If you’re a superstitious person, and you suffer from Paraskavedekatriaphobia, this day can’t be great for you. After all, Friday the 13th is considered to be the worst possible day - some don’t go to work, don’t even leave their houses and certainly don’t hold any important functions on this day.
Ever considered why this day is considered ‘unlucky’?
Friday, the day itself, is considered unlucky in a number of different cultures as is the number 13. Put the two together and we’ve got trouble!
Some literature suggests the particular day/date took on it’s ominous feel back in Friday, October 13th, 1307 when the King of France, Philip IV, conspired with the Pope to bring down the Order of the Knights of the Temple of Soloman, otherwise known as the Knights Templar.
Each had his reasons to do so - The King had exhausted his treasury in the war against England and needed money to pay his army. The Knights Templar, considered to be the creators of the international system of banking, had many riches stored in their temples in France.
The Pope had heard many tales of the strange and pagan practices taking place within the walls of the temples and was under pressure to dismantle the Order. However, the Knights Templar were much too strong for the church to take on. The perfect opportunity presented itself when the King of France plotted to raid their temples for the riches within. He, also, could not just attack such a powerful order - he needed a way to get the public on his side and so asked the Pope to state the Order was worshipping the devil.
And so on Friday, 13th October 1307, all the temples in France, and some neighbouring countries also, were attacked and all monks of the Order put under arrest. Records say anything from 2,000 to 5,000 were captured and tortured to get ‘confessions’ of their devil-worship pratices. (Any of this sound familiar?)
But, what about the phobia itself - how has this arisen? Considering the long, and rather silly name (in my opinion), assigned to this phobia, it’s obviously a problem. Humans are a highly suggestible species. We are too easily influenced by others when they voice their own superstitions. Most are passed down from parent to child. What a wonderful gift to give a child - the gift of fear! We then use the superstition as a crutch for when things don’t go well.
Good luck, and bad, is manifested by us - we decide if a situation will go well or not, all depending on whether we have our lucky underpants on or it’s Friday the 13th. It’s all in the mind. It’s an incredible power to have because then you can choose to have only ‘good luck’ moments in your life.