the role of superstition in modern life/ part 2

the role of superstition in modern life/ part 2

fiction
Edward w Pritchard

repost/ edit

All eyes looked skyward

Most professions involve their unique superstitions. Experts in any profession will approach their profession differently if there is an element of luck or randomness that dictates success or failure that is beyond human control. The most successful baseball hitter only hits in one of three at bats, the greatest heart surgeon loses a thriving patient in a routine operation, a famous opera singer gets a throat irritation ten minutes before show time. Any human endeavor that involves randomness develops superstitions to coax luck to intercede in the outcome.

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There are often more than one way to approach the day to day tasks of any profession and Russell and Ludwig's methods were as different as night and day.

Night was for Russell the essence of what he did, for without proper darkness and cooperating weather, human longing laid in the bottom of the boat like a caught fish dreaming of swimming in his home ocean again.

Ludwig disagreed with his competitor Russell for he believed that a proper attitude, appropriate respect and reverence and expectation was critical to a successful session of night time meteor viewing. Both Russell and Ludwig traveled about Europe in the 1500's and allowed local citizens for a fee to observe meteors in the night sky.

Ludwig and Russell traveled about our Country and their profession was to bring awe and amazement to the citizenry at night. They called forth the meteors at public events, celebrations and festivals. Success in their work was partially a matter of luck and neither planning or praying could change that. Still each had their superstitions to coax along the proper environment for proper meteor viewing.

Russell watched the pre-dawn sky the morning before the event. Red colored sky was bad, clouds and disappointed patrons cause prospective viewers to want refunds of admission fees. Russell crossed his fingers for red skies the night before the event, that augured successful meteor watching the next evening

Ludwig had each paying viewer watch the night sky through a rolled up news paper blessed for a small fee by a local church official. Each viewer had to believe if they were to spy spectacular meteors on any given night. Watching the heavens through a blessed rolled up paper and an unfailing belief in a successful night of meteor viewing could help the viewer find meteors.

All professions promote superstitions to ensure successful outcomes.