The article considers superstitions through theoretical and applied aspects. The theoretical part is devoted to the development of research tools which makes it possible to analyze the stages of transfer of the superstitious knowledge and practices across generations. The theoretical synthesis of the E. Tylor`s anthropological conception of relics and the P. Berger and T. Luckmann’s sociological conception of construction of social reality, used as a basis, allows to describe current situation when superstitions play an important role in people`s life in Russian North despite the progress in sciences and technologies. The practical part based on the empirical research highlights psychological and social elements of superstitions. Methodological tools include mass questionnaire survey of a representative sample and expert interviews with lecturers of Northern (Arctic) federal university, museum workers and churchmen. The findings show that superstitions still play an important role in everyday practices of Russian North (Arkhangelsk region) citizens. The identified gender and age imbalance indicate that superstitions-oriented consciousness is inherent to orthodox elderly women more often than other categories.