Are you the type of person to clear your calendar on Friday the 13th , in order to avoid any potential disasters, or myths said to have taken place on this infamous date? Do you make sure your day is full, a “Carpe Diem” agenda, ensuring you do not miss the supernatural appeal, or any lucky moments? Or, is it just another day? In many corners of our world, this day is believed to carry negativity, bringing the possibility of bad luck, bad omens, and a history of catastrophic events. For others it is a day to look forward to, a day to believe in, and a day full of coming-up-roses. Do you pack for Vegas, or hide under the covers? Do we really have ground to stand on regarding the myths, the legends, the events that have taken place on previous Friday the 13th, or does every day have the possibility to hold devastating historical events, mythology, and folklore to give us the shivers?

During Pre-Christian times the number 13 was sacred and considered to be a lucky number. Today, in the Masonic world the number 13 is considered perfect, correct, while many in occult groups believe this number holds magic. For numerologists, this number is considered incomplete, irregular, but can be broken down into 1+3 = 4, a number considered to be the most practical number and associated with completion and order. If you have 13 letters in your name as does Charles Manson, you are considered unlucky. 13 is a number that surrounds the events of the Knights of Templar, the arrest and condemning of many, the Last Supper with Jesus being the 13th guest and being crucified on Friday. The number 13 is believed to represent the devil, the “13 stairs to hell”, and in the Tarot, the 13th card is the Death card, representing change of old habits or patterns. There have been major crashes on Friday the 13th, including major losses in the Stock Market, Apollo 13, and many historical storms which fall on this date. The number 13 is often left out: you might not see a “13th gate”, a “13th floor”, “13th aisle”, or in some cities, a “13th Avenue”. It’s just a number, right?

It is believed more car accidents occur on this day, more hospital visits for people who have been hurt, and for many, Friday is considered an unlucky day for many reasons, including the Loki and the Garden of Eden. It must be a mixture of the two, Friday, and the 13th, that have given this date such a bad reputation for so many people. However, according to Dr. Dussey, it is possible that 21 million people suffer from “Paraskevidekatriaphobia”, a fear of Friday the 13th. Many people have strong feelings about the superstitions surrounding this day, while others spend the day enjoying the mystery, welcoming another day full of excitement with reason to celebrate. Friday the 13th is not common on our calendar, maybe that is saying something; but, if you look back over time, we have had countless Friday the 13th, on our calendar and the sun has yet to go out, and earth has not been pulled into an endless black hole. I say it is just another opportunity to seize the day….