Editing Luck (section)

===Essence===
[[Image:Maneki neko with 7 Lucky Gods by OiMax in Asakusa, Tokyo.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Maneki-neko]] with [[Seven lucky gods|Seven Lucky gods]]]]
There is also a series of [[Spiritualism (beliefs)|spiritual]], or [[supernatural]] beliefs regarding fortune. These beliefs vary widely from one to another, but most agree that luck can be influenced through spiritual means by performing certain [[ritual]]s or by avoiding certain circumstances.

Luck can also be a [[belief]] in an organization of fortunate and unfortunate events. Luck is a form of [[superstition]] which is interpreted differently by different individuals. [[Carl Jung]] coined the term [[synchronicity]], which he described as "a meaningful coincidence".

[[Abrahamic religions]] believe [[God]] controls future events; belief in luck or fate is criticised in {{Bibleverse|Isaiah|65:11-12|ESV}}:

{{poemquote|But you who forsake the Lord,
who forget my holy mountain,
who set a table for Fortune
and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny,
I will destine you to the sword,
and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter}}

Belief in the extent of [[Divine Providence]] varies; most acknowledge providence as at least a partial, if not complete influence on luck. [[Christianity]], in its early development, accommodated many traditional practices which at different times, accepted [[omen]]s and practiced forms of ritual [[sacrifice]] in order to divine the will of their supreme being or to influence divine favoritism. The concepts of "[[Divine Grace]]" or "[[Blessing]]" as they are described by believers closely resemble what is referred to as "luck" by others.

[[Mesoamerica]]n religions, such as the [[Aztec]]s, [[Maya civilization|Mayans]] and [[Inca civilization|Incas]], had particularly strong beliefs regarding the relationship between rituals and the gods, which could in a similar sense to Abrahamic religions be called luck or providence. In these cultures, human sacrifice (both of willing volunteers and captured enemies), as well as self-sacrifice by means of [[bloodletting]], could possibly be seen as a way to propitiate the gods and earn favor for the city offering the sacrifice. An alternative interpretation<ref>{{cite book |author=Burland, C. A   |title=The Aztecs: gods and fate in ancient Mexico |publisher=London: [[Orbis Publishing]] |year=1985}}</ref> would be that the sacrificial blood was considered as a necessary element for the gods to maintain the proper working order of the universe, in the same way that oil would be applied to an automobile to keep it working as designed.

Many traditional [[Ethnic groups of Africa|African]] practices, such as [[West African Vodun|voodoo]] and [[hoodoo (folk magic)|hoodoo]], have a strong belief in superstition. Some of these religions include a belief that third parties can influence an individual's luck. [[Shaman]]s and [[witch]]es are both respected and feared, based on their ability to cause good or bad fortune for those in villages near them.