Friday the 13th: Paraskevidekatriaphobia & A History of Bad Luck

0:00 I work in customer service. Being Friday, things were busier than usual for us. Our manager, Dell, is the superstitious type, and he was adamant that we keep our eyes peeled for trouble since it's also the thirteen. While hectic, nothing out of the ordinary happened, that is until we got one particular customer. I've been a loyal shopper at Walmart for over thirty years. Things used to be great there untill your generation decided to screw things up. Hi, Cassie, Hi, Caitlin, Hi, creepy people.

0:44 Oh hellou Helle. This is PNW Haunts and Homicides where we chat about true crime, the very normal, and Friday the thirteenth. Ooh, I'm very excited for this spooky sounds. I love Friday the thirteenth, not just the movie. Yeah, I'm not gonna lie to you. It was actually for some of what I wanted to do for this episode. It was a little bit hard not to just keep coming across stuff related to the movie, and it was not a little frustrating. So this is not about the movie. Correct, No, it is not. No, but we will still do a che reading at the end of the episode for a little bit of deeper insight into our topic. Okay, So here's the part where I have to say both of these incredibly long terms that are not easy to say.

1:49 I'm looking at the script here and dear Baby Jesus, after I get through this, I don't have to say them again. I don't think so peresca dive decca triphobia or for good trisca decaphobia. I think that one's easier. Are both specific long form terms for the fear of Friday the thirteenth, distinct from trisca decaphobia the fear of the number thirteen itself. It involves heightened anxiety, avoidance, or ritualistic behaviors often linked to superstitions about bad luck.

2:38 So I think we talked about it in I think I did a Friday the thirteenth episode or something I did, like a episode about thirteen. Fear of the number thirteen did come up, but not. Specifically the fear of Friday the thirteenth, which I'm glad I didn't go into. Yes, I'm glad you have to say it that way, I know. So if you were a member of the Knights Templar in medieval France, Friday the thirteenth was a date worth fearing. It turned out it wasn't just unlucky, it was a death sentence. Oh shit. On October thirteenth, thirteen oh seven, King Philip the Fourth ordered the mass arrest of the Templars, an immensely powerful and extremely wealthy religious military order. Philip known as Philip the Fair for his good looks, certainly not his character.

3:42 So they weren't saying, oh, what a fair king like, Oh, he's really equal and balanced and ethical. They were saying, oh, look at his pretty pretty face. He had a problem. He got nine to nine problems with the face a one. He owed them a fortune. So he did what many powerful men have done throughout history to solve their problems. He made up crimes. Oh boy. Rather than repay his debts, he turned to accusations of heresy and devil worship to justify wiping them out. More than six hundred Templars were arrested, tortured into false confessions, and ultimately executed.

4:24 God blake. Did he think he was just going to rely on his pretty face to like pay his debt? No, I'm pretty sure he thought he could just rely on murder to take care of it what a dickle, So, I know, really terribly rude. They're riches absorbed by the crown, their order erased, proof that sometimes the real evil isn't superstition, but greed wearing a crown. That is one very bad Friday. Uh yeah, I thought you're saying one very freaky Friday, and I was gonna be like, oh. Friday the thirteenth isn't always about mass arrests, torture, and executions.

5:06 Sometimes it just wipes out your retirement account. While medieval power plays gave the date its blood soaked reputation, modern Friday the thirteenth have found new ways to inspire fear enter financial fiasco. It's a little bit less terrifying, I will say, than you know, a gruesome death. But still yeah, but I mean a lot of people think money is real, so like this is like. Right, Yeah, I mean I think it's very real for all of us that have to use money, whether it's real or not, to pay for things to keep us alive. You know. Yeah, it's kind of a complicated system. It really is complicated feelings all around.

5:52 Yep. Even the markets aren't entirely immune to superstition. Same cursed calendar date, fewer swords, much more screaming about money. Friday the thirteenth has a way of reinventing itself. On Friday, October thirteenth, nineteen eighty nine, the stock market took a sharp dive in what's known as the Friday the thirteenth Mini crash, what. They call it mini. So like that makes it feel kind of cute. Yeah, I don't think it ended up being that cute. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly seven percent in a single session, rattling investors already wary after the nineteen eighty seven collapse. So it was like kind of preceded by something a little bit less mini.

