Superstitions
Every Wednesday, meet us at the intersection of chaos and fate. We’ll briefly explore the origins of some of history’s most well-known superstitions. Then, we’ll dive into a fictional story that illustrates what might happen if you fail to adhere to these strange beliefs. Can we truly sway supernatural forces to work in our favor? Or are these eerie codes of conduct simply about exerting control in an unpredictable world? Superstitions is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
51
Donate and Die
Giving away clothing is an act of charity, but if your old outfits end up in evil hands, they could be used to cast a spell of harm against you.
36 min
52
Knocking on Wood
Some use a table. Others, a doorframe. There are even those who jokingly use their head.
33 min
53
Playoff Beards
In 1980, the New York Islanders hockey team stopped shaving during the playoffs, and they won the Stanley Cup. That moment marked the birth of a new superstition: the playoff beard.
25 min
54
Stepping on a Crack
One wrong step can have consequences of seismic proportions...
31 min
55
Burying Saint Joseph
The real estate industry may sound like the last place to find superstitious practices, but some agents have come to rely on a special talisman to sell homes: a small plastic statue of St. Joseph.
29 min
56
Wishing on a Shooting Star
When the very sky above us lights up with a shooting star, it transports us to another world… a reality where anything is possible.
31 min
57
The Curse of the Billy Goat
Bad luck is everywhere in the world of sports.
35 min
58
Toasting with Water
Don’t toast with a glass of water, or you’ll wish bad luck upon the toast’s honoree and yourself.
35 min
59
Four Leaf Clovers
For St. Patrick's Day, we're exploring the very symbol of good luck itself!
36 min
60
Number of Steps in a Home
You cannot avoid bad luck just by staying indoors. Especially if the number of steps in your home is a multiple of 3.
34 min
61
The ‘Q’ Word
For a police officer on patrol, there's nothing better than an uneventful shift. But according to this superstition, if you ever say a specific phrase, your day is about to get a lot more... eventful.
29 min
62
The First to Leave a Funeral
Local to Iowa, this superstition adds an extra layer of tension to the loss of a loved one.
37 min
63
Pele’s Curse
Taking stones from the Hawaiian islands may seem harmless, but you may want to think twice before pocketing a memento.
29 min
64
The Royal Family’s Ravens
The Tower of London is purported to have six ravens. But these are more than just spooky pets... Rumor has it that if any of these ravens is taken from the Tower, there will be dire consequences for the British Empire.
33 min
65
Rubbing the Seatbelt Light
The airplane seatbelt “bing” is near-iconic. But few fliers are aware that pilots perform a secret ritual before pressing the seatbelt button — believing that if they forget, the plane will suffer mechanical problems… or maybe even a deadly catastrophe.
32 min
66
The 20-Year Presidential Curse
If you look at U.S. Presidents who have died in office, a strange pattern emerges.
31 min
67
Beginner’s Luck
It’s an advantage that newcomers and novices relish: try something new, and succeed like a natural.
25 min
68
Horseshoe Over the Door
Unassuming wall decor, or powerful protection against evil?
27 min
69
New Year’s Eve Festivities
10… 9… 8… As the clock winds down on the final moments of the year, people around the world employ charms and traditions to shore up good fortune for the future.
34 min
70
Christmas Traditions
The roots of this festive holiday reach way back through history, with links to Nordic myths and the Roman Saturnalia.
28 min
71
Salt for Protection
It’s one ingredient that can cross the threshold of the mundane, offering supernatural protection against lingering spirits… And you can find it in any kitchen, every ocean, and even our bodies.
32 min
72
Walking Under a Ladder
Steering clear of an open ladder is second nature for many people.
33 min
73
Saying “Macbeth” Inside a Theater
According to theatre lore, this famous play by William Shakespeare has carried a witch's curse since it's earliest performances.
31 min
74
Getting Pooped on by a Bird
It might ruin your outfit — but far from ruining your day, getting pooped on by a bird is a gift from the sky.
30 min
75
Lighting Three Cigarettes
Whether it’s the risky “live fast, die young” appeal or the very real threat of lung cancer, cigarettes have always been considered dangerous.
35 min