Latest news with #superstition
Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Red Warning - Frank McNally on why Galway fishermen dread foxes
Saint MacDara, whose feast day and associated pilgrimage by Connemara fishermen featured elsewhere in these pages on Thursday, is a rare example of a holy man known only by his surname. This is because his first name was Sionnach, meaning 'fox'. And it has long been a superstition among fishing communities, not just in Ireland but as far away as Brittany, that any mention of foxes on a boat is sure to bring bad luck. Their belief was recorded by the antiquarian R.A.S. Macalister when, making the pilgrimage in July 1895, he pondered why the saint was so known: 'Sinach [as Macallister spelt it] was his proper name; but he is always called after his father, the meaning of that word (a fox) had anything to do with its non-application…we can only infer; anyhow the fact remains that this name was dropped, and the Saint was one of the first to have a surname, for reasons best known to those who applied it.' READ MORE Such was the strength of the superstition that anyone sighting or hearing of foxes while on the way to sea would turn back and abandon the day's fishing. But it wasn't just foxes, Macallister explained. Quoting John O'Donovan, of Ordnance Survey fame, he noted a range of four-legged animals equally dreaded by Galway fishermen: 'They cannot bear to hear the name of a fox, hare, or rabbit pronounced, and should they chance to see either (sic) of those animals living or dead, or hear the name of either expressed before setting out to fish…they would not venture out that day.' This being a big hurling weekend, I'm reminded of an immortal quip from the late Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, covering a game between Tipperary and Galway in the 1990s: 'Pat Fox has it on his hurl and is motoring well here comes Joe Rabbitte hot on his tail...I've seen it all now, a Rabbitte chasing a Fox around Croke Park.' Well, witty as it was, that's another story you couldn't mention on a fishing boat off Galway, apparently. Down in Kerry, meanwhile, the prohibition extends to pigs. According to the blog sight or mention of anything porcine there was traditionally sufficient reason to give up fishing for the day. If a pig had to feature in conversation at sea, it was by euphemism, as 'the fellow with the curly tail'.' In similar vein, the fox was 'the bushy-tailed fellow' or 'the fellow with the pointed ears'. Even the foxy words 'red' or 'rua' were avoided in boats. Hence a Blasket Islander named Pádraig O Guithin, who was known as Pádraig Rua on land but became Peadaí deaghdhathach' ('brilliant-coloured Paddy') at sea. Getting back to Oileán Mhic Dara, the saint himself had an ominous reputation. In his report on this week's pilgrimage, Simon Carswell noted a tradition whereby boats passing the island dip their sails three times. Not to do so is (or at least used to be) an invitation to trouble. Macallister quotes a story from 1672, about 'a certain captain of the garrison of Galway' who, after passing the island without the usual ceremony 'was so tossed with sea and storme that he vowed he would never pass there again without paying his obeysance'. It was too late. Before the captain had a chance to revisit the island, he went down in a shipwreck. A few years after that, in the case of 'one Gill, a fisherman of Galway', vengeance was swifter and more direct. Refusing to strike his sail at the island, he went 'not a mile beyond' when, on an otherwise calm day, the mast was toppled by a sudden gale 'and struck him on the pate dead'. The comic novelist Mervyn Wall wrote about Oileán Mhic Dara for The Irish Times in 1968. He noted then that the superstition concerning four-legged animals extended to deer. This being so, it seemed a sinister coincidence that there was a 'Deer Island' close to MacDara's, something that had proved very bad luck once for a group of British soldiers. Wall heard from locals the story about how a fugitive named O'Donnell was arrested while disguised as a priest near the village of Carna, but bargained with his captors by claiming to have buried gold on Deer Island, for a planned escape to America. So the five soldiers rowed there with him but made the mistake of getting out of the boat first and throwing him a rope. Naturally, he cut the rope and floated away, throwing himself into the hold to avoid their gunshots. Back on the mainland, he then dissuaded locals from rescuing the troops, who by the time they were found had starved to death. It might have been just a story. But there was a place on Deer Island called the 'Mound of the Strangers'. And an old man in Roundstone told Wall that as a boy, circa 1910, he and friends had dug a little into the mound, finding there a well-preserved belt buckle with the initials for 'Highland Light Infantry'.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Should You and Your Partner Spend the Night Before Your 2025 Wedding Apart?