6:41 Okay, it's seven percent, Like that sounds really small to me, but that's like really big for the investors. Yeah, yeah, that's that's a pretty big that's a pretty big deal for like you're talking about the entirety of the stock market, basically Dow Jones Industrial Average. I'm certain I'm not a day trader, I you know, not a broker or anything, but that that affects like a huge swath of publicly traded companies. It's a it's a lot money. Oh sheh. It. The trigger wasn't superstition, but computers automated trading programs reacting to news about a failed leveraged buyout of United Airlines helped accelerate the fall. The panic was short lived, but the damage was real and the message was clear. Friday the thirteenth didn't need ghosts or curses to cause fear.

7:38 Sometimes all it took was an algorithm, no executions, no dungeon cells, just flashing red numbers and investors realizing that even modern systems can unravel spectacularly. The timing alone ensured the date's place in history. Another Friday the thirteenth tied to CAS, this time measured in dollars instead of lives. It kind of reminded me of Y two k. Oh that, yeah, that makes sense. You know everybody kind of panicked. Yeah, when it was like, okay, something happened and like this isn't good, but it kind of snowballed because of people's reaction of fear.

8:22 What are the computers gonna do? We don't know. We built them, but we have no control. Right. Well, the thing is is that, like, for the most part, my recollection is with Y two k In particular, there were a lot of computer experts that were like, I guess we can't rule anything out, But there were a lot of a lot of them that were like pretty outspoken about like Y two K being like a non event. They're like, listen, we built these and this is just like everybody's freaking out. But the reality is that, like we're pretty sure none of that's gonna happen. But it's seems like, you know, the toilet paper shortage, like the same con.

9:05 Like all of all the normies are freaking out and all of the calmed down. We're not out of toilet paper. It's just just ay the day. Yeah, No, I mean, the to be fair, the toilet paper situation during COVID, like that was a lot more real because people were going to the grocery store and not able to like buy toilet paper. But like we were making the shortage though, like because we're stalking people were freaking out. No for sure actual toilet paper. Again, just a situation where like it's worsened by people reacting in fear. Yeah, almost like there's some sort of a message in. That and no one wants to listen to the smart kid in the class going actually it's gonna be okay.

9:53 Because actually, yeah, Friday the thirteenth has warned a lot of masks over the centuries. Sometimes it looks like political betrayal, sometimes financial collapse. But not every Friday the Thirteenth ends in executions or economic free fall. God, I hope not. Sometimes, whether spooky or sinister, it sneaks up where you least expect it, not in castles or stock exchanges, but under fluorescent lights, between clearanciles and customer service counters. And let's face it, fluorescent lighting is the scariest of all of those scenarios.

10:37 Seriously, Yeah, especially right now, I'm fighting a migraine. So like, yeah, oh god, there's nothing worse. Yeah, I know. It's deeply humbling for legal and spiritual reasons. The following story is fictional. Allegedly. It comes from Reddit's r slash no Sleep community and was posted under the title it's Friday the thirteenth and I Met a Witch at my retail job by Rose Black. We'll link to more of their work and socials in the show notes, because holy shit, they have actually quite a few stories that I came across, and this one. Boy, Once I start going on a theme, I felt like it just had to be here. It reads like a familiar retail nightmare, well sort of, just a customer who takes a complaint way too far. Whether you believe Friday the thirteenth invites chaos or just reveals what was already waiting, this is what happened next allegedly. Okay, so starting our story. It's September, which means it's nearly my favorite season fall. Yes, the scorching heat is at

12:08 least cooling down to a nice middling temperature until the winter chills set in. All the back to school supplies have given way to autumn decor such as fake pumpkins, rubber masks, lawn inflatables, and monster animatronics. Oh can we skip summer? No? Speaking of back to school, a bonus is seeing fewer children during the week. Look, I don't have anything against kids provided they are a minimal distance of fifty feet from me. But when they are running around screaming while their parents have this vacant look in their eyes, that's when I have a problem. Dude.

