Halloween is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than with a few creepy superstitions to keep you up at night? The spookiest day of the year is steeped in folklore, which means there are plenty of supernatural stories to uncover.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s nothing like retelling spooky stories for Halloween. They’re not only a fun past time, but they’re also a part of history. To learn more about the spooky home superstitions told throughout history, keep reading – if you dare.

Spooky Spiders

If you wake up in the morning and find a spider hiding out nearby, watch out! Throughout history, spiders were thought to be an omen of death. So according to urban legends, seeing this creepy crawly creature is never a good sign.

Cover Your Mirrors

Many cultures around the world believe that mirrors are portals to the supernatural realm. Because of this, many people believe that if you’re inside a house where a loved one is dying, you should never stare into a mirror for fear that you’ll see a spirit — or even worse — death itself. The only way to avoid seeing an unwanted entity is by covering the mirrors in your home with a piece of fabric.

Knock on Wood

“Knock on wood” is a popular saying that people recite after they make a hopeful statement. This is because back in the day, many people thought that spirits lived in trees. As a result, knocking on a wooden desk or chair became a common practice to ward off back luck.

An Eerie Rocking Chair

If you’re ever home alone, and you notice your rocking chair rocking back and forth without you in it, beware! This could be a sign that you’re not alone after all, but instead, a spirit or otherworldly entity is in the home with you.

Never Leave a Hat on Your Bed

If all you want to do after a long day is take your hat and jacket off and toss them on the bed, think again. Many people believe that placing a hat on the bed causes nightmares and bad luck. According to HowStuffWorks, back in the day, people believed that evil spirits lived in their hair (though static electricity is the more likely culprit). From there, the idea that leaving a hat on your bed was bad news took flight, with many people still avoiding doing so today.

3 Knocks, You’re Out

Hearing a knock at your door is not usually cause for alarm, but according to a popular superstition, it should be. Legend has it that if you ever hear three consecutive knocks at your door, don’t answer it! The knocks are likely coming from a spirit trying to enter your home to usher you into the underworld.

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Wine

Indulging in a glass of wine every so often is a way that many people practice self-care. But if you happen to spill your wine while drinking, you could be doing more harm than good. Many ancient Romans believed that spilling wine summoned evil witches. But according to Italian superstition, dabbing some of that spilled wine behind your ear not only reversed the bad luck but brought about wealth instead.

Pictures Predict Misfortune

Many people like to display pictures of their loved ones on a wall or shelf in their homes. However, if one of those pictures gets knocked over and falls, the person(s) in the photo are said to be in grave danger. This superstition has been around for quite some time, with some people believing that it’s a warning of impending death.