Send us a text

🎙 Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 21 -  Barnyard Superstitions: Luck, Omens, and Old Wives’ Tales

Hey friends, it’s Kendall! 🐓✨ Today we’re diving into the wonderfully weird world of barnyard superstitions — the little magical, spooky, and sometimes hilarious ways humans have read meaning into farm life for centuries. From sacred chickens deciding battles in ancient Rome, to black sheep bringing luck (or bad luck, depending on the day), to frogs, feathers, and swallows — farms have always been full of omens and little secrets.

We’ll wander through barns, peek into history, and uncover how humans have always tried to find meaning in the everyday — all while learning to notice the quiet wisdom of animals. 🐐🦆🦉

Whether you’re a farm lover, history nerd, or just someone who likes a little magic with their morning coffee ☕, this one’s for you!

🌾 Fast Facts & Highlights

•  Horseshoes weren’t just decoration — they were luck-catchers and spirit-shielders.
•  Roman sacred chickens once dictated whether armies marched or stayed home — no kidding.
•  Black sheep could be either bad luck… or highly prized. Perspective matters.
• Swallows nesting in your barn = prosperity vibes. Don’t disturb them!
•  Frogs in milk pails? 19th-century superstition said butter would be ruined.
• Farmers were basically early scientists — observing animals, weather, and plants to make sense of the world.

New episodes every Wednesday at 9pm EST!

📚 References / Bibliography

1. Ebeling, E. (2015). The Sacred Chickens of Rome: Omens and Warfare in Ancient History. Classical Studies Journal.
2. Simpson, J., & Roud, S. (2000). A Dictionary of English Folklore. Oxford University Press.
3. Olcott, F. (2020). Animals in Myth, Legend, and Folklore. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
4. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). The Importance of Nature and Outdoor Play for Children. Pediatrics.
5. Journal of Family Psychology. (2020). Family Bonding and Outdoor Activities.
6. Child Development Research. (2022). Empathy and Animal Interaction in Early Childhood.
7. Nature Neuroscience. (2019). Cognitive Benefits of Outdoor Exploration in Children.
8. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (2021). Exposure to Animals and Childhood Immune Development.
9. Historical accounts: Roman military records regarding augurs and sacred chickens (Livy, Ab Urbe Condita, 1st century BCE).

Support the show