13 Ways to Improve Your Luck this Friday the 13th

If Friday the 13th makes you uneasy, you may just want to do one of these things to keep bad luck from finding you!

The granddad of all superstitions, Friday the 13th is perceived as an abnormally ominous day. Many feel that there are numerous incidents and examples in history when a calamity befell someone foolhardy enough to challenge the number 13. Some trace the phobia back to the fact that Christ died on a Friday, and that there were 13 at the Last Supper, one of whom betrayed Jesus.

Learn more about the origins and superstitions of Friday the 13th.

Whatever you believe, this Friday the 13th, you may just want to do one of these things to keep bad luck from finding you!

13 Ways to Improve Your Luck On Friday the 13th

1. Knock on wood

It was once believed that good spirits lived in trees and that by knocking on anything made from wood, we can call upon these spirits for protection against misfortune.

2. Find a four-leaf clover

Four-leaf clovers are a sign of good luck!

Ancient druids believed shamrocks helped them to see evil spirits, providing the opportunity to avoid them. (Read more Irish superstitions.)

3. Wear your clothes inside out

No one seems to know how this superstition originated, but the belief that backward or inside out clothing brings good luck continues to be widespread — from children wearing their pajamas inside out in hopes of a snow day to baseball players and fans turning their caps inside out during important games, and more.

4. Look at the new Moon over your right shoulder

The Moon is central to many long-held superstitions, and the new Moon is seen as a ripe time for undertaking new enterprises. Whether those enterprises are successful or not depends on whether the New Moon is first seen over the right shoulder (good) or the left (bad). While we’re having a full Moon near the 13th this month, here’s our Moon phase calendar so you know when the new Moon is!

5. Sleep facing south

The belief that sleeping with your head facing south promotes good health and fortune persists to this day, even among some doctors. The belief seems to be rooted in the Chinese art of feng shui, which attributes a causal connection between geographic placements and the movement of “qi,” or positive spiritual energy.

6. Break clear, uncolored glass

While breaking a mirror is believed to usher in seven years of bad luck, the breaking of clear glass has traditionally been seen as a sign that you’ve averted some grave misfortune. The glass purportedly takes on the ill fortune in your place.

7. Walk in the rain

Anyone who’s ever been caught without his/her umbrella may dispute this one, but rain has always been a sign of good luck. This is probably because it is so important to the success of crops; before modern irrigation methods were widespread, a rainy season meant the difference between lean years and prosperous ones.

8. Sleep on un-ironed sheets

This is another superstition with uncertain origins. Luckily, few people iron their sheets these days, anyway.

9. Avoid cracks in the sidewalk

Most of us know the old rhyme “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.” Whether the rhyme is the cause of or a result of this superstition is uncertain, though belief in it persists in many people today, even if subconsciously. Come to think of it, avoiding sidewalk cracks is probably a good policy for anyone who wants to avoid tripping.

10. Carry an acorn in your pocket

acorns in a suitjacket pocket

Acorns, the fruit of the sturdy oak tree, are an ancient symbol of fertility and long life.

11. Sneeze three times before breakfast

The number three has been seen as a lucky number in many cultures and religions throughout history. In Europe, where this superstition originated, the number’s association with the Christian trinity is an important association.

12. Pick up a pencil, a pin, a penny, or a piece of coal in the street

Finding, and claiming, any of these items have long been believed to portend good fortune. Some modern versions specify that only a heads-up penny is good luck.

Find a penny
pick it up
and all the day
you’ll have good luck.

13. Keep your fingers crossed

Making the sign of the Christian faith with your fingers is believed to prevent evil spirits from ruining your good fortune.

Good Luck Jade and Moonstone Bracelet

Good Luck Bracelet

The Farmers’ Almanac jade and moonstone bracelet is all about luck!

Jade is believed to bring abundance, luck, and joy. Moonstone is said to increase intuition and bring lucky new beginnings.

Wear one on your wrist or carry it in your pocket as a good luck charm!

Shop now.

– Low quantity –

Are Animals Lucky Charms?

Animals have long been seen as harbingers of either good or bad luck. Here are just a few animals that are said to foretell good fortune:

1. Seeing three sheep

2. Crickets singing

3. Ladybugs

4. A robin flying into your home, on you

5. Dolphins swimming near a ship

6. A frog inside your home

7. A spider spinning in the morning

8. A dog (especially a Dalmatian or a greyhound with a white spot on its head)

9. A bee landing on your hand or head

1o. Birds calling from any direction but north

11. A bird leaving droppings on your head (yuck! Who wants that kind of good luck?)

12. Two blackbirds sitting together

13. A butterfly inside your house

14. A cat sneezing

15. Two, three, or four crows

16. A lone fox

17. A black goat

18. A kingfisher

19. A stork building a nest on your roof

Related Articles

Still feeling unlucky? Here are 13 (More) Ways to Improve Your Luck this Friday the 13th!

