Wish Upon a Star

Star light, star bright,
The first star I see tonight;
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

It’s thought that the superstitions of wishing upon shooting or falling stars originate in the ancient world. Either be inspired by a comet’s tail or a shooting star, this pretty rhinestone brooch, however, is not quite that old: I believe it is 1940s.

I remember once travelling between Melbourne and Sydney by train, and seeing six or seven shooting stars one after the other – perhaps rather it was a meteor shower. I was absolutely entranced. I don’t recall whether I was particularly lucky subsequently – perhaps I wasn’t quick enough with my wishing!