Happy Friday the 13th!
Belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day is believed to be the most widespread superstition in the US. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, about 17 million people fear Friday the 13th.
This year, there are THREE of them! Each, exactly 13 weeks apart.
Where did all of this fear stem from? It can be hard to tell. There is the basic idea that Friday is considered an unlucky day, and 13 is considered an unlucky number, put the two together, and you have a very unlucky day.
Folklorists think the dread goes back at least a few centuries, and may well trace its roots all the way to Biblical times, when the 13th guest at the Last Supper betrayed Jesus and caused his Crucifixion, which was held on a Friday. Whatever the origin, by the late Middle Ages both Friday and the number 13 were considered bearers of misfortune. That potent combo, more than any specific association with the date, is what has deemed Friday the 13th unlucky.
One study in the UK showed that the actual amount of cars on the road was lower than normal, yet the accident rate was much higher than normal. Their conclusion - "Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52 percent. Staying at home is recommended."
Some folks believe this superstition to be hype and urban legend. Some folks choose to stay home and read a good book. However you choose to spend your Fridays the 13th this year, I wish you luck!
Love
Sister Bridget