12:49 This literally happened to me the other day walking into the store. Two kids came running at me, and I was like freshly broken. I was picking up prescriptions. You're in my boot for me, like I can't dodge you, and they just like ran at it was and the mom was just like strolling. In way behind them, and I'm like, fine, judgment. R No, definitely judgment. Fuck you get your fucking brats on a leash or something. Can you imagine like if like people just let their pets do that, there like would be riots, but like you're allowed to just let your kid be a fucking asshole. No.

13:29 Sorry. If you happen to disagree, spend a few years working retail at Walmart like I have, and see if you don't change your tune. In fairness, that's only scratching the surface of the problems going on in those stores. As bad as that can be, it's harmless most of the time. Only ever going into the make me want to rip my hair out in frustration territory. I can't say the same about what happened today. I work in customer service. Being Friday, things were busier than usual for us. Our manager, Dell, is the superstitious type, and he was adamant that we keep our eyes peeled for trouble since it's also the thirteen While hectic. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, that is, until we got one particular customer. My coworker Steve and I were holding down the fort trying to help customers as best we could. I was currently having my ear talked off on the phone.

14:33 I've been a loyal shopper at Walmart for over thirty years. He's already mentioned this several times. I understand sir, things used to. Be great there until your generation decided to screw things up. I'm sorry you feel that way. Is there anything we can do to make it up to you? He went on a tirade that I wasn't even paying much attention to, since I had nothing to do with the conversation. From what I remem it was about those damn democrats running this country into the ground, several bigoted statements against minorities, how prayer should be back in schools, and that certain people need to go back where they came from. I should mention he was insistent about how not racist he was.

15:21 I think there may have also been something in there about how communists have infiltrated the government. The call dropped, making me momentarily grateful Upper management hadn't sent anyone out to fix the phones? Thank christ, I breathed, putting the phone down. Tough call, Steve asked, unwrapping a piece of gum. Yep, I feel you on that. Any plans afterwork? I'm going to be watching a horror movie. Which one? It's called ta ka ta kay? Is that Japanese? Yeah? It's an urban legend about a girl who became a ghost after her legs were cut off by a train, and there are two movies about it. Steve popped his gum in his mouth. Sound pretty cool, he said, while chewing.

16:10 Do you want to come over and watch them? Maybe? At that moment, Dell came over a panic to look on his face. Is something wrong? I asked? Upper management is here? He replied, breathlessly. What we exclaimed in Unison? Someone getting carts that he parked outside. I knew something bad was going to happen today. I just knew it. All things considered, Dell is decent at his job, but when he gets overwhelmed, it's like watching a caffeinated hamster running around its cage. He stopped and took a deep breath. Okay, we can do this. Be vigilant. Steve spit out that gum. Dell went away to check on the other departments. Rolling his eyes, Steve pulled out one of the trash baskets keep under the counter, spitting his gum into It. Tends to be a disconnect between corporate and those who have to interact with people face to face. As such, inspections tend to go as follows. They tell us to jump and we come back down without their permission. We get reprimanded.

17:17 Our strategy is to remain as scarce as possible. Usually this works. Today was another story. Things were going steady all things considered, then the horde came. Normally, these are seen further into the holiday season. However, it seems that Dell was right about how Friday the thirteenth would be affecting things. I was playing Pokemon Go on my phone when Steve nudged me with his elbow. I glanced up, seeing a herd of customers who weren't too happy. Based on their expressions, they seemed ready to take their anger out on us. Hence way we refer to them as hoards aw shit, I murmured. Then she came. Looks of surprise were coming over people's faces. Someone was pushing their way to the front. We craned our nuts trying to spot who was trying to cut their way to the front.

18:16 To our confusion, a pointy black hat became visible among the crowd. Attached to it and emerging to the front was an old lady in a baggy black dress with a long, hooked nose. People tried to tell her off. She gave them such a fierce sink guy. They backed away instantly and dispersed. Then she came up to the counter. Hello, ma'am, is there something we can help? Reaching into her pocket, she pulled something out, slamming it down on the counter. It was a cat collar. Then she threw a one hundred dollars gift card beside it. A few seconds of silence passed, then Steve asked.

