Does superstition come from Gypsy beliefs? Not just. The Gypsy people picked up a lot of beliefs, but some they never embraced and still don’t. The word superstition means surviving belief, and they make a point of avoiding practices and even ideas they feel are unclean. Superstition is basically the same thing as tradition, but in the case of the Roma, breaking tradition is seen as bad luck.
If you are practicing any magick, it’s possible it had been carried by Gypsies, even originated with them. It’s just as possible it had nothing to do with them. There is a style of magick that they don’t do. What is called “high magick” or ceremonial magic. They don’t adhere to hermetic philosophy, or any beyond their family lineage.
The reason the Roma didn’t start practicing high magick goes back to their Indian roots. The Gurus of India debate with each other, much like duelling, and a Roma healer will go with intuition and inspiration. They are expected to (in a sense) prove their wisdom, but not by winning argument with non-believers. They have to prove it in practice.
If their lore brings the tribe good luck, then they are considered wise and deserving of the respect that craft receives. They do see it as a craft. If their practices don’t seem effective, or even worse seem to bring bad luck, they are instead encouraged to practice something else, like knitting. From their point of view magick is just a talent, and you can be untalented in it. In fact, Roma magick and Norse magick have the same ancient roots. This is why you often see rune like figures in their woodwork, or used to.
I was wondering if their was a link to the Norse idea of luck. There is. It is likely of Aryan origin.
Parting note on superstition. There was a recent scientific study of the difference between strictly logical people and superstitious people as it related to success and productivity. It was found that rather than being a hampering distraction, those who were superstitious would often act sooner and with more confidence. The strictly logical person too reliably comes up with details that actually hamper their performance, get caught on things that they can’t actually do anything about.
I don’t ignore logic myself, I just have a sense for what’s irrelevant. If you are going off a cliff, it is best to follow someone who knows the way down. To me, the whole world seems broken, so lots of cliffs. I have learned to navigate them quite well.
Your thoughts are welcome. Be well friends.
Travis Saunders
Dragon Intuitive
~science,mysticism,spirituality~