Research says that 95% of people in the United States has some form of superstition.  I used to work with a woman that would take those off as personal days because she was so scared.

The number 13 and Friday repeatedly are spoken of in mythology and some religions.

Christians note that 13 people attended the Last Supper, with Jesus before Judas (one of his disciples) betrayed him.  Jesus death was also on a Friday.

Even though he was not a religion or mythical, rapper Tupac Shakur died on Friday, Sept. 13, 1996, after being shot days before.

Powering this fear are the Friday the 13th movie series.  All about some very unlucky events.

Some hotels and high rise buildings skip having a 13th floor entirely.

How was your Friday the 13th?

Rossini was surrounded to the last by admiring and affectionate friends; Why Friday the 13th Is Unlucky

Consequently, several theories have been proposed about the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition.

One theory states that it is a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day.

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve hours of the clock, twelve gods of Olympus, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, the 12 Descendants of Muhammad Imams, 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, 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. 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.One author, noting that references are all but nonexistent before 1907 but frequently seen thereafter, has argued that its popularity derives from the publication that year of Thomas W. Lawson’s popular novel Friday, the Thirteenth, in which an unscrupulous broker takes advantage of the superstition to create a Wall Street panic on a Friday the 13th. Records of the superstition are rarely found before the 20th century, when it became extremely common.
The connection between the Friday the 13th superstition and the Knights Templar was popularized in the 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code. However, experts agree that this is a relatively recent correlation, and most likely a modern-day invention. Although according to many Freemasons, this date corresponds with the slaughtering of the Knights Templar by the Church.

 According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. “It’s been estimated that [US]$800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day”. Despite this, representatives for both Delta and Continental Airlines say that their airlines do not suffer from any noticeable drop in travel on those Fridays.

Rate of accidentsThere are conflicting studies about the risk of accidents on Friday the 13th. The Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) on June 12, 2008, stated that “fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays, because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home. Statistically speaking, driving is slightly safer on Friday the 13th, at least in the Netherlands; in the last two years, Dutch insurers received reports of an average 7,800 traffic accidents each Friday; but the average figure when the 13th fell on a Friday was just 7,500.” However, a 1993 study in the British Medical Journal that compared the ratio of traffic accidents between Friday the 6th and Friday the 13th stated that there is a significant increase in traffic-related accidents on Friday the 13th.] There are indications that there are more accidents on Fridays than average weekdays (irrespective of the date) probably because of alcohol consumption. Therefore it is less relevant for this purpose to compare Friday the 13th with any other 13th day of another month.

 So this may be a truly unlucky day I leave it to you and your beliefs .

Image via Wikipedia

Myths about January

1) The name Janus and month January
The name January itself has a mythological story. Since it is the first month of the year it is said that January is the turning point of time, looking back and forward. It will have the memories and sighs of the passing year whereas it will have hopes and anxious expectations about the forthcoming year. Janus was the Roman god of Time who had two faces, one face was old, wrinkled, bearded and was looking back and the other face was clean shaved, looking forward with a fresh and energetic face.

2)  January effect
People always have a tagged notion on their first events. Superstition about “being first” at the change of time is commonly found all over the world. They believe that the new beginnings will bring luck and good results. This “January Effect” has affected even financial matters and people are eagerly waiting for the “January effect”. For example, 2011 was not so good economically and people hope that 2012 will bring better results.

3) The first footing tradition
There is a mythological belief that the first seconds, minutes and hour are very important in the following year. Hence they wait to kiss their loved ones on the stroke of midnight to ensure they remain closer to them through the coming year. So also they have superstitions on many “first footing” traditions. Many still uphold the belief that the first person appearing through the door after the stroke of midnight will set the tone for the following year.

4) Myths on first symbols
It is believed that if the first person that one meets at the turn of the year is a dark haired male stranger, bearing symbolic gifts of coal, it means the year will be warm, or if he brings salt or money the new year will bring prosperity. If the first thing got on the first day is bread, it means abundance of food and if it is something green it means long life and good luck.

Myths about other days in January

1) January 1st is called National Hangover Day and has a lot of myths on hangovers.

2) The Saxons considered January 2nd as the most unlucky day of year to be born and they believed those born on this day were said to be destined to suffer an unpleasant death, whether violent or unusual.

3) January 5th is called Twelfth Night, as it is the end of the Christmas celebrations. That is why people still believe it will bring bad luck to leave the Christmas decorations and tree up after this date.

Image via Wikipedia

You don’t need to don your kilt or dance the highland jig to party like the Scots, but there are a few traditions that you can partake in to ring in the New Year in style.

