What is su·per·sti·tion ?
Is it a fear of the supernatural? A hope in a positive outcome? Or the collective creativity that brings meaning to our lives?
According to dictionaries*, superstition is the belief that some events might happen in ways that cannot be explained by reason or science. Its etymology comes from the Latin superstitio, which scholars have translated as “standing over”, linking it to Ancient Roman fears of supernatural credences upstaging mainstream religion. But despite past attempts to deride some of these intrinsically human beliefs and associate them with darker realms, superstition still carries on today — and alongside folklore in general, it may be turning into something more useful and optimistic, with contemporary studies** suggesting that believing in superstitions and luck may actually improve mental wellbeing and performance.
Who is Superstition Sam ?
Superstition Sam is the mascot of this project, exploring personal rituals, protective charms and good omens, while uncovering the connections between superstition, creativity and psychology. In other words, what makes us human, as similar stories and beliefs in different parts of our planet can demonstrate that we are all connected!
Artwork by Prairie Bones.
What is #Superstitiology ?
It’s the hashtag we have adopted to make sure we can find each other on social media, combining the word superstition and the suffix -logy to symbolise ‘the study of superstition’. Our dream would be to spread it as widely as possible, so that we can continue exploring superstition and its intersection with human creativity, psychology, and many other fields studying our shared lived experiences. Use it and cherish it, and together we will find all the superstitions!
Superstition Sam 
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