The History of Friday 13th and Its Symbolism
Why is the number 13 unlucky? Or is 13 a lucky number?
Friday the 13th: Reclaiming the Witch’s Day
Friday the 13th, often shrouded in superstition and unease, traces its connection to witchcraft through both ancient tradition and modern understanding. At the heart of this link lies the number 13, long cast as unlucky in Western cultures. Yet, the suspicion surrounding it belies its deeper, older association with the rhythms of the moon. With 13 lunar cycles marking the year, many ancient cultures, including those who practiced the craft, saw the number as a reflection of the moon’s power: mysterious, watery, Yin-based, and deeply sacred. Witches revered 13 as a symbol of fertility and magic, bound to the ebb and flow of the moon, and thus, to the Unseen, animate forces.
Why is Number 13 Unlucky? Is 13 a Lucky Number or Not?
The number 13 became associated with misfortune in Western culture through a layered convergence of religious, mythological, and social influences. One of the most enduring sources is Christian tradition, where Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was said to be the 13th guest at the Last Supper. From this association, the idea that having 13 people at a table invites disaster took hold. Earlier still, in Norse mythology, a tale tells of Loki arriving uninvited as the 13th guest to a divine banquet, leading to chaos and the death of the god Baldur. In both stories, the 13th figure is an agent of disruption, a pattern that imprinted deeply on the Western psyche.
Over time, this cultural aversion shaped everything from architecture to etiquette. Many buildings skip the 13th floor, airlines omit row 13, and formal dinners avoid seating 13 at a table. The fear of the number became so widespread that it even gained a clinical term: triskaidekaphobia. Much of this unease stems from 13’s position beyond 12, a number associated with completeness (12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 apostles). In contrast, 13 represents the outsider, the overflow, the uncontained, making it a perfect vessel for society’s projections of taboo, disorder, and the uncanny.
The Origins of Friday the 13th
Friday’s link to witchcraft stretches deep into the pre-Christian world. Named for Venus (or Freyja in Norse mythology), Fridays pulsed with the energy of love, fertility, and magic. But as Christianity rose, these sacred associations were stripped away. When paired with the now-feared number 13, the day became a symbol of something darker. Events like the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, helped cement the superstition. What was once sacred became cursed—rituals rooted in feminine power and the magical were rebranded as dangerous or demonic.
Today, witches and practitioners have reclaimed Friday the 13th as a day of potent spell work, especially for conjure, attraction, and intention-setting.
Far from a day of misfortune, it’s seen as a time for ritual work, manifesting intentions, and tapping into the cycles of the moon. The feminine power that was once feared is now embraced, and what was hidden is honored. For many, Friday the 13th is no longer a day of darkness, but a celebration of the witch’s path—a chance to connect with the energies that move beneath the surface of everyday life.
How are you celebrating this Friday the 13th?
For me…
Firstly - a FLASH SALE of $100 OFF now until June 30 at 11:59PM PST on Shamanic Readings + Five Elements Zodiac Readings. I haven't offered a sale on readings in a very long while, and I've opened up some extra dates. Use promocode FRIDAYTHE13
Secondly - Much like the last Friday the 13th, I'm spending the day baking as well as with plant allies, making ritual incense -- some to fulfill my Ceremonie Ritual Incense orders as well as blend some for personal use. I've been drying Thai basil in my dehydrator and will be putting them through the coffee grinder and mixing it with some other plants from the garden. Here's a recipe for ritual incense. Grind each plant separately and mix together in a jar that has been cleansed. It also helps to cleanse your entire being with something like my Sacred Plants Cleansing Mist before even starting. To burn, sprinkle a couple of pinches of the ritual incense onto a lit charcoal disc that sits on sand, ash, or uncooked rice in a heat proof dish. This blend is an all purpose attractive yet protect blend for drawing desired energies and enticing helpful spirits.
3 parts Thai Basil leaves (or western Basil)
2 parts Lavender blossoms
2 part Orange peel
1 part Mugwort leaves
PS. I hope to celebrate both Summer Solstice Séance with you! Or perhaps you’re in need of a spell service?
With spirit,
Mimi
Animist spirit medium and educator of occult studies