Relax, It's Friday the 13th...

You don't see a Friday the 13th like this every day. I feel it deserves a little homage.

Today is significant; in fact this entire weekend is interesting. Many consider today to be an unlucky day. It is a day when superstitions run high and strange things can happen. In many countries it is known as Black Friday. You may know it as the infamous Friday the 13th. What makes this particular day interesting is the fact that today is the "ill-fated" day of doom while tomorrow is the highly anticipated day of love. Such is the crazy world of superstition and boxes of chocolates.

Taking a quick stroll down history lane, 13 is interestingly connected with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ because Friday was the day the crucifixion took place, and 13 people were present at the Last Supper. In Dan Brown's 2003 bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code and the reference to The Knights Templar reveals the correlation between the Knights and Friday the 13th. Friday the 13th in October of 1307, happens to mark the day that members of the Knights Templar were arrested and burned alive across France. Such a dark occurrence would no doubt lead people to feel that day as a cursed one from then on.

It's also interesting we should find  Friday the 13th darkly portrayed in medieval literature as well. Just take a look at all the mayhem and misfortune we see in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, constantly emphasizing that Friday is indeed an unlucky day!

We may see what 13 is viewed as but what about what 13 is not? 13 is not 12. In numerology, the number 12 represents completeness. 13 is seen as irregular, effectively contradicting the "perfect harmony of completeness" that 12 represents. If you doubt the power of 12 just look at how it represents completeness below: 

• The 12 months of the year
• The 12 hours of the clock
• The 12 signs of the Zodiac
• The 12 deities of Olympus
• The 12 tribes of Israel
• The 12 Apostles of Jesus,
• The 12 Successors of Muhammad in Shia Islam
• The 12 years of the Chinese Buddhist cycle
• The 12 days of Christmas!

...and the list goes on.

While you may not be stricken with the phobia phenomenon of the number 13, known as Triskadekaphobia (yes this is true), you may not be partaking in the lovey-dovey Heart Day specials being flung about like confetti at New Years, either. Whether you're a lovebird or a lone wolf, this weekend is sure to be an eventful one.

Happy Friday the 13th

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Day of our Lord

Happy Presidents Day

Carolyn