Ah, the magical night before the wedding. Getting into bed ready for eight sweet hours of blissful dreams and anxiously awaiting the celebration of the coming day. But, the question is: Who do you spend the night with? Superstitious beliefs have kept many a couple separated until the ceremony, protecting their matrimonial fate from being doomed from the The tradition of spending the wedding eve apart is when to-be-weds refrain from seeing one another the night before their wedding, often until the ceremony. The superstitious consequences of not abiding include a failed, unlucky, or unhappy tradition has such a global resonance that its traces can be found in most cultures and is, in some form, still practiced today. "Over time, I think the custom became more of a fun thing of preserving an element of surprise and newness to the day—that unlike every other day, the first time you'll see each other is at the ceremony," says Eleni N. Gage, a wedding folklore expert. "It's also a fitting representation of what marriage is: Two people who lived separate lives coming together to build a life together."Meet the Experts Elizabeth Overstreet is a relationship strategist, speaker, and author. Eleni N. Gage is a wedding folklore learn more about the history and meaning of spending the night before the wedding apart. Related: Giving Away the Bride: What to Know About the Classic Wedding Tradition The History and Meaning of Spending the Night Apart Like many customs in this space, the history of couples spending the night apart began more as a result of the contractual basis of marriages than any, more satisfying, romantic notion. While the exact dates are difficult to pinpoint, it's safe to say the tradition is closely linked to arranged marriages. As the story goes, a woman's fate lay in the hands of her father (or family patriarch) entering a contract with the best suitor to be her husband and take on the responsibility of protecting and providing. And the superstition of a doomed marriage? This was likely a two-pronged attempt to preserve the bride's virginity and maintain some sense of mystery until the wedding. In short, it's an insurance policy to keep the groom from running for the hills before contractually being tied to the marriage. "It's a nod to that history of mystery," says Gage. "In traditional Jewish ceremonies, the groom lifts the bride's veil in a ritual called the bedeken, or unveiling, to make sure he's actually marrying the bride he was promised, reflecting the Bible story of Jacob and Rachel and Leah, which involves a bride switcheroo." A secondary tradition is the bride spending the night with her bridal party. "The point of bridesmaids has always been to make things easier for the bride and bring her luck," explains Gage. "In ancient Rome, their purpose was to dress like the bride, serving as a decoy for any evil spirits that might swoop in to steal her." This also harkens to a time of simpler travel. The bride would often have to travel to her wedding, accompanied only by a contingency of male protectors. Her bridesmaids accompanied her on the journey as chaperones and female support systems, as well as assistants to help her get dressed. While modern-day brides and grooms have come a long way, the allure of following an age-old tradition—or appeasing more conservative parents—still holds. Ali of Ohio says, 'I spent the night at my parents' house with my siblings. Even though we already lived together, it felt like a nice way to send us off from our 'old' family into our 'new' family of two.' Adam adds, 'If you spend the night apart, it increases the intensity of seeing them walk down the aisle. The anticipation gets really high.' But some people aren't going for intense. 'I can understand wanting to wake up together and have a private moment before,' empathizes Holly. Jessica of Virginia agrees, 'We were supposed to spend the night apart, but I was feeling so emotionally overwhelmed that I asked him to stay with me at our apartment. I needed his calm to keep me chill.'Tips If you have a tradition you want to follow, or want to forget, Gage recommends framing it as a means of bringing good fortune. People won't try to talk you out of it if they have to contend with good There Still Value in Spending the Night Before Your Wedding Apart? Yes. If you choose to do so, spending the night apart before your wedding may offer you some much-needed time for reflection, says Elizabeth Overstreet, a relationship expert. "I feel and can personally attest that taking a pause and some time alone before the wedding day helps you to have a deeper appreciation, sense of connection and intentionality going into your big day," she says. It Gives You Space for Reflection Weddings can be stressful and chaotic. As a result, spending the night before your big day alone can give you the space you need to reflect and take time for yourself before being surrounded by your partner and your loved ones. "You and your soon-to-be partner can use the night