18:59 Do you want to make a return? I want more than that for the trouble this store is given me. She explained that the adjuster was faulty and that the caller nearly choked her cat. Apologies, ma'am, it's been a hectic day. We'll do what we can to make this. Up to you. Is that so? A grin crept up her face, showing rows of deep yellow, misshapen blocky teeth. I think I deserve a little extra for all all my trouble. Give me this gift card for free, and will call things even. The thing about the customer always being right is that it goes off a cliff if the store's bottom line might be affected, Well.

19:44 I need to check with my manager if I'm allowed to do that. Steve went away to call Dell. Meanwhile, sensing a growing tension, I attempted to diffuse it. Hey, great costume, I told the lady, are you getting ready for Halloween early? She seemed confused. What costume? The one you're wearing? You're dressed as a witch? Right? Her eyes narrowed. I'm not dressed like I am a witch. Oh, I see my bad, She relaxed a little. I do have a lot of preparations to make for the upcoming holiday. Now that you mention it, where's your friend?

20:33 Sorry about that? Our manager is busy. I can't reach him. Steve said, returning from his call. I'm normally not supposed to do this without permission, but I can help you out this one time. The old lady seemed satisfied with that response. Steve was about to activate the gift card. When we heard someone speaking with Dell. Everything is up to standard so far. Which way is customer service? Again? This way, sir with Dell was our district manager, Edmund, who looks a lot like Kevin O'Leary. He's the kind of guy who thinks the company standard should be rigidly enforced. In short, doing the opposite of what he says would likely improve customer experience. They saw what was happening and came over. Good afternoon. Miss Dell smiled and told the old lady, I hope your needs are being met.

21:25 Yes, I suppose they are. These two are taking care of something for. Me, she replied, gesturing at us. At least some people can do something right in this dump. Well, it's nice to hear from a customer that our employees are on top of things. Out of curiosity, what are they helping you with? Steve was tapping his fingers on the counter. He only did that when he was nervous. I could tell he was thinking, please, don't mention the gift card. She did exactly that, prompting Steve to curse under his breath at the mention of it. Edmund decided to get involved. Now hold on. He said, to the woman.

22:06 How much did you pay for that callar fifteen? And how much is the gift card do you want? Worth? One hundred dollars? Edmund looked at Steve. You authorized this without permission. Steve may as well have been a deer in the headlights. What are you thinking? Edmund chastised him. I was just trying to do the right thing. Steve replied, before being cut off. The right thing within reason. I thought you would have figured that out by now. The old lady interjected. Wait a moment, are you saying I won't give my gift card? Yes, that's what it means, sorry to say, her eyes irrupted with anger.

22:47 I came out here and waited all. This time, not accustomed to dealing with other human beings. Edmund disregarded her, trying to pass her on to Dell. She didn't take two kindly to that. You respect your elders when they're talking to you. Edmund ignored her and was about to walk away. The woman crossed her arms. If that's what you want, we'll play hard ball. I'll give you one chance to change your mind about the gift card, or there will be hell to pay. His response conveyed he wasn't the least bit intimidated. The answer is still no. She pointed a shaking finger at him.

23:31 I warned you. Suddenly, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she began chanting. I think she's having an episode. That seemed to be the case until the lights started flickering and uneasy feeling working its way. Up my back. Then all hell broke loose. Edmund was talking to Dell about his new car, when, while cackling, the woman rose into the air, her eyes filling with inky darkness and her teeth becoming red, and pointed. I'll teach you to nine me what I am owed. We stared, mouths agape as things were rising around her and the lights were flickering. Several patrons pulled out their phones to attempt recording her. She wasn't having it. Different colored whips swirled around her. They made groaning noises. These must have been the souls of her previous victims. Pointing her finger at our Halloween display caused the souls to go into them. The lawn decorations came to life, fueled by the power of the dark arts. Next thing we knew, they were off their shelves and going after people in the store. There was so much happening at once it's hard to process. The fake jack o' lanterns latched onto those trying to get footage of the event. An inflatable Frankenstein monster and Mummy were picking people up and fighting each other with them. Lastly, a grim reaper was flying

