I want to dedicate this page to say a big thank you to Moyses Hall museum, in my hometown of Bury St Edmunds, who commissioned me earlier in the year to create a piece of taxidermy for their new exhibit-Superstition: Strange Wonders & Curiosities
A bird so steeped in folklore within the British Isles – it had to be none other than the Magpie (Pica pica).
Now, as a superstitious person myself, I was a bit nervous to complete just one singular magpie by itself, because of their association with bad luck. But given I have a tattoo of a pair of magpies, I thought it would cancel out any misfortune that would come my way…
Upon completion of the Magpie, Ashlee Purdy – Heritage Officer for Moyses Hall, who I was corresponding with throughout the project, fell poorly upon completion of the magpie. Thankfully she is now fully recovered, but we did joke about if the cause could be associated with the magpie and from that point, she took precautions by adding a mirror to the exhibit to give the illusion of ‘two’ – hopefully cancelling out any more bad luck!
One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told.
Origin of the magpie rhyme
The exact origins of the magpie rhyme are unclear, but it almost certainly stems from ornithomancy, the ancient practice of interpreting omens from bird behaviour. Many sources claim that the earliest recorded version of the rhyme appeared in 1777 in a note within John Brand’s Observations on Popular Antiquities of Great Brtain. The Origin of our Vulgar and Provincial Customs, Ceremonies, and Superstitions.
– Birdspot
If you’re in the area, I highly recommend visiting the exhibit – there’s so many fascinating artefacts that have never been displayed to the public before, including real witches wands, mummified cats and so much more…if you dare.
Superstition: Strange Wonders & Curiosities
Running until Sunday 6 April 2025
Times: 10:00am/12:00pm
Prices: Adult £5, Child/Student £3, Senior Citizen £4.50, Under 5s FREE
Venue: Moyses Hall