Superstitious Beliefs Of Tamils/Part 06 A -

[[Based on Tamil article "தமிழரின் நம்பிக்கைகள் :பகுதி 06 A "பயணம்" published in theebam.com]]
"Trip or journey"

Itching is sometimes thought of as one of the manifestations of the human body connected with omens and fortune.If your foot has a constant itch, it could be just that your skin is dry. It is gets red or irritated, It is better a doctor take a closer look at it. However If you are a bit superstitious,then an itchy foot could mean you are going to be traveling.That is an itching foot foretold a long journey from which the person would derive pleasure (or walk on strange/foreign ground). If it was the right sole then the person was either going somewhere they would be welcomed ; or would undertake a task and be successful in it or it means that you will be walking on new grounds.

One of the most common causes of itching is dry skin, any moisturizing lotion can help with dry skin. Itching can also be a sign of a condition like athletes foot, it's usually accompanied by a rash.At the commencement of a trip is a good augury to see flowers, a married woman or a pot full of water.

It is the tradition to return home drink a cup of water, rest for a while and resume the trip, if
1]one is crossed by a snake, a cat, a monk, a lonely Brahmin, a barber, a widow or a barren woman or an oil-monger
2]an unpleasant sound is heard
3]there is a slip of the leg or accidental fall
4]the head is hit by the top of the door-frame or by some other obstruction
5]some unknown voice says "don't go" or when you see a family member leaving the house for some purpose, and happen to ask him or her "where are you going?" the individual won't like it because asking such a question is considered a bad omen. 
 6]there is unusual or abnormal rain or drizzle .

Another prohibited period for travel is Rahu Kalam or inauspicious part of the day.Rahukaalam or Raukaala (also spelled as Rahukal or Rahu kalam) or the period of Rahu is a certain amount of time every day that is considered inauspicious for any new venture according to Indian astrology (Vedic).

The planets according to astronomers were the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Rahukaalam and Gulikaalalam are calculated based on these planets. Even though Rahu and Ketu are not physical bodies, they are sensitive points on the intersection of the ecliptic (the apparent path of motion of the Sun) by the Moon's orbit. Rahu is the northern point and Ketu is the southern point. Ancient astronomers felt that the mighty Rahu and Kethu have the strength to eat the sun, thus causing a solar eclipse. Hence it is considered inauspicious to begin any undertaking during this "Rahukaalam". Every day this Rahukaalam lasts for around 90 minutes, but the duration differs according to the length of the time between sunrise to sunset.

Although the time Rahukaalam falls on each day, and its span varies and needs to be calculated as per the sunrise and sunset time. The times below can be used in absence of access to accurate Rahukaalam. These times are accurate only if the daylight lasts for 12 hours, and the sunrise is at 6.00 AM. For longer or shorter days, the times need to be adjusted.

The mnemonic phrase is "7.30am Mother Saw Father Wearing The Turban Suddenly"

Mother = Monday (7.30 AM-9.00)
Saw = Saturday (9.00-10.30)
Father = Friday (10.30-12.00)
Wearing = Wednesday (12.00-13.30)
The = Thursday (13.30-15.00)
Turban = Tuesday (15.00-16.30)
Suddenly = Sunday (16.30-18.00 PM)

Another mnemonic is "Edward Bought Home A Good Ford Car".

The first letter of each word represents days of the week starting from Monday, i.e., E for Monday, B for Tuesday, and so on.

The Rahukaalam for Monday can be found using the following calculation:

The letter for Monday is E.
E is the 5th letter of the English alphabet.
Divide 5 by 2 which is 2 and half.
To this, add 5 (for E) which results in 7 and a half.
Therefore, on Monday, Rahukaalam starts at 7:30 and ends by 
9:00

Anyone going on a long journey and will not come back for a while, will not embark on that journey on a Friday as they may never come back. So are the brides after marriage ceremony do not leave their home on a Friday and the departure is postponed to the next day. Even dead bodies are not removed from the house for cremation on a Friday. The belief is that all the wealth in that house will go with them.

[Kandiah Thillaivinayagalingam]

Part 06 B will follow