Friday Five: Superstitions

In honor, or maybe in fear of Friday the 13th, ( a day this year that will occur three times.. all of them thirteen days apart ) I thought that today's Friday five would be a fun time to showcase superstitions and myths that go hand in hand with our natural world around us.  More specifically, the beach, the river and the forest.

Myth #1

Grays Harbor thrived on the logging industry for many years as our forests provided the highly valued timber.  I won't take the time to reflect on how that resource was depleted, and instead share with you the myth of the spirits of the forests.

Legend says that when walking through a forest, always ask permission from the spirits first or you will be lost forever!  (Must have been what happened to Dorothy and the Scarecrow in the forest of apple trees, they didn't ask the trees first!  Wouldn't you throw apples at someone who didn't ask you permission? ) Anyway... this myth makes me think that we would have had entirely too many lost loggers if it was true, or maybe we just had a lot of men stopping at the edge of the forest talking to themselves... you decide.


Myth #2

River myths might just be my favorite type of superstition.  If you grew up in Grays Harbor.. or spent anytime as a teenage here in the summer, you spent a lot of time tubing our rivers.  Had you grown up with parents believing the next myth though you might have thought twice about jumping into the Wynoochee or the Humptulips river. 

A Grindylow is a water demon with long fingers that snatches children in the river and drags them down to the deep.  Supposedly this creature was invented to discourage kids from falling into the cold rivers in Britain, but seriously, if my parents had told me that particular story there is no way I would have been able to enjoy any of my endless summer fun! 

Myth #3

When you research Fishing Myths in Google... the computer crashes.  Well, not literally, but there are so many fishing myths and superstitions out there that it boggles the mind.  With the abundance of fishermen and women on the harbor I knew that including a few of these fishing gems was a must!

Shall we begin with the hat?  A whirlwind of myth surrounds the hat of the fisher-person, and I do not even want to tell you what happens when you set a hat on a bed!  Bad luck and enough said;)  Also, please don't bring your fishing pole in the house if you plan on catching a fish that day!  Fishing on a Friday is extremely unlucky, and if you don't catch a fish all day it is because "you were not holding your mouth right".  No idea yet if I can use this particular excuse in my everyday work life but you can bet I am going to try!

Myth #4

Ah the Ocean.  We are so lucky that we have ocean views so close.  There is nothing quite like living on the coast.  What is so lovely and fantastic about the ocean and the beach is also appreciated by sailors, of which the Pacific Northwest has had their fair share.  Which brings a basket full of sailing superstitions and myths.

My favorite fondly reminds me of our resident wine expert, but instead of consuming the wine sailors would pour the spirits on the deck to bring the voyage good luck! 

Myth #5

Speaking of the beach, the water, a picnic?  We have all heard the superstition that those who do not wait an hour before swimming can drown in the water because of cramps. Hahahaha.  More than likely this should be filed under the "can't swim" category!

Enjoy your Friday the 13th!
Let us know which superstitions and myths that you take part in!