Friday the 13th - superstitious?
G'morning gals and guys!
Anyone out there superstitious? I am, but I'm not, but I am, but I'm not! Yep, that just about covers it. I tend to ride the fence on it. Some things make me think twice (like the Bermuda Triangle, stealing lava rocks from any of the Hawaiian Volcanoes). Both, gives me the eeebie-jeebies, I'll even toss in the sign of the cross for good measure.
Other things, like FRIDAY the 13th or a black cat crossing my path, Ive always found as a POSITIVE addition to my day. Good thing, I had a black kitty for 15 years, and she crossed my path DAILY..
As far as today goes? I happen to like number 13, it's always been lucky for me. Methinks I'll stop off and buy a lottery ticket (or 2?) while I'm running errands.
What caused "Friday the 13th" to even hit the "bad luck, jinx" list? Guess I could google it online to find out, but it's gonna require more coffee .... so I thought I'd toss the question out there in case someone already knows the history behind it.
So, are YOU superstitious?
Have a GREAT day - Lei
FYI -- In case you've never heard of the Hawaiian superstition regarding their volcanoes, and are curious, here's some info.
Trust me on this, the locals take this VERY SERIOUSLY and if you're ever caught taking any of the lava rocks from the site, it's probably the locals you need to be worried about, not the goddess Pele!
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Hawaiian Vocanoe Superstition -- Many unsuspecting people are understandably tempted to take some beautiful lava rocks home from their Hawaiian vacation as prized keepsakes. But beware: this practice angers 'Pele,' the Hawaiian volcano goddess.
Pele is probably the best known of the legendary Hawaiian demigods. She creates and destroys with fire. Pele has a quick temper, takes offenses seriously, and is very protective of her lava rocks.
Since Pele created the islands with lava and volcanoes, lava rocks are like her flesh or pieces of her being. It's said that misfortune will befall anyone *****moves lava rock away from Hawaii. This caution also applies to black sand, which is pulverized lava rock.
Is the bad luck curse a myth or the truth? I wouldn't bet against it. There used to be a large display at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park of lava rocks sent back to Hawaii by visitors who have had bad luck since taking the rocks home. Letters of apology accompanied the rocks begging Pele for forgiveness. Alas, the display became too big to maintain -- even for the Big Island. However, if you would like to return lava rocks you have taken from any Hawaiian Island you can return the rocks to Pele via mail to: Pele, c/o Headquarters, Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, HI 96785.
Our friend, The Big Kahuna, says that the best practice is to leave everything you find in Hawaii in Hawaii. The saying to "Take only pictures; leave only footprints" applies well in Hawaii. Besides, the islands were formed by lava. So, if everyone who left Hawaii took rocks, soon there would be no Hawaii left to visit. The Big Kahuna says: "Take only gifts you are given (like flower lei's); and leave only with Aloha."
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Sometimes I am sometimes I'm not...dunno depends on my mood...13 not so much a number I worry over...creepy to hear things but whatever...Black Cats...come one now...think about my name...Kitty Kat????? Me likes kitties they just seem to not care for me meaning they break me out a bit...well, um the long haired ones.... dang it all...
Hugs beautiful lady,
Kitty Kat
I ain't a-skeered! I was born on Friday 13th!
Although I have been known to throw a pinch of salt over my right shoulder, then another one over my left shoulder, if I spill salt (I can't ever remember which shoulder it's 'sposed to go over).
Anyway, I had all my bad luck yesterday, so I'm hoping today is a respite.
luv ya,
Carole
Well.. I am a sucka for investigation .. here is what I found @@@ LOL and for me -- the day is just like any other .. it is JUST FRIDAY @!! WHOOOOO HOOOO
Why Friday the 13th Is Unlucky
From David Emery,
Your Guide to Urban Legends and Folklore.
I just finished reading the abstract of a study published in the British Medical Journal in 1993 entitled "Is Friday the 13th Bad for Your Health?" With the aim of mapping "the relation between health, behaviour, and superstition surrounding Friday 13th in the United Kingdom," its authors compared the ratio of traffic volume to the number of automobile accidents on two different days, Friday the 6th and Friday the 13th, over a period of years.
Incredibly, they found that in the region sampled, while consistently fewer people chose to drive their cars on Friday the 13th, the number of hospital admissions due to vehicular accidents was significantly higher than on "normal" Fridays.
Their conclusion:
"Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52 percent. Staying at home is recommended."
Paraskevidekatriaphobics -- people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th -- must be *****ing up their ears just now, buoyed by seeming evidence that their terror may not be so irrational after all. But it's unwise to take solace in a single scientific study -- the only one of its kind, so far as I know -- especially one so peculiar. I suspect these statistics have more to teach us about human psychology than the ill-fatedness of any particular date on the calendar.
The Most Widespread Superstition
The sixth day of the week and the number 13 both have foreboding reputations said to date from ancient times, and their inevitable conjunction from one to three times a year portends more misfortune than some credulous minds can bear. Some sources say it may be the most widespread superstition in the United States. Some people won't go to work on Friday the 13th; some won't eat in restaurants; many wouldn't think of setting a wedding on the date.
Just how many Americans at the turn of the millennium still suffer from this condition? According to Dr. Donald Dossey, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of phobias (and coiner of the term "paraskevidekatriaphobia"), the figure may be as high as 21 million. If he's right, eight percent of Americans are still in the grips of a very old superstition.
Exactly how old is difficult to say, because determining the origins of superstitions is an imprecise science, at best. In fact, it's mostly guesswork.
(deactivated member)
on 1/14/06 1:16 am - Grass Doghouse by da' beach, VA
on 1/14/06 1:16 am - Grass Doghouse by da' beach, VA
I don't believe in the supernatural aspect of the Bermuda Triangle...Been thru there hundreds of times and never even had a hint of anything bad. Madam Pele, on the other hand? Don't **** her off!
Have a great weekend, y'all!
-Paul