Before Midnight on December 31st,

·         Make sure you have eaten a hearty steak pie, or stew for dinner.  A quick internet search will provide ample tasty recipe ideas. This will help to soak up the alcohol excess which is mandatory for any Scots celebration.

·         Shortbread and black bun (rich fruit cake) are also traditional fare for this festival.

·         Be prepared for an all-night celebration.  Scottish revelers take to the streets of the major Cities, and Edinburgh holds one of the largest and most spectacular street parties in the world. 

·         Wear weather appropriate attire, no kilt necessary. 

After Midnight,

·         Share the moment with your loved ones, but also strangers too.  Learn the words to the Scottish Bard’s rendition of Auld Lang Syne.  The Scot’s just adore Robert Burns, and this is one way of honoring him.  The song encourages everyone to let go of the problems of the year gone by, and look forward to the new year.

·         Wish as many people as you see, a very happy New Year, even the strangers who have not yet made your acquaintance.

·         It’s customary to have a wee dram of whiskey at the stroke of midnight, but not sure how feasible this is if you are celebrating on the streets.

·         Fireworks at the stroke of midnight are a tradition that originated with the pagan celebrations of using fire to ward off evil spirits.

Since celebrating the New Year is related to the hope of better times ahead, the Scots – a historically superstitious population, have a few rituals to prevent bad luck in the coming year.  For those who do not participate in the street celebrations in Scotland’s cities, it is customary to visit with friends and neighbors.  But you must NEVER visit without presenting your host with a gift, a bottle of whiskey, shortbread or a black bun is the norm but symbolic items including salt and coal.

·         It is traditional to clean house on Hogmanay, to cleanse the home of last years’ dirt.  It is also expected that everyone will pay off all their debts before the New Year arrives.

·         Visitors will be sent away if they arrive before midnight to prevent bad luck.  First-footers are made welcome after midnight.

·         Traditionally, the man of the house will open the back door of the house to let out the old year, and then open the front door to welcome the new into their home.

·         Your first-footer will ideally be dark-haired and this is probably where the fantasy of a “tall, dark handsome stranger” originated.  Lighter haired first-footers were deemed as unlucky because they resembled the Vikings, which usually meant trouble for the Scots.

One final note, Hogmanay celebrations must be LOUD. Whether you use traditional Scottish music, your favorite contemporary band, or play your own instruments, the noisier the party the farther away you will scare away evil spirits. 

Feel free to share your Hogmanay Stories in the Comments section below.

Happy Hogmanay, A guid New Year to ane an’ a’!

 Lyrics to Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne: http://www.robertburns.org/works/236.shtml

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These are tools psychics use having a more significant impact than realized. It is a science none the less a foundation of psychology. Humans are more capable of self-deception, “what science doesn’t prove satisfactory, then religion and finally superstitions”. Psychics depend upon astrological and natal charts to determine your persona Science proven children born in early winter live longer why? Optimal fetal development incurs when abundant nutritional summer and fall produce during gestation is available. Then birth timing pending region, religion and social actions influence psychological development. An early December infant may experience more nurturing characteristics via gatherings Christmas, activity stimulus and season bundling in winter. Hence Sagittarians are proclaimed confident, travelers and charismatic. Imaging large family nurturing inspired confidence; wrapped warmly to fraught chill encouraged desire in unbound travel and the social religions celebration instilled celebratory charisma.

Tarot cards represent aspects of life conflicts positive attributes or negative influence. These focal points allow open discussion into mental and emotional feelings how certain life experiences or situations clarify your world reasoning. This is where a psychic determines defeatist attitudes what psychologists call mental blocking issues you deny a more positive direction. Once all factors are known enter persuasive arts tailored to your persona. Whether a determined individual need simple encouragement or  pesimists needs motivational force that must be applied preventing inactions to an outcome.

Many believe predictive art plain BS it really is distraction, information gathering and persuasion techniques. It exists via card games reading a players mark or parlor trick illusion. It is a high developed skill conveying the right message influences falling in love or inspires trust. Psychics effectively read body language, facial expression and listen to identify tone or pitch. Some utilize personal belongings convey your sentiments and beliefs. The Federal Government invests $70 million yearly an accurate portrayal in two televised programs “The Mentalist” and “Lie to me…” Psychics or gypsies are profilers, security analysts and surveillance operative valued by law enforcement, military and intelligence. Gypsies sent scouts scoping out the next town. The scouts survey new environment, convey inside information, and strategize action. Pick-pocketing garner information as inscriptions on passed down heirlooms for speaking to deceased relatives. Conversation skills gather local gossip and stage hazard and rescue methods target social groups or access inclusion. Gypsy tactics include the mule trader modern day used lemon car sale or internet phishing scams. In fact some marketing tactics has rooted gypsy trading techniques such as closing the deal. 

