Superstitions: Witch Marks, Touching Wood & Lucky Pants

Superstitions: Witch Marks, Touching Wood & Lucky Pants

Many of them pre-date modern religions and defy what science tells us about the world - from saluting magpies, to wearing lucky pants. Yet why do superstitions still have such a strong hold on our lives?


Today we’re joined by Sally Coulthard, author of Superstition - the History of Common Folk Beliefs, to find out the origins and meaning behind some of our most common ritualistic behaviours.


Why do we touch wood? And what does crossing our fingers say about the crossover between superstition and religion? Let’s go Betwixt the Sheets to find out.


This episode was edited by Siobhan Dale, and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer Charlotte Long.


If you're enjoying Betwixt please vote for us at the British Podcast Awards here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting. It would mean the world to us!


Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Kate Lister, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code BETWIXT.


Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(400)

Sex Lives of the Roman Legion

Sex Lives of the Roman Legion

As the Roman Empire grew, so did the importance of its army - the Roman Legion.But what was life on the march like? What happened on the encampments after dark? And why couldn't eunuchs join the Roman...

15 Heinä 202545min

Royal Sex: Marie Antoinette

Royal Sex: Marie Antoinette

Behind the wild accusations of extra-marital affairs and a lavish lifestyle, who was the real Marie Antoinette? Why did her marriage to King Louis XVI go unconsummated for 7 years? And why did her lif...

11 Heinä 202554min

The Power of Medieval Gossip

The Power of Medieval Gossip

People have always gossiped, but what did they gossip about in medieval times? How were women punished for gossiping? And where does the term 'gossip' come from?Joining Kate today to gossip about all ...

8 Heinä 202534min

Royal Sex: Queen Victoria

Royal Sex: Queen Victoria

With NINE children, it can probably be assumed that Queen Victoria was no stranger to the sheets, but what do we actually know about her love (and sex) life?To examine Victoria's diaries, her passiona...

4 Heinä 202547min

Why Were Ancient Dicks So Small?

Why Were Ancient Dicks So Small?

Have you ever been puzzled by proportions when looking at Ancient Greek statues? It can't just be us.From quarrying the stone to chipping away the final touches on your masterpiece - sculpting is a dr...

1 Heinä 202535min

Sex Work in Victorian London

Sex Work in Victorian London

What were the lives of women like who sold sex in the Victorian era? How did the law makers and moral crusaders of the time try to control it? How did sex workers create community in the 19th century?...

27 Kesä 202552min

The History of the C-section

The History of the C-section

Almost half of births in the UK are delivered via Cesarean section. But when was this operation first performed?Kate Lister is joined by Hannah Marsh, author of 'Thread, A Cesarean Story of Myth, Magi...

24 Kesä 202554min

Sex Work in the Renaissance

Sex Work in the Renaissance

Early Modern Italy birthed artistic giants like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, saw architectural marvels like Florence's dome and St. Peter's Basilica, and pushed scientific frontiers in astronom...

20 Kesä 202545min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
mystista
konginkangas
totuus-vai-salaliitto
rss-ikiuni
tsunami
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rouva-diktaattori
historiaa-suomeksi
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-iltanuotiolla
tiedetta-ja-sirkushuveja-vanhojen-aikojen-podcast
rss-kikka-forever
rss-kalmakabinetti