There must be something mystical in ancient rites and traditions which could still influence us.
I can think of Feng Shui, relying on interpretations of old Chinese systems of geomancy, involving elements of Heaven and Earth. I can also think of present day Malay politicians using bomohs to improve their chances of success in politics. For important events, sometimes, bomohs are invited to ensure 'no rain' or during dry spell, to bring rain instead.
Generally, people treat superstitions with a pinch of salt, yet some would not disbelieve in them, if they can help it. If in doubt, why upset something you know about, which may affect your state of mind?
The following joke is quite plausible because humans have a tendency to be one up on others, in the use of secret methods, especially when they run out of ideas!
It was April and the Aboriginals in a remote part of Northern Australia asked their new elder if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the tribe should collect firewood to be prepared.
But being a practical leader, after several days he had an idea.
He walked out to the telephone booth on the highway, called the Bureau of Meteorology and asked, 'Is the coming winter in this area going to be cold?'
The meteorologist responded, 'It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold..'
So the elder went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared.
A week later he called the Bureau of Meteorology again. 'Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?'
The meteorologist again replied, 'Yes, it's going to be a very cold winter.'
The elder again went back to his community and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find.
Two weeks later the elder called the Bureau again. 'Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?' he asked.
'Absolutely,' the man replied. 'It's looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.'
'How can you be so sure?' the elder asked.
The weatherman replied, 'Our satellites have reported that the Aboriginals in the north are collecting firewood like crazy, and that's always a sure sign.'
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I can think of Feng Shui, relying on interpretations of old Chinese systems of geomancy, involving elements of Heaven and Earth. I can also think of present day Malay politicians using bomohs to improve their chances of success in politics. For important events, sometimes, bomohs are invited to ensure 'no rain' or during dry spell, to bring rain instead.
Generally, people treat superstitions with a pinch of salt, yet some would not disbelieve in them, if they can help it. If in doubt, why upset something you know about, which may affect your state of mind?
The following joke is quite plausible because humans have a tendency to be one up on others, in the use of secret methods, especially when they run out of ideas!
It was April and the Aboriginals in a remote part of Northern Australia asked their new elder if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild.
Since he was an elder in a modern community he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky he couldn't tell what the winter was going to be like.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the tribe should collect firewood to be prepared.
But being a practical leader, after several days he had an idea.
He walked out to the telephone booth on the highway, called the Bureau of Meteorology and asked, 'Is the coming winter in this area going to be cold?'
The meteorologist responded, 'It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold..'
So the elder went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared.
A week later he called the Bureau of Meteorology again. 'Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?'
The meteorologist again replied, 'Yes, it's going to be a very cold winter.'
The elder again went back to his community and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find.
Two weeks later the elder called the Bureau again. 'Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?' he asked.
'Absolutely,' the man replied. 'It's looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.'
'How can you be so sure?' the elder asked.
The weatherman replied, 'Our satellites have reported that the Aboriginals in the north are collecting firewood like crazy, and that's always a sure sign.'
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