Superstitions and the Falsehoods of Witchcraft

If she were born on a full moon to the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, one might call your mother a witch. But since she was not, they smile and lend her sugar when she asks for it, invite her to social gatherings and charity events.

When she has guests over, no one questions why the house smells like sage, instead asking her if the holy properties of the herb are as they heard. (In short, they are. She’s never sent you to ask Mark to bless your house, unlike other nervous housewives. Jay’s mother is one of those types. Praying five times a day, you know how it is.)

And no one tells you to take off your necklace of spices on Samhain. You’re strange – they know that. Those you like are allowed to sniff the base of your neck and your collarbone; those two spots are the most fragrant. When you were little, you slept with the string the night before, just because it smelled so nice. (You don’t do that anymore because it stains the sheets, and you do your own laundry.)

One Samhain, lightning struck your yard, singeing the cinnamon tree. No rain followed.

Strange.