Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.
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A single magpie is considered a sign of bad luck. A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar recites an old proverb concerning the incidence of bad weather when magpies forage alone and a possible scientific explanation for this.
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Before traveling a person should, apparently, sit on their luggage. (Russian)
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Many believe that if all of the candles on a birthday cake are blown out with one breath, while making a silent wish, the wish will come true.
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If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.
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According to an age old custom, carrying a dead shrew in your pocket wards off rheumatism!
24
When you speak of bad luck, it is said that one should always knock on wood. Also knocking when speaking of good luck apparently helps with having good luck. This is an old Celtic tradition related to belief of wood spirits.
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In some parts of England, rum is used to wash a baby's head for good luck.
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