Protect Yourself This Friday the 13th With These Lucky Charms

Whether you have forgotten your packed lunch for work, your milk has gone sour in your tea, or you have become drenched in a surprise rainfall, it may come to your attention, annoyingly, that it is Friday the 13th. A day shrouded in superstition and bad luck, a day where all of mercury retrograde is combined into one, and a day where the world can just feel that little bit more overwhelming. 

Throughout history, the number 13 has garnered an unfavourable reputation for being unlucky. So much so that there is an actual phobia called triskaidekaphobia - the fear and avoidance of the number 13. For example, in the last supper, Jesus’s 13th guest was Judas, the man who would betray him. With the fear of 13 growing, this superstitious belief fed into architects designing hotels and skyscrapers without thirteen floors or thirteen rooms. Even some airlines today don’t have a thirteenth row on the aeroplane!  

Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, c.1495-1498, Source - Wikimedia Commons

But why specifically Friday the 13th? Though we cannot pinpoint exactly where this superstition was birthed there are a few examples of where this potentially could have originated. Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales wrote that Friday was always a day of misfortune, slightly different to the ‘Friyay’ or ‘TGIF’ sentiment that we feel when the weekend arrives. And, on Friday the 13th 1307 the Knights Templar, a Catholic Military Order, were all arrested and eventually wiped out, which has also fed into the superstition.  

Though the direct cause cannot be identified, Friday the 13th has snowballed to become a phenomenon in itself. In 1907, Thomas Lawson published the book ‘Friday, The Thirteenth’ which follows a fictional story about the stockmarket crashing on that day. Then, the Friday the 13th film franchise was created. Apparently, due to the superstition and people not pushing their luck, there is 700 to 900 million loss of funds globally.

Regardless of whether you truly believe, or you think it is one big farce, there is nothing wrong in taking some preventative measures to ward off any bad luck coming your way. Though we do encourage not calling in sick at work and getting out of the house, why not take a little piece of protection with you to ease your mind. 

Jewellery and gemstones have long been associated with symbolic meanings, being imbued with spiritual and medicinal powers. The first creations of jewellery itself were made for the intention of protective amulets and to enhance a person’s energy, long before they were used for aesthetic. Below, are the ones that are ancient lucky symbols, traditional good luck charms, protection gemstones and gemstones that help anxiety. 

Protection Gemstones and Symbols

Jet

A stark black hue, Jet has been known for having ancient grounding properties helping the wearer to release unhealthy attachments and also ease any grief. Yet, Jet is also known for its protective qualities, aiding against your own negative thoughts and alleviate anxious feelings, helping you to go about your day with confidence. Jet can also protect you against the negative energy of others, helping to preserve your emotional energy and not let them bring you down. 

Black Obsidian

Made from cooled Volcanic lava, Black Obsidian is an intensely pigmented and glossy gemstone. This gemstone is meant to help you heal yourself and expel any unwanted bad habits that you may have from affecting you, helping you to always feel light and refreshed. Known as an energy bodyguard, this stone can keep any unwanted bad energies at bay. In fact, Obsidian rock itself is known to help absorb electromagnetic radiation, so many people incorporate it into the feng-shui of their home.

Black Onyx

Another smooth dark crystal, Onyx is meant to help protect against harmful spirits, psychic attacks and black magic, shielding you against any otherworldly harm that could come your way. Alternatively, Black Onyx is meant to align with your third eye chakra and solar plexus, keeping your energy grounded and intuition opened. 

Religious Jewellery 

Perhaps an overarching general theme of jewellery, but religious jewellery has long been used to not only keep the wearer closer to God, but also as a sign of protection against evil spirits. Whether wearing a cross around the neck, rosary beads or cherubs, religious themes have always been heavily tied with enhancing good fortune and also protection. 

We love this locket below, where Amethyst and Pearls were also seen as a gem that could fight off unwanted energy. 

Eye

Eyes have been used as jewellery motifs for centuries, with the most notable being the ‘evil eye’ and nazar jewellery. Nazar jewellery was traditionally used to protect yourself against the evil eye itself. This style of jewellery will always be on the lookout, keeping you from harm’s way. 

Lucky Gemstones and Symbols 

If you would rather enhance your luck, rather than protect you from danger, then why not carry these gemstones around with your, or these iconic symbols in jewellery. 

Malachite 

Full of vitality, Malachite are a striking vivid Green gemstone, believed to possess the energy to help heal the world and also to help heal your heart. For centuries, Malachite has been viewed as the warrior stone, helping to guard your heart, but also open you up to growth and progress. Keep a piece of malachite with you, or wear this pendant below, to avoid mishaps and bring some lucky abundance to your day. 

Shamrock 

Shamrocks have long been imbued with luck, whether its a four or three-leaf clover. The symbol of St Patrick and also heavily associated with Ireland, for thousands of years, since the ancient Irish druids, shamrocks were believed to possess special powers. Part of the ‘luck of the Irish’, this traditionally lucky symbol is a must-have for any superstitiously-inclined person.  

Citrine

If you are having any important business meetings or unavoidable monetary decisions to make on Friday the 13th - hold a Citrine with you as this is traditionally known as the Lucky Merchants Stone. Believed to carry the power of the sun, Citrines’ vibrations are believed to carry wealth and prosperity. 

Peridot 

If you find yourself being particularly cautious around Friday the 13th, so much so that it affects your ability to ‘just be’ a Peridot can help. Peridots signature green hue are believed to help open your heart and attract good luck and abundance. 

Agate

Part of the Chalcedony family, Agates are known for their signature sparkling hue and gorgeous array of layers with a myriad of flashing colours and twinkles. What we love is that each Agate is different, contributing to histories and ancient societies fascination with this glorious stone. Agates are believed to help dispel negative energy and also help you keep energised and empowered.  

Horseshoe

It is no secret that horseshoes are lucky symbols, often traditional wedding gifts for newlyweds or hung over the entrance of a home, horseshoes promise both good luck and protection - a fitting good luck charm for Friday the 13th. 

In fact, like shamrocks, horseshoes are also Irish lucky symbols. An Irish folklore tale details the story of the Blacksmith and the Devil, where the Blacksmith nailed a burning hot horseshoe to the Devil (when he appeared in his workshop) to expel him. As the hot horseshoe was so painful for the Devil, he took the horseshoe off and vowed never to go to near one again. 

Another mythical folklore details that due to horseshoes being made of Iron, they could ward off mischievous fairies and sprites that play tricks on humans.