Lucky Charms?
The other day, my golden four leaf clover hanging above my front door caught my attention and was my unexpected muse for this blog. It was a house warming present, a lovely gesture, and on the back is the inscription, “One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith, and one is for love, you know and God put another in for luck”. So, you know what happens next. The thought train takes off and starts exploring other lucky charms that are seen in homes. I have seen horseshoes above doors and in barns, but what else? So, with the help of my friend, Google, we set off on a mission to find others. I have listed a few below and even one lucky charm that is said to help sell your home.
Horseshoe
The horseshoe has a long history of being a protective symbol. It has become customary to hang a horseshoe over the door to protect against evil and bring good luck. The way you hang the horseshoe is a matter of perspective. If the horseshoe hung pointing upward, it's believed your luck will not escape. If the horseshoe is hung pointing down, it's believed that good luck pours into the home.
Smudging
A traditional Native American practice known as smudging uses the smoke from burning herbs, most likely sage, to purify a space. Smudging is believed to clear away negative energy and bringing luck and positive energy. In the traditional practice, before you begin, you would open a door or window so the negative energy can escape. Then, you would place the bundle of herbs in a bowl, light them and gently blow out the flame so it would smolder, like incense. To dispose of the leftover ashes, practitioners recommend that you take them outside and leave them on the earth.
St. Joseph
St. Joseph is a Catholic saint long believed to help with home-related matters. Through the years he has become known as the patron saint of real estate. It is believed if you purchase a St. Joseph statue and bury it in your yard and say a series of special prayers, the right buyer will come along to purchase your home. Once the home is sold, the next step is to dig up the statue and place it in your new home for continued good fortune.
Feng Shui
The art of feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice of balancing the physical environment to promote harmony and balance, which is believed to bring positive outcomes. One prominent rule in this practice is to clear out clutter to allow a natural flow of energy, sounds like familiar advice from the home staging experts. Additionally, it is believed that a home should have a healthy combination of the five feng shui elements – wood, fire, water, earth and metal. Each element represents a different kind of energy and the type of outcome it cultivates.
As it turns out, I have a money tree in my home as well, a popular plant used in the practice of feng shui. I purchased the plant for the intricate braided trunk, long green leaves and the easy to care for promise on the tag. What lucky charms do you have in your home? Maybe, you're like me and have more than one, from a practice you know little about.
