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Superstitions

Show Audio
Highlights:
Roots of Superstitions
win real
Robert Lincoln & Assassinations
win real

Date:

02-13-04

Host:

George Noory

Guests:

Open Lines, Charles Reichblum

Charles Reichbloom (website(1)), the author of the Knowledge in a Nutshell® book series, discussed the origins of various superstitions. A number of "bad luck" superstitions such as Friday the 13th and stepping under a ladder, stem from religious connotations, he said. Seeing a black cat cross, got its bad rap, because during the Middle Ages, witches were thought to be able to assume the form of a feline, said Reichbloom, though he noted that to the Egyptians cats were considered lucky.
Reichbloom also delved into good luck superstitions. A rabbit's foot is considered lucky because rabbits multiply so rapidly, thus the foot is a token of fertility. The tradition of knocking on wood comes from Indians he said, who would touch trees to ward off bad luck, because trees were struck by lightning and thus connected to the Sky God.
"We're afraid to defy these superstitions," said Reichbloom, because people would rather not take a chance, and that is why many of these traditions have lasted for centuries. Reichbloom also shared accounts of unusual occurrences, such as the case of Robert Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln, who was not only present at the assassination of his father, but two other US presidents, Garfield and McKinley, spread out over a 36 year period. In the latter half of the show, callers shared Friday the 13th stories, and anecdotes about various superstitions they have observed.

1. http://www.geocities.com/knownut/

Related Articles

Friday the 13th Gallery


Thanks to all who responded to our call for "Dark Arts." View(1) five images that were deemed especially spooky.

1. http://archive.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page377.html?theme=light

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Friday February 13, 2004

1. Black Water
Doobie Bros.
2. Black Velvet
Alannah Myles
3. Evil Woman
Electric Light Orchestra
4. Inca Dance
Cusco
5. Long Cool Woman
The Hollies
6. Midnight Express (The Chase)
Giorgio Moroder
7. Midnight Express (The Chase)
Giorgio Moroder
8. Piano Man
Billy Joel
9. Speak to Me/Breathe
Pink Floyd
10. Spooky
Atlanta Rhythm Section
11. Spooky
Classics IV
12. Still Crazy After All These Years
Paul Simon
13. Superstition
Stevie Wonder
14. Suspicious Minds
Elvis Presley
15. Tiny Dancer
Elton John
16. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
Genesis
17. Werewolves of London
Warren Zevon
18. Witchcraft
Frank Sinatra
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