Lucky Charms? No. I'm not talking about the cereal, although they are
magically delicious. Sugary oats and colorful marshmallows... Num!
Sorry, I'm easily distracted by yummy things.
I'm talking lucky charms, talisman, totem or symbols. However you wish to
classify those things we hold dear. Symbols for love. Symbols for protection.
Symbols for luck. We are surrounded by symbols every day, in our
relationships, even in our landscapes. We can't seem to escape them.
Everywhere you turn, beliefs and superstitions attached to symbols exist. From
the infinite circle of a wedding band that symbolizes the everlasting union of a
man and woman, to the four leaf clover that is so elusive, that it ensures good
luck for its finder. How many of you remember the lucky rabbit's foot? Didn't
everyone have one of those? Ugh. I think I just showed my age.
It's not just in the things we hold close, there is also luck and security
attached to occurrences. Remember this saying, "Find a penny pick it up and all
day long you'll have good luck." Or, when was the last time you saw a star
shimmering in the sky and made a wish?
Sports fans and players are also known for their superstitions. Michael Jordan
was said to wear his college basketball shorts under his Bulls uniform during
every game in the NBA, for luck. When a pitcher is pitching a no-hitter, no one
is allowed to sit next to, talk to or think about him for fear the no-hit streak
will end. And then there's the ritual growing of the beard for any hockey team
in the NHL finals.
These symbols and rituals are as prevalent in our lives as death and taxes,
whether we buy into it or not. In my new book, Second Time's the Charm, my
heroine; Allison wears a Celtic Knot necklace. Her mentor's wife designed the
necklace with protection in mind. It was to keep Allison safe. And as we find
in the story, Allison needed all the protection she could get.
Allison wore a triquetra knot or trinity symbol. It has many meanings: Father,
Son and Holy Ghost for the Christian believers, Mind, Body and Spirit for the
Pagan believers. No matter which belief, there is one common thread:
Protection from evil. Celtic knot believers affix the symbol to their home,
furnishings or clothing, wherever they need to keep bad luck out and good luck
in. This gives the user protection from evil, protection from harm. It is a
small token against the uncertainty of life.
The belief in these superstitions and symbols may seem weird, but I like to
think of it this way. There is a hilarious commercial where a man is eating
"Kee-no" (Quinoa) burgers because his wife made him eat the burger before the
last game - and his team won - Won. He cringes as he stares at the burger,
steaming on the grill. He pokes the vedgie and seed disk, dreading the
impending meal.
Yet, he continues to flip the burger. He continues to make the meal that will
undoubtedly ensure his team will win. It's now a tradition and he can't monkey
with tradition. So, he stands dejectedly in front of the grill and Bud Light
appropriately announces, "It's only weird if it doesn't work."
And really, if you believe something will protect you, keep evil away or help
you in relationships and life, is that so bad? Couldn't we all use a guiding
hand once in a while, an outside element that gives us the inner nudge to keep
going, be strong and make the right decision? Isn't it best for people to focus
on other things like family, friends and jobs, as their lucky rabbit's foot
focuses on keeping them safe?
By owning, holding, viewing these symbols and living these rituals, we feel a
small sense of control over our rather chaotic lives, a sense of peace as we
take a stand against the evils of the world.
So, pick up your wishbone, dust off your horseshoe and blow that eyelash from
your fingertips. It's time to make a wish, fend off evil and induce some
positive vibes into your life. Because when all is said and done, we're all
lucky to be here on this big old planet and if we need a charm to remember
that... so be it.
What about you? Do you have any fun rituals that you perform? Do you have a
lucky charm that you can't live without?
SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM:
Her first love is back. Is she making a mistake or is the second time the
charm.
They say your first love is unforgettable, but Allison Southby would love to
forget. She still has the splintered heart from when Adam Byrnes ran from her
bed, never to be heard form again. Thankfully, she's always had her work to
keep her mind off her non-existent love life. But when her boss, and mentor
dies mysteriously and another company threatens to take over his legacy, her
focus should be on fixing the company. Yet, she can't keep her mind, or hands
off her late mentor's son, Adam.
Detective Adam Byrnes needs to get back to the life he built in Phoenix. But
between the questions surrounding his father's death and keeping Allison safe,
he can't seem to leave the city of Chicago.
With danger swirling around them, can they find the love they once shared?
To purchase, please click the links below: Nook | Amazon | Other Retailers
SHORT BIO:
Vanessa M. Knight writes contemporary romance novels with a dash of
suspense. She's a member of Romance Writers of America and Windy City RWA. She
lives in Chicagoland with her husband, son and menagerie of dogs and cats. When
not writing, Vanessa loves to scrapbook, watch movies and read anything she can
find.
For more information on Vanessa, including her Internet haunts, contest updates,
and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at: VanessaMKnight.com |
Twitter.com/VanessaMKnight |
Facebook.com/VanessaMKnightAuthor
11 comments posted.
I'm not really into lucky charms (well I confess to enjoying the cereal lol) but I don't like to travel without my pillow. Whether it's the comfort of something from home or not having to fear I won't like the hotel pillows, I always sleep so much better when I have my pillow with me (it's a small neck pillow) and anytime I can get a great night's sleep I feel lucky - so does that count? :)
(Nicole Leiren 10:29am April 16, 2014)
Peggy - That is so sad. I went through a period where I woudn't wear my jewelry that had meaning so I wouldn't lose it. I would just look at it sitting in the jewelry box. Then I decided that was silly. I'd enjoy it while I had it. I've lost things here and there, but at least I got to enjoy them for awhile. : }
(Vanessa M. Knight 10:36am April 16, 2014)
Nicole- Sure that counts. Nothing beats a good pillow. I was using a "not-so-good" pillow for a few months and had the worst headaches and back aches. Now that I switched it out, I'm feeling better.
(Vanessa M. Knight 10:37am April 16, 2014)
Great Post, Vanessa! I am 61 and I STILL make a wish on the first star I see! Your book looks fabulous. Best of luck
(Penny Estelle 10:45am April 16, 2014)
I have a golf ball with a hummingbird on it that I always keep in my golf bag but never use.
(Sue Farrell 12:40pm April 16, 2014)
Penny- Thank you so much! I have to admit, I wish on the first star, too. It's something you just don't grow out of. : }
(Vanessa M. Knight 12:40pm April 16, 2014)
Sue - That sounds so cute. How fun! I'd be afraid to wear off the hummingbird, too.
(Vanessa M. Knight 12:42pm April 16, 2014)
I've always heard that Black Hills gold jewelry brought you luck and believed it did while wearing it. So, I purchased a few pieces to wear. I never had anything bad happen when I wore a ring, earrings, necklace etc. One night, I almost lost my finger when one larger elongated ring that went up to the middle knuckle caught in the corner of the door handle of my car really hard; so hard that it actually put a bend in the center of this extremely thick hard ring. The jeweler couldn't even get it move or bend back to the way it originally was. He couldn't believe that was done with such force that it didn't take off my entire finger...so, I have to think that the BHG jewelry really is "lucky" to the one that wears it!
(Linda Luinstra 6:23pm April 17, 2014)