In Europe it was traditionally thought to be a good idea to carry a badger tooth in the pocket if you wanted to win on any wager.

'Beat the Badger' was a Scottish (UK) game thought to have originated from a ritual for young men and boys to prove their bravery. The boy had to run between two parallel lines of young men who held sticks. As they ran between the lines the young men would wield wooden clubs and the boy had to reach the other end to indicate his fortitude to be as strong as the badger. This game is found in the ancient stories of Gwawl and Rhiannon.

BARNACLE
See Mystical WWW Mystical Birds : Geese.

BAT
There are many associations connected with this nocturnal creature, the majority of which have been fostered during the nineteenth century in eastern and central Europe since the connection of 'Dracula' and vampires, the former believed to have taken the form of a bat when seeking out his prey. The negative aspects of this legend were drawn from country folklore and lead many to associate the animal with death, disaster or the sign of spirits and even the devil at play. Hence if a bat should fly near you it was thought that someone would betray you, or even worse affect your daily life with either a curse or enchantment.

A bat flying around the outside of a house or into a room was thought to indicate that a period of misfortune would befall someone known by the family. Bats on the wing were seen to have different meanings. If many were seen before twilight then fair weather would ensue, and for perhaps obvious reasons, to see one actually hit a building whilst on the wing was a sure sign of rain.

Some beliefs also originate in Africa, Australia and many are universally known. Often thought of as an extremely lucky animal, many would traditionally carry a bat bone to provide protection and encourage prosperity. In fact, although often associated with the darker aspects of what some may call witchcraft, the opportunity to become invisible at will was thought possible by carrying a right eye in the pocket. To kill one would shorten the life of a man according to folklore in Africa and Australia as the life of a bat was seen to parallel that of man, and if you ever found one entangled in your hair, be careful not to hurt the animal but get ready for a change of hairstyle as it was thought to encourage bad luck to head your way if the bat was not released by cutting the hair.

BEAR
Seen usually as an animal of good fortune, it was believed that by placing a child who suffered with whooping cough on the back of a bear a cure was effected for this distressing illness in North America. Another belief was held that any cattle about to calve would lose the young if there was any disturbance in the area, disturbance occurred by bears breeding. The local people believed that bears breed once every seven years and as a result any strange events were attributed to the animal.

The bear was once a native creature of the British Isles, and the name 'Arthur', King of Britain is derived from 'arth' meaning bear. 'Arthur's Wain' is another name often used for the star constellation of the Great Bear or the Plough.

The Gaelic 'art an neart' is a term that describes a hero's qualities as 'a bear in vigour'.

BEE
Known by many country folk as 'The Little Servants of God' or 'The Small Messengers of God' in Paradise and so thought to be extremely unlucky to kill. Bees were thought to have a special knowledge of the future, and in events such as the death of the keeper or if someone in the family was to marry it was thought to be important to inform the bees less they die or fly away. The bride should inform the hive directly. Since ancient times people have related family news to the hive believing that as both names suggest that bees are close to God and perhaps able to communicate their troubles to seek comfort and reassurance.

Bees were extremely important to community life during medieval times and up until the seventeenth century. The honey was regularly used to sweeten a variety of foods and drinks, used most effectively in the fermentation process for alcohol including cider, ale and mead. When sugar was discovered and imported, the importance of bees was somewhat diminished with much of the folklore disappearing too.

Seen as intelligent creatures if a death occurs in the family a relative is advised to approach the hive and utter the following phrase three times to ensure longevity and good health 'Little brownies, little brownies, your master/mistress (name) is dead'. At all times the sound made by the bees will indicate whether they are settled or ready to move on; buzzing indicates their continued presence whereas silence should prepare you for a lack of honey. After the wedding or funeral it was believed to be only proper to leave a piece of the cake by the hive for the bees to feed on, seen almost as a part of the family and sensitive to the events taking place.

Moving the hive is not advised if the bees have not been informed first according to a Cornish (UK) belief; not only might they sting the owner but may die if moved on Good Friday. Speak too harshly to them and, as it was believed that bees responded to the tone of the voice, the bees will leave (hence swearing around bees is not advised if you want them to stay). Contrary to modern expectations a bee sting was once thought to be an effective cure for rheumatism and arthritis.

The flight of bees also indicate mixed omens. For many people the sight of a bee swarm can be terrifying and is usually seen as an ill omen, perhaps because of the thought of bees being unsettled and the stings that may be looking for a target! One rather ancient unusual belief tells that virginity could be tested amidst a swarm of bees, as one could be assured of safety if the honour was intact! If a swarm settled on the property or one was found in a dead tree on the acreage then it was once thought to be an omen of death in the family.

The collection of nectar early in the year is still thought to be a positive sign that there will be an abundance of honey, and of course a great floral display. A hive should never be sold without a second thought, bartering was thought to be the best policy to appease the animals. If given away though the hive will bring good fortune to the new owner as well as a constant supply of honey but monitor how they enter the hive. If they appear to become lethargic it indicates misfortune and when the bees do not exit the hive with regularity then do not worry. It has always thought to indicate that rain is in the way.

Be prepared for a visitor to arrive if you find a bee buzzing around the house, and if one flies over a sleeping child then you are extremely fortunate as the child will have a long and happy life according to traditional European folklore.

BEETLE
The beetle generally seems to be labelled as an animal that is a harbinger of misfortune. This can range from being able to create storms to destroying security and even prelude death. To find one walking over a shoe was believed to indicate death in the family whilst to see a beetle emerging from a shoe left by a door indicated bad luck not only for the owner of the shoe but for the entire household. Yet if tradition is right it was not advisable to kill one for all your fears would come true.

BIRDS
See Mystical WWW : Mystical Birds for details on species.

BLACKBIRD
See Mystical WWW : Mystical Birds Introduction, Blackbird.

BLUEBIRD
See Mystical WWW : Mystical Birds Introduction.