If you are afraid today, you may have paraskavedekatriaphobia.

It’s derived from the word triskaidekaphobia — fear of the number 13 — and it means fear of Friday the 13th.

Dr. Donald E. Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, N.C., has written that people are born with only two fears: “falling and loud noises.”

All other fears or phobias are learned, either consciously or unconsciously, through trauma, repetition or modeling.

Dossey, who is the author of the book “Holiday Folklore, Phobias and Fun: Mythical Origins, Scientific Treatments and Superstitious Cures,” has become a dependable source on the subject of Friday the 13th and other superstitions.

Whatever the reason for a person’s particular fear over Friday the 13th, Dossey put a price tag on the phobia. He has estimated $800 million to $900 million is lost in business each Friday the 13th based on people who miss work or refuse to travel on that day.

But fear of 13 is ingrained in the business community. Most buildings skip the 13th floor. Hotels and hospitals seldom have a room No. 13 and many airports do not number their 13th gate.

There are many different origins of how the day came to be known as unlucky.

There is a Norse legend about a dinner party attended by 12 guests, all of them Gods, but when a 13th uninvited guest arrives, who is also a prankster, one of the original 12 is snuffed out — killed by a poison mistletoe arrow.

Some say the unlucky 13 tradition sprang from ancient Rome, where it was supposedly said that witches gathered in groups of 12. Where there were 13, the devil was said to be present among them.

Others prefer to refer to the Bible as an example of 13 being an unlucky number because of the 13 in attendance at the Last Supper. Also because Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

With the popularity of “The DaVinci Code” the history of the Knights Templars has received much attention lately. Some scholars believe the origin of Friday the 13th being unlucky started with them because it was 699 years ago, on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307, when hundreds of Knights Templars, monks who were also warriors, were rounded up in France and tortured into admitting heresy.

No matter what may go wrong today, it’s probably not going to be as tough as all that. And, anyone who is afraid of what may come on this Friday the 13th won’t have to worry about it for another six months after today. The 13th won’t fall on a Friday again until April 2007.

What are the odds?

Because Friday the 13th is a day to fear — or at least be wary — it has prompted analysts to post predictions on the public’s luck.

There is even evidence to suggest that Friday the 13th is actually unlucky due to heightened anxiety levels because of the reputation the day has. Such anxiety has prompted speculation and distress, so, BetUS.com, the largest online sportsbook, posted predictions Thursday regarding lucky and unlucky events for the day.

Analysts at BetUS.com posted the following odds for today, Friday, Oct. 13:

Which of the following will occur?

• The World to End: 1,000,000/1

• You lose your job: 100/1

• Your spouse leaves you: 500/1

• You throw out your back: 250/1

• You go bankrupt: 500/1

• You get a flat tire: 50/1

• You break your leg: 100/1

• A bird will poop on you: 100/1

• You will get sick: 50/1

• You will get locked out of your house/apt: 50/1

• Your car will get towed: 100/1

• You will get a ticket (speeding, parking, etc.): 50/1

• You will lose all your hair: 250/1

• Your car will get stolen: 100/1

• You will place a winning bet at BetUS.com:

1/1 EVEN ODDS

• You will hit a Royal Flush at BetUS.com

poker site: 250/1

• You will find money: 50/1

• You will slip on banana peel: 100/1

• You will win the lottery: 500/1



Source: www.BetUS.com