When Is The Next Friday The 13th? Find out.

Why Friday The 13th Is Believed To Be Unlucky

Join The Discussion

Do you believe any of these superstitions?

Let us know in the comments below!

Farmers' Almanac - Itch
Jaime McLeod

Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.

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Dean B.

I once won a door prize with a ticket ending in 13. Just sayin’

C.C.

I consider Friday 13th a good luck day, it’s the day after, Saturday the 14th that things usually go awry. Because how my bedroom is set up, my head is always facing south. I’ve had many a black cat cross my path, all the ones I’ve owned over the decades. I always pick up pennies regardless if it’s heads or not, I’m lucky to have found it in the first place. I guess I more believe in reverse superstition than typical superstition.

cin

As a Christian the fact that Jesus died on a Fri. and the 13 at the last supper would be far from being bad luck. This is a blessing for all as through Jesus’ death He provided a way for all to come to Him for forgiveness of our sins and gain eternal life. Praise God He is Risien indeed.

dsb

AMEN!!!

Melvin reeves

Had a good day nothing broke got planting done didn’t spill the red cabbage or the orange calflower

Sevon

Thank you for not talking about bad luck animals

Harper

Born on Friday, 13,December. ,1957, .would have to say my life has been basically good.

Kriston Beeman

My birthday is 10-13 and my sister is 10-12!

sunnie ogg

Tmr is Friday the 13th I wrote all this down and ill show my friends this at school tmr thanks sooooo much

lucy

I and my friends walked through rain today

susan hendrix

What about the lucky number 7? Anybody?? Ive never had luck with it.

Todd

The ‘bad luck’ of Friday the 13th can also be traced back to the early 1300’s when the Knights Templar were rounded up and arrested on Friday Oct 13th.

Patricia Trussell-Mann

…was lost Friday 13th July, 2000, Florence, Italy…my travel group left me in the Catholic Church in Plaza…I had told our group leader, Dr. Roberts of S Carolina Baptist Courier to watch me…they did not count heads for first time in over a week before leaving the tour of the church…I did the Catholic ritual (I’m Baptist) in the church, Holy Water & crossing of heart…an Angel after 2 hours appeared , got me back with my group…know now she & her companion (male) were angels…although they looked normal! Why would she volunteer to help me out of all the thousands walking around…especially after I asked a police man & he only laughed.

Keith Monson

Actually the reason for wearing clothing backward is to confuse the grim reaper who is not only the harbinger of death but also brings bad luck. He follows you so if your clothes are on backward it makes him think that you are walking toward him so he goes around you to get behind you and instead gets in front of you. He gets confused and gives up taking his bad tidings with him.

Diane S.

I was foretold a Sparrow in the house meant pending death. What about the superstition of walking under a ladder and a black cat crossing your path? Happy Friday the 13th.

emilie

since I have allergies I always sneeze before breakfast. My grandma had one about seeing a red hair lady and white horses don’t know where that came from

cindy

I always heard that if a bird gets into your house there will be a death in the family. It’s happened to me 3 times.

Judy Passaro

Happy Birthday, Gina

You have a full moon/strawberry moon for your special day. Not another full moon on Friday the 13th until the year 2049 so enjoy.

Phyllis

Lot’s of superstition there but I enjoyed reading them..:) Sometimes I do silly stuff like if you pick up a penny and if it’s heads..keep it..if it is tails…give it away…never return salt if you borrow some. Come back in the same door you went out of…when passing salt at the table…set it down first…ok..I’ll stop…happy Friday folks..:)

gina webb

It’s my 50th birthday!

Maybelle

I’ve never heard the one about the acorn, but always heard it was good luck to carry a Buckeye in your pocket.

kakewuvjake

I usually love Friday the 13th but my mom died 1 week after Friday the 13th and i have hated it ever since. My kids are so upset all the time.

jackieromania

I never was bothered by this date before, until 3 years ago my husband was diagosed with cancer, we got the news on friday the 13, God willing he is still with me, and a while back he gave me a four leaf clover, now I never fail to have this with me on this date!

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