SPRING SUPERSTITIONS… BIRTHDAY CANDLES

A CAKE WITH CANDLES IS OBLIGATORY AT ANY BIRTHDAY BASH, BUT WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THIS CELEBRATORY CUSTOM? FOOD HISTORIANS SUGGEST IT COMES FROM THE ANCIENT GREEK FESTIVAL MOUNUKHIA – A SPRINGTIME RITE DEDICATED TO ARTEMIS, GODDESS OF THE MOON. FESTIVITIES INVOLVED REVELLERS CARRYING CIRCULAR CAKES WITH DADIA (SMALL TORCHES) STUCK IN THEM AS THANKSGIVING FOR LUNAR LIGHT. DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND OTHER BELIEFS – SUCH AS SALUTING MAGPIES AND THROWING SALT OVER SHOULDERS – IN SALLY COULTHARD’S BOOK Superstition: The History of Common Folk Beliefs

(QUADRILLE, £12.99).