Friday 13th and Witches

Friday the 13th is a day many believe to be unlucky. This date, heaped in superstition for what reason? People choose not to drive or travel, tell each other to be careful, don’t take risks. It’s more like a meme.

Over the years I’ve heard many stories as to why but it all seems to be speculation. Some believe (Christians I guess) it is due to the number of people present on Maundy Thursday, the night before Jesus was crucified. Others relate it to a myth of the knights templar being arrested on this day.

As a witchling I was told a story by my unofficial teacher. In the early days of Christianity, Paganism and Pagan traditions were smooshed together with Christian traditions so we would could all get along. This is why Christians still take part in Pagan traditions and festivals fall on the same days. Until one Friday the 13th: St emporer somebody of somewhere (yes its vague, I don’t remember specifics but it’s also a story, if you can give me more information I will endeavour to remember but still, likely forget) had letters sent out to army generals which said ‘do not open until Friday the 13th’ and when that day came around the pagan high priestess were slaughtered. Allowing Christianity to become the prominent faith.

This may be fiction, or legend who knows, it’s as good a reason as any.

The Number 13

The number 13 is believed to be unlucky on its own. So much so that hotels don’t have a 13th room and some streets skip 13 and replace it with 12 a and 12 b. I know a shepherd, I’ve written about him before and his mother’s tree (you can read it here). I was admiring his lambs one year and noticed one ewe and her lamb, rather than having numbers like the others, had an X, I asked FJ why and he said “it’s instead of 13, I’m not superstitious but she might be, would be rude seeing as I can’t ask her” meaning the ewe. I loved that.

To witches, and many others, 13 is a lucky number, 13 lunar cycles in the calender year, and 13 menstrual cycles too, Covens should aspire to have 13 members. Perhaps this is why it is unlucky to others because they are superstitious of witches. As Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching put it:

I’m not superstitious. I’m a witch. Witches aren’t superstitious. We are what people are superstitious of.

To me, Friday the 13th is a powerful day Fridays are Freya’s day and 13 is the witches number. In my younger days I used to throw parties. Now I use it as a time to enhance my focus and power, set intentions and increase my desired outcomes.

This day, being Friday the 13th before Ostara, is a good day to practice your divinations and reflections, focusing on what you’d like to achieve in the coming year; what lessons did you learn in the dark part of the year? Refocus your plans. We are about to be reborn with spring and new motivational energy. Divine what it is you need in the coming season, set your intention and ask for it (you can read more about intention in this post)

With the moon in her early waning phase its all a good time for clearing energy. Spring clean your space and prepare for the new energy of spring to enter your life. Shake off the last cobwebs of the winter and with it anything no longer serving you. I like to do a magical floor wash and smudge the house.

Have a powerful day!

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Peace out witches!

Love Kate xxx