Maree’s Musings

DELUSIONS … GRAND or NOT SO MUCH.
Did you know that nine out of ten people hold at least one delusional belief? Really?
A definition -‘something believed despite superior evidence to the contrary’- makes it clear. When our brains can’t explain something, we make stuff up. However, being pretty much clued up is no guarantee of being delusion-free: dig deeper and the idiosyncracies will show up. No use pinning the blame elsewhere either; one is, when push comes to shove, completely responsible. Someone else can’t delude you … it’s all in your corner.

Some delusions are serious and sad – particularly the ‘grand’ ones. They may have exotic-sounding names and be downright creepy. Narcissism, for one. Conspiracy theories … don’t even go there! The Emperor wearing flash new gear became a laughing stock. ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ – how many Napoleons or [Heaven forbid] Donald Trumps are out there?
Luckily there are lots which are more fun and less damaging. We call them superstitions, but they’re still delusional beliefs even if one has a fondness for them.

Consider the cat. Puss [especially a black one] has had a bad rap at times. Worshipped in ancient Egypt, but later persecuted as a symbol of evil; she brings bad luck crossing your path, but good luck if you don’t believe in witchcraft! With cats being the most popular New Zealand pet; that’s a relief.

I can almost guarantee that every reader will have crossed their fingers – either wishing for luck or hoping to delude [HAH!] others they are telling the truth. In times past two people crossed index fingers when making a wish. Eventually, you dispensed with a colleague and did it on your own. Today, merely saying “fingers crossed” is enough to get the message, well, across.

‘Touch wood’? Another favourite; including the modern version of knocking on your skull. This trick is as old as the trees (literally). Historically a tap on a tree trunk would please the mythical creatures living within. People needed all the luck they could get, and so, it seems, do we.

If you haven’t been caught out yet; what about kissing? Does a kiss really ‘make it better’? Of course an act of love is bound to work. Originally, though, the kiss was used to suck venom from a snakebite, and thence extended to all festering wounds. Medicine has moved on, but love lasts for ever.

Then there are things one should or shouldn’t do with ladders, cracks in the path, mirrors, salt, wishbones, anything with number thirteen, rabbits’ feet, umbrellas, red socks … heaps more..

And your favourite? Do you have fondness for faeries, fingers, felines, or fortune? It doesn’t matter … they’re all good harmless fun!