25:05 around decapitating people. Heads flew and blood squirted everywhere, all while that wicked ancient woman was laughing as if this was the funniest thing to ever unfold. Several security officers, who were at least thirty pounds overweight, tried shooting at the old lady while she was distracted, not even bothering to glance at them. She made several lights fall on their heads. Then they dropped to the floor dead, nearly shitting ourselves. We hid under our desk for cover. Now do you see what happens when I am denied? When I am owed? Edmund replied, voice trembling. Okay, I'm sorry, you'll get your gift card.

25:47 It's too late. You had your chance. Now you'll pay. We heard him run away, crying, repeating a bunch of curse words to himself. Suddenly, our desk broke off from the floor, flying through the air at unfathomable speed. Along with this, several large and heavy objects were sailing through the air. Then there were several distant thuds. She's blocked the exits. Someone shouted and panic, We're all gonna die. Another person shrieked, look. At them squirming like that, pitiful lands they are. The woman sneered going after them. Seeing where she was going, we chose to go the opposite way, under the assumption it would be safer. Heop Dell's boys came from somewhere amidst toppled shelves. We were able to lift the one he was trapped under high enough for him to squeeze himself out.

26:44 Thanks guys. Damn this Friday the thirteenth. You do everything you can to prepare and you still get blindsided. We need to hide somewhere, I said, let's head to the break room. Yeah, once she has Edmund, she'll probably calmed down. Her next words proved things weren't going to be that simple. Where did you go, you sniveling little snake? There was only one person she could be referring to. If you don't come out now, I will destroy this entire star. Not being one to think of the well being of others, Edmund stayed hidden. What do we do now, Steve asked, panicking, Dell slapped him across the face.

27:29 Pull yourself together, man, we survived four black Fridays together. We can survive this. You two find Edmund and drag has no good ass back here. You're staying here, I said, shocked, his eyes lit with a sharp determination. I'll be dealing with that crazy old lady. How with superb customer service? Take this? He handed us his phone. He went off to search for Edmund, having no luck. While doing so, I saw that the curse had spread, bringing other objects to life. Several people lay in the kitchen aisle with knives sticking out of them in a pool of blood. One person's hand was in a blunder. Several of our other coworkers were sitting huddled in pools of blood, hugging their knees, their chests, rocking back and forth. Another person lay in the middle of the appliance's aisle with a waffle iron clamped over his face. The disturbing part was that it still smelled kind of nice, like fresh waffles. This is fucked on so many degrees, I said, wondering how we had managed to survive up to this point, and worried that could change at any time.

28:40 I'm with you, I'm applying to Target after this. Where do you think Edmond could be hiding? Steve asked, I don't know. A realization hit me as we reached the clothing aisle. Wait duh, I said, to Steve's puzzlement. The phone. Oh, using Dell's phone, we called d Men's number. Instantly, ringing sounded nearby. We realized it was coming from a changing room. Steve kicked open the door, showing Edmund huddled in the corner, bumbling in a panic to decline the call. We tried pulling him outside. No she's after me, he. Whined, clinging to the doorframe as we were yanking on his legs.

29:22 It's a bloodbath out here because you had to be a fucking douche, So take some responsibility. Steve screamed. With a final pull, the weight shift sent us crashing into a nearby display of horror and pumpkin shirts. We got to our feet. Edmond did as well. A They Live shirt showing the aliens covered his head. Snatching it off, he threw it to the floor. How dare you, he snarled, I'm your superior. You'll end up in the prison showers when I'm through. Before I was aware of what was happening, my fist was thrusting forward, connecting with his nose. I can't side which gave me more pleasure, feeling the bones on his nose break or seeing blood gushing from his nostrils. Whichever, it will be a while before anything tops the satisfaction I was experiencing. Then Edmund staggered back from the blow, pulling down several shirt racks.

