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Easter Folklore: Eggs, Bunnies, and Spring Rituals of Renewal – Explore the Diverse Folklore and Customs Associated with Easter Around the World, Blending Christian Traditions (Resurrection) with Older Pagan Rituals Celebrating Spring, Fertility (Eggs, Bunnies), and Renewal of Life After Winter, Creating a Rich Tapestry of Belief and Celebration.

Easter Folklore: Eggs, Bunnies, and Spring Rituals of Renewal (A Lecture by Professor Henrietta "Henny" Bumble, Ph.D. - Expert in Obscure Holidays & Confectionery) (Professor Bumble bustles onto the stage,…
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Halloween Folklore: From Ancient Samhain to Modern Trick-or-Treat – Dive into the Rich History and Diverse Folklore of Halloween, Exploring Its Roots in Ancient Celtic Festivals (Samhain), Practices to Ward Off Spirits, and the Evolution of Customs Like Trick-or-Treating, Costume Wearing, and Jack-o’-Lanterns, Blending the Sacred and the Playful.

Halloween Folklore: From Ancient Samhain to Modern Trick-or-Treat – A Spooktacular Deep Dive 🎃👻 (A Lecture in Disguise) Welcome, dear scholars of the spooky! Tonight, we embark on a thrilling…
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Horseshoes: Hanging for Good Fortune and Protection – Explore the Ancient Beliefs About Horseshoes as Symbols of Good Luck and Protection, Often Hung Above Doorways to Ward Off Evil Spirits and Bring Good Fortune, and the Various Traditions and Superstitions Associated with Their Placement and Orientation (Which Way Should the Open End Face?).

Horseshoes: Hanging for Good Fortune and Protection – Explore the Ancient Beliefs (A Lecture on Iron, Luck, and the Art of Doorway Decor) (Professor Erasmus "Rusty" Nailsworth, PhD, (Honorary) in…
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Four-Leaf Clovers: Symbols of Luck and Rare Finds in Nature – Explore the Folklore Surrounding the Four-Leaf Clover as a Potent Symbol of Good Luck and the Rarity That Makes Finding One Seem Fortuitous, Connecting Nature, Chance, and the Desire for Good Fortune in a Small, Recognizable Symbol.

Four-Leaf Clovers: Symbols of Luck and Rare Finds in Nature 🍀 (A Lecture on Leprechauns, Luck, and Leafy Anomalies) Welcome, everyone, to today’s lecture, a deep dive into the verdant…
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Wishing Wells: Dropping Coins and Making Desires Known – Explore the Ancient and Enduring Tradition of Wishing Wells, Holy Wells, and Other Bodies of Water as Places for Making Wishes and Offerings, Uncovering Ancient Beliefs About Water Spirits, Deities, and the Power of Offerings to Influence Fate and Bring About Desired Outcomes.

Wishing Wells: Dropping Coins and Making Desires Known - A Lecture on Hopes, Holy Water, and Hubris 💰💧✨ (Slide 1: Title Slide - Image: A picturesque wishing well with shimmering…
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Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder: A Ritual to Blind the Devil and Ward Off Evil – Explore the Specific Folklore Behind This Ritual Performed After Spilling Salt and Its Connection to Beliefs About Warding Off Evil Spirits and Counteracting the Bad Luck Associated with Spilled Salt, Symbolizing the Act of Throwing the Misfortune or the Malevolent Entity Back Over Your Shoulder.

Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder: A Ritual to Blind the Devil and Ward Off Evil – A Lecture (Disclaimer: This lecture is for entertainment and informational purposes only. We are…
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Knocking on Wood: Warding Off Bad Luck and Tempting Fate – Explore the Possible Origins of This Extremely Common Practice, From Ancient Beliefs About Spirits Residing in Trees (Knocking to Awaken or Appease Them) to Medieval Rituals, and What It Reveals About Our Desire to Avert Misfortune, Acknowledge Good Fortune Humbly, and Perform Small Rituals to Feel a Sense of Control Over Fate.

Knocking on Wood: Warding Off Bad Luck and Tempting Fate 🪵🤯 (A Lecture on Arboreal Spirits, Medieval Mayhem, and the Power of a Good Thwack) Welcome, students of serendipity and…
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Spilling Salt: A Sign of Bad Omen and How to Counteract It – Uncover the Ancient Beliefs About Salt as a Valuable Commodity, a Symbol of Trust and Purity, and How Spilling It Became Associated with Bad Luck or Breaking a Covenant, Leading to the Common Ritual of Throwing a Pinch of Salt Over Your Shoulder to Blind the Devil or Ward Off Misfortune.

Spilling Salt: A Sign of Bad Omen and How to Counteract It – Uncover the Ancient Beliefs (Lecture Transcript – Professor Alistair Saltzman, PhD, Department of Superstition & Comparative Mythology)…
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Walking Under a Ladder: Inviting Bad Luck and Crossing Boundaries – Explore the Possible Origins of This Widespread Superstition, From Ancient Religious Symbolism (Seeing a Ladder Leaning Against a Wall Forming a Triangle, a Sacred Space) to Practical Danger, and What It Tells Us About Our Tendency to Avoid Perceived Risks and Embrace Folk Beliefs, Even When the Logic Isn’t Immediately Apparent.

Walking Under a Ladder: Inviting Bad Luck and Crossing Boundaries (Lecture Begins) (Image: A cartoon ladder leaning precariously against a wall, a black cat strolling underneath, a person recoiling in…
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Breaking a Mirror: Why Does It Mean Seven Years of Bad Luck? Uncover the Ancient Origins and Evolution of This Extremely Common Superstition, Exploring Possible Connections to Beliefs About the Soul Being Reflected in a Mirror, the Value of Mirrors in the Past, and What This Fear Reveals About Our Deep-Seated Anxieties of Breaking with the Past and Inviting Misfortune Into Our Lives.

Breaking a Mirror: Why Does It Mean Seven Years of Bad Luck? A Deep Dive into Reflections, Souls, and Superstition (Welcome, esteemed students of the spectacularly superstitious! 🎩🔮 Today, we…