The first settlers certainly believed in magic long before there was an NBA franchise by that name in Orlando; even before Disney built his fantastical kingdom a few miles southwest of Pine Castle.
Most of the "magic" they employed can be divided into two broad categories: cures for ailments and ways to cause or prevent bad luck.
Here are a few choice examples:
When you can see the heat rising off a field (or later off an asphalt road), it's time to stop work until the weather cools. The shimmering heat was called "lazy larks."
When two people are traveling a long distance on horseback, they were supposed to "ride and tie" to prevent being waylaid. That meant one person walked while his companion took his horse some distance ahead and tied it to a tree. Then the companion would continue on horseback to a certain point where he would tie his own horse. The first person would eventually reach their horse, untie it and continue until he came upon his companion's horse. Then it would be retrieved and brought to the companion. Then, this would continue until they reached their destination.
If you cut your hair during the waning of the moon, it won't regrow as fast (and thus you can save money on going to the barbershop).
If you drop a dishrag on the floor, a hungry visitor will soon arrive.
Collect the first rainwater in May for its curative powers, especially for cleaning wounds.
Slice an onion and put it in the room of a sick person. It will suck-up all the negative spirits and lead to a recovery.
If you see rabbits feeding, that's a good time to go fishing.
An oak tree that won't grow Spanish moss is home to an evil spirit.
Signs of a lucky person:
* The 7th son of a 7th son.
* A baby born with a caul on its head.
* An itchy palm. If your left palm itches, it will soon be full of money. If your right palm itches, it will soon shake the hand of a friend.
* If an orange tree spontaneously sprouts on your property (not intentionally planted).
* Someone who experiences deja vu.
Ways to ensure good luck:
* Roast a toad, put its ashes in a small bag, and wear it around your neck.
* Tie your left shoe first, then your right.
* Pick an orange from a tree growing on your own property, then toss it under your house. No evil will befall anyone who lives there until the orange rots. Then, go pick another orange!
* If you accidentally spill some salt, toss a small pinch of it over your left shoulder.
* If a woman kisses the fold of her dress, she will soon get a new one.
* Knock on wood if you are ever bragging about your good fortune, or it will go away.
Signs of bad luck:
* If your meat sticks to the frying pan, the animal was slaughtered during the wrong phase of the moon and no good will come to anyone who eats it.
* If a black cat crosses your path, turn around and go a different route (or, if you're wearing a hat, turn it around backwards before continuing on your way) or you evil will befall you.
* If you hear a screech owl, bad luck will follow if you don't turn all your pockets inside-out.
* A young girl whistling.
* A hen crowing.
* A whippoorwill calling from the rooftop foretells the death of someone who lives below, unless a corner of their bedsheet is tied in a knot.
* Every person has a certain song that will cause bad luck if they sing it or hear it.
Things that will cause bad luck:
* A pregnant woman who looks at an alligator. (Her baby will be born with scaly skin.)
* Pointing at a watermelon before it ripens on the vine. (The fruit will wither and die.)
* Accepting a pocketknife from someone without giving them a penny or some other small token.
* Giving someone a wallet without putting at least a penny in it.
* If you burn a hole in your clothing and mend it yourself, evil will befall you.
* Taking the trash out after sundown.
* Stirring counter clockwise when making soap.
* Letting a woman be the first person to enter your home on New Year's Day.
* Rocking an empty chair. (Will cause death.)
* Doing laundry between Christmas and New Year's Day.
* Picking up a straight pin that is pointed in your direction.
If YOU know of any pioneer magic or superstitions, post them here or email them to pinecastlepioneerdays
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