Why Superstitions and Good Luck Charms Make Us Feel Better

Four leaf clovers, karma and superstition. I believe in many Old World beliefs.

I am only 1/4 Italian but it’s a very strong side of me. While my Italian grandmother Elsie died when I was young, I still inherited her superstitious beliefs.

It all started back when my great-grandfather was born in 1856, making a huge generation gap. He came over in 1890 with my grandmother Filomena. They had nine children, most of them born at the turn of the century. My grandmother Elsie was one of them, and she was the baby of the family born in 1914.

Popular Good Luck Charms

As if by osmosis, I believe in bad luck such as avoiding walking under ladders, black cats crossing my path and the number 6. When I am at the grocery store, I will add a pack of candy to my order if the total comes up to $6.66.

I knock on wood for good luck and throw salt over my shoulder. I believe strongly in luck and karma. I pick up pennies when I see them on the ground, (face up of course).

Some of these are well known, others I had never heard of.

Four Leaf Clover:

According to ancient Celtic tradition, if you hold a four-leaf clover, you…