Superstition Bowl?

Click here (NYDailyNews) to read about how the Baltimore Ravens are refusing to tempt the Fates ahead of their Super Bowl appearance (n.b. the use of 'tantalizing' in the article). 

What notions of cause-and-effect do you think might motivate such attitudes and behaviors? Is superstition involved? contact magic? something else?? 

Mesopotamia's Deities and Demons

Click here (BritishMuseum) for an elementary introduction to the cast of characters...

Which ones catch your eye (or turn your stomach)?

Egypt's Gods and Goddesses

Click here (BritishMuseum) for a simple but informative overview of the Egyptian pantheon...

Do you have any favorites? 

Rituals... But What Kinds?

Click here (National Geographic) to read about the recently discovered, oldest-known ritual site in the world...

Your reactions and observations? How might such discoveries pertain to questions about the relationship(s) between ancient religion and magic? 

The Happy Hamsa

Click here (Wikipedia) for a quick overview of a still-favored amulet that is common to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam...

What are your thoughts/reactions about the presence and popularity of such objects within monotheistic religions?