Friday the 13th is considered to bring bad luck in some Western cultures, similar to beliefs that bad luck comes from walking under a ladder, seeing a black cat crossing your path, or breaking a mirror. But how did this superstition begin, why the number 13, and when is the next Friday the 13th? We explain.

In the era of women’s suffrage, these female inventors and pioneers used their intelligence to improve the quality of our daily lives, keep us safer, and even change the course of history. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821, 1910) After being rejected by all the major medical schools in the nation because of her gender, Blackwell was

Quick Reference: January Birthstone Birthstone: Garnet (most often deep red; also green, orange, pink, and rare color-change varieties) Symbolism: Fidelity, friendship, protection, good karma, healing Mohs hardness: 6.5 to 7.5 (durable enough for daily wear) Main varieties: Almandine, pyrope, rhodolite, tsavorite, demantoid, spessartine, hessonite Zodiac match: Capricorn (Dec 22 to Jan 19), Aquarius (Jan 20

Native American and Indigenous Peoples honor the winter season by slowing down, visiting the mountains, and otherwise recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the stars above. The colder months are a time to become more conscious and to heal, individually and collectively, as a planet. “We take care of Mother Earth, she will take

Do you love decadent Italian meals but wish you didn’t feel sluggish after eating them? Did you know that you can substitute Ayurvedic ingredients to improve your body’s digestion, which leaves you feeling lighter and more energetic? Certified Ayurveda Counselor, Sara Garofalo, explains how! Read on. Here at the Farmers’ Almanac, we love featuring folks

Quick Reference The method: The Onion Calendar, a German folk tradition for predicting monthly moisture. When to do it: Between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. What you need: A round well-formed onion, a teaspoon of salt per cup, a knife. How to read: Wetter salt = wetter month; dry salt =

Hey FA Readers! We love discovering and featuring young, talented folks who are keeping their family’s heritage alive and well! Appalachia and Appalachian traditions have always intrigued our readers, so we asked Whitney Johnson AKA “Appalachian Forager” to share some of her favorite winter activities. Whitney is a smart business woman who mixes humor and

Charcuterie boards are always popular at parties, no matter what the occasion. This holiday, get a little more creative and dazzle your guests with a festive charcuterie board wreath! Make a “charcute-wreath!” It may leave you saying “it’s too pretty to eat!” Read on for our easy how-to guide, including a video tutorial for making

‘Tis the season for long white beards, reddened noses, pudgy bellies, and red pointed caps. Here come the Christmas gnomes! But where do these quirky characters come from, how have they become associated with Christmas, and what is our fascination with their distinctive look and charm? Is there a connection with garden gnomes? We explain.