The document discusses several beliefs and superstitions from Polish folklore. Circles played an important protective role in rituals. Crossroads were seen as magical places for divination. Forms of divination included interpreting candle wax patterns and smoke signals from burning herbs. Finding certain patterns in nature could predict fortunes. Superstitions included avoiding spilling salt to prevent quarrels and wearing talismans or lucky charms to ward off evil. Many traditions such as decorating crossroads with crosses and celebrating holidays in certain ways became absorbed into Polish Catholic customs over time.

1. Polish FolkPolish Folk
Beliefs andBeliefs and
SuperstitionsSuperstitions

2. CirclesCircles
Circles play a large part in Polish mythology. MostCircles play a large part in Polish mythology. Most
ancient Slavic people worshipped in natural circles andancient Slavic people worshipped in natural circles and
groves; and it plays a large part in all kinds of folkgroves; and it plays a large part in all kinds of folk
magic. In all traditions, circles can be made of withmagic. In all traditions, circles can be made of with
lighted candles, drawing circles in the soil, or withlighted candles, drawing circles in the soil, or with
natural objects and tools. They are used to surround evilnatural objects and tools. They are used to surround evil
or protect oneself from it.or protect oneself from it.

3. CrossroadsCrossroads
As in other European traditions, the crossroads in Polish mythology are a sacredAs in other European traditions, the crossroads in Polish mythology are a sacred
and magical place where both divination and invocations were uttered. Talismansand magical place where both divination and invocations were uttered. Talismans
and amulets were hung or buried there, as well as other spell work was conducted.and amulets were hung or buried there, as well as other spell work was conducted.
The crossroads were a place where all places and directions meet; and all timeThe crossroads were a place where all places and directions meet; and all time
faded away into the present moment.faded away into the present moment.
The legacy of this tradition can be seen all across present-day Poland, where tens ofThe legacy of this tradition can be seen all across present-day Poland, where tens of
thousands of crosses and statues of the Virgin Mary stand next to major and minorthousands of crosses and statues of the Virgin Mary stand next to major and minor
crossroads. The Catholic Church, as with many other cultures, absorbed what wascrossroads. The Catholic Church, as with many other cultures, absorbed what was
good in the symbolism of what she found there while utterly transforming its'good in the symbolism of what she found there while utterly transforming its'
purpose. Accordingly crossroads were marked by crosses and statues, as specialpurpose. Accordingly crossroads were marked by crosses and statues, as special
places where wayfarers would be under the protection of saints.places where wayfarers would be under the protection of saints.

4. DivinationDivination
Forms of divination in Polish mythology that wereForms of divination in Polish mythology that were
practiced in Poland included the following: Candle waxpracticed in Poland included the following: Candle wax
dripped in a glass of water was held up to the light fordripped in a glass of water was held up to the light for
interpretation; herbs thrown on the fire produced smokeinterpretation; herbs thrown on the fire produced smoke
that could be interpreted by the shape of patterns itthat could be interpreted by the shape of patterns it
made; finding pysanky patterns in the natural worldmade; finding pysanky patterns in the natural world
would yield a prediction of fortune.would yield a prediction of fortune.

5. Fire FlowersFire Flowers
In Polish mythology, fire flowers are mystical blooms. To find this powerfulIn Polish mythology, fire flowers are mystical blooms. To find this powerful
plant the seeker had to enter a forest before midnight on the Eve of Kupala.plant the seeker had to enter a forest before midnight on the Eve of Kupala.
The flower would climb up the stalk of the fern, and precisely at midnightThe flower would climb up the stalk of the fern, and precisely at midnight
it would bloom so brightly that no one could look directly at it. In order toit would bloom so brightly that no one could look directly at it. In order to
harvest it a circle had to be drawn around it, and the seeker had to dealharvest it a circle had to be drawn around it, and the seeker had to deal
with demons trying to distract him/her from doing so. It was said that ifwith demons trying to distract him/her from doing so. It was said that if
you answered the voices, or faltered during the task, it would sacrifice itsyou answered the voices, or faltered during the task, it would sacrifice its
own life. Anyone possessing this flower gained the ability to read minds, findown life. Anyone possessing this flower gained the ability to read minds, find
treasure, and repel all evils.treasure, and repel all evils.

