Got paraskevidekatriaphobia?

Do you suffer from Paraskevidekatriaphobia?  That is a fear of Friday the 13th (the date, not the movie!)  I do not, but it interests me how people can think that simply because it is a Friday and because it happens to be the thirteenth day of the month, that all of a sudden they are at greater risk for some misfortune than they were on, say, Thursday the 12th!

There are a lot of things that people say can increase your chance of good luck.  Here are 13 – yes, 13 – things to keep in mind.  The following is from the Farmer’s Almanac.

• Knock on wood.  Do you know why we do that?  It was once believed that good spirits lived in trees and that by knocking on anything made from wood, we can call upon these spirits for protection against misfortune.
• Ancient druids thought that four leaf clovers gave them special powers to see evil spirits, which would then give them the opportunity to avoid them.
• Put your clothes on inside out.  We see this when children put their PJs on inside out in hopes for a snow day or when baseball players turn their caps inside out hoping for a rally.  No one seems to know how this one originated, but its fun!
• Carry an acorn in your pocket.  Acorns, the fruit of the sturdy oak tree, are an ancient symbol of fertility and long life. 

And, here are a few more ways to perhaps get some good luck today, courtesy of Associated Content:

• Take that acorn out of your pocket and put it on your windowsill to avoid getting struck by lightening.
• Find a rainbow and follow it to the end for your lucky pot of gold.
• Dream catchers, from Native American culture, trap the negative images from your dreams.
• See a penny pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck. Leave it there and you’ll despair. Some even take the idea of luck to the other side of the coin, and believe that if the coin is face down that it’s best to leave it on the ground.
• A wishbone is a symbol of good luck. It is also a wish maker. Two people tug on the wishbone, each making a wish. After the wishbone breaks, the person with the bigger piece will have their wish granted.
• A stray eyelash is seen as a wish maker, much like the wishbone. If a stray eyelash falls upon your cheek, place it on your finger and make a wish. Then blow the eyelash away.
• If a ladybug lands on you, good luck is coming your way.  Don’t kill it though; that’s bad luck.
• Are you a feng-shui decorator?  Then you know then that tortoises are symbols of good luck.
• Carrying a rabbit’s foot is said to bring good luck; not for the rabbit, of course.

I’m not sure if I believe in good luck charms any more than I believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky.  I think you make your own luck by always seeking positive possibilities. 

How do you feel about it?  Do you have any special thing you do for good luck?

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Tags: Attitude, Culture, Holidays, Life

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