Magpies & Red Skies: The Enchanting Origins of 100 Superstitions

Magpies & Red Skies examines 100 superstitions from around the world, tracing the traditions and beliefs behind familiar acts of luck and avoidance. Its examples include finding a penny, saluting magpies, hopping over cracks, knocking on wood and crossing paths with black cats.

Willow Winsham places these customs alongside folklore, religious ideas and cultural traditions, considering how everyday rituals have developed and endured across different societies. The book presents superstition as a changing body of belief, shaped by ancient traditions as well as repeated habits and local variations. Illustrated throughout, it offers a concise introduction to the stories and practices attached to familiar omens, rituals and signs.