thoughts on the news of the day: luck

hmmm…..

            Today is Friday the 13^th; have you had any bad luck today? Traditionally both Friday and the number 13 are considered unlucky, so both of them combined make for a super unlucky day.

            There is a Norse myth about a dinner party held by 12 gods in Vallhalla (heaven).  The mischevious Loki walked into the dinner party to become the 13^th guest.  Now Loki set it up so that Hoder, the god of darkness would shoot the god of joy and gladness, who was named Balder the Beautiful.  Balder died, the earth got dark and everyone mourned that day.  A really bad day occurred on Friday the 13^th in 1306 when King Phillip of France arrested the Knights Templar and began torturing them, which marked the day as evil.  Supposedly in ancient Rome, witches gathered in groups of 12 – the 13^th was thought to be the devil.

            Now, the bad luck associated with Friday the 13^th is just superstition, but nevertheless, 13 continues to be avoided in certain situations.  For example, more than 80% of high rises lack a 13^th floor.  Most airports skip the 13^th gate.  Airplanes don’t have a thirteenth aisle and hospitals and hotels usually don’t have a room #13.

            My daughter bought a home last year that has 13 as its number – in her case, the home has brought her very good luck.  I understand that Taylor Swift considers 13 her lucky number because she was born on December 13 and because she turned 13 on Friday the 13^th. 

            I am not sure where I stand on Friday the 13^th being bad luck, but I do think that we make our own good luck by working hard, seizing opportunities and paying attention. Oh … and praying lots …

            hmmm…..