Halloween Superstitions: Dealing with Ghosts, Witches and More

1) As you are getting ready for bed, place one shoe with the toe pointing under the bed. Place the other shoe pointing in the oppposite direction. Now you will be safe from ghosts, goblins, and evil spirits throughout the night.

2) Keep ghosts away by turning your pockets inside out.

3) Carry a piece of bread crust in your pocket. It will protect you from creatures that roam the night.

4) You can get rid of a ghost by throwing a key at it.

5) If you should meet a witch, cross your fingers and you will be safe.

6) Hang a mirror on the front porch. It will keep ghosts from coming into your house.

7) At the first light of day ghosts, goblins, evil spirits, witches, and zombies disappear.

8) If a candle flam suddenly turns blue, a ghost is near at hand.

9) Knocking on wood (preferably oak, which is sacred to the Celts) keeps evil away.

10) To prevent ghosts from coming into your house, especially on All Hallows Eve, bury animal bones near the doorway, or bury the image of an animal in a sealed box or jar.

11) If you see a spider on Halloween, it is a departed spirit from your past that is watching you.

12) A child that has teeth when it is born will grow up to be a vampire.

13) If Halloween night occurs on the night of a full moon, the spirit world is all the closer, so intuition and divination are stronger (and caution and care are more advisable!)

14) A fire lit or burning after sunset on All Hallows Eve should be kept burning until after midnight, or spirits may come around and do harm.

15) In the United States, if an all-black cat crosses your path, it is bad luck. If an all-white cat crosses your path, it is good luck. In Great Britian and Ireland, it is just the opposite.

16) Wear a ring on Halloween, especially if you are sick, and you will be safe from harm.

17) Ring a bell to scare evil spirits away.

18) Before Halloween sunset, walk around your house backward three times, counterclockwise, to ward off evil that night.

19) Make friends on Hallowee, and yoou will be one in spirit for (at least) the coming year. If you quarrel with someone on Halloween, make up before midnight or your estrangement will last for (at least) one year.