Lucky Dartmoor

Everyone at some time or other regards certain omens or superstitions as lucky some of which are personal whilst others are time honoured traditions. Dartmoor folks were/are no different and if anything being a remote and mysterious place there is a wealth of good luck beliefs. But why are certain objects, symbols, observations and occurrences regarded as being 'lucky' and come to that what is 'good luck'. Some people will say there is no such thing as being lucky as you make your own luck or the more you work hard at something the 'luckier' you get. I am sure everyone knows someone who never seems to put a foot wrong and is always, "in the right place at the right time", and constantly comes out, "smelling of roses". Are they just lucky or is it a matter of astute decisions and hard work? Here are a few quotations about good luck:

“The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.”

"Good luck is the willing handmaid of a upright and energetic character, and conscientious observance of duty."

“Most of us regard good luck as our right, and bad luck as a betrayal of that right.”

“It's hard to detect good luck - it looks so much like something you've earned.”

"Good luck is a lazy man's estimate of a worker's success."

So, having dispelled the myth of 'good luck' what did the old moor folk believe would attract good fortune to relieve the many hardships they faced? It is/was considered lucky:

To see a new moon over ones right shoulder when outdoors.

To spit over ones right shoulder when meeting a grey horse.

To throw a pinch of salt into the beer mash when brewing.

To own a piece of rope from which a man had been hung.

To see a throng of piskies/fairies dancing in a mine adit.

To find a four-leafed clover when not looking for it.

To meet a flock of sheep whilst on a journey.

To break a piece of pottery on Good Friday.

To have white specks on ones finger nails.

To carry a badger's tooth in ones pocket.

To spill an inkblot whilst writing a letter.

To be the seventh son of a seventh son.

To carry crooked coins in ones pocket.

To accidentally drop a glove or comb.

To see a star on the wick of a candle.

To have a black cat cross your path.

To have crickets living in the house.

To find a black feather in a field.

To have a bird mess on you.

To find some white heather.

To see a pin and pick it up.

To put the left sock on first.

To find a cast horseshoe.

To be born on a Sunday.

To find a white violet.

To see a ladybird.

To see a lone fox.