By Sam Howard

Sophomore Dominic Hawkin has a fear of walking under ladders Photo by: Matthew Libersky

When many think of ‘superstitions’, black cats and shattering mirrors are commonly brought up. With these  plain-like characters in life, none would suspect that they have any special particular meaning.

Although, it seems that way for many, it goes deeper for those who know about the mysterious world of superstitions. “Things like stepping under a ladder, spilling salt, and breaking a mirror causes bad luck sort of things,” sophomore Dominic Hawkin informs us on his intellect into the superstition world. Digging a bit deeper into the unknown is sophomore Joey Schoder who believes “in the paranormal world of ghosts and demons.”

Many are unaware of the difference between a phobia and a superstition, although commonly placed together. Google defines a superstition as being “an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear.” A phobia as defined by Google has a similar definition for phobias: “an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations.”
When it comes to being superstitious, it differs from a phobia; you are fearing something strictly for the fact that you believe in it. Therefore, being superstitious is learned. “I became like this through my grandma because she watched a lot of ghost shows.” Schoder recalls. Hawkins has a similar experience as to how he became superstitious; “I grew up with my parents telling me them so I believe in it.” Hawkins isn’t alone with his beliefs. “Some of my friends are.” For Schoder, “my mom, grandma and close friends [are superstitious].”
Although being superstitious means to live in fear of what one believes, it has its benefits. “Being superstitious is interesting because you always experience something slightly different,”Schoder explains.
Living a somewhat abstract life with occurrences such as superstitions, may throw one its hardships. “It has impacted me by being able to understand certain circumstances and interests me.” Schoder comments. On the other hand, Hawkins admits, “they haven’t impacted me that much [but] I don’t step under ladders anymore…”
Living a superstitious life does not just have bad tendencies, one can also ‘cure’ superstitions gone wrong. Hawkins informs that, “Spilling salt you get bad luck, but if you get a pinch of salt and throw it over you left shoulder, it stops the jinx from happening.”
Many say seeing is believing, so having a fear or superstition, is all based on one’s beliefs and the action one takes from it. Though one may be superstitious about one thing does not make them entirely filled with concern. Schoder remarks, “ [ I don’t believe] the one with black cats and breaking a mirror.” Whereas Hawkins comments on the superstition of “If you step on a crack you break your mom’s back. I’ve never followed.”
Whether or not one believes in these occurrences is purely one’s personality and strictly one’s choice. In the superstition realm, it may influence some to be scared of unfortunate events that might occur, but to others, it’s simply just a way of life. The impact it creates is only what one allows it to. Being superstitious is learned and therefore one can take in what effects may come from it.