Paraskevidekatriaphobia. If you can say it several times without stopping, you might distract yourself enough to cure your Paraskevi (Friday) dekatreis (13) phobos (fear). If not, you’re not alone, since millions among us fear that on Friday the 13th, there is a high risk that something bad will happen to them.
For those who prefer to tip the scales in favor of good fortune and positive energy, this article highlights herbs and crystals with the potential to transform this traditionally ominous day into an opportunity for luck and prosperity.
Why Does Friday the 13th Get a Bad Rap?
There is no obvious reason why Friday the 13th should be unluckier than any other day of the year. But superstitions can be hard to shake. Friday the 13th draws from several unlucky events for those involved:
- The Last Supper: The original Good Friday brought 13 people together — Jesus and his 12 apostles — for their final meal.
- The Knights Templar: On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest and execution of the Knights Templar, a wealthy and powerful religious/military order.
- Norse myth: A mythological banquet in Valhalla went terribly wrong when 13 Norse gods were assembled and one was killed, making 13 an unlucky number.
Curiously, no one seemed concerned about the day until after the 19th century, long after these events occurred. The superstition may have started after T. W. Lawson published his popular novel, Friday, the Thirteenth, in 1906. In that book, a stockbroker chose Friday the 13th to launch a series of events to bring down Wall Street. Later, the popular horror film franchise "Friday the 13th" reinforced the notion that this was an unlucky day.
Believing in a superstition like Friday the 13th can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Particularly superstitious people may become more anxious or cautious on this day, potentially leading to mishaps or negative experiences.
Good Luck Charms for Good Fortune
Whether you fear the day or want to increase your luck, consider arming yourself with a lucky charm this Friday the 13th.
Since ancient times, humans have relied on lucky charms to attract good fortune and ward off negative energy. Their forms have evolved, but their purpose has remained the same.
In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and during the Middle Ages, people wore, carried, or kept small amulets, talismans, and symbols — often featuring religious symbols — for protection and positive outcomes in an uncertain world.
The Maneki-neko, or "beckoning cat," originated in Japan centuries ago and is still displayed in businesses and homes throughout Asia for good luck and prosperity. In the Victorian era, people exchanged and wore jewelry with hidden meanings, such as lockets containing a loved one's hair or portraits.
In African-American culture, people carried “mojo bags” filled with herbs, crystals, coins, and talismans. This Hoodoo spiritual practice was believed to manifest luck.
In modern times, many people still carry lucky coins, a four-leaf clover, a rabbit’s foot, or a favorite memento to provide a sense of protection, confidence, and hope. Herbs and crystals are especially revered for their ability to infuse life with good energy and fortune.
Five Herbs for Protection and Good Luck
At Gaia Herbs, we talk a lot about herbs for their health benefits. But for centuries, herbs have also been used for their spiritual properties, including their ability to boost luck, bring good fortune, and repel danger and evil.
While there is no scientific proof that herbs serve these purposes, if you believe in their power and they make you feel better, that’s enough reason to try them.
Here are five auspicious herbs to incorporate into your Friday the 13th routine.
1. Patchouli
This powerful herb is thought to ward off negative energy and attract love and prosperity. Burn patchouli incense or pour a few drops of essential oil on scentless candles to use as aromatherapy.
Add a few drops of essential oil to a hot bath and enjoy. Carry patchouli root as a talisman to protect you from fear or sadness. Smudge your home with incense or spray or dab your front doorknob with essential oil to keep negative energy and unwelcome people from crossing your doorstep.
2. Sage
With its fragrant and silvery leaves, Sage is perhaps one of the most well-known herbs for purification and good luck. It has been used for centuries in Native American cultures for medicinal and spiritual practices, where it is considered sacred and gathered in a way that honors both the plant and the earth.
Smudging with sage is thought to cleanse spaces of negative energies and amplify good luck, but its cleansing power depends on how it is harvested. If smudging is not done with an extreme appreciation for the land and the people who practiced this ritual for centuries, it is considered cultural appropriation and may do no good at all. Smudging with mindfulness may help you maintain a clear and positive environment.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary, with its needle-like leaves and woody fragrance, has a storied history as a guardian against negative forces. It was used in ancient Greece and Rome to protect against evil spirits. Today, rosemary can be used as a smudge in purification rituals to cleanse a space and invite light and positive energy. Tuck it under your pillow or carry it in a sachet to ensure peaceful dreams and shield against misfortune.