apart to reflect and ground yourselves before such a monumental moment," she says. "This time allows for personal introspection and gratitude for this person you're choosing to spend your life." It Makes You More Excited for the Wedding "Creating a brief pause in constant togetherness can heighten emotional anticipation," Overstreet says. "There is a saying, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' That separation fosters a sense of longing and fresh appreciation, making the moment you reunite at the altar feel all the more meaningful and that first night together as a married couple even more special." It Maintains Tradition You and your partner may want to adhere to this ritual simply because it's tradition—and that's perfectly okay. "Some couples view the night before the wedding as the last chapter of their single lives, while others may want to start their married life side-by-side from the very beginning," Overstreet says. "There's value in either choice, but what matters is alignment as a couple." 5 Common Questions About Spending the Night Before the Wedding Apart How do we ensure we won't accidentally run into each other? Have a conversation and set your expectations and parameters on what you expect to—and not to—happen. "If you aren't seeing each other all day, warn the people around you," advises Gage. "If you're having an event that morning—let everyone know what part of the gathering one spouse will be at and what time the other will attend." Can I still communicate with my partner if we're not spending the night together? The tradition only focuses on seeing one another, and historically couples often had letters delivered to each other. So make your own rules! "If you want to start the 'separation' at the stroke of midnight, go for it! If you decide FaceTime or phone calls count as contact and are forbidden, but texts or letters are fine, more power to you," says Gage. How do I tell my bridesmaids I plan to spend the night with them? You can keep things casual with a group chat or in-person invitation or put a little flair into the request with more formal or unique invitations. The most important thing is that you do communicate this in advance. "If it's important to you that everyone be there, tell them so [they] don't assume it's no big deal and run off to dance all night with a new crush," notes Gage. Should I be paying for my bridesmaids' hotel bill? "If you're throwing a slumber party and all staying in the honeymoon suite, I'd let the bridesmaids know they don't need to book (or pay for) a room of their own that night," says Gage. It may be assumed that whoever is paying for the bridal suite in the first place will be absorbing the cost of extra guests lodging there that night—but this depends on personal preference. Do I need to provide food for my bridesmaids? Regardless of what pre-wedding events are taking place that evening, it would be assumed that your crew comes fed to the slumber party. If light snacks and celebratory bubbles are in order, it might be a nice gesture to cover the cost. How to Spend the Night Apart "The fun thing is that you don't have to buy into the whole history of the customs," says Gage. "Obviously, you don't need to be having an arranged marriage, or a heteronormative one, to enjoy the drama of some time apart leading up to a big reveal in all your wedding finery!" Who you spend the wedding eve with can create a beautiful segue into the events of the wedding day itself. Consider how you want to remember the night and who would best help facilitate those memories. Some choose to spend the night with their mom or sisters and others surround themselves with a whole gaggle of bridesmaids. "I shared my hotel room with my sister after our rehearsal dinner and it was so nice to have that time with her and feel like we were kids again, sleeping in the same bed on Christmas Eve, so excited about the next day," recalls Gage. "I remember waking up and saying to her, 'I'm getting married today!' and I'm so glad she was the person I got to say that to." You can also forego the notion of not seeing your spouse until the ceremony altogether. "I am the most superstitious person you'll meet and I spent the morning of our wedding helping my husband with the toast he'd be giving that night," says Gage. But you can still incorporate other traditions like keeping the wedding dress a secret until then. "I think there is something to be said for the drama of a big reveal. I didn't do a first look for that reason and it was so exciting to walk into the church and see my husband at the end of the aisle. But that's what was right for us, not necessarily for everyone else. My only advice would be think about when you want to see each other and work backward from that," she Keep your expectations in check to maximize the memories. Instead of focusing on what you want to happen, enjoy what is of whether you decide to spend the night before the big day with your bridal party, your partner, luxuriating in some alone time, or creating a brand new tradition all your own, remember to get plenty of rest and hydration. The following day will definitely be one that you'll want to look and feel your best before and those a hair and makeup appointments start early! Up Next: 26 Things to Do the Night Before Your Wedding Read the original article on Brides Solve the daily Crossword
