Voodoo Signs and Omens

DOVE on SHIP

A dove alighting on a ship or boat bespeaks of favorable fortune. More than one dove signifies a good trip and new friendships to be made. Count the doves and make a reasonable wish. It is said to come true before the sun sets. If a dove strikes a boat and dies, much misfortune is in store for members of the crew. Storms are brewing.


A birthmark in the middle of the back indicates wealth through a favorable marriage. If directly beneath either of the shoulder blades, misfortune and defeat are signified.

MANY MARKS
When a person has a great many birthmarks all over his body, it indicates a life of ease and luxury. No poverty will be experienced.

ON EITHER ARM
A birthmark found on either arm signifies many successful endeavors. Prosperity and happiness are in store. You will be a widow or widower by age forty.

ON an ANKLE
To be born with a birthmark on either ankle is a sign of courage and natural wit. Success in life, many passionate love affairs, and an eventful but happy marriage are foretold.

TWO ILLNESSES
If people are sick at the same time in the same household, and one dies, it is taken as a good sign for the survivor. The other sick person will immediately regain his or her health. Voodooists believe an evil, disease-producing spirit will quickly leave a home once he has been appeased by a death. Such spirits can often be driven from a home without someone dying, if the proper rituals are carefully carried out.

GREEN FLIES SWARMING
It is taken as a bad sign when green flies are seen to swarm in the yard. If a number of these flies come into the house, sickness is foreseen in the very near future.

TURTLE DOVE by HOUSE
To hear the mourning cry of a turtle dove near the house is a certain sign of illness and possible death. The misfortune can be averted only by tying knots in the corners of an apron, covering the eyes with a towel, and remaining perfectly still until the dove stops crying.

HAND of a CORPSE
It is considered a good omen for someone with a skin tumor to touch the hand of a corpse. The body must still be warm, however, or the effect will be negated. This act will bring good health back to the person with the problem.

SICK PEOPLE
When a sick person begins to itch or feel any kind of tingling sensation, recovery is predicted. An omen of improved health and a good future.

MOOING COW
If a cow is heard to bellow or moo after the sun goes down, expect an illness in the family. If the cow does this after midnight, death is foretold. If done just before the sun comes up in the morning, minor illnesses can be predicted.

LICKING DOG
If you are sick and a dog walks up and licks you, it is a good omen. The illness is said to be completely and quickly brought to an end. Recovery is certain.

WHIPPOORWILL
Good health is presaged if you hear a whippoorwill while out taking a walk. Illness will hinder success if you hear this.

FACING a FIRE
Expect snow whenever you see any color of cat washing his face while sitting facing a fire. This omen also presages bad luck for the person who catches the cat in the process of doing this.

MEETING a STRANGE CAT
It is a terrible omen to meet a black or multicolored cat while you are taking a walk. This is particularly true if walking out in the moonlight. The evil spell cast can be averted only by picking up an old rusty nail and throwing it at the cat. You must hit him.

FOLLOWING YOU HOME
If a black cat follows you home at night, it is a sign of extremely good fortune. Expect a surprise of some sort.