Friday the 13th is a date that has long held a mystique, often associated with superstitions, bad luck, and even fear. But have you ever wondered where these beliefs and fears originate?
While there are lots of theories about how the day garnered is spooky reputation, there are two main reasons this date is feared by many:
1: The Templar Coup
2: Norse and Christian Mythology
The combination of both the spiritual connections and devastating historic events have forever cemented this superstition into our cultural zeitgeist.
The Templar Connection
On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of hundreds of Knights Templar on charges of heresy and blasphemy. The Templars were tortured into confessing to these crimes, and many were burned at the stake.
There is no strong evidence that the entire Templar Order was actually guilty of the crimes they were accused of. Many historians believe that King Philip IV targeted the Templars because he was in debt to them and wanted to seize their wealth and power.
The arrest and persecution of the Knights Templar was a major event in European history, lasting until Pope Clement V dissolved the order in 1312, and placing the remaining Templar Leaders on trial.
This is likely the main historic act that contributed to the superstition about Friday the 13th
The Norse & Christian Connection
Baldr, often described as the Norse god of light, purity, and beauty, was beloved by both gods and mortals. His radiant presence brought joy and harmony to the realms of gods, and he was considered invulnerable due to an oath all beings made to his mother, Frigg, the queen of the Aesir.
Baldr's seemingly invincible nature did not sit well with Loki, the trickster god. Determined to cause chaos and disruption, Loki discovered a vulnerability in Baldr's protection. He learned that the mistletoe, a seemingly harmless plant, was not included in the oath of invincibility.
With this knowledge, Loki crafted a deadly plan. He tricked Baldr's blind brother, Höðr, into unknowingly throwing a mistletoe dart at Baldr during a friendly game of throwing objects at the invulnerable god. Tragically, the dart pierced Baldr's heart, and he fell dead on the spot.
The number 13 comes into play in the tale of Baldr's death when Loki, the instigator of the tragedy, invited 12 other gods to participate in the game. Baldr was the 13th participant. It was this gathering of 13 individuals, with Baldr as the central figure, that led to the fatal event. In some versions, the Aesir had a feast, and Loki was the uninvited 13th guest.
In Christian tradition, Friday is the day on which Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, the day Cain murdered his brother Abel, and also it was the day Jesus was crucified. It is these three somber events which have given Friday it's unlucky reputation.
The first written mention of Friday the 13th as a day of bad luck appears in a 14th-century Italian manuscript called the Cento Novelle Antiche (One Hundred Ancient Tales). The manuscript is an anonymous medieval collection of short stories written between 1280 and 1320. In one of the tales, a group of 13 people sit down to dinner on a Friday, and the one who sits in the 13th seat is murdered.
After that, the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th took on a life of their own, appearing in popular culture as early as the 1500's.
A Good Luck Spell for Friday the 13th
This spell is designed to bring good fortune into your life and dispel any negative energy associated with Friday the 13th.
Materials Needed:
A small candle (preferably green, for luck)
A quiet and comfortable space
A piece of paper and a pen
Steps:
Find a quiet space where you won't be disturbed. Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths to relax.
Light the green candle and place it in front of you. As you do so, visualize positive energy and good luck surrounding you.
On the piece of paper, write down three specific things you wish to attract or achieve in your life. These could be related to love, career, health, or any other aspect of your life where you seek good fortune.
Hold the paper in your hand and, while looking at the candle's flame, recite the following incantation:
"On this day of mystery and fate, I cast aside fear; it's not too late. With this candle's light so bright, Bring me luck from morning to night."
Imagine a warm, green light enveloping you and your desires, filling you with positivity and luck.
After reciting the incantation, burn the piece of paper with the candle's flame, allowing the energy to be released into the universe.
Close your eyes and take a moment to feel the positive energy and luck surrounding you.
Blow out the candle or let it burn down, and with a sense of gratitude, say, "So mote it be."
Friday the 13th may be steeped in superstition but hopefully we've demystified it for you a bit. With the right mindset and a touch of magic, you can turn it into a day of opportunity and good fortune. By understanding its origins and embracing positive practices like the luck spell mentioned above, you can make Friday the 13th a day to look forward to rather than fear. Happy casting, and may luck be on your side!
Blessed Be
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