Feel lucky? Learn why

Ever wonder why black cats foretell misfortune, while spiders are to be spared? Or why spilling milk spells trouble, but dropping a fork does not? Even if you’re about as lucky as a peacock in a theater (which is to say, not very), Deborah Aaronson and Kevin Kwan’s “Luck: The Essential Guide” will reveal the fortuitous trinkets, tricks and traditions that can convert your kismet.

From the conventional (donning a horseshoe charm) to the unusual (many Japanese prefer a “golden poo” bauble), “Luck” is a comprehensive compendium of all things lucky. In addition to feng shui tips, dining etiquette and recipes, “Luck” includes a catalog of fortune-filled destinations — like the Wat Po Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok and the Trevi Fountain in Rome — that are bound to bring luck to all who visit.

Most handy are the tips for creating your own luck and remedying the bad. Whether you’re choosing the best location for a tattoo or deciding when to try a new hairstyle (make that appointment on a Monday, and never on a Sunday!), this compelling chronicle distills age-old traditions into modern advice that’s applicable everywhere from the market to the casino.

Deciding between garlic and parsley? Stick with the former, as propitious people from the ancient Romans and Egyptians to contemporary Spaniards extol garlic for its curative properties, while the latter signifies death and nearly guarantees ill fortune. Hitting the blackjack table? Wear auspicious red underwear, or try rubbing the dice on a red-headed bystander (if you’re shy you can just carry dice in your pocket for similar results).

Gorgeously designed, you can knock on the “wooden” cover of this book, or pass it along to a less-fortunate friend. And maybe next time you’ll think twice before swatting away that lucky little spider!