Counting Crows

Date: March 9th, 2010 - 8:41 AM

“Whan pyes (magpies) chatter vpon a house it is a sygne (sign) of ryghte euyll(evil) tydynges (hmmm).” [1507]

Divination by counting a number of magpies or crows has been performed for centuries. Many variations of the rhyme are still around. Depending on culture and tradition, the meaning of the number of birds varies. The only exception to the rule is that one is always bad and two are always good.

One for sadness, two for mirth,
Three for marriage, four for birth,
Five to laugh, six to cry,
Seven for sickness, eight to die,
Nine for silver, ten for gold,
Eleven a secret that will never be told.

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Posted by: Kate Jonez

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Posted under Fortune Telling

2 Responses to “Counting Crows”

  1. Amanda B says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    I remember reading a childrens book with this poem, but couldn’t recall the words. We have many crows in our area. Now it’ll be stuck in my head. “Eight to die. Eight to die. Eight to die.” Just wait and see what’ll be on my roof tomorrow! Oh gee. LOL

  2. Kate Jonez says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 1:36 AM

    I hope you count nine for silver or ten for gold!