6. Magic Belt of PolandMagic Belt of Poland
The Magic Belt of PolandThe Magic Belt of Poland is a special belt in with inscribed symbols significant inis a special belt in with inscribed symbols significant in
Polish folk practices which has been missing since the end of the Second WorldPolish folk practices which has been missing since the end of the Second World
War. Replicas of some of the symbols are still sold to this day in occult shops onlineWar. Replicas of some of the symbols are still sold to this day in occult shops online..
The original belt was 2.28m (89" long) parchment scroll with the magic symbolsThe original belt was 2.28m (89" long) parchment scroll with the magic symbols
inscribed on the outside and the prayers for them written on the inside of the Belt.inscribed on the outside and the prayers for them written on the inside of the Belt.
The Knights of Poland used it to protect them from all possible danger. InvokingThe Knights of Poland used it to protect them from all possible danger. Invoking
the talismans, one would take the belt off and stand in a circle with their hairthe talismans, one would take the belt off and stand in a circle with their hair
loose. These belts held knives, ladanki and were wore by both women and men. It isloose. These belts held knives, ladanki and were wore by both women and men. It is
possible in these everyday belts and magic belts were embossed with the symbolspossible in these everyday belts and magic belts were embossed with the symbols
and possibly come from the origin of the Key of Solomon.and possibly come from the origin of the Key of Solomon.

7. SpoilingSpoiling
In Polish mythology,In Polish mythology, spoilingspoiling is a term used to mean a curse beingis a term used to mean a curse being
on someone, or working magic against someone. One way of doingon someone, or working magic against someone. One way of doing
this is measuring out the exact length of someone’s footprint with athis is measuring out the exact length of someone’s footprint with a
string, and then burning the string. A footprint in mud or snowstring, and then burning the string. A footprint in mud or snow
was dug up and buried under the victim’s house to cause grief.was dug up and buried under the victim’s house to cause grief.
Spoiling may be averted by lighting a candle if you are not face toSpoiling may be averted by lighting a candle if you are not face to
face with the culprit, or by spitting on the ground, or by throwingface with the culprit, or by spitting on the ground, or by throwing
dirt in the direction of the culprit walking away.dirt in the direction of the culprit walking away.

8. SuperstitionsSuperstitions
Superstitions have existed since the beginning ofSuperstitions have existed since the beginning of
mankind. They are the belief that particular events,mankind. They are the belief that particular events,
rituals, actions and objects bring good or bad luck.rituals, actions and objects bring good or bad luck.
Poland, like any other culture, has its ownPoland, like any other culture, has its own
superstitions which we are going to have a closersuperstitions which we are going to have a closer
look at in this article.look at in this article.

9. Spilling the saltSpilling the salt
As for the spilling saltAs for the spilling salt
superstition, known ofsuperstition, known of
bringing quarrels, it has itsbringing quarrels, it has its
own history too, that datesown history too, that dates
back to Middle Ages whenback to Middle Ages when
salt was very expensive.salt was very expensive.
Only the richest could affordOnly the richest could afford
to buy this rare spice. Youto buy this rare spice. You
can imagine a huge quarrelcan imagine a huge quarrel
when a servant spilt it. Thiswhen a servant spilt it. This
is why people rememberedis why people remembered
salt spilling assalt spilling as somethingsomething
that bringsthat brings bad luck.bad luck.

10. Red slip-knotRed slip-knot
Red slip-knots are also aRed slip-knots are also a
popular superstition inpopular superstition in
Poland. As red is said, inPoland. As red is said, in
many cultures, to undomany cultures, to undo
spells, it is very commonspells, it is very common
for Polish people to attachfor Polish people to attach
red slip-knots to a babiesred slip-knots to a babies
strollerstrollerss or clothes toor clothes to
protect the babyprotect the baby from badfrom bad
charm.charm.

11. TalismansTalismans
People also believe in the magic power of luckyPeople also believe in the magic power of lucky
objects such as horseshoes, elephants with raisedobjects such as horseshoes, elephants with raised
trunks and four-leaf clovers. Many superstitioustrunks and four-leaf clovers. Many superstitious
people wear talismans or carry lucky stones topeople wear talismans or carry lucky stones to
scare evil spirits away. Some students often bringscare evil spirits away. Some students often bring
their lucky pens to examstheir lucky pens to exams..

12. Superstitions connected with holidaysSuperstitions connected with holidays
There are also superstitions typical of particularThere are also superstitions typical of particular
holidays. It is believed that if the first person toholidays. It is believed that if the first person to
enter a house on a Christmas Eve is a woman, it isenter a house on a Christmas Eve is a woman, it is
a bad omen, thus is it more preferable when a mana bad omen, thus is it more preferable when a man
is the first to cross the threshold of the house.is the first to cross the threshold of the house.
During supper on Christmas Eve, each dish has toDuring supper on Christmas Eve, each dish has to
be sampled. A traditional meal consists of twelvebe sampled. A traditional meal consists of twelve
dishes. The more you eat, the more pleasure willdishes. The more you eat, the more pleasure will
await you in the upcoming year.await you in the upcoming year.

13. THANKS FORTHANKS FOR
WATCHING!WATCHING!
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