By Yazmin Avila,
Staff Writer.
As we eagerly await Saint Patrick’s Day in March, the superstitions of wearing green or finding a lucky four leaf clover may come to mind. These superstitions are connected to Irish traditions that have been passed down through generations. But Saint Patrick’s Day superstitions aren’t the only ones! Some students have superstitions year-round which can also depend on the type of person they are.
Superstitions for good luck are especially common among athletes. Junior Vanessa Mendez, who plays on the basketball team at Santa Rosa High School explained that, “If I don’t put on my right shoe before my left shoe I can’t shoot the ball.” This might seem irrational, as most superstitions tend to be, especially in situations like games where the outcome depends mainly on skill. But the mental aspect is half the battle, and any advantage can be the difference between a win or a loss. “I don’t know if it’s actually true, but it’s just a thing that I do,” said Mendez.
Other superstitions can affect the holder at any time of day, like that of senior Diana LaCalle; LaCalle holds a common superstition: “I am a big believer in the knock on wood theory.” LaCalle refers to knocking on wood to avoid jinxing a conversation. Having such a belief can keep you paranoid and cautious. “I always avoid talking things up and saying that something will go well. I feel like it may curse me, I always have to knock on real wood,” said LaCalle. This superstition originally came from German, Pagan and Celtic beliefs that there are spirits living in trees. These supposed spirits are protective, and one could knock to summon them.
Some are also determined by the date similar to Saint Patrick’s day, like Friday the 13th. It’s a common western belief that Friday the 13th is a day that brings bad luck. Junior Edward Cruz feels quite iffy about the day, “Whenever the time comes around I get a little nervous,” said Cruz. Unfortunately for its believers, Friday the 13th has happened twice in a row this year.
No matter the belief, each student should watch out for Saint Patrick’s day believers to avoid getting pinched.
