Superstitions VI – Sneezing

Who would have thought there were so many superstitions about sneezing?

Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger.
Sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger.
Sneeze on Wednesday, sneeze for a letter.
Sneeze on Thursday, something better.
Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for woe.
Sneeze on Saturday, a journey to go.
Sneeze on Sunday, your safety seek—
For Satan will have you for the rest of the week!

Ancient man believed that his breath was also the essence of life, or soul. A rapid exhaling of that breath--a sneeze--was the same as expelling life from one's body. It also left a vacuum in the head that would allow evil spirits to enter.

The Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians considered the sneeze a kind of internal oracle that warned them in times of danger and foretold future good or evil. Sneezing to the right was considered lucky; to the left, unlucky.

There is an old legend that before the time of the Old Testament, people sneezed only once and then died. However, Jacob interceded on behalf of humankind and obtained a cessation of this rule on the condition that the words "God bless you!" follow every sneeze.

In Iceland, according to legend, there was once a terrible epidemic in which many people died. A brother and sister observed that everyone around them who succumbed to the disease was first seized by a sneezing fit. Therefore, when they themselves sneezed they cried, "God help me!" Because of this prayer they were allowed to live, and they spread the story of their healing blessing to all the inhabitants of the area. The Icelanders have continued the custom of saying, "God help me!" when they themselves sneeze and "God help you!" when others sneeze.

Closer to home, it is believed that the custom of saying "God bless you!" after a sneeze dates back to the bubonic plague. Sneezing was an early sign of catching the infection and hence of imminent death. The pope decreed that persons who sneezed should be blessed with the phrase “May God have mercy on your soul,” to protect them from imminent doom. This was later shortened to “Bless you.”

There are also many other beliefs about sneezing:

• A sneeze at the time of prayer gives negative result.
• If you sneeze without covering your face, your soul may escape.
• If anyone says good health or long life, the sneezer will live for one hundred years.
• Sneezing before stepping out of the house or at the onset of a new task or journey is considered ill luck.
• A sneeze during a conversation means the words spoken are true.
• If you sneeze when you are talking you are telling a lie.
• The first sneeze of a baby should be blessed as it means that the child is mentally balanced.
• A fool cannot sneeze.
• If you feel like sneezing and can’t, it means that someone close by is in love with you.
• If you sneeze while at a meal this means you are going to meet a new friend.
• If you sneeze two or three times in a row, it means that someone is complaining or gossiping about you.
• If you sneeze between 6 a.m. - 9 a.m., you will be lucky that day.
• If you sneeze between 9.01 a.m. - 12 p.m. you will receive good news from someone far away.
• If you sneeze between 12.01 p.m. - 3 p.m. you will receive some good news from someone of the opposite sex.
• If you sneeze between 3.01 p.m. and 6 p.m. you will receive some good news regarding business. If you have lost anything you will get it back.
• If you sneeze between 6.01 p.m. - midnight, do not accept anything from anyone because bad things will happen.
• If you sneeze between midnight until 6 a.m., someone will come to ask to stay with you. Do not allow them. If someone asks for help, do not help. They will bring trouble.

So next time you sneeze, pay close attention. It might just mean more than your allergies acting up.