How many magpies?

[My Good Babushka]

If you see one magpie, turn around three times and spit to avert bad luck.

If you see two magpies, it portends a happy time in marriage.

If you see three magpies, it portends a successful journey.

If you see four magpies, you will receive an unexpected bit of good news.

If you see five magpies, you will soon be in great company.

[intaglio]

1. Three variations of the Magpie verse

The modern version from: P. Tate, Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend, and Superstition

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

John Brand's Observations on Popular Antiquities (1780)

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
And four for death

Michael Aislabie Denham's Proverbs and Popular Saying of the Seasons (1846)

One for sorrow,
Two for luck; (or mirth)
Three for a wedding,
Four for death; (or birth)
Five for silver,
Six for gold;
Seven for a secret,
Not to be told;
Eight for heaven,
Nine for [hell]
And ten for the d[evi]l's own sell!

[My Good Babushka]

2. Someone on Tumblr

just told me about these verses. Lovely!

[clarice]

3. If you see 6 magpies...you can make Kolaches. nt