Sunday 1 March 2015

Rabbits!

What was the first word that came out of your mouth this morning? Before you even got yourself out of that nice warm bed?

If it was "Rabbits" or "Rabbits Rabbits" or even "White Rabbits" you have ensured good luck for the rest of this month.


It's the first day of March today. When I was a child, I always remembered to say "Rabbits" as soon as I opened my eyes on the first morning of every month. My mum and dad said it too. There are various versions of this superstition. Mum used to say "White rabbits" on the first of January, then "Rabbits" for the next eleven months. And my cousin says you have to say it while looking at the moon.

Why? Many theories. The rabbit or hare was a sacred animal, and perhaps people paid homage on the start of the lunar month, when a rabbit image may be seen in the full moon. A ritual left over from pagan days.

Anyone else mutter "Rabbits" sleepily to themselves this morning? I did. It may only be a superstition but I like to be on the safe side of Fate.

13 comments:

  1. Well Shammie, you're the second person who has told me this. The first was a friend of mine and she said it nearly 50 years ago. I've never heard anyone reference it since. How about that.

    Happy rabbit day to you. :)

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  2. It IS March! Silly me had forgotten, so your blog post today is a DOUBLE pleasure for me! I have never heard of this rabbit superstition. But back in the fifties and sixties when I was growing up, a rabbits foot was what we carried for good luck. Of course I carried one because I had no sense! I never would now, not in a million years. I love your sweet picture of the two huddled bunnies! Did you snap it? Are the rabbit wild?

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  3. Ginny: bunny pic stolen from the internet, and yes, they do look like wild bunnies.

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  4. I have never heard about this rabbit and the month of March – don’t think it’s a French tradition. I hate to tell you when I liked to hear about rabbits - that’s when my mother cooked one. She made the best rabbit stew!

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  5. I have a vague recollection of someone telling me when I was a kid to say rabbit rabbit at the beginning of every month. Until you mentioned it, I'd forgotten though. :)

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  6. Somebody was just telling me about her friend that had to say "rabbit" to everyone she met on the first of the month. Nobody knew why.

    At least just saying it to yourself when you first wake up is much more doable.

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  7. With all of the blood from Ireland and Scotland flowing through my veins, and coming from a somewhat superstitious family, I have never heard this one. I like rabbits, though, if that helps (I'm hoping the very bad winter hasn't hurt them too badly, as I've enjoyed having wild ones in our yard the past couple of years.)

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  8. Well, over here on the first of every month kids say, *Pinch punch first of the month & no return* while gently punching the arm. Then another child might respond by saying *Flip kick for being so quick and no return*. Not always nice if they kick!
    We have a saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb! (Weather wise)
    Maggie x

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  9. I remember we used to say "white rabbits" when I was a child. Also, kids would come up to you and go "a pinch and a punch for the first of the month!"

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  11. My first wife's grandmother used to say "white rabbits" on the first day of the month. She also used to curtsey to the new moon.
    Perhaps she was a witch!

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  12. What an interesting superstition! Saying “Rabbit” while looking at the moon reminded me of the shadow on the moon which looks like a rabbit pounding rice cake (mocha) to Japanese eyes. Rabbits are so prolific that they might have seen as a symbol of wealth. I’ll say “Rabbits” next month.

    Yoko

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  13. Rabbits looks so cute!
    I have never heard about this
    interesting superstition!
    Happy rabbit month to you.

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