FRIDAY THE 13TH - JUST ANOTHER DAY... OR IS IT?

Today is Friday the 13th. How many of you will change your daily routine out of fear that something bad will happen today? Maybe take the cage instead of the bike? Take a different route to work? Or carry some comfort seeking charm to help ward off the negative karma? I'm not very superstitious, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the stigma that comes along with this date doesn't cross my mind. The fear of Friday the 13th (friggatriskaidedaphobia) developed during the 19th century with the marriage of two older superstitions... 13 being an unlucky number, and Friday being an unlucky day.

Taken from Wikipedia:

In numerology, the number twelve is considered 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 was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness. There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.

Friday has been considered an unlucky day at least since the 14th century's The Canterbury Tales^[3], and many other professions have regarded Friday as an unlucky day to undertake journeys or begin new projects. Black Friday has been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s.^[6][9] It has also been suggested that Friday has been considered an unlucky day because, according to Christian scripture and tradition, Jesus was crucified on a Friday.^[10]

Now, as if we don't have enough to worry about trying to survive such an unlucky day, back in 1980, a writer named Victor Miller reminded us that this truly is a day to be feared. Yes, Virginia... there is a boogie man... and his name is Jason! (screeeeeam!!) Jason went on a rampage and has been killing teenage campers for... hmmmmm, 12 movies now. The question here is... will there be a 13th?

As I said at the beginning of this post, I'm not really superstitious, but... I will not ride my Glide without two special medals that I have tucked safely in the coin pocket of my jeans. One is a pewter cross that I acquired at an Easter service about 20 years ago, and the other is an old St. Margaret's Medal that was given to me by my Aunt when she discovered that I took up riding motorcycles. I never forget them and for some reason, I feel better knowing these are on my person.

For most of us, this day will pass with no significant disasters or trauma. Healthy babies will be born, loving couples will still have their weddings, and millions of people will arrive at their destinations without incident. Is it because that's just the way it was going to go anyway, or is it because we made a conscious effort to control the day's events.

So how about you? How superstitious are you?

Ride safe... and ride on!!
Lady R