by JRR

Created on: October 13, 2009   Last Updated: October 15, 2009

Throughout time, the sun, moon and stars have guided people. Ancient people used these heavenly bodies to predict many things. These beliefs have stood the tests of time and many are still believed today. On such civilization is found in South Asia. They are an ethnic group found in the Punjab region referred to as the Punjabi. Some of the civilizations in this region are considered the oldest in the world. Like other ancient peoples, the majority of the Punjabi superstitions revolve around heavenly bodies.

The Punjabi believe, among numerous other things, that anyone born under Mars (Mangai) and Saturn (Shani) will suffer greatly. Yet, those born under Venus (Shukia) will remain healthy and live a successful and fulfilling life. Other Punjabi Beliefs - If a newly wedded wife sees a new moon often she will give birth to a son. - If a woman is pregnant, it is bad luck for her to move during an eclipse. - If one sees a shooting star, makes a wish and ties a know, it will come true.

Of all superstitions involving heavenly bodies, those surrounding an eclipse are possibly the most dreaded. because ancient people had no way to explain this phenomenon, it was soon looked upon without great fear. Some of the superstitions surrounding an eclipse are: - The Hindu believe it will bring bad luck if one is outside during an eclipse. - Ancient Chinese civilizations feared an eclipse told of the coming of a great natural disaster like a major flood or earthquake. - In some ancient cultures it is believed that a solar eclipse would bring an end to a great civilization or that it could cause great widespread illness. - Some believe an eclipse is dangerous to an unborn child. - In some cultures, it is believed that using a knife to cut something during an eclipse will cause some type of disfigurement to an unborn baby. It is scientifically known that the moon controls parts of nature. Along with what is known is also what is believed.

The most common superstition involving the moon is the supposed increase in violence during a full moon. There are some statistics that may bring some validity to this belief which only serves to strengthen the superstition. Quite possibly the best known and widely believed superstition involving the stars and heavenly bodies is astrology. Even though it is widely followed, scientists consider it a superstition or pseudoscience (fake science). It is though to have begun as far back as 3000 BC. According to Webster's Dictionary, astrology is "the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects". In simpler terms, it is the belief of many that the stars and planets have a direct affect on their lives. For example, a 2003 Harris Poll conducted online, among 2,201 adults in the United States showed that thirty-one percent of them believed in astrology. Of this thirty-one percent, twenty-five percent were male and thirty-six percent were female.

Like with any superstitions, different people believe in them to different degrees. Take astrology for example, some people will follow it to the letter, believing completely what is predicted. While others, on the other hand, hope that it may or may not be true.

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