In the middle ages, the magpie was thought to be an ‘unbaptised’ hybrid between raven and dove – its plumage not fully white (pure) nor black (evil).
Church sermons at the time described magpies as birds that “mock holy speech” – chattering during prayers and aligned with the devil. Magpies also refused Noah’s Ark, sitting on the roof instead, jabbering over the drowned world.
This may have shaped the belief that the magpie was bringer of mischief, change, or death.
In the North East, magpies became symbolic because they were one of the few birds that stayed visible through the dark, winter months – so it naturally became an omen for hard times.
The rhyme “One for sorrow…” originated from northern oral tradition in the 17th–18th centuries, as people used counting charms to “read” birds as signs of what was to come.
But did you know the version you say today is new? Here are some earlier versions…
The magpie-counting rhyme functions as ‘folk augury’ – accessible divination for ordinary people. Seeing several magpies became a way to “read” the day’s fate, as others used tea leaves or dreams.
The rhyme was passed through family memory, local rhymes, and children’s games – surviving because it was easy to remember and repeat aloud as a protective charm.
Because the single magpie was seen as a messenger of bad luck, counter-charms emerged to protect against evil.
Here’s what to do if you see one…
Show respect: salute and say “Good morning, Mr Magpie. How’s your wife?”
Don’t curse: this will draw its vengeance or bring misfortune to your house.
Find another magpie and turn sorrow to joy.
These small acts are ritualised divination balancing – an ordinary person’s way of resetting fate.