Superstitions are rooted very deeply into the psyche of millions of people around the world. It is Friday the 13th, a day that is held in high regard for many as a day not to be trusted in any way. Some people won’t even venture outside on this hallowed day, the thought being that they will avoid anything untoward happening to them.

This is just one of a number of bizarre beliefs that are kept alive throughout society, the superstitions don’t really have any foundation or proof of fact but people feel the need to appease them.

The number 13 is considered an unlucky number in many cultures - coupled with Friday conjures up many negative scenarios. There is a tenous link with Friday and the death of Jesus, but many claim it was the 14th day when he was crucified. Another claim is that the Last Supper had 13 people at the table signifying a negative aspect that death awaited someone; connections could be made in this respect how Friday the 13th has built on its superstitious reputation throughout the centuries.

Countless superstitions have manifested themselves into everyday life, self-imposed rules that anyone can have; it has very little to do with a religion but an individual’s belief that if they adhere to these ideas, that they have control over everything that happens to them.

Walking under a ladder can be a common superstition, a black cat running across your path can be considered unlucky, Peacock feathers taken indoors is also bad news apparently. Just why so many conditions are placed on seemingly harmless events or objects is a strange concept. Most of our lives are spent dealing with what we consider facts and truth, but a superstition is allowed to fester without any real proof either way.

It is as though we think we can control the chaos around us; if we believe in something hard enough then everything will keep in equilibrium and we’ll be ok. New superstitions can be created at any time if we allow ourselves to be controlled by them; if you were unlucky enough to be involved in an accident of some kind, I’m sure whatever was happening at the time would trigger a brand new superstition after the event.

This is really an irrational leap to try and make sense of the randomness of what happened to you - no one can really make anything happen by their will alone; sometimes bad things happen to good people and no amount of holding onto that lucky rabbit’s foot or good luck charm is going to change that.

In a one sense, to hold onto superstitions is a protective way of living a life; that we are not just lost in this world and spinning hopelessly into nothingness. If you do break free of these controls then you’ll see that you can walk under that ladder, have those peacock feathers in the living room and still live a normal life.

It has been said that you make your own luck in this world, basically by positive action you’ll achieve more; if superstition is to be believed, all it does is stand in your way and hinder you in a negative way. Superstition is nothing but self-doubt.