Autumn Superstitions People Once Believed
Catching an Apple Peel
One of the best-known autumn traditions happened around Halloween. People would peel an apple in one long strip and toss the peel over their shoulder. The shape it made on the floor was said to resemble the first letter of the person they would eventually marry. Whether anyone truly believed it worked is hard to say, but it became a popular party game that lasted for generations.
A Pocket Full of Acorns
In parts of Britain and North America, carrying an acorn was believed to bring good luck and protect against illness. Some people tucked one into a pocket before long journeys, while others kept one in the home through the winter as a symbol of strength and good fortune.
Watching the Crows
Farmers often paid close attention to crows in autumn. Large groups gathering in fields were sometimes thought to predict an early winter or changing weather. While birds do change their behavior with the seasons, many of these observations gradually became local folklore.
The Last Bundle of Wheat
Across parts of Europe, the final bundle of wheat left in the field was treated with special care. Some believed it held the spirit of the harvest. Instead of throwing it away, it might be woven into a decoration or saved until the following spring to encourage another good growing season.
Hanging a Horseshoe
Although horseshoes are associated with good luck year-round, many families chose autumn to hang one above a doorway before winter arrived. Some believed it would help keep bad luck outside during the colder months. Others insisted it should be hung with the ends pointing upward so the good luck wouldn’t “spill out.”
