We are all superstitious at heart; if not heart, then gut for sure. Granted science has greatly weakened the influence superstitions once held in society and governance, each of us, in our own way, at the risk of appearing irrational, contribute towards keeping the flame of superstitions alive. Here is why we do it.
But first let me clarify that the type of superstitions referred to here, are not the type that infamously exploit the weak; oppress the vulnerable; and indoctrinate the uneducated. Times have changed and fortunately for witches, I mean, women, the hypocritical basis behind witch-huts, and other similar prejudiced and myopic superstitions, have long been eradicated (no, women are not responsible for drought; famine; or anything else men cannot explain). Not everywhere, of course. Science has yet to reach all parts of the world; growth and progress likewise. Nevertheless, in majority of the developed, secular world, zealous adherence to repressive superstitions are definitely becoming a thing of the past.
The superstitions of today are all relatively harmless. As the world has changed to adapt to science and technology, superstitions too have changed accordingly. In order to suit the rationale of the contemporary society, they have forsaken their credibility, and with it their oppressive, dictatorial attributes. Instead, they have refashioned themselves into silly (jumping over legs shortens leg length); superficial (lucky charms); and sentimental; nostalgic (wearing something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new on your wedding day) frills and fancies. Furthermore, whereas in the past superstitions was dogma, therefore absolute, now its practice depends entirely on the respective individual.
It's up to you whether you want to risk the Sun god's wrath by opening your umbrella indoors or not. It's up to you whether you want to risk crossing the same road a black cat has just crossed. It's entirely up to you whether or not you choose to: clip your nails at night; walk under ladders; or worry about the impeding seven years of bad luck you are meant to incur, if you ever break a mirror. The rational, sophisticated mind knows that it matters little whatever action it takes. The end result will not be affected.
However, it's remarkable how many people find themselves altering their behaviours once they become aware of a superstition. For example, let’s say a friend tells you that whistling at night can attract demons (and you are a notorious night whistler). You will initially guffaw at your friend and dismiss the entire thing as silly and ridiculous. Nevertheless, next time you find yourself alone at night, it is highly likely that you will not whistle (no matter how strong the desire). Unexpected glimpses of black cats; owls; and black beetles too can prompt cautious behaviour in many.
Perhaps it is because humans have the ability to imagine. In a dark setting, it is extremely easy to mistake the rustling of trees for a villainous, evil demon, whose sole purpose you have deftly discerned, is solely to terminate your life in the most horrible and excruciating way conceivable. Or perhaps it is because deep down we know that demons do not always come in supernatural forms. Either way, when confronted with the possibility of death, we all become hypocrites. Fortunately for us, no extra effort is required to accommodate to this irrational whim, nor will anybody be harmed in the process. Thus, the rational individual (notorious whistler), convinces itself that it would probably be best to leave off whistling for another day - a bring sunny one at that, especially if it can ensure them their life.
This is how modern day superstitions work; have always worked. They plant seeds of doubt and fear into the unsuspecting, confused and susceptible mind. The seeds will not immediately sprout; in some it might take years, entire lifetimes. Nevertheless, it will only take one random event where you notice a black cat crossing the road, pay no heed to it, then end up in an accident, for the seed to flower indefinitely. Forget the hundreds, thousands of black cats you have ignored in the past, it is only this particular cat that counts. Soon you will be recounting the tale to another unsuspecting friend, and in this way the flames (seeds) of superstitions spread.
In our defence, acceding to superstitions does not automatically make us all hypocrites.
Science is heralded as the source of all knowledge. In life too, we are to taught from an early age that we are the masters of our fate, and if we will it, and work hard for it, then we can make all impossible possible. But of course, we all know this isn't entirely true. In all fields of knowledge there will always be anomalies and grey areas. Fluke and contingencies also play much bigger roles in our life than we are taught to expect. Occasionally we realise this. Every once in awhile, we become aware of how impotent we are. How any minute now, a murderer could appear out of nowhere; or a bus; or the tectonic plates deep underground could shift and turn our whole life upside down, inside out. One second we are alive, the next dead. Understandably, this can unhinge even the strongest of minds. Certainly they are irrational fears, but they do happen. Consequently, when meaningless accidents; incidents; or worst death occur, no amount of knowledge can help us through it. We are left exposed and naked; masters of nothing, and no one. In such a situation, our minds instinctively does its utmost to protect us from this terrifying unknown.
Superstitions: magic, supernatural, luck are one of the many mechanisms employed by the mind to combat and defend ourselves from these irrational fears. They cannot resolve them, nor eliminate them, but they can offer a way for the individual to mitigate them somewhat. Superstitions are always quite frank in their instructions. No whistling equals no demons. It acknowledges our deep rational, irrepressible fear of being followed by a serial killer, under the cover of darkness, in parks; isolated meadows, anywhere lacking other fellow human company (I mean, we all watch the news!). However, by following the superstition's instructions and refraining oneself from whistling, we can at least distract our mind from the fear; reassure ourselves that our silent, stealthy walk is enough to avoid any detection, as we try not to make it too obvious by breaking into a sprint. It does not work for everybody, but it does work for some.
People are also more prone to be superstitious when they are trying to protect others.
Say your favourite team is losing; your young, kind, naïve daughter is off on her first trip abroad; or your friend is about to get married and she is petrified. You wish to help them or at least provide some sort of support, but there is very little you can do. Except of course: start singing the team's lucky song alongside the other fans; give your daughter a lucky pendant and make her promise not to ever lose it, ever. And tell your friend that change is good, love is worthwhile and if she believes in the two, then everything will turn out fine.
By singing; providing a lucky charm, and encouraging a friend to have more faith, we can alter nothing. But we are able to boost the morale of a losing team; convey a parent's fear to a daughter without being overbearing; and restore faith in a friend when she needs it most.
Deconstruct superstitions and you will realise that they are all just held together by hope. Hope from a sincere fan that their team will succeed; hope from a loving parent that no harm shall pass their child's way; hope that your friend will recognise all marriages require a leap of faith and she of all people can leap magnificently.
Even the silly ones: jumping over legs, communicates every parent's hope for their child to grow tall and strong (necessary to reach high shelves, which our world has a lot of). Never giving shoes as a gift to a lover, expresses the hope that they won't leave/run away from us. A friend of mine told me that when she and her brother were younger, they were warned not to eat in a sleeping position, otherwise they would turn into a snake. A mother's hope perhaps, that her children would not have upset stomachs in the morning. The brother of course would deliberately eat while sleeping in the hope that he would wake up a snake.
To conclude, ironically - and here I must make it clear again that I am referring to the more light-hearted superstitions found in contemporary society - superstitions enable a rational person to hold on to their rationality. Undoubtedly they have now become a fancy, but as in the past, they still remain a source of support to many. We can devote our entire lifetime; lifetimes uncovering all the secrets of our universe and in turn, ourselves. I was brought to up to believe nothing is impossible, so I will not write off this achievement completely. But it will not happen any time soon. Fortunately for us, mankind has created; invented; imagined multiple ways of making sense of our world. Superstitions are one of the many alternatives.
Essentially what we choose to believe in is driven by our survival instincts. As long as we have gaps in our knowledge; fear in our mind; and things to protect, when all available sources fail, we will willingly believe in the most far fetched superstitions if it can ignite even the tiniest flicker of hope within us. Sometimes the flame can be quite blinding.
Written by - Dina Rai