Fall in Love with Superstitions

A GUIDE TO USING THE ANCIENT BELIEFS TO FIND A PARTNER THIS FALL Written by Shannon McManus, Lifestyle Staff Writer Graphic by Arella Warren, Deputy Editor

Fall is the season of cooler weather, apple cider and fuzzy sweaters, but it is also the perfect time to share these cozy moments with someone. If you’re having trouble finding a spark with the person of your dreams, utilizing ancient superstitions may help you get the perfect pumpkin-picking partner.

If you’re not sure where to start, look to the moon! According to the Wicca religion, the seventh day after a full moon is the best time to fall in love.1

The moon is believed to carry different types of energies depending on its phase. There are four primary moon phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon and last quarter. Between these, there are four intermediate moon phases: waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous and waning crescent. Seven days after a full moon, the moon is either in the waning gibbous phase or the third quarter waning. This may help you spark love by helping you to show your gratitude and share adventures. The third quarter will have you feeling the urge to turn your energies towards reflection, giving you a chance to start anew and forgive yourself and others for past mistakes— which makes it a perfect time to fall in love with someone completely new!2 If tracking the moon is not for you, you can simply use an eyelash. 19th century folklore says if you have a fallen eyelash, blowing it off from your hand will make a wish come true. This superstition developed from a darker past, as people would blow away their eyelashes to protect themselves from the devil, who would gain power through the collection of their hair and eyelashes.3 Thus, blowing on an eyelash may find you love, and ward off any negativity this fall!

Looking for love and trying to stay healthy? Try turning to an apple. Twist the stem of an apple while saying either the names of potential romances or going through the letters of the alphabet. When the stem breaks off, the name or initial you landed on is your future lover’s.4 This is an easy way to determine

² Roth, Deborah. “The 8 Phases of the Moon & What Each Moon Phase Means for Your Love Life.” Spirited Living, August 25, 2021. ³ Keegan, Natalie. “This Is the Reason Why We Wish on Eyelashes.” The Sun. The Sun, April 2, 2017. ⁴ Radford, Edwin, Christina Hole, and M. A. Radford. The Encyclopedia of Superstitions. New who is on your radar, and if you can’t decide-an easy way to choose! Finally, if you ever get a chance to visit Rome, there is one spot that should be your number one visit for love; The Fontana di Trevihas (The Trevi Fountain). If you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, with your back to the fountain, you will return to Rome. However, to receive the full benefits of the fountain’s power, you must return to Rome, enact the coin throwing a second time in order to fall in love, then return one final time and perform the ritual in order to get married!5 The coins tossed are also donated to the Italian Red Cross, making Rome a great place for you to find love—and give back while doing so! Love acts in mysterious ways, and these superstitions may just lead you to it. Whether you’re tracking the lunar phases, planning a trip for romance in Rome, wishing on eyelashes or simply adding apples to your daily diet, these ancient superstitions may lead you to someone special this fall. ■

York: MetroBooks, 2002. ⁵ Fodors.com. “Trevi Fountain Review - Rome Italy - Sights.” Fodor’s Travel. Accessed September 29, 2021.