4. Basil
Basil, with its fragrant leaves and rich green hue, is more than just a culinary herb. Various cultures have revered it as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Native to India, where Holy Basil (tulsi) is thought to bring peace, prosperity, and good luck, basil made its way to ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago and is still found growing in pots in front of or inside almost every home and business. Keep a basil plant in your home or office, carry a few dried leaves in your wallet, or hide a few leaves under your doormat. You may find luck is on your side.
5. High John Root
Popular in African-American Hoodoo rituals, the High John root is believed to increase your power over others as well as your good fortune. Named after a folklore hero, High John the Conqueror, an African-American slave who managed to avoid subservience, this herb manifests success, confidence, and prosperity when used in charms or sachets. Carry the root as a talisman for empowerment, hold it during meditation for good insight for problem-solving, or soak it in water and mop your floors with the seasoned water to protect your home.
These are just a few of the many herbs that have been used to promote positivity over the centuries. When you harness the energy of these herbs properly and strategically, you can reclaim Friday the 13th as an abundant, auspicious day rather than one plagued by misfortune.
Five Crystals for Protection and Good Luck
For thousands of years, gemstones and crystals have been revered for their protective and luck-enhancing properties. On Friday the 13th, strategically incorporate certain crystals into your routine to rebalance energy fields and invite fortune your way.
1. Amethyst
Amethyst, which ranges from pale lavender to deep purple, is one of the most popular and widely cherished gemstones. While not traditionally considered a "luck" stone, amethyst is prized for its protective qualities. It is associated with spiritual growth and insight, bringing you clarity to spot opportunities for growth and good fortune. Place an amethyst cluster or geode in sacred spaces around your home or office to protect you and inspire optimism. Carrying or wearing amethyst jewelry also connects you to the spiritual insights needed to create your own luck and prosperity.
2. Green Aventurine
Known as the gambler's stone or stone of opportunity, Aventurine is renowned for its ability to promote prosperity and winning streaks by absorbing the negative energy and barriers that might get in the way of your luck. Its light green hue radiates soothing vibrations that may calm nerves, encourage optimism, and bring light into your life. Wear an aventurine pendant around your neck and close to your heart for maximum benefit. Or, place an aventurine near your front door or in your purse when leaving the house on Friday the 13th to invite fortune as you start your day.
3. Green Jade
Soft, firm, and smooth, this ancient green stone is revered for its remarkable ability to manifest prosperity and abundance. Confucius said it embodied all the virtues: benevolence, justice, propriety, truth, credibility, music, loyalty, heaven, earth, morality, and intelligence. Chinese emperors considered it a heavenly gem and, in early dynasties, limited its use to royalty and nobility.
Today, jade is cherished, and many Chinese parents give their children jade to wear for protection and health. Wear a jade bracelet or necklace, or carry a jade amulet to encourage yourself to follow your dreams, make wise financial decisions, and attract opportunities for growth.
4. Clear Quartz
Clear Quartz crystal is believed to amplify your dreams and attract luck while driving off negative energy. Use Clear Quartz alone or in clusters of other crystals to infuse your home with light and optimism.
If you place Clear Quartz in a group of other crystals, it amplifies their energy to manifest whatever you want to attract. By amplifying your intent, Clear Quartz facilitates positive outcomes and, by extension, good luck.
5. Citrine
This joyful stone exhibits a warm, golden-yellow hue, resembling the sun. Citrine is celebrated for dispelling negative energies, promoting a positive mindset, and attracting prosperity. It can be a powerful ally for those seeking financial growth and personal empowerment. Carry a citrine in your pocket or wallet, or keep one in a money jar to boost your self-confidence and creativity and help you manifest your desires.
Open Yourself to Good Luck
Dates like Friday the 13th provide an opportunity to break free of fear and limitations and consciously fill your life with optimism and good luck. By exploring the herbs and crystals that have been used historically for protection and prosperity, you may discover new paths to enhancing your mindset and environment with lucky energies.
Whether using ancient traditions or creating your own rituals, actively participating in your fortune is empowering.
Let this Friday the 13th be a springboard to a future rich in positivity, good fortune, and the power to shape your destiny.