How did this date get connected to bad karma? I’m reading “In the Wake of the Plague” which talks about Jews in Strasburg being identified as the cause of the Black Death rampaging around Europe during the 1300s. It seems that the town council was kicked out by the “good citizens” and replaced by a new council which allowed the mob to arrest the town Jews on Friday the 13th 1349. Seems like the Jews were persecuted for the Black Death, poisoning wells etcetcetc all over Europe. Lots of folks lost their lives, families, homes, businesses. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but it got me to wondering. Anyone know?
I don’t have a totally reliable source for this…
…but, as I’ve heard it told. The number 13 is associated with the Goddesses of Antique Pagan Europe, especially Freya. This is based on the fact there are 13 “moons” in a year (one moon cycle being 28 days).
Freya is also gives her name to the day of week, Friday. So, in Antique Pagan Europe, Friday the 13th would be especially blessed by Goddess.
But, Christian clergy, in an attempt to keep people converted or to get rid of old Pagan associations tried to convince people that Friday the 13th was just old superstition or infact a BAD day, associating with the “bad old Gods.”
I’ve never heard of the Jews being tied in with Friday the 13th. One old rumor I’ve heard is that the Jews “killed” Jesus and His execution was on a Friday. But that leaves one wondering how to tie the number 13 into it.
My belief is that given the hysteria associated with the Plague, people would grab onto any ole scape-goat in an effort to “blame” the spread of the disease. The Jews happened to be convenient for being a scape-goat. 