Community Corner

Happy Friday the 13th!

Superstition rooted in ancient history

Once again it is Friday the 13th of April, a day supposedly unlucky enough to cause some people to stay home, or otherwise alter their normal plans.

It's even got it's own name: paraskevidekatriaphobia, which is letter soup meaning "fear of Friday the 13th.''

And this year there are three Friday the 13th's, each exactly 13 weeks apart (cue sinister music). They fall on Jan. 13, April 13 and July 13.

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Some experts tie the fear of the number 13 to a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party at Valhalla, their heaven. In walked the uninvited 13th guest, the mischievous Loki, who later arranged for Hoder, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow.

He did. The earth went dark. It was a very bad day.

Others attribute it to Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, who was the 13th guest to the Last Supper. Ancient Romans claimed that witches gathered in groups of 12. The 13th supposedly was the devil.

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If it sounds goofy, maybe it is. But try to find a high-rise building or a hospital with a 13th floor, or an airport with a 13th gate. Chances are you won't.

The phobia about Friday seems to be rooted in biblical references. Jesus was slain on a Friday and Cain is believed to have slain Abel on Friday the 13th and Eve supposedly tempted Adam on a Friday.

Just to be on the safe side today, throw some salt over your shoulder, don't step on any cracks and stay clear of black cats.


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