Macbeth-+The+Elizabethan+World+&+Superstitions


 * The Elizabethan Period - Elizabethan Superstitions **

Many superstitions during the Elizabethan period dated back to traditions and beliefs from much earlier times. The superstitions were also steeped in the belief in old magic and the mystical properties of animals and herbs. The origins of many superstitions are based on trust in magic or chance. Fear of the supernatural and forces of nature or God resulted in the belief of superstitions during the Elizabethan era.

**Elizabethan Witches and Superstitions **

New Elizabethan superstitions arose due to the fear of witchcraft and the persecution of witches. Women were those most often accused of being witches! There were 270 Elizabethan witch trials of 247 were women and only 23 were men! During the Elizabethan era people blamed unexplainable events as the work of witches - the Bubonic Plague, unexplained deaths or unpleasant illnesses, bad harvests or crop failures, the death of animals and unexplained fires. Those accused of witchcraft, or being a witch, were generally old, poor and unprotected single women, widows or 'wise women' (many kept pets for company - their 'familiars'). The fear of witches and their supernatural abilities led to the following superstitions:  **Superstitions in Elizabethan Period and Time **
 * § Witches were able to change shape
 * § A witch was often portrayed as an old crone or hag
 * § Witches are closely associated with living alone
 * § Witches were known to keep animals like the Cat, Frog, Pig, Raven, Goat, Wolf, Goose, Crow, Bat and Mouse which were believed to be the forms adopted by a Witches Familiar (an evil spirit, in animal form, who was used by the witch to perform evil deeds and cast malevolent spells)
 * § Witches brewed magic potions over a cauldron

Here are a selection of superstitions which affected the daily lives of Elizabethans:
 * § Saying "God Bless You" following a sneeze - Elizabethans believed that the devil could enter your body when you opened your mouth to sneeze - the blessing warded off the Devil
 * § An eclipse was seen as an omen of evil
 * § Pin bay leaves to your pillow on the Eve of St Valentine, one at each corner and one in the middle and you will then dream of your future husband
 * § Touch wood to guard against bad luck. This Celtic superstition dates back to the Dark Ages when it was believed that a tree possessed magical powers
 * § <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Not to walk under ladders - considered bad luck as ladders are associated with the gallows and executions
 * § <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Shoes on a table - If you put shoes on a table it was very bad luck - inviting an imminent death
 * § <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Spilling Salt or pepper - Seen as bad luck - the cost of these spices were extremely expensive during the Elizabethan era