Five Good Luck Objects from Around the World

I LOVE references to strange objects, peculiar charms, and customs. Here are five mentions of good luck charms from around the world.

Acorns
According to Norse folklore, acorns and oak trees were thought to bring good fortune. The Vikings associated oak trees with Thor, the god who created thunder and lightning with his great anvil and hammer. Because the tree attracted lightning, it was sacred to Thor. The Vikings believed that the fruit of the oak tree, the acorn, was spared Thor's wrath, so Vikings placed a lone acorn on their windowsills to protect their houses from lightning.

The English oak tree is the national tree of England and symbolizes strength and endurance. It’s abundant in English folklore and history, from Celtic religious leaders who worship in oak groves to lovers reciting their wedding vows under its sturdy branches.

Bezoars
This “charm” is a mass that forms in the stomach of goats, deer, and other animals. Many cultures believe that crushing the bezoar into powder could save a poison victim, while others dropped the bezoar into a glass to check for poison before drinking. Carrying the stone is thought to offer protection against illness and bad fortune.

The Buttercup
There are endless floral motif symbols in Victorian jewelry, but perhaps none as favorable as the delightful, buoyant, sweet, and simplistic, golden yellow buttercup flower. They symbolize happiness, friendship, and new beginnings.

A Boar on a Hat
The idea of a lucky pig actually has a long history in Europe. Small metal boars were used as amulets or attached to helmets to give good luck to soldiers in Northern Europe.

A Creepy Doll Giving the Thumbs Up
The little good luck charms were called fumsups, after the fact that they all gave little thumbs ups. They became popular in the1880s, reaching their peak in popularity during the First World War.

~~~

Don't forget to check out these posts too!

• Strange, Rare, and Dark Things - The Peculiar Antiques of Strange Luck
• Cabinet of Curiosities - How I Got Into Antiques

Hidden Messages, Magic, and The Vikings

I had a great time answering some out-of-the-box questions from The Regal Critiques today, like if there's a particular message I'd like readers to grasp. There is! You can check it out here. The Regal Critiques will also be reviewing my books next week so stay tuned. :)

On another note, K.J. Simmill (author of Darrienia: The Forgotten Legacy Series) just posted her review of The Nightmare Birds today.  Here's a snippet:

"This book possessed the same charm and flair as its predecessor, with an extra added darkness looming on the horizon. Very well written, and an incredibly entertaining read. Daisy’s character continues to develop and surprise us, and we meet a whole array of deep and interesting characters as the story unfolds. If you want action, suspense, mystery and magic you won’t be disappointed."

Wow! This review certainly made my day. You can read her full review here.

~~~

I've had a head cold for 2 weeks now and have been watching movies and shows non-stop. I've been completely obsessed with the show Vikings. I so want to be Lagertha...or at least wear her outfits.

I'm actually considering getting a Viking rune tattoo now. Needless to say I was overjoyed when the hubs got me this!

Off to read...

What I'm Watching

Zero. That's the number of times I've ever had cable. Shocked faces and plenty of "no ways!" are common reactions when I tell people that I'm cable-free. Yes, I may be old school, but I still  binge watch TV shows. I like to think of Netflix and Amazon Prime as cheaper, customized cable without commercials. Yay! And so, I thought today's blog would be about TV shows I'm currently enjoying and share my recent binges. 

Watching Now

Penny Dreadful: A dark and gothic Downton Abbey, brimming with mystery and horror.  It's so incredibly weird and shocking, especially how they weave in classic horror and literary characters like Frankenstein and Dorian Gray.  The acting, sets, costumes, and cinematography are exemplary. My eyes are glued to the screen! It can get pretty graphic, so younger folks should probably stay away.

3rd Rock From The Sun: I'm aware that this is a strange follow up to Penny Dreadful, but sometimes you need to balance things out with a little comedy. I probably watched this show once or twice growing up and didn't really remember it. When I saw that it was added to Netflix, I watched the first episode on a whim. Now, I'm on season 6 and don't want it to end!! I love that each episode focuses on something about the human condition and that they put a funny and witty twist to it. Maybe it's my anthropology background, but I absolutely love observing the family's reaction to our cultural norms. 
 
Recent Binges

Vikings: I was literally on the edge of my seat watching this series. It got to a point where I couldn't watch it before bed anymore because it would fire me up too much. I absolutely love the power dynamics, political maneuvering, history, commentary on religion and power, and learning more about the Nordic/Pagan culture. It doesn't hurt either that Ragnar and Rollo are eye candy. Lagertha (right) is bad ass and I want to be her! I so want to get a rune tattoo now. Oh, and did I mention that my puppy's name is Loki? Warning: The theme song is super catchy and will stick in your head for months!

Black Mirror: A darker, much more twisted Twilight Zone with a technological-paranoia bent. It's scary because a lot of it could very well be true in the near future. Each episode is very different, and some are more graphic and freaky than others. I recommend watching Season 2 first.  Younger folks should probably stay away from this one.

Death Note: I've never been a fan of Anime before, but decided to give this one a go. Death Note is a very clever, original, and thought-provoking story with dark undertones. You really have to pay attention to detail, so you may need to rewind a few parts, especially since the subtitles can be fast. 

Most of these were recommendations people made to me, so please feel free to share yours below :)