By Apeeksha
Heading out for an important interview? CV? Check. Confidence? Check. Curd and sugar? Check.
A black cat crossed your path? U-turn please!
Want to make yourself a hot cuppa but hey, you’re menstruating! Don’t even step in the kitchen or else, BURN – IN – HELL.
One can go on and on and on (…and on since 3 on’s prove to be ill omen) listing the number of ‘rules’ or ‘guidelines’ that have been perpetuating from generations and followed religiously. These are, in simple words, superstitions.
Some of these superstitions may come across as hysterically funny while others may seem irritating; but believe it or not, we all follow them ( Some of these if not all). Now, the biggest question that lies ahead is, where did these come from? Did they pop out from some God’s rulebook? Or our ancestors witnessed akashvani? Or, have they been made wittingly after a lot of research and thought?
Can’t say about all of them, but the fact is most of these ‘superstitions’ that often seem illogical are in fact brilliant hacks that contribute in making your life effortless, painless and trouble free.
So ride along and let us explore the radix of the ‘rules’ that we follow and assess if they are still worth following.
1. I NEED TO GO BACK. A BLACK CAT JUST CROSSED MY PATH!
This superstition really offends all the cat lovers and, well, cats as well! (Duh, obviously!) So when(and WHY) did these cute little tabbies turn evil? Though there are many explanations doing rounds but the most legit one is as follows:
In ancient times plague was the biggest threat to a civilisation. Due to lack of medical proficiency the only option left with people was to save themselves from this infestation. Since rats are the most common carriers of plague, people associated the presence of cats with the presence of rats and hence, the possibility of being invaded by plague.
But so is not the case now. Therefore, next time you see a cat crossing your path, adore the little fur ball instead of freaking out.
2. ALL COMFY AND COZY SLEEPING WITH HEAD TOWARDS NORTH? CHANGE THE DIRECTION BEFORE WITCHES PULL YOUR SOUL OUT!
This superstition is common to most of the cultures and why not! There is a scientific explanation to it. OK, so nerd glasses on! We all know that our bodies have a magnetic field. (Well, at least now you know.) Earth has a magnetic field of its own as well. While sleeping with your head towards north, the orientation of both magnetic fields causes abnormal blood pressure and often, dizziness. Can’t say much about witches, but there is no harm in following this one for a goodnight sleep!
3. I AM MENSTRUATING. I NEED TO GO TO THE KITCHEN. BUT. I AM MENSTRUATING.
This is probably the most gruesome and irksome one! To begin with, this is a result of ignorant and dead from the neck up attitude. What started as a thoughtful and considerate gesture somehow turned into an ugly tradition. Centuries back when sanitary napkins and tampons were yet to be introduced, it was pretty difficult for women to go about doing household chores during ‘that time’ of the month. To save them from all the pain and uneasiness it was suggested that they take some time off (till they are ready to rock again)
But soon enough words like impurity, tagged along and completely ruined it.
So girls, menstruating or not, go to the kitchen and make what-ever you want to, visit that temple if it soothes you! (And if anyone starts with teaching you about impurity, show them why not to mess with a bleeding vagina!)
4. I BROKE A MIRROR. 7 YEAR BAD LUCK DA-YUM!
Imagine looking at your supreme self in the mirror and.. oops! It slips off your hand (or for whatever god damn reason) and shatters into pieces. It is said if so happens, you just invited SEVEN YEARS of bad luck. Too much for a broken mirror right? Well the reason behind this is that when mirror was introduced, people were really fascinated by it. Also, it was worth a hefty sum. So when someone broke a mirror it took another 7 years of savings to buy another one.
Broke a mirror? Chill. Just turn on the selfie mode of your cell phone and adore yourself as much as you want! (Make sure you don’t break the phone, because this would definitely invite bad luck!)
5. CAN FORGET CV FOR AN INTERVIEW BUT CURD AND SUGAR? Naaaah!
This is hands down the most common one out of all! Be it a trip, an examination, interview or an important meeting; nobody dares to leave home without curd and sugar. As sweet as this superstition is, it is believed that intake of curd and sugar before an important task calms your mind and hence works out to keep you cool and composed to nail it!
Not to mention, damn yum it is!
There are many such superstitions which still puzzle our minds! Atleast these are the ones we decoded for now for you now. This might sound oxymoron-ish but looks like not all superstitions are illogical!
Though some of them are of no use now, others should really be made incumbent! Above all, these were made to make our life easy and smooth therefore, superstitions should never rule over humans and humanity but the other way around!
