Are you superstitious? Or do you believe all that stuff is just "Mumbo Jumbo"? Well, it's been proven that even today when objective evidence is necessary, few people can honestly say they don't secretly have one or two irrational beliefs or superstitions. These beliefs come in all different shapes and sizes.

Superstition has played an enormous part in the history of the world. In the early times, even before Christ some of the famous warriors would not go into battle unless their personnel Astronomer checked to see if the positions of the stars were favorable. These so called 'Star Gazers' could they really see the future? Or did they just have lucky guesses?

Things changed slowly, by the middle ages anyone trying to talk about what the future would hold, was asking for trouble. If this individual was also black cat lover, that person was a witch and therefore a tool of the devil and had to be destroyed.

One persons religion is another persons superstition. For example, a christian may believe that in time of trouble he'll be guided by the bible; by opening it at random and reading the text that first strikes his eyes.

Where did these superstitions really come from? Who determined that the # 7 should be a lucky number; that Friday the 13th should be unlucky?

What do you do, when a black cat crosses the road right in front of you? Do you turn off and go around the block or do you keep driving, just to prove there is nothing to that myth?

Did you know it's unlucky to talk about your dreams before you've had breakfast? According to my children it was unlucky to clean their room more then once a year. (Now they're clean freaks)

Some people call them old wives tales and they come in loads of different versions. I've been collecting them for years, in categories ridiculous, more ridiculous and worse.

Here are a few examples. Gentlemen this one is for you. Drop a fork and you'll have a female visitor. Ladies you would have to drop a knife and hopefully next time you open the door there stands your dream man...., never mind that Speaking of cutlery, remember never cross your silverware. It pronounces hunger in your future, especially if you're ready to eat and all your knives and forks are in the sink. Really you could starve by the time they're washed. How about more company? Bang your elbow, it's really effective if you get it right in the funny bone. This one will summon up your landlord, especially when you're behind in the rent... In the morning after the night before, do not, I stress the fact, do not look in the mirror, your sight will crack it and you'll have to fight off bad luck for the next seven years. Are you looking for your tax refund? To speed it on it's way check for fallen eyelashes. Carefully pick it up between thumb and forefinger, spit on it three times and send it on it's way down your shirt front and guaranteed the refund will arrive soon, that is as soon as it's turn comes up. Ridiculous right? I have a friend who is a chronicle beter. He'll bet on anything, from the color of your sox to the exact time of the next bus, but only when he carries his lucky button. Next time you have an itchy palm, don't scratch it, spit in it three times and bingo you'll receive money. 'Break a leg' now really is that nice to wish that onto anyone?

My Grandma was quite superstitious she had some kind of comment for every situation, like 'don't invite trouble' or 'don't spill the salt that causes fights' . Well I guess it's just as easy to walk around a ladder then under it, right? Next time you have tea, check for bubbles at the rim of your cup. Those bubbles can mean one of two things. 1) You'll be in the money soon. 2) It's possible your cup still had dish-soap in it.

Talking about tea, have you ever been to an honestly good fortune teller? Well, this lady will read your future out of a pack of vicious looking tarot cards, tea leaves, coffee grinds, your finger nails, and the length of your fingers. The creases in your palm will tell her if you'll live long or die young. She'll try to convince you that by counting the creases on the side of your wrist you'll know how many children you'll have. If she thinks you don't believe, she'll pull out her crystal ball. With that you've had it, she'll know your past, present and future. You'll be an open book.

Do you check out your horoscope? Isn't it weird one magazine will tell you what a great day you'll have. The next one is sure your friend will stab you in the back, your stocks are down and your broke, where-as the next one will advise you to quit being such a drifter, you should plan for your future... which one to believe? I guess it'll depend on your mood, so take a pick.

Then there is another superstition, the preventive medicine. You'll need to carry it in a pouch around your neck. In the olden days these pouches were made from a poor animals gallbladder. Now they can come in fashionable hand dyed leather. The everyday kit should include:

• garlic - to ward off vampires
• a bottle of perfume -to ward off the garlic smell
• a cross- also against vampires
• a medallion- to ward off the evil eye ( I don't know whose, but better safe then sorry.. )
• a rabbits foot- to help you hop (optional) also for luck
• a piece of wood- to knock on
• a tooth- I guess you can leave it for the tooth fairy, so you'll never be broke
• a lucky penny
• a lucky # 7
• lucky dice
• some chewing gum - you'll never know when the fork or knife trick will work
• a horseshoe
• potion #9- so you don't loose your hair
• voodoo doll with long hat pins

Feel free to add lucky charms (cereal?in case you get hungry) This kit should prepare you for the basics and can be yours for the low, low price of $49.99 just kidding.

Enough of this silliness. I, myself don't believe in any of this 'Mambo Jumbo' but just in case my pouch is made out of beautiful soft moose hide dyed dark magenta.

Getting back on track, where did superstition come from? Well some can be traced back to the dark ages. Some individuals fears were blown out of shape, then exaggerated in the retelling from person to person ... Bingo superstition and myths are born.

Picture life without electricity. All the shadows created by lantern, candles, bonfires etc. could be spooky. A person with some imaginative stories could scare the 'sweet begeebers' out of anyone... again retold with a little added here and there... Bingo unearthly, mysterious, irrational beliefs are created.

Happy Halloween