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Indian villagers beat five to death for 'witchcraft' in northern state of Bihar
Indian villagers beat a family of five to death and dumped their corpses in a lake accusing them of "practising witchcraft" after the death of a boy, police said on Tuesday. Three people have been arrested and have confessed to the crime, police in the northern state of Bihar said in a statement. Three women -- including a 75-year-old -- were among those murdered. The main accused believed that his son's recent death was caused by one of those killed, and blamed "him and his family of practising witchcraft", the statement said. "After beating the victims to death, the perpetrators loaded the bodies onto a tractor and dumped them in a pond," police said. The murderers and victims all belonged to India's Oraon tribe in Bihar, India's poorest state and a mainly Hindu region of at least 130 million people. Despite campaigns against superstition, belief in witchcraft remains widespread in rural areas across India, especially in isolated tribal communities. Some states, including Bihar, have introduced laws to try to curb crimes against people accused of witchcraft and superstition. Women have often been branded witches and targeted, but the killing of the family of five stands out as a particularly heinous recent example. More than 1,500 people -- the overwhelming majority of them women -- were killed in India on suspicion of witchcraft between 2010 and 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Some believe in the occult, but attackers also sometimes have other motives including usurping their rights over land and property.
France 24
08-07-2025
- France 24
Indian villagers beat five to death for 'witchcraft'
Three people have been arrested and have confessed to the crime, police in the northern state of Bihar said in a statement. Three women -- including a 75-year-old -- were among those murdered. The main accused believed that his son's recent death was caused by one of those killed, and blamed "him and his family of practising witchcraft", the statement said. "After beating the victims to death, the perpetrators loaded the bodies onto a tractor and dumped them in a pond," police said. The murderers and victims all belonged to India's Oraon tribe in Bihar, India's poorest state and a mainly Hindu region of at least 130 million people. Despite campaigns against superstition, belief in witchcraft remains widespread in rural areas across India, especially in isolated tribal communities. Some states, including Bihar, have introduced laws to try to curb crimes against people accused of witchcraft and superstition. Women have often been branded witches and targeted, but the killing of the family of five stands out as a particularly heinous recent example. More than 1,500 people -- the overwhelming majority of them women -- were killed in India on suspicion of witchcraft between 2010 and 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Arab News
Indian villagers beat five to death for ‘witchcraft'
NEW DELHI: Indian villagers beat a family of five to death and dumped their corpses in a lake accusing them of 'practicing witchcraft' after the death of a boy, police said Tuesday. Three people have been arrested and have confessed to the crime, police in the northern state of Bihar said in a statement. Three women — including a 75-year-old — were among those murdered. The main accused believed that his son's recent death was caused by one of those killed, and blamed 'him and his family of practicing witchcraft,' the statement said. 'After beating the victims to death, the perpetrators loaded the bodies onto a tractor and dumped them in a pond,' police said. The murderers and victims all belonged to India's Oraon tribe in Bihar, India's poorest state and a mainly Hindu region of at least 130 million people. Despite campaigns against superstition, belief in witchcraft remains widespread in rural areas across India, especially in isolated tribal communities. Some states, including Bihar, have introduced laws to try to curb crimes against people accused of witchcraft and superstition. Women have often been branded witches and targeted, but the killing of the family of five stands out as a particularly heinous recent example. More than 1,500 people — the overwhelming majority of them women — were killed in India on suspicion of witchcraft between 2010 and 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Some believe in the occult, but attackers also sometimes have other motives including usurping their rights over land and property.
