. Since not many are trained in the art of Astrology, these beliefs are told to people by their Coming of Age Astrologer or another Astrologer if they see one on a regular basis.

Superstitions in Dreams

Along with the Stars, there are many superstitions about dreams and what they mean. The symbols of dreams are complicated and in depth and few people know all of the symbols unless they study it. However, some of the basic superstitions about dreams include:

• • Swords – Expect battle

  • Flying – Unexpected freedom will be coming your way

  • Vases, urns and other vessels – Abundance will be coming your way

  • Horses – be prepared for travel

  • Money – Get ready for a business opportunity

  • An Unknown Woman – be ready for betrayal

  • An Unknown Man – Be ready for a new friendship to arise

  • Birds – A message will soon come your way

  • Music or Musicians – Be prepared for an unexpected joy

  • Books or writing – Be prepared to experience a life lesson

  • Dogs – A good hunt is coming soon, be prepared for a good bounty

  • Grains, Wheat or Mills – Fertility; in both the aspect of having children and in the land

Superstitions involving Dragons

Other common superstitions involve seeing rare dragons. These wives tales are usually based on stories, but most of them have been lost and only the belief remains.

• • To spy an Evening Mother Dragon in flight means that something extremely lucky will soon happen.

  • If you see an Evening Mother Dragon along with its hatchling, it means your next born child will be strong, intelligent and do great things in the world.

  • If you see two Feathered Dragons in flight, it means that you and your true love will soon connect.

  • If you see a lone Feathered Dragon, it means that you will soon hear news of someone you love dying.

  • If you find a feather from a Feathered Dragon, good luck will come you way.

    • • A green feather means luck in wealth

      • A blue feather means luck in health

      • A yellow feather means luck in travel

      • A pink feather means luck in love

      • A red feather means luck in battle

      • An orange feather means luck in marriage

      • A purple feather means luck in friendship

      • A white feather means luck from the Gods will come your way

  • If you see a Blood Dragon is means death will find you soon (usually at the hand of the Blood Dragon).

  • If you find a Blood Dragon scale, then war will soon find you and bloodlust will consume you.

General Superstitions and Beliefs

There are other superstitions in Arascon. Some stem from old stories, others from old traditions and some even from history; however, most are simply unfounded and just superstition. To rid yourself of bad luck as it happens, people often close their eyes and tilt their head upward with their hand tapping on their heart. This is to keep the bad luck from catching your soul.

• • Breaking a ceramic bowl, platter or plate can mean many things, depending on how many pieces it has broken into.

    • • Two pieces stands for a broken promise

      • Three stands for broken friendship

      • Four stands for reuniting with an old friend

      • Five stands for money coming your way

      • Six stands for a broken heart

      • Seven stands for a letter from a friend

      • Eight stands for an unexpected gift

      • Nine stands for an injury

      • Ten stands for a good hunt

      • Eleven stands for very bad luck

      • Twelve stands for good luck

      • More stands for coming troubles

  • An image of a God's symbol appearing on a piece of pottery stands for a visit from that God coming into your life soon.

  • Tripping on a bloodroot means that something unseen to you will soon reveal itself.

  • Breaking a bloodroot means that you will soon be injured.

  • Finding a lyte with four petals is lucky.

  • Giving a lyte with four petals to someone is a sign that you want to sleep with them.

  • Finding a lyte with two petals is unlucky- it means that you have been found lacking in love.

  • After accepting a meal from someone other than yourself, it is polite to clap three times or kiss them on the head to show your appreciation when you have finished eating.

  • When you sneeze, to keep your soul from escaping it is tradition to tap your chest three times. This is because it is believed that the soul is located in the chest and in the breath.

  • Kissing is seen as a sign of great respect and love for another person, also of friendship. Different kisses mean different things.

    • • By kissing someone on the lips with an open mouth, it is believed you share a little bit of your soul with that person.

      • Kissing someone on the cheek is a sign of reverence for that person.

      • A kiss on the brow means that you find someone attractive.

      • Kissing the top of someone's head is a sign of thanks.

      • A kiss on the back of the hand means that you wish to be friends with the person of the opposite sex.

      • A kiss on the palm is a sign of affection or adoration. Common between a parent and child.

      • Kissing someone's feet is a sign of supplication and submission.

  • When the wind blows out a candle in a closed room, it is a sign that a visitor will come soon. (Or that you need to replace your ceramic windows.)

  • If a seed from a tree falls on your head, it is good luck to hug the tree. If you leave the tree unhugged, then expect more misfortune to fall on your head.

  • If an arrow or a weapon pierces a lung, it is said that it pierces a person's soul. You must save both their soul and their body if they are to survive.

  • It is insulting to a tree to pick fruit from it and not leave a few of your hairs in return. If you are bald, it is good taste to leave something else of your own, like a belt or a hat.

  • It is bad luck to commission a portrait of yourself. Others can commission one for you or people can make one of you unprompted, but, to pay someone to paint a portrait of yourself is wishing the ill will of the Gods upon you.

  • Sharing a loaf or piece bread with someone is a sign of great respect, it means you wish them a long and healthy life. It is considered rude to reject bread from someone. If you do reject the bread from them, it means that you do not respect them and want to be apart from them.

  • Grey birds are considered unlucky. They are carries of the soul off to the Judgement of Shan.

  • It is considered bad form to not give food or money to a begging child. It is said that if Aviva catches you ignoring a begging child, that she will come and take everything from you and leave you to beg on the streets.

  • Extra harvest and grains are left in the fields for the poor to gather.

  • It is very bad form to tell someone in mourning that they are beautiful or attractive. If this happens, it is said Shan will add an extra life to your scales.

  • During the month of Serpent, it is bad luck to wear anything white. This probably came about because it is during the monsoon and white cloth stains easily with the mud.