Fear of Friday 13th: Can It Go Away?
Business transactions that may be lost on a Friday 13th are estimated to be about a billion US dollars. More than 20 million Americans are likely to not move into a new home, sign legal documents or meet a business partner for the first time on such an ill-fated day. An unusual number of workers is likely to call in sick. Few people wed on this day. Most high rise buildings have no 13th floor.
This irrational fear is anchored in a deep part of our mind. Jack Tresidder writes:
In many traditions 13 was considered unlucky, possibly because early lunar-based calenders needed the intercalation of a 13th "month", thought to be unfavourable; advice not to sow on the 13th of any month goes back at least to Hesoid (8th century BCE); Satan was the "13th figure" at witch's rites. In the Tarot, Death is the 13th card of the major arcana. In Central America, 13 was sacred (13-day weeks in the religious calendar).
But there is a best kept secret that reveals how you can make your fear go away. Jan Frazier, the author of "When Fear Falls Away" found out that she could overcome her fear of cancer.
It's like I want to say, What?! It's been this way all along? You mean, I could have lived my whole life this way, spared myself all that pointless anguish? God, I swear, this is the best kept secret. Everybody can do it. I know this. I could have done it all my life. The ruby slippers thing: all along it is right beside you, accessible as breath.
Comments
I enjoy Friday the 13th and usually I notice that most people don't even realize what day it is until it is almost over. People in the world I am in are so busy, they don't even know what day it is. Maybe it isn't so bad for people who do realize to take it easy. Maybe they need the rest. :)
Posted by: Debby | June 13, 2008 08:52 PM
Hey, it's the 14th now... so assessment time. A cat scratched me when I was at the shelter "socializing it"! Costco was out of the type of sausages the Scouts wanted.
It's been raining (my favorite sparkly rain, but ignore that) and my husband left the truck door open a crack, so that'll be fun on the trip. I guess it took a TON of effort to find those things in a perfect day followed by a night with cerulean skies.
Maybe we should choose our destinies and live our moments!
Posted by: Michele | June 14, 2008 12:49 AM