THE SWALLOW:Although the swallow was associated with the goddess Aphrodite, the Greeks considered it unlucky. In Rome, however, where it was a symbol of Venus, the bird was regarded as lucky and a creature that carried the souls of dead children. In northern Europe, the fork-tailed swallow was a symbol of Spring and love, Therefore sacred to the May Queen. In ancient Chaldea, there are carvings of a fish with a head of a swallow. These strange figures represents cyclical regeneration. In China, this was a bird of daring, and it came to signify coming success and fidelity. The Japanese saw it as a bird of unfaithfulness. In Native American lore, the swallow is considered closely related to the magickal Thunderbird, because it will fly before a thunderstorm arrives.` SuperstitionsIt is a general belief that to kill a swallow is to bring bad luck. It is a sign of good luck if a swallow builds a nest on your house.In Germany, people believe this bird prevents fire and storms from damaging any house on which it has its nest. If a woman steps on a swallow's eggs, she will be barren. The Irish seem to connect quite a few birds with the devil; they say that the swallow has three drops of the devil's blood in it. European farmers say that to kill a swallow will ruin the milk yield. If you disturb their nests, the harvest will be bad. Medieval scholars recommended swallow dung to cure blindness in children. Magickal AttributesGood luck, success.Changing your luck. ChantChange my luck to something newAnd prosperous, bird of brilliant hue. Grant success and opportunity And I shall ever grateful be. |