There will be a lunar eclipse on August 28. In the field of astrology lunar eclipses along with the appearance of comets have often been considered omens of notable births, deaths or other significant events throughout history. They are signs that foreshadow the future and may be good or evil.

The life of Princess Diana had significant omens in it. Before several milestones in her life there were lunar or solar eclipses. On July 29, 1981, the day of Princess Diana's wedding there was a solar eclipse as there was the day of the birth of Prince William. There was a lunar eclipse on December 9, 1992 the date of her formal separation from Prince Charles. Another solar eclipse occurred on August 31, 1997, one day before her death.

I don't like to admit to being superstitious but I am. If I spill salt, I'll throw some over my left shoulder to ward off evil spirits. I don't walk under ladders and I carry a lucky buckeye in my purse.

I even have omens of my own. Seeing a cardinal in my backyard or along the road as I drive means something good is going to happen. For several months now, I have been finding dimes everywhere. I find them in my car and around the house and not just in the washer or dryer or couch but lying in obvious places like at the front door or on my nightstand or on the kitchen counter.

At first I thought it was just luck. When I told my family about it, I accused them of playing a joke on me by planting them where I would find them. They denied it and continue to deny it even today. One day I came to work and pulled up the window blinds only to find a dime.

I mentioned it to a few people and one of them told me it was a sign from someone who had died. I googled it on the internet and found many people view finding coins a sign from a loved one who has passed over. They are leaving a symbol of their love. I found story after story about people finding dimes, having dimes drop on them from the ceiling, digging them up in their gardens and finding them in their cars. It started me thinking.

I correlated it to my childhood when on New Year's Day my parents always put dimes in the cabbage for good luck. I hated cabbage and we had to eat whatever we put on our plates so there was no searching around in the bowl to find a dime in a small spoonful. But, my four brothers and I all really wanted to be the one to find the dime and have good luck all year. I don't think I ever got one. Maybe my folks are trying to make up to me for never getting that dime.

And, my mom always told me to carry a dime with me in case I needed to make a phone call in an emergency (yes, back in the old days it only cost a dime and no, we didn't have cell phones. We were lucky not to have rotary phones). Maybe she was reminding me to be careful.

I have no trouble believing the dimes are being left by someone who loved me no matter what I did or didn't do. But, I have to wonder where they get the coins and how they carry them and why dimes? Fifty or one hundred dollar bills would really be more helpful. Don't get me wrong, I'll take the dimes. I probably have a couple of dollars worth now. I figure if it's my parents leaving me a message from beyond, they are probably telling me not only that they love me but they love me enough to keep me from being greedy by leaving the dimes instead of fifties.

I'll keep picking up my dimes, throwing salt over my shoulder and avoiding ladders. Superstitions, no matter how silly they sound mean something. Perhaps it's just if you believe in something strong enough then it can come true. Maybe, it's the power of positive thinking.

Whatever the reason, I do believe in omens. I'm going to watch the lunar eclipse on the 28th. Oh, and I just saw a cardinal fly by so I'm expecting something good to happen today and maybe I'll find a dime or two.