Your Dark Passenger

Do you suffer from Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13?  If you do then you’re not alone.  In fact, the superstition involving unlucky 13 and Friday the 13th is the most widespread out there.

Think I’m making that up?  Consider the fact that many US hotels don’t list a 13th floor…

Are some numbers just born bad?  Let’s take a look at all the numerous and varied origins of my good pal, number 13.

• 13 people sat down to the Last Supper, including both Jesus and Judas.  Regardless of which of them was the 13th person at the meal, I think we all know how that turned out.  It is now believed that if 13 people sit down to a meal, one of them will be dead in a year’s time.
• October 13, 1307 is believed to be the date France’s King Philip IV carried out a massive plan to imprison and kill the Knights Templar.  Whether you believe in the superstition or not, I would say that was one very unlucky for them.
• 13 is a number that was revered by goddess-worshiping societies.  There are those who believe the number was purposefully slandered when patriarchal societies took control.

Now let’s take a look at the significance of Friday.

• It is believed Adam and Eve at the evil apple (that is actually theorized to be a pomegranete) on a Friday.
• Remember Noah’s Ark?  Yeah, that flood started on a Friday.
• Solomon’s Temple was destroyed on a Friday.
• Jesus was crucified on Friday.  (And this is somehow a “good” thing?)
• Roman executions took place on Fridays.
• Friday was known as the “Witch’s Sabbath” because of Pagan associations.  (Another smear job by the church, perhaps?)

And the sad thing?  This isn’t even a full list of bad Fridays and unlucky 13’s.
So, will any of you be watching your steps on this Friday the 13th?  I won’t, of course, but as I’ve said before, 13 is my lucky number.  Then again, I don’t believe in luck any more than I do superstitions.  What can I say?  I like to be different.

Jen

“Let your dark passenger come out to play…Be your own nemesis!”

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