Old Wives Tales Medicine - Warts, Headaches, Bleeding, Nightmares, Hiccups
Note: These are superstitions. These sayings have never been proven to be true. However, I have met mountain folk in the Asheville area who swear these sayings are true.
- If you first see the new moon in clouds, someone in your family will get sick
- When you comb your hair, you must not let a bird steal a strand for its nest or you will have headaches all summer
- To stop bleeding, say a specific verse in the bible . Some people still swear by this method. "The Bible verse to stop bleeding is Ezekial (sp?) 16:6 Paraphrase --- Though I see you awash (drowning) in your own blood, I say to you live ...." from a reader
- If you are having nightmares, put a bible under your pillow when you sleep, and your nightmares will go away.
- To get rid of warts, steel someone's dishcloth (used) and bury it, the warts will disappear.
- Stop Hiccupping by holding your breath, scaring or startling the person with hiccups.
- Old Wives Sayings Luck
- It is bad luck to burn sassafras or apple logs in a fireplace
- Always keep a horseshoe above the front door for good luck to all who live there
- If your left hand itches you will get some money soon
- if your right hand itches you will shake hands with a stranger
- If your ear is burning someone is talking about you
- If you set the table and accidentally set out an extra fork at a place setting someone is coming hungry.
- Old Wives Sayings on Death
- If a bird flies in your house, someone will die.
- Death comes in threes
- Old Wives Tales - Christmas
- If you sit under a pine tree on Christmas Eve, angel voices will sing all around you but you will die soon after.
- The week before Christmas, roosters crow in the middle of the night so the day will come sooner.
- The dawn comes twice on Christmas day.
- The plants will bloom
- Animals will talk
- Old Sayings for New Years Day
- Its bad luck to see a red haired person on New years day.
- Never carry ashes out of your house on New Year's day or someone in your house will have bad luck
- Never sweep your house on New Year's day, or some one will be swept away before next year comes.
- Dont cut your hair or trim your nails on New Year's day or you cut your fortune.
for more traditions and sayings see Mountain folklore and NC Mountain Music