To some, today is just the end of the week, but to others its Friday the 13th! Some people actually have a real fear of this day. Its called friggatriskaidekaphobia and I know I could never spell it if it came up at a spelling bee. An estimated $800 to $900 million US is lost in business today because people will not fly or go about their business like they would normally do.
There are many theories as to why people consider today an unlucky day. Folklore historians believe that it may have something to so with Norse mythology and the presence of a thirteenth guest at dinner means the death of another (My Great Aunt never sits at a table with 13 people…maybe this is where it comes from). It is also said that when witches gathered in Ancient Roman times they did so in groups of twelve and the thirteenth was the devil. Some say its because in 1307, King Phillip IV of France arrested and tortured the Knights Templar on Friday the 13th. Others believe that it is because Judas was the 13th guest at the Last Supper and betrayed Jesus who was later crucified on a Friday. Whatever the case may be, it sure does seem to give people a case of the heeby jeebies.
I have a history of booking doctor’s appointments on Friday the 13th. I’ve done it four times in four years, and it is totally coincidental. However, I’ve always had a good diagnosis on those appointments, so maybe its not such a bad luck thing after all. Today my doctor went to check my blood pressure to make sure it wasn’t high, and then she looked up at me and said “Have you eaten yet today?”. Seriously? I ran this morning and then devoured a bowl of cereal and milk, a banana and even come homemade chocolate covered raisins midmorning. Oh ya, I’d eaten alright. Turns out that I have low blood pressure again (something I’ve had from time to time). Just means that when my dad calls me a “Dizzy Blonde” today, its really going to be true 🙂
Despite having good doctor’s appointments on Friday the 13th, there are some superstitious things that I try to avoid. Like walking under ladders (thats more of a safety thing though). Throwing salt over my shoulder. And of course, avoiding black cats walking in my path.
Last year while I was in on the island of Mykonos in Greece, this little guy did just that. I turned the corner and this cute little thing ran right in front of me.
It was kind of hard to miss him in all the white washed alleyways. How can something so cute be such bad luck? I don’t know, but I’m not taking any chances to find out 😉
