END OF YEAR RAMBLINGS 2
The superstition of chromatology (or whatever its adherents prefer to call it), whereby colour preferences indicate personality traits or future events, is as ludicrous as suggesting that any other sort of preference does the same thing. Like lots of people, I like trees and, amongst the many hundreds of species I’ve come into contact with, the cedar of Lebanon is amongst my favourites; I think it’s graceful and ‘powerful’ and that its growth style - the familiar layers of dark green branches - is extraordinarily pleasing to the eye. That, however, doesn’t make me any more graceful, powerful or pleasing to the eye than someone who prefers willows, deadly nightshade or nettles.
So susceptible are we to such demonstrably ridiculous superstitions that I think we could profitably start a new one of our own, based on trees. Arborology. It would work like this....
Winter babies are born at a time when only evergreens manage to flourish. They are therefore sturdy, strong, cool-blooded, dispassionate and even clinical. They would make good doctors or engineers. They are also tinged with good looks and unexpected charm; after all, the fragrant wytch hazel blossoms in midwinter. And so on and so on....
Another visitor to the Big Blue Bus many moons ago numerologised me. It’s not as traumatic as it sounds. The letters of your name are converted into numbers - thus A=1, B=2, C=3 and so on. These are then added together in various ways to determine what sort of person you are and what lies in store for you. Add the consonants together for your ‘outer’ personality - the ‘image’ you wish to create. Add the vowels for the ‘inner’ you. I am, apparently, a typical 7. Reserved, an avid reader, keen on music (especially opera) and team sports. After she left, I couldn’t stop laughing. She’d even told me I had a sister and refused to accept that I haven’t. ‘There must be something your mother hasn’t told you.....’
We stand at the dawn of 2008. Incredible though it is, there are still millions of people who firmly believe that a person’s whole life and personality are determined by the letters of their name or by the stars and planets in the sky.
Or even by the colours they are attracted to and the kind of trees that appeal to them.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
The superstition of chromatology (or whatever its adherents prefer to call it), whereby colour preferences indicate personality traits or future events, is as ludicrous as suggesting that any other sort of preference does the same thing. Like lots of people, I like trees and, amongst the many hundreds of species I’ve come into contact with, the cedar of Lebanon is amongst my favourites; I think it’s graceful and ‘powerful’ and that its growth style - the familiar layers of dark green branches - is extraordinarily pleasing to the eye. That, however, doesn’t make me any more graceful, powerful or pleasing to the eye than someone who prefers willows, deadly nightshade or nettles.
So susceptible are we to such demonstrably ridiculous superstitions that I think we could profitably start a new one of our own, based on trees. Arborology. It would work like this....
Winter babies are born at a time when only evergreens manage to flourish. They are therefore sturdy, strong, cool-blooded, dispassionate and even clinical. They would make good doctors or engineers. They are also tinged with good looks and unexpected charm; after all, the fragrant wytch hazel blossoms in midwinter. And so on and so on....
Another visitor to the Big Blue Bus many moons ago numerologised me. It’s not as traumatic as it sounds. The letters of your name are converted into numbers - thus A=1, B=2, C=3 and so on. These are then added together in various ways to determine what sort of person you are and what lies in store for you. Add the consonants together for your ‘outer’ personality - the ‘image’ you wish to create. Add the vowels for the ‘inner’ you. I am, apparently, a typical 7. Reserved, an avid reader, keen on music (especially opera) and team sports. After she left, I couldn’t stop laughing. She’d even told me I had a sister and refused to accept that I haven’t. ‘There must be something your mother hasn’t told you.....’
We stand at the dawn of 2008. Incredible though it is, there are still millions of people who firmly believe that a person’s whole life and personality are determined by the letters of their name or by the stars and planets in the sky.
Or even by the colours they are attracted to and the kind of trees that appeal to them.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
5 comments:
This tale of being numerologised reminds me of something that happened to me in the 1970's.I was a taxi driver at the time, and a gypsy came into our office selling lucky charms. Some of the other drivers gave her a difficult time, but I felt sorry for her, and then remembered what my mother had said many years earlier, "Never cross a gypsy" and so I bought a lucky charm.As I gave her the pound she grabbed my hand,looked me in the eye and said "Your biggest problem son, is that you are too soft with other people" I replied " I know pet, I've just paid a quid for a lucky charm" Anyway later that week I collected a fare to go to Harwich...How lucky was that?
I hope this story is in keeping with the blog, I am still a newby.
I seem to recall a "colour expert" telling me that purple was the colour of sexual repression. Needless to say it's probably my favourite as well. Really enjoying the blog Ian - I hope it continues to go from strength to strength in the New Year - even if you are chained up in the BBC wine cellar! Jamie
Speaking of superstition - this very morning I went out of my back door in order to go to the garage where I keep the chest freezer, and was horrified to realise that, should I go back into the house, I would be my own FIRST FOOT! I collected the frozen vegetables and then hung about in the back yard hoping for a passer-by to chance along! Unfortunately, there was no-one around, and I was freezing out there, in only a short-sleeved top! I took a deep breath and dragged myself back into the house. I was pretty miserable about it until much later when my son got up and told me that he hadn't come in until 3a.m. At that point I was joyous!
Does anyone know, though, what I was afraid of? I'm sure I'd have bought a lucky charm from the gypsy just like Sid did !! All the very best to you all from Hildie.
Welcome Sid and Wilko to the Honourable Company of Truckshunters. Sid...Yes, of course your tale is 'in keeping' with the blog - and very welcome too. I've always admired the way 'gypsies' (to be un-PC) have conjured up the idea that they're lucky. After all, they've never looked particularly lucky to ME. So I think I should try and start a similar range of superstitions about radio presenters - specially night-time ones. Anyone want to cross my palm with silver? Copper?
Anything?
Wilko...thanks Jamie; as you know, your comments mean a lot to me and I'm genuinely glad you like the blog. Keep in touch.
re:superstitions. i was brought up amid my mams new year rituals,before midnight, which were many, always clean out the ashes from the fire, clean the house from top to bottom,she insisted on having some one standing outside the front door 5 mins before 12 freezing to death,holding a piece of coal, pref. dark haired. blonde wouldnt do, why, ive no idea, she said dark would bring good luck..they were given silver, (not the family silver). prob, half a crown, glass of sherry, piece of xmas cake..these rituals were followed to the letter, ive only been able to give them up in the last few years,
pers. nowadays i think superstitions are the thin end of the wedge, to be avoided at all costs..but i still can,t say no to a gypsy..
hope this is in keeping with the blog ian.. best wishes.. i love purple too..joseph had a coat of many colors.. freedom to please yourself on any given day is good..
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