This coming Friday is the only Friday the 13th that the year 2014 will see. We had two in 2013 and will have three in 2015. So, what is the big deal about this one? It also happens to land on a full moon. Blammo! Two superstitions on one day. If you believe that one or both of these events is bad luck and that your day will be ruled by forces beyond the human realm, well, I guess you better not leave the house Friday.
The number 13 is feared in many cultures for varied reasons. In Christian culture, Judas was the undesirable and unwanted 13th guest at The Last Supper. Also in the Norse myth, a dinner of twelve gods was disrupted by Loki, the god of Mischief when he showed up uninvited. Hindus also believe that having 13 people together at any time is unlucky; even if it’s not a dinner party. And of course, we have all heard of the buildings that don’t have a 13th floor. Although, no matter what number you put on it, the 13th floor is the 13th floor. Some people refuse to have surgery on Friday the 13th and there are, indeed, surgeons who refuse to work on Friday the 13th. So, as if Friggatriskaidekaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th) wasn’t stressful enough, we will also be gifted with a full moon this Friday.
The word lunatic comes from the Latin word luna, meaning moon. In addition to this fun fact is the belief held by many that the lunar cycle directly effects human and animal behavior. Is it possible that the lunar cycle can cause lunacy? Perhaps the lunar cycle affects a woman’s menstrual cycle, thus, affecting fertility and birth rates on full moons.
Back to the surgeons, it is reported that some refuse to operate on a full moon due to excessive blood loss by the body on a full moon. Some even go so far as to claim that the body does not clot blood as well on a full moon. So, pair that with excessive blood loss and we have a real problem.
There are also those that believe that people with violent tendencies are even more dangerous on a full moon; allegedly, crime goes up on a full moon. Various sleep studies have been done to determine the possible affect of the lunar cycle on our sleep cycle. It is possible that your sleep cycle can be influenced by the moon even if you haven’t left the house for months and have not seen the moon or know of it’s current position.
This is a lot of potential negative influences for one day. I am one of the loony ones who absolutely believes that the moon influences many things and while the number 13 is my lucky number, I must observe the superstitions of others and wonder if there is something to it. Whether you believe in one or the other, or neither, the air is full of possibilities this coming Friday. Be careful; something wicked this way comes.