Gypsies were tradesmen psychics today are modern professionals. Banking professionals hint imperative financial information or market self-business interests. There are conflict resolution experts aiding relationships and crisis counselors hedging depressed situations. Mostly it is life experiences: trauma and life altering conflicts those whom succeeded are enabled advisors or self-help gurus. Others are spiritual or charismatic individuals that have tapped into reflecting positive influence from others. Notice no mention of licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or behaviorists. Served as a psychic advisor, resume: world religions, history, philosophy, literature and international travel. Understanding culture, historic influences and social ideology, provides keen perception into reading people.

The ability is simple: observing environmental patterns, predicting human behavior and identify best persuasion tactics. We know our situation, we know ourselves it’s all about the push either accept present outcomes or dare face options. Various techniques that devise understanding; what defines you, what you define, what influences you, and what you influence. We keep ethereal sciences continuous as physical, emotional, and spiritual beings run adrift seek clarity. A good psychic advisor permits self-conversational guide to your deep rooted concerns, reason for doubt and hear your inner defense. No longer advise many dangerously depressed at the end of their rope. We are; far cheaper, more assessable and less likely intervene as a professional psychologist or psychiatrist. Some needing intervention would never seek licensed help if continued advising to certain individuals then it would be a charlatans practice injuring the seriously distraught. So be forewarned any skill can be used wisely charlatans can careless!

2. Number 8 is lucky while the number 4 means death (Homonyms in Chinese)

3. Sweeping in New Years will sweep away all the good fortune.

4. If a dog howls in the middle of a night for a few hour, someone died.

5. Writing in red ink is unlucky.

6. Men who keep their facial hair untrimmed or shaved are unlucky

7. Clipping nails at night will attract the ghosts

8. Hitting someone with a broom will bring bad luck to the hitter.

9. If a baby cries for no reason, there are ghosts around.

10. Keeping a pet turtle will ruin business and fortune.

History Friday the 13th is supposedly an ominous date, steeped in friday the 13th superstitions and assumed by some to bring bad luck. But if you’re more inclined to turn the tables and make friday the 13th theme your super lucky day, while there’s no forcing luck, a good attitude and a relaxed approach to daily life on Friday the 13th might just bring you some much needed fun and excitement just like you learn Music Improvisation. Here’s Tips On How to Be Lucky on History Of Friday the 13th :

1. To make 13 be your lucky number, you need to see that number a lot. If you play a sport, have 13 be your jersey number. If you think of other ways, go ahead and use it.
2. Pet a black cat. The luck has to go somewhere, right? Better still, give it some cat treats or catnip. Any other color of cat helps too, just close your eyes and scratch, listen for the purr. Don’t do this if the cat hisses or walks away, let the cat decide how much affection it wants. Consider adopting a black cat or kitten from a shelter – they face terrible discrimination from the superstitious. It still counts if it’s got white mittens or tuxedo markings.
3. Luck is usually the result of effort and common sense combined. Sometimes people choose to see things as lucky because they were unexpected; if your entire life is full of the unexpected though, it’s probably time to reassess your gullibility in friday the 13th remake.

The superstition of friday the 13th has spread so much that some cities do not have a 13th street. The Turks were one of the few that despised the number 13, they didn’t even record it as part of their vocabulary! At one time, it was said, that some buildings did not have a 13th floor! 

Unlike these myths, the chinese and pharaoh’s in ancient Egypt considered 13 a lucky number. 

Here are some things that have happened on Friday the 13th (www.hauntedbay.com):

- 1951- In July, there was a massive flood in Kansa that destroyed millions of acres of farm land, killed 24 people, and did over $750 million worth in damage. 

- Tupac Shakur, a famous rapper, was shot and murdered on Friday the 13th in Las Vegas.

- Al Capone, a well known figure, was sent to prison on Friday the 13th.

- 1964- On good Friday, there was one of the largest earthquakes that ever took place in North America. It killed over 130 people.

- 1992- in March there was a huge earthquake in Turkey that killed over 2000 people and left around or maybe more than 50,000 homeless.

- Also known as “the king of swing”, Benny Goodman passed away on Friday the 13th.

- The 38th vice president of the Unites States, Hubert Humphrey died on Friday the 13th. 

Here are some of the many superstitions:

- If 13 people ever sit and have dinner together, at least one will die before the end of that year. My question is that, lets say that 13 people have dinner together on December 31 at 11:55 pm, does that mean that one of the 13 people might die in 5 minutes.

