misfortune
A Sign From Spirit, Or A Fear-Based Superstition?
My father and his extended family were very superstitious. For instance, they would never buy a car on a Friday, refused to talk about new shoes in the morning, and never left a house through the back door after entering through the front. I could go on.
These old-world beliefs were ingrained in their way of life and passed down from generation to generation like heirlooms of caution and misery. However, I never experienced any objective evidence that these beliefs were valid — until I had my own unique experience that I at first believed might have been a bad omen.
It was 1983, and I had been hoping to get a job with the local council for quite some time. Then, one day, out of the blue, I landed a contract with them! I was overjoyed. The salary was fantastic and I felt incredibly fortunate, because many people in the UK were unemployed and struggling with a recession.
That weekend, I decided to celebrate by buying a large bottle of very expensive wine. However, as I left the liquor store, the bottle slipped through my fingers and shattered on the ground.
“Oh dear,” I said to my late sister. “I hope that doesn’t mean my dreams will shatter like that! Maybe this is a sign from the universe that my new job will have a bad outcome?”
My dear sister, ever the voice of reason, assured me that it was simply an accident and not a bad omen. Still, coming from a superstitious family, I carried that thought and fear with me into the job.
In the beginning, things went relatively well. But soon, my colleagues turned out to be cruel and nasty, the boss’s secretary was a bully, my boyfriend dumped me, and my father, due to his narcissistic tendencies, kept asking whether I was truly “capable of doing the job.”
The Mystical Symbolism Of The Hamsa
The well-known Hamsa symbol has a rich tapestry of esoteric meaning that spans several cultures and religious traditions, including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It is commonly used as a protective amulet, offering protection from the evil eye, as well as a talisman or good luck charm, bringing its wearer blessings in the form of happiness, health, and fortune.
The Hamsa is also known as the Khamsa, Hamesh, the Hand of Fatima, the Hand of Miriam, or the Hand of Mary. The names “Hamsa” and “Khamsa” both refer to the number five in Arabic while “Hamesh” means five in Hewbrew, all symbolizing the five fingers of the hand.
In Islamic tradition, this famous esoteric hand is named after Fatima al-Zahra, the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija. Fatima is known by many titles in Islamic tradition, of which al-Zahra (meaning “the Radiant One”) is one of the most prominent. Her life, devotion to family and faith, and moral integrity are admired and serve as an inspiration to Muslims around the world.
In Jewish culture, the hand symbol is named after Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, who was a prophetess and is an important figure in Judaism. In some Christian contexts, it is also known as the Hand of Mary, although it is less commonly referred to by this name. In this instance it is associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is revered for her purity, grace, and maternal protection.