Today, July 13 is the last third of three Friday the 13ths of 2012. Two previous unlucky Fridays were in January and April. These dates fall exactly 13 weeks apart and that hasn't happened since 1984! Luckily, 2013 will bring us only two scary Fridays – in September and in December. But 2015 is the year in which three Friday the 13ths will appear. They will fall in February, March and November.

What is the name for the fear of Friday the 13th?

 

   As Wikipedia says, the fear of Friday the 13th has been called friggatriskaidekaphobia (Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom "Friday" is named and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number 13), or paraskevidekatriaphobia a concatenation of the Greek words Paraskevi φοβία, meaning "fear").

What is the origin of superstitions about Friday the 13th?

    We picked up some of the most popular theories about the origin of superstitions associated with this date.

    The most popular version says that Christians fear of Friday because on this day Jesus Christ was crucified. The number 13 is cursed supposedly due to the fact that so much of the apostles were sitting at a table in the Last Supper. And one of these thirteen, Judas, betrayed Jesus Christ.

    Some sources say Friday that "blackened" because on this day Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, thus accomplishing a great fall.

    Another explanation is that the conclaves of witches have always consisted of thirteen states. It is thought that on Fridays and every 13th of all vampires, witches and other evil spirits demonic orgy going on all over the world.

    There is also a historical version. More than 700 years ago on this day ceased to exist the most powerful and wealthy organization in Europe - the Order of the Knights Templar. Militant monks built roads, fought wars, financed the construction of Gothic cathedrals. But in 1307, disappeared from the historical scene as mysteriously as they appeared on it. On that day, April 13, on Friday, almost all of them were captured by the inquisitors, planted behind bars, and then burned at the stake.

    How to behave on Friday the 13th?

    Try to avoid conflicts, monitor all your actions. Be particularly vigilant on this day. Give up the festivities, from the cheerful feasts and festivities. On this day alcohol will have a tremendous negative impact on the body, more than any other day, so try to avoid drinking it. Refuse doing things that will cause a storm of emotions and the adrenaline rush. Do not tempt fate. It is best to spend the evening with the family candle on the table.