Just exactly what is this strange Game called Friday the 13th? Should I lock my doors and hide beneath the bed? Hmmm, I think I'd prefer to honor the Goddess instead...
Do you know Friday is Venus' day? Some say our English "Friday" is a bow to Norse Goddess of Beauty, Freyja. Other's say to the Queen of Asgard, Odin's wife Frigg. Why not choose both? Regardless, it's quite easy to hear the tone of the Goddess referenced in "Fridays" Greek (Aphrodites Hemera) and Latin (Dies Veneris).
Yes, Friday is Venus' Day and the 13th is certainly a number of the Goddess.
You'll hear this is because there are 13 Moons a year, but that is not really precise as the Lunar and Solar calendars don't agree annually (it takes 19 years for them to align). There are about 12.3 Lunations (Synodic Moon Cycle of 29.5 days between repeated Moon Phase) per year during which Moon orbits Earth (Sidereal Lunar Cycle of 27.3 days) about 13.4 times as She averages a 13-Degree daily advance through the Zodiacal Stars and Signs. I've recently read articles stating the Full Moon often falls on or around the 13th of the month. That's just altogether wrong. It was true this month as the Full Moon aligned during the wee hours of the 12th, but last year the January Full Moon was on the 23rd and next year we'll have two on the 1st and the 31st.
You'll hear this is because there are 13 Moons a year, but that is not really precise as the Lunar and Solar calendars don't agree annually (it takes 19 years for them to align). There are about 12.3 Lunations (Synodic Moon Cycle of 29.5 days between repeated Moon Phase) per year during which Moon orbits Earth (Sidereal Lunar Cycle of 27.3 days) about 13.4 times as She averages a 13-Degree daily advance through the Zodiacal Stars and Signs. I've recently read articles stating the Full Moon often falls on or around the 13th of the month. That's just altogether wrong. It was true this month as the Full Moon aligned during the wee hours of the 12th, but last year the January Full Moon was on the 23rd and next year we'll have two on the 1st and the 31st.
While I certainly will never defend the strange months of days 31, 28 (sometimes 29), 31, 30... stitched in Gregorian disharmony, I also have a hard time with those who suggest we'll be fools until we abandon Sol for a calendar of 13 Moons. I typically respond by asking those Lunar Loons, "But, my friends, don't you too need food?" Yes, it is wise to honor phases of Moon when planting and harvesting, but surely the seasons of Earth must be considered first for agricultural concerns and those blossom from Gaia's dance with Sun.
Now, how many annual Seasons are there when we honor the Equinoxes and Solstices for the turns?... Four (1+3), each with 13 weeks just as there are 13 cards in each of the 4 suits... did you know you'd find a Solar Calendar in the deck of 52? Ooh, and speaking of cards, what about the mystical set where we find the Goddess' 13 marks the image called "Death"? Well, I'm told by a pro that in the oldest Tarot, the 13 was nameless just as "Fool" was numberless (the cards are older than zero, you know?).
Now, how many annual Seasons are there when we honor the Equinoxes and Solstices for the turns?... Four (1+3), each with 13 weeks just as there are 13 cards in each of the 4 suits... did you know you'd find a Solar Calendar in the deck of 52? Ooh, and speaking of cards, what about the mystical set where we find the Goddess' 13 marks the image called "Death"? Well, I'm told by a pro that in the oldest Tarot, the 13 was nameless just as "Fool" was numberless (the cards are older than zero, you know?).
Regardless, we see in the Rider Waite deck, the 13th called "Death" has another number to express for the black flag Signs an inverted flower of petals Five. And, of course, this brings us back to Venus... and to Earth. For, in the choreography of our mutual dances about Sun, we meet our Twin for five Planetary kisses every eight Years. Here on Earth during that time, we see Venus align between us the Light and to inscribe a five-pointed star in the circle of Sky called Zodiac. Now, those eight years on Earth equal 13 on Venus and I could go on and on about the Golden Number and the Fibonacci Sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13...) here, but instead I'll just plant those seeds (and plug my coming "Art of the Chart" Sacred Geometry of Astrology series) then go on to say if there is anything more demonized than the number 13, it must be the Pentagram, especially when inverted.
It would seem, Moon is not the only Goddess scorned by this Friday the 13th spell. Can't we hear Venus yell??? But there's more... 13 and the Pentagram are only symbols of Her dance with Earth. Is Gaia herself under attack? Do we really have to ask? Now, let's consider the spelling of the Latin Friday when seen by English-reading eyes: "Dies Veneris." More like Venus Dies. What does the priestly promoted fear of Friday the 13th teach? Can you sense the same trickery that lives in the Venusian etymology of words like venom, venal, venial and venereal disease??? Are we being taught to fear the Goddess in all of her Sacred forms? |
And, finally, to address the horror game of the Friday the 13th films. I hope not to offend the Goddess on Her special day, but I'm called to to channel my inner 13-year-old for sharing this truth: my crew and I didn't watch those movies to see some psycho in a hockey mask... we watched those movies because... you know... boobs. The first time I saw people making love was on a screen, courtesy of "Friday the 13th." Unfortunately, there was more to the scene and to the deep subconscious programming. According to the film, people who make love are soon after slain by a psycho in a hockey mask. Oh right, you shouldn't skinny dip or smoke week either, folks or Jason is gonna get 'ya.
Reminds me of a twisted sequel to Argonaut Jason and Media's tale, in which the witch killed her own children because their father chose to love another woman. I wonder if the Latin Ovid composed that addition on Dies Veneris the 13th. I do not wonder about his deadly intent with papyrus and pen. And I'm not playing by the rules of their ancient lame game anymore!
As the bright white Light of Evening Star Venus directs our gaze towards Neptune hiding somewhere in the darkness near the ever-invisible Dragon's Tail of South Lunar Node, I aim to reclaim the Goddess' Day from inner prisons constructed by ages of media manipulation. May the Sacred Sword of Mars guide us towards Chiron's gift of transmuting the venom of this collective wound into Heavenly medicine. Friday's Goddess is Exalted in the Pisces Sign now known as Neptune's Place, but once it held the face of Zeus who tonight we'll see embrace Brilliant Goddess Star Spica in Venus' Libra Mirror. And, believe it or not, Saturn (now conjunct Juno and in mutual Reception with Jupiter) though he might cast a Square really has no choice but to assist.
Instead, of locking the doors and hiding in the shadows of superstition under my bed in fear on this one Friday the 13th of the year, I think I'll celebrate the Goddess instead on Her most Sacred day by opening my doors and dancing on the bed and every else She shines Her Light, wearing nothing but my re-birthday suit. Viva Viernes!!! And here's a little secret the numbers whisper to me... 13 is the One in the middle of the 12... the one called HEART.
Love and Planets,
Gemini Brett
Love and Planets,
Gemini Brett