Following and believing in superstitions is not something new. Many superstitions are followed across the globe despite the assurance that they are myths or reality. People have been following some superstitions from centuries. People follow these superstitions blindly and unquestionably. Wishing upon a star is one of those superstitions like the number 13, the crossing of black cats, and others. Mostly people follow these superstitions blindly just because their forefathers did so and these are socially adapted. As for the shooting stars, many stories enforce the belief that wishing upon a shooting star will get your wish granted.
What to do when you see a shooting star?
Well, many people who have heard the superstition are still confused as to what does it mean to see a shooting star? Seeing a shooting star is considered a lucky charm and a fortunate event. It gives an opportunity to make a wish that people believe will be granted soon. Even some people think that since witnessing a shooting star is quite rare so you can look up to the first star that appears in the sky, close your eyes and make a wish and the star will grant your wish soon enough.
It is also considered that you should not share your wish with others as in that case it won’t be granted.
The astronomy
The astronomical truth about shooting stars is that they are meteors and the bright light you witness is, in fact, the glowing trail that the meteor made when it enters the Earth’s atmosphere. A shooting star or astronomical meteor looks mystical and attractive. People consider it a lucky charm and due to its rarity think of it as a Godsend moment that is magical and powerful enough to make their wishes come true.
The Origin
As per legends, the origin of making a wish upon a star originated in Europe. Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer, shared that sometimes out of boredom or curiosity Gods descend on Earth. This phenomenon creates a gap between the spheres from where stars can slip out and take the appearance of moving bright light to the naked human eye. He also added, that as Gods are already closer to the people of Earth, so the chances to be heard are more. This is why if people make a wish at that time then it is highly likely that the wish will be heard and granted soon. Though, Greeks are not the only ones who believed this story and believed that shooting stars have supernatural powers.
There are many other versions of stories that support the notion of wishing upon a shooting star. Though not claimed as original, these stories are as famous as the story of origin. The Mi’kmaw nation living in Nova Scotia believes that two stars took two sisters to heaven. One of the stars represented an Eagle while the other one was a hawk. Soon the sisters become bored and strived to return to their people. With the hope of returning to Earth, they requested the first human named Kluskap to return them to their people. Kluskap agreed to their request with the imposed condition that both sisters won’t ever look back. Later, when Kluskap sends them to Earth but the younger sister broke the promise and was turned into a shooting star.
There exists another version of Christian tradition. They used to believe that shooting stars represent the falling or rising of souls or angels. They further believed that making a wish upon such occasions of rising or falling will open new avenues for their fortune and they will get what they ask for.
The Movie Fame
Who doesn’t like movies? We all do. And when movies enforce such superstitions then the fame and following they get are skyrocketing. Be it Hollywood, Bollywood, or animated movies, the concept of shooting stars is promoted positively enforcing peoples’ belief in superstition. In the Hollywood movie “Wish upon a Star”, the two sisters switch bodies when one wished for it while witnessing a shooting star. In the Bollywood movie “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” the famous actor Shahrukh Khan is seen making a wish while seeing a shooting star. In the animated movie Pinocchio, made by Disney, The character Jiminy Cricket sings “When You Wish Upon A Star” to Pinocchio to comfort him that his wish will be granted.
Is wishing upon a star a myth or reality?
Well, the line between reality and myth is blurred when it comes to wishing upon a star. Because many people have had their wishes granted fueled by the rigidity of their belief in superstition. So, we cannot say with conviction that one should not make a wish. Though psychology does give us some in-depth analysis of this matter.
The psychological aspect
Many people argue that it is the psychological impact of wishing that deepens the belief. Implying that when we wish upon a star with a firm belief that our wish will be granted then deep in our mind we take all favorable circumstances as a sign that our wish is granted by God. People tend to underestimate the environmental impact, chance, or luck and overestimate the power of wishing upon a star because their unconscious guides them to do so.
What should you do?
Well, if you caught that rare magical sight then there is no harm in wishing. Just close your eyes, live in the moment, open your heart out and ask for something desirable that you have been wanting for a long. Let’s see if the magic works for you. Keep your fingers crossed!!