- If you have 13 letters in your name, first and last name combined, you are said to have “Devil’s luck”.

- There is said to be 13 steps leading to a gallows, where people are hanged. 

- Formula 1 racing, encountered several car crash deaths in cars numbered 13 and therefore no car is numbered 13 in Formula 1 racing.

- Many people known as vicious  murders today had thirteen letters in their name: Saddam Hussein, Charles Mason, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and more.

There are many more superstitions and interesting things but most of the myths are too unreal which is why I will not write them. DO YOU THINK FRIDAY THE 13TH is UNLUCKY? Comment below and tell me why.

LIKE and COMMENT, give me feedback, it really helps me out. Tell me in a comment below if you would like me to post more on any relating topic and I would be happy to. 

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Certain flowers like roses and anemones are considered charms that ward off sickness and bad luck. Yellow marigolds are believed to protect people and places from witches and witchcraft. Daffodils are considered lucky. According to Welsh lore the first person who sees a daffodil will have a prosperous year. If the flower of the daffodil that is seen is drooping, though that person will have bad luck that year.

If a white rose blooms in autumn that may indicate an early marriage. Roses were planted near graves to protect the dead from evil. Red roses were planted near graves of lovers and white roses near graves of virgins. One rose superstition is that if rose leaves are tossed into a flame that will bring good luck.

If a young woman has more than one lover she can determine the one to marry by writing the men’s names on rose leaves and then throwing them into the wind. The name on the last leaf to touch the ground is the one she will marry. Falling rose petals may be an omen of death. One superstition like that is that if rose petals fall off roses a person is holding then that person will pass away soon.

Young men may use bachelor button flowers to predict the outcome of relationships according to an ancient tradition. The flowers should be picked early in the morning and kept in the man’s pocket for 24 hours. Then if the flower is still fresh the relationship will be successful but if it is shriveled the relationship will not work.

According to tradition a daisy is used to determine true love by removing the petals one at a time and saying he loves me, he loves me not or she loves me, she loves me not until the final petal determines if the love is true or not. Daisies may also show a vision of someone’s future partner if a daisy root is kept under their pillow. 

Odd numbers of flowers are better than even in bouquets according to superstitions. Send bouquets with odd numbers of flowers because even numbers are traditionally for the dead and may bring bad luck. Don’t send bouquets with only red and white flowers because they may be considered bad luck. Red and white flowers may worsen illness or bring on death when given to those sick in a hospital. White flowers whose flowers are drooping or heavily scented are also considered to portend sickness or death when given to people in hospitals.

An English primrose superstition is that you should only bring primroses into your house in groups of thirteen primroses or you may have bad luck. It is considered unlucky to bring real flowers on to an aircraft. Pansy superstitions caution that picking pansies in good weather may cause a rainstorm. Periwinkles are associated with witchcraft and death according to superstitions.

 Illiteracy is almost always synonymous with superstition, practice of social evils, unemployment and poverty. It also means lack of civic amenities, medical facilities, poor governance and inequality. A country that has a low  literacy rate, with some states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh ranking much lower than the national average even, we cannot respect and fully appreciate the power of democracy and sovereignty that each citizen of India enjoys as part of his/her constitutional right.

 Lack of education is also responsible for the burgeoning population, which in turn, creates pressure on our limited resources. It becomes even more difficult to educate the masses and helps to perpetrate this vicious cycle. Lack of awareness amongst people gives rise to superstitious beliefs and a decadent mindset which have become ingrained in the Indian psyche. Some of these beliefs and practices may be harmless, viz. celebrating religious and cultural festivals with fervour and local colour, but more serious damage is caused by parochial attitudes in illiterate people like preferring a boy over a girl child. This can lead to grave social issues like foeticide, female infanticide and child abuse. It also impairs the gender ratio in our country.

Other social evils such as dowry, child labour, domestic abuse etc is rampant and goes unchallenged and unchecked with people being ignorant of their civil rights. People’s faith and superstitions may be used as tools to brew communal discord by unscrupulous people to further their own selfish ends. Poor and uneducated people are not aware of their fundamental rights which not only exposes them to exploitation but also deprives them of opportunities for growth and development. They are not able to avail of the welfare schemes the government has created for them, for e.g. the NREGA scheme (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) is not utilized to its full potential. The concept of governance is vague and often skewed in illiterate people and that encourages corruption, bribery and nepotism. Medical facilities and maternal health benefits are not used by those who need it most.  This results in the high mortality rate of mother and new born child in India.

More on this same topic in the next issues:
*Unemployment
*Poverty
* How India is Fighting This Menace