11 Spooky Friday the 13th Superstitions To Be Aware of Today

Today is Friday the 13th and if that gives you the heebie jeebies, then you might suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia.

What is that you ask? It’s a persistent, irrational fear of Friday the 13th. The superstitious say if you can pronounce the term, you will be cured of the phobia so here is exactly how to pronounce it: para-skev-EE-dek-a-tri-a-pho-bia.

Now that we got that out of the way, here are 11 superstitions to be aware of today:

(Note: We couldn’t share 13 superstitions with you because well, that number is just bad luck.)

• Don’t let a black cat cross your path

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  This is supposed to be bad luck but more than likely, a black cat crossing your path simply means the cat is going somewhere!

• Over not under!

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  Rumor has it that if you walk under a ladder then it will lead to your own hanging? (Jeez, that's dark) This myth dates back to the medieval ages. The good news is that if you say "bread and butter" as you walk under, then you can avoid any harm.

• Say no to a “tails up” penny

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  “Find a penny pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck...” This ol' rhyme may not be true if the penny's “bad” side is up. In that case, let it be.
• Don’t open that umbrella

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  At least not indoors anyway. It's bad luck!!

• Watch where your hair falls

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  Try to avoid combing your hair today. It is said that if a bird uses your fallen locks to build a nest, you might go bald.

• Avoid Giving Birth

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  People say that children born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life. Yikes!
• Avoid Passing Funeral Processions

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  If the superstition is true, you could die the next day.

• Don’t travel by ship

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  The superstitious believe that those who set sail on Fridays are doomed to misfortune.

• Don’t spill salt

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  A more commonly heard susperstiton is that knocking over the salt could lead to bad luck on any day, but ESPECIALLY today.
• Watch your step!

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  You might remember this one from when we were kids: Step on a crack, break your mother's back.

• Handle mirrors with care

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  You've definitely heard this one before: if you break a mirror, you'll have seven years of bad luck.

To fit the occasion, enjoy “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder: