Animals

Animals too have their own large fund of lore.

Cats and Dogs. If a black cat should cross your path it brings good luck. If the cat stops to look at you the luck will be greater, but if the cat spits at you it brings bad luck. A dog howling for no apparent reason brings news of death.

Foxes. If a fox crosses your path, an opportunity will be given to you. If the fox stops to look at you, your most ambitious plans will come to frustration, but if the fox just glances disdainfully and walks away with his back to you, your plans will come to nothing.

Horses. A white horse was once the symbol of the Celtic goddess Epona, and thus should be greeted with respect or you may draw down misfortune upon yourself, but you can tell the horse your hopes and wishes to make them come true.

Stoats and Weasels. Stoats and weasels are looked upon as bad luck by some Gypsy families, who should be horrified if one crossed their path. However, to others, including my own family, they are good luck. To see these delightful creatures playing means happiness in family matters, but if they should be squabbling family disputes will arise.

Hares. Hares are dedicated to the earth goddess. It is said that Boadicea carried a hare beneath her cloak to her first engagement with the Roman army. When she released the hare, it ran straight toward the Roman lines, leading the Celts to a great victory. To see a hare is a lucky thing. If you see one when you are on the way to a meeting or interview of any kind, a successful outcome is guaranteed.

Fish. The fish is a lucky symbol in most cultures. In myth and folklore, fish are often guardians of secrets and wisdom. To see a fish jump unexpectedly brings luck, if something is worrying you at the time, your worries are unfounded, and anything you are hoping for will be yours.

Insects

The insect world has its own signs and portents.

Spiders. Spiders have long held a fascination for man, and one should never kill a spider. If a spider should attach a filament of web to you, the faes are about to make a change in your life, or, as my dad would say, 'You've stood still too long!' A money spider should be allowed to have a good crawl all over you, before being gently and safely removed, to ensure that the luck 'sticks.'

Crane Flies. A crane fly or daddy-long-legs brings luck with it when it flies indoors, and should never be killed.

Ladybirds and Other Beetles. The ladybird is one of the most familiar and most loved insects: a seven-spotted ladybird brings luck when it lands on you. A beetle trundling across your path means a lucky day. The bigger the beetle, the greeter the luck, so don't squash it.

Butterflies. A butterfly settling upon a young woman foretells a pregnancy; on an older woman it signifies a new baby in the family. On anyone else the butterfly foretells a time of celebration and frivolity

Other Omens

The Moon. To see the new moon outdoors is very lucky. You should bow to her three times, then turn your money over three times; it will increase ninefold by the next new moon. Make a wish on the full moon, and of course you should always wish on a shooting star- but never tell your wish to another, or it loses its power and won't come true.

Oak Trees and Brambles. The oak is lucky for money and health. Try to catch a falling oak leave in autumn, before it touches the ground. Keep the leaf safely in your purse or wallet to ensure it will never be empty. If an oak leaf accidentally catches you on your person, this is very lucky and you should keep it safe. Likewise, if a bramble catches on your clothes it is considered lucky.

Bean Plants. To find a lone bean plant growing in the wild is lucky, but never sleep or even stay too long near a bean patch in flower- the perfume can cause depression.

Flowers. Don't walk over a flower or a spray of leaves lost in the street. Rescue them, and put them in water for luck. To be given a bunch of flowers is to be given happiness.

Itching. If your left hand itches, money is coming. If the right hand is itching, it is going. The right foot itching foretells a journey to a familiar place, while the left foot itching means the journey will be on strange ground. If your nose itches, expect a quarrel. If the left ear itches or burns, someone is speaking well of you. The right ear means spiteful gossip.
Journeys. If you put your shoe on the wrong foot, or if a shoe strap breaks, forget any journey or enterprise planned for that day. Likewise, if Romany meets a funeral at the beginning of a journey, they will turn back, for nothing good will come of it. If, however, you accidentally take the wrong turn on a journey, continue that way if possible, as you may be avoiding trouble or meeting luck.

Clothing. It is lucky sign if you accidentally put on a garment inside out. You should leave it that way until you legitimate reason to change it or you will reverse the luck. But if you should become elf- amazed in other words, confused or lost, or lose something you have just put down- turn a garment inside out in order to break the spell.
Fire. Sitting around the fire as Romanies do, they see many things in the flames. If the flame burns green, there will be news of birth. If the flames are blue, an old person may be dying and wish to say goodbye. If the fire burns bright and clear in the evening, a lucky day will follow. If the wood sparks and crackles loudly, the fire should be given a good kick to ward off the dispute it is warning you about.

Horseshoes. The horseshoe has long been a symbol of good fortune, so of course it is lucky to find one, but any piece of old iron found on a road or field can bring luck. Hold it in your right while you make a wish, then spit on it and throw it over your left shoulder. Walk on without looking where it has landed, though it is a good idea to make sure no one is standing behind you throw it!

The Weather

Of course, the fate of nations, or even their own ultimate destiny, is not always the thing uppermost in the mind of people. It is quite luckily to be something more mundane, like the weather. Weathermen will tell you that meteorology is a science nowadays, but it is sometimes a remarkably inaccurate one.