Ten British Farming Beliefs

Superstitions are woven into daily rural life across the British Isles. In agricultural communities, people relied on good harvests and healthy livestock. Consequently, farmers closely observed any potential signs of disaster, good or bad.

Historical farming communities, lacking scientific understanding, often attributed misfortunes to supernatural causes. They believed in the evil eye, witchcraft, or the actions of envious fairies, eels, and even offended bees.

1: Broomstick Superstitions

The belief that witches rode brooms became popular during the Lancashire Witch trials of 1612. However, historical accounts indicate witches used various transport methods. These included pitchforks, plant stems, bowls, and pig troughs.

Tradition forbids purchasing brooms in May, as illustrated in the rhyme "buy a broom in May/sweep a friend away." When cleaning season approaches, it's worth considering this warning. Specific superstitions suggest stepping over brooms can lead to giving birth out of wedlock.

2: Black Cats

Few domestic animals have faced as many superstitions as the black cat. This superstition embodies contradictions, with some believing black cats bring good luck, while others claim crossing one can lead to losing a job. The association between cats and witches has permeated cultural narratives. While witches mostly had cats as familiars, they were also associated with weasels and toads.

3: The Use of Witch Bottles

For those needing a counter-spell against witchcraft, witch bottles were the answer. Crafted by filling a container with nails, hair, and even urine, these bottles were believed to inflict pain on the witch. The ritual involved complete silence, dim light from a small fire, and securing doors and windows to ward off intruding witches.

4: Mouse Superstitions

Once used in folk medicine, mice were believed to cure ailments like whooping cough and sore throats. They could be prepared in various ways: boiled, roasted, or even sandwiched with jam. Today, such dishes are absent from menus.

Infestations signaled bad luck, illness, or death. It was also ill-favored if a mouse crossed a person's body. To negotiate with mice, people suggested politely urging them to find another home.

5: Dairying Superstitions

Factors like diseases often hinder dairy processes. Farmers, feeling cursed by witches, sought magical practices to ward off misfortune. For instance, finding blood in milk typically indicated poor hygiene. However, many blamed witches for draining milk’s goodness through spells.

During thunderstorms, milk was susceptible to spoiling. To protect against this, farmers kept thunderstones near their windowsills — thought to be remnants from ancient storms or even legendary battles.

6: Horse Superstitions

Rural folk deemed horses particularly vulnerable to paranormal influences. Their essential role in agriculture heightened concerns about shyness and reluctance tied to apparitions of evil forces. Night sweats or exhaustion in horses suggested witchcraft known as hag riding.

Hag riding is depicted in Robert Herrick's 1648 poem, "The Hag." Here, a witch reportedly rides with the devil, summoning thunderstorms and havoc wherever they tread. Rural traditions held that hag stones could ward off these supernatural pursuits, believing the stones to have druidic connections.

7: Fairy Superstitions

In regions like the Norfolk Fens, inhabitants occasionally attributed unexplainable occurrences to fairies. A displeased fairy might spoil milk or impede the churning process. When baking, women would leave the door open to allow a fairy to survey the dough while ensuring hospitality with food offerings.

8: Corn Dolly Superstitions

Corn dollies derive from traditional straw figures known as corn maidens or kern babies. The naming varies by region, yet these figures typically utilize the last corn harvested each year. Efforts to preserve livestock and secure future harvests involved burying corn dollies in fields or displaying them in barns.

9: Eels

Eels invoke mystery. African folk tales often suggest they form from horsehair tossed into streams, with varying scientific opinions. Known for their medicinal significance, eel oil was credited with treating deafness, while their skins served as stylish garters believed to prevent cramps.

However, mistrust of eels persisted, leading many communities to avoid consuming them.

10: Bees

In Medieval and Stuart periods, bees were revered for their intelligence and productivity. Their wax served for church candles, and honey symbolized abundance. Eclectic behaviors still prevail among beekeepers. For instance, bees should be purchased with gold, and proper etiquette dictates they must be informed of significant familial changes.

During weddings and funerals, families should feed their bees as a gesture of goodwill. Lastly, bees are sensitive to loud noises — hence, a soft tone is crucial. Disturbances, whether shock or outbursts, can lead to bees vacating hives, or worse, perishing altogether.

Earlier, SSP told why we knock on wood for luck.