Paws and the power of piseogs

THE spirits of the dead have their annual night out this week. Ghosts, goblins and witches will be on the prowl, so carry a rabbit’s foot for good luck and don’t walk under any ladders.

Rabbits’ paws are just one of a plethora of objects which, like the ‘miraculous medals’ stitched to the vests of my childhood, kept danger at bay.

A conker in the pocket eases the pain of backache and a badger’s tooth will help you to win at cards. It’s easy to see why ladders are to be avoided. Pots of paint, or worse, have been known to fall on hapless passersby, but how can a rabbit’s foot protect you?