Originally uploaded by RGP

Let me start by saying that I don't believe in superstitions but I do believe in traditions. This is particularly unusual because I work in theater where we have a plethora of superstitions. In fact, part of my job is pretending I care because some actors are so into it that it will ruin their show if you cross a superstitious line. Seriously.

"Rabbit Rabbit" has somehow stuck with me throughout the years and although I don't necessarily believe it will actually provide me with good luck, I feel like I've broken tradition if I don't say it first thing on the 1st of the month. However, most of the time I just plain forget.

Annie mentioned last night that she was curious about the origin so I thought I would look it up. Unfortunately it's not certain when exactly it started, but there are "some reports" that it began as early as the 1200s. Of course, this is just a sentence I read somewhere (*cough* Wiki) and could be total bogus but on the other hand, it's not all that surprising.

Naturally, with every tradition (superstition), there's a zillion ways to say it and just as many different consequences. Ours is pretty simple, saying "Rabbit Rabbit" first thing on the 1st = good luck for the month. Some say it three times, others say "White Rabbit".

Then there's the before and afters like saying "Tibbar Tibbar" before you go to bed and then "Rabbit Rabbit" when you get up. There is also saying "Rabbit Rabbit" to another person before they say it to you and you get all of their luck as well, leaving them with nothing. I kinda like that one, it's harsh and I'm always up for a challenge.

So the basic idea of the whole thing? You are hopping forward into the new month or year and yada yada yada, good luck.

Like I said, I don't believe in superstition but I surely do believe in the power of the mind. I think that if someone believes whole-heartedly in something, it will most certainly effect them.  So me, I just try to stay as positive as I can.  Wow, that was hard to type with a straight face.

So, how do you say it?