Decoding Friday The 13th

‘Friday the 13^th’ is a feared phenomenon. The fear of ‘Friday the 13^th’ is called “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” a word derived from the Greek words Paraskeví (Friday) and dekatreís (thirteen), attached to phobia (fear). Some people are so paralyzed by paraskevidekatriaphobia that they avoid normal activities, and some even refuse to come out of their homes.

The origin of the link between bad luck and ‘Friday the 13^th’ is vague. ‘Friday the 13^th’ is thought to be a day of unlucky events, although the origins of such ideas are unclear. Consequently, several theories have been proposed about its origin. One theory states that it is a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions: that Thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day. Combining two unlucky elements into one day would make it all the more fearsome, and so it has become. The number twelve is considered as the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles of Jesus, twelve gods of Olympus, etc., whereas the number thirteen is considered irregular, transgressing this completeness. In the Bible, the number (13) has a specific meaning. It is generally associated with the fate of Jesus as the 13^th guest among his 12 apostles in the Biblical account of the Last Supper. The Bible tells us that one of the dinner guests -  apostles, went on to betray Jesus Christ, setting the stage for the crucifixion of Jesus on the next day - a Friday! It was, for many years, designated the day for capital punishment and informally referred to as "hangman's day." At some places it is also believed that it was Friday the 13^th when Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit. Other theories regarding the origin of ‘Friday the 13^th’ include a Norse myth involving Frigga, the free-spirited goddess of love and fertility, whose name means “Friday.” When Christianity came to her country, Frigga was denounced as a witch and banished to the mountains where, it was believed, she convened a meeting with eleven other witches, plus the devil on Fridays to plot revenge and ill turns of fate for the coming week. For many centuries in Scandinavia, Friday was known as “Witches' Sabbath.”

In modern times, these superstitions permeate society. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13^th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13^th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also paraskevidekatriaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13. The Turks so disliked the number 13 that it was practically expunged from their vocabulary. Many cities till today do not have a 13^th Street or a 13^th Avenue. Many airlines don’t have seat number 13. Many buildings don't have a 13^th  floor. Hotels do not have room number 13. Even the opera houses in Italy avoid this number.  These facts clearly indicate that the myth of Friday the 13^th is worldwide.

In Numerology every number has a particular meaning; these meanings have been adopted from the Egyptian pyramids. On the pyramids some pictures are engraved and they denote some numbers. On the pyramids in Egypt, there is a picture number (13), named ‘La Muerte’ which symbolises ‘Death’. In the picture there is a skeleton with scythe (death) reaping down men, and a crowned head of a man fallen at the point of the scythe. At its back, is a female head with flowing hair parted in the centre. This is a symbol of the conception of realisation. In the late Middle Ages, people interpreted this to mean physical death, not realizing that, symbolically it meant death to an old way of life and way of thinking – a change for the better. In tarology, this card designates a metamorphosis. It brings with it the beginning of a new era and marks the start of a transition. In most symbolism, it actually represents transformation, purification and rebirth.  The death of the old and bringing in the new. The ancients described (13) as a “symbol of power, which if wrongly used, wreaks destruction upon itself.” It was said that, “He who understands the number (13) will be given power and dominion”.

In essence, number (13) is a strong vibration representing organization and accomplishment in a creative and unique way. It describes a pattern of new beginnings (1) + creative expression (3) = building and structure (4).  It is actually a theme of solid, grounding movement. The (13) is composed of the numbers (1) and (3). The (1) represents the Sun, the giver of life, light and energy. The (3) represents the Jupiter, the expansive, good luck planet. Both the (1) and (3) are naturally dominant and powerful. However when you add the (1) and the (3), the sum is (4), which is ruled by the Uranus, the planet of surprises and unusuals. There may be destruction with (13), but the destruction of the old is necessary for birth of the new. And there is great promise when one gives in to the Will of God, to let oneself destruct so that they can be reborn. The Aztecs considered thirteen to be a very sacred number. It was the number of time and stood for completion. An Aztec week lasted for thirteen days. According to their philosophy the number (1) represents building and creating, relating to many aspects of Mother Nature. Mother Nature is always recreating and reconstructing her creations. The number (1) represents manifesting, strength and being a leader. The number (3) represents creating within the physical reality, so bring what is in your consciousness or higher self to life. It relates to giving birth to your creations and allowing yourself to connect to these higher realms, where the information resides;  The Universe, Earth and Spirit…The Body, Mind and Soul….The Holy Trinity...!

Hence, Number (13) is a karmic number and is the number of upheaval so that old grounds can be broken and new grounds can be made. This number has great power. If this power is used for selfish purposes, it will bring destruction of the self, and in turn, this will bring dis-ease and illnesses. However, adapting to change gracefully will bring out the strength of the (13) vibration, and decrease any potential for the negative. It is a transformational number, the one of strength and courage. Friday is ruled by Venus. Venus is symbolic of softness, feminine nature, pleasures of the senses, passions, silver objects and ornaments, pearls, watery places, vitality etc. Venus reminds you to trust in your beauty - the trust that inspires you to move forward to help you embody your divine gifts with ease. On ‘Friday The 13^th’ Venus joins (13) and the Moon to blend beauty, love and powerful shifts.  

So let go of the old superstitions and misunderstandings about the energy of Number Thirteen. Instead of focusing on your fears and superstitions, this is a day that bodes well for setting your mind on a project you want to make progress on. The effect of your individual cycles far outweighs any peripheral influences. It is what you chose to put out in the universe that will come to you on this day. Trust the Universe always – the Universe is divinely designed to bring you what you need to grow and thrive at any given moment. Look at ‘Friday the 13^th’ as a day of strength creation rather than a day of bad omen!