There are more traditions and superstitions around moving than I would care to count. While some of the traditions are lovely little gestures, some of them are downright hilarious. Every time someone is considering moving to a new home, they are bombarded with a barrage of “Good Luck” wishes. What is this obsession with wishing luck in a new home? Why do people insist of wishing you luck rather than congratulations? What does luck have to do with it?
If you, like me, are the kind of person who doesn’t believe in the whole hoopla surrounding luck, you may prefer to make your own luck. However, considering how many superstitions, myths and traditions exist specifically around moving homes, you may consider performing some good luck rituals, just to ensure that you dispel any negative energy. I mean, once the movers have deposited your stuff into your new place, you wouldn’t want to take any chances and jinx your luck right before you start living there now would you?
According to numerous old wives tales, steeped in superstition and tradition, some of the most important things to do to make your move more lucky and auspicious are:
Don’t take an old broom to a new home
According to ancient Chinese traditions, a broom carries within it all the negative spirits in home. Don’t take the negative energy to your new home by ditching the old broom. A new broom also is linked to new starts in tradition, so ditch the old broom!
Use the Front door.
Whenever you enter your new home for the first time, make sure you don’t do it through a side entrance. You must enter and exit your house through the main front door for the very first time. According to superstition, if you fail to do this, you may not ever be able to settle in your new home.
Sprinkle Salt at the entrance.
To keep evil spirits at bay, you should sprinkle salt on your doorways. Then you are required to let it stay there for 24 hours before sweeping it away and throwing it somewhere outside your house. The salt is said to absorb the evil spirits so throwing it away from your home signifies getting rid of them.
Burn Sage in your new home
The Native Americans have been using sage since time immemorial to protect their homes and to clear out any residual negative energy left by ill-wishers. You can’t burn it just like that though, a special technique is involved known as smudging.
Ring a Bell in all the rooms.
It is claimed that ringing a bell in every room in the house is a sure fire way to “ring-in” good fortune. The sound of the ringing bell supposedly brings positive energy in to any space. So get a clanging!
Pick an auspicious day to move in
The particular day of the week when you choose to move in is supposedly directly linked to the luck that place will receive. Moving into a new home on Saturdays or Fridays, is considered to be exceptionally unlucky. On the other hand Thursday is supposedly the luckiest day to move. Rain on the day you move in is also considered a bad omen, so you should look up the weather forecast.
Bring in good luck symbols with you.
Certain symbolic items should be among the first things you bring in with you to a new house when entering for the first time. These include Salt, bread, honey, candles, rice and wine or any other objects that symbolise wealth, prosperity, happiness, abundance, hospitality, and good fortune. These items apparently please the domestic spirits and allow blessings to enter your new home.
Be wary of numbers
It is common knowledge that the number 13 is unlucky. So don’t push your luck and choose house number 13, or street 13, or the 13th floor in a building. Another number you should keep in mind is the number of stairs in any staircases your house may have. Steps on a staircase should not be a multiple of three. According to superstition, steps are counted as oro (gold), plata (silver), and mata (bad luck). Kind of like the she-loves-me-she-loves-me-not logic with flower petals, the last step shouldn’t count as mata for obvious reasons.
Anyone who has ever moved house will attest to the fact that moving is hard work and stressful to boot. Add to it the off chance that you may inadvertently invite bad luck or evil spirits into your new abode can add a whole new layer of stress. If you try any of these good luck charms to deter bad luck, evil spirits and any negative energy that may be lurking in your new home, do let us know!
