The Witchy Truth About Friday the 13th: Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine

Friday the 13th — a day steeped in superstition, often whispered about as bad luck and one people dread. But what if everything you’ve been told is backwards? 

What if this “unlucky” day is actually one of the most powerful and magical dates in the year? A day you don’t want to miss!

Let’s dive into the witchy origins and spiritual meaning of Friday the 13th — and why it's time to reclaim it.

The Sacred Symbolism Of The Number 13

In many ancient traditions, 13 is a sacred number, not an ominous one. 

The moon—our oldest guide in the night sky—moves in a cycle of approximately 28 days, giving us 13 full moons each lunar year. These cycles govern tides, seasons, fertility and our own emotional rhythms.

Full moon over the woods.

The number 13 is deeply connected to the Divine Feminine, because women also experience 13 menstrual cycles in a year on average. It’s no coincidence that the moon, menstruation and the number 13 have all been revered in goddess-centric cultures.

In traditional lore, a witch’s coven consists of 13 members: 12 practitioners plus a High Priestess or Priest. This structure represents balance, unity and shared power.

Thirteen is the number of completion, initiation and spiritual transformation. It’s a number of gathering, of coming together under moonlight, of embracing the sacred circle. It is also associated with intuition and the divine feminine.

Why Friday Is A Witch’s Day?

Friday is a day of feminine power and rest. It’s a liminal day, bridging the mundane workweek and the spiritual or restful weekend.

Many witches view Friday as a time to:

• Reflect, cleanse and release the week’s energy

• Reconnect with self-love and ritual

• Perform love magic, beauty rituals and intuitive work

  
  

Friday itself is deeply magical. It’s named after the Goddess Freya (or Frigg). The word “Friday” comes from “Frigg’s Day” or “Freya’s Day,” depending on the region and linguistic roots:

• Frigg: Norse goddess of love, marriage, motherhood and prophecy.

• Freya: Norse goddess of witchcraft, love, beauty, war and magic (especially Seidr, a Norse form of sorcery and divination).

Honoring the Goddesses.

Both goddesses are seen as powerful figures in Norse mythology, connected to the cycles of life, magic and the unseen realms.

Freya in particular is revered as a practitioner of magic and divination and is often invoked by modern witches for love spells, beauty rituals and spiritual power.

Friday is also ruled by the planet Venus, which is known as the planet of:

• Love and attraction

• Beauty and pleasure

• Feminine energy and sensuality

• Harmony, art, and magic

  
  

Venus is the Roman counterpart of Freya, so the energy aligns across multiple cultures. This planetary rulership makes Friday a prime day for love spells, glamour magic and rituals for abundance and creativity.

For witches, Friday is a day to honor the Goddess, work love magic, or deepen into your spiritual practices.

So when Friday and 13 combine — it’s a double dose of lunar, feminine and mystical energy.

So... Where Did The Bad Luck Come From?

The fear of Friday the 13th is a relatively modern construct, rooted in patriarchal and religious systems that demonized the divine feminine and suppressed pagan wisdom.

• The Knights Templar were arrested on Friday the 13th in October 1307 — an act of betrayal that reinforced the day's ominous reputation.

• The number 13 was stripped of its spiritual symbolism and labeled “unlucky.

• Witchcraft, goddess worship and lunar traditions were all painted as dangerous or evil.

• Pop culture even added to the negative connotation of Friday the 13th turning it into something to fear, further taking away the sacred meaning of it.

In truth, Friday the 13th was feared because it was powerful — not because it brought misfortune.

How To Reclaim Friday The 13th As A Witch

Reclaiming Friday the 13th is a powerful act of spiritual sovereignty and remembrance. For witches, mystics and magic-makers, it’s not a day of bad luck. Rather, it’s a sacred moment to honor the divine feminine, lunar cycles, intuition and the power of being unapologetically magical.

A beautiful divine feminine altar.

Here’s how witches can reclaim Friday the 13th and transform it into a day of empowerment:

• Charge your crystals and spell tools under the moon.

• Perform self-love or abundance rituals.

• Gather with your soul circle or coven.

• Chant, drum or meditate

• Journal about your intuition, dreams and shadow work.

• Light candles in honor of Freya, Venus or your matriarchal lineage.

• Candle ritual: Light 13 candles (safely!) to honor 13 full moons, 13 witches, 13 sacred truths.

• Create a Goddess altar to honor the sacred divine feminine. Adorn it with roses, silver, moonstone or anything that makes you feel like the strong, powerful witch you are.

  
  

Friday the 13th is your cosmic invitation to step into your power, honor your inner witch, and realign with the rhythm of the Earth and Moon.

Final Thoughts

Friday the 13th isn’t the cursed day we were taught it to be. It’s a sacred day for witches, mystics and anyone reclaiming their connection to the sacred feminine.

It’s time to step away from the fear and take the day back as a special day to honor our connection to nature, the Earth, the divine feminine and anything else magical and mystical. 

So the next time someone gasps, “Ooh, it’s Friday the 13th!”, you can smile and know deep in your soul that it’s not a day to fear, but to honor.

What are you doing this Friday the 13th? Comment tag me on Instagram @withinthewitch