30:17 As he fell backward. There was an expression of disbelief, as if some natural order had been violated, and his mind was trying to make sense of it. My eyes went from him to my fist. Something to note about me, as I am a non confrontational person to a fault. Therefore, all of the stuff we'd witnessed that day, what I just did stood out as being especially unbelievable. Holy shit, dude, I didn't think you had it in you. Neither did I. We dragged Edmund to the front where that elderly woman had Dell by the throat. They'll be back soon. Just give them a little longer. It's too late. We hadn't gray.

30:57 Her fingers squeezed his neck, making his eyes eyes bold stop, I shouted. Her head whipped in our direction. Then her lips curled upward as she was lowering herself. And Dell, well you made it after all, she. Told us, and then said to Dell. I guess you managed to survive by the skin of your teeth. Consider yourself lucky. She tossed him aside. He hit the wall, sliding down it with a groan. Steve went to check on him. It was now me Edmund and the old woman. Her gaze alone was piercing, and her smile only added to its iciness. Your manager cut me quite a deal. Not only do I get four hundred dollars worth of gift cards, now I also get to do as I please with this slimy little worm.

31:49 Those words seemed to snap Edmond back to the reality of the situation. His breath hitched, and he tried in vain to flee. The elderly woman sent her souls after him, which wrapped around his body. He was carried back, thrashing. Please don't kill me, he begged through tears. Don't do anything don't worry. I won't kill you. Edmund's teary eyes filled with optimism. Now I have a better use for you, the. Old woman said. What occurred next is something that's forever seared into our memories. She raised her finger, lifting Edmund. The inky darkness shot out of the elderly lady's eyes, spreading out and wrapping around Edmund. Screams erupted from within it, and we could hear the sounds of bones breaking as they were compressed and rearranged. The woman reabsorbed the inkiness, revealing what became of Edmund. A loofa on a stick matching the color of his suit, fell into her open palm.

32:55 I could have sworn, I thought, quiver. The implications of Edmund's fate caught me to shudder. I believe that wraps everything up. Let this be a lesson. Never try to cheat me. The woman was about to leave. What are you, I blurted. Her eyes met mine. Then she grinned again. I already told you I'm a witch. She threw something made of glass down, shattering it and causing a green cloud of smoke to appear in the store. When it cleared, she was nowhere to be seen. I can't begin to convey the cluster fuckness of trying to explain what happened to the authorities. The cops around here aren't into doing their job when it counts, so they as well as chalked everything up to an act of God.

33:47 In any case, that store will be closed for a while, and that means we have to go through the pane of job surfing. Oh well, we can check out those Teke Teke films in the meantime. I'll conclude with this, never mess with a witch, especially during Friday the thirteenth at Walmart. Man. I gotta say, given witches a bad name. I know, Friday the thirteenth and witches, right, I don't know, Maybe I have to say I feel like maybe just the combination of like there's so many people again, it's just this like self fulfilling prophecy where it's like everybody just gets so high strung and so stressed out that it just takes something that really didn't have to be that bad of a situation and you know, amps it up. Yeah, and no one is immune, even witches' all.

34:47 I'm saying, I just hope the cat's okay. That's her familiar of course, also thinking about the guy as a lufa, like. Can you do you imagine you know, she took that home and that's her ass grub and lufa. Oh yeah, getting in all the crevasses. You know when you said something about Friday the thirteenth not turning into a bloodbath, but you lied to us. I mean I said it doesn't always, you. Know, I definitely think this is a true story. I also did say, allegedly, although I do feel bad for all the people that passed in the story, it's not funny.

35:36 That's that's not so funny. I'm just saying, you know, stop booking with people. Being taken out by like a Halloween inflatable has to be a good way to die though, Oh okay, I think it's great way to die. I just feel like it makes your death seem kind of cartoonish. Yeah. As the true crime genre writer, I feel like that feels disrespectful. But from like the paranormal perspective, I can see why. That's like, oh, I love it, but we all know it's it's uh, it's super true, so yeah, we can't make any jokes about it. No.

36:17 Wow, Okay, I've been shuffling feeling over here for a little bit, getting a little. I can't wait to see what we're gonna get. I know, what does one draw for this very interesting episode format? What I'm using? The Pacific Northwest or. The PNW if you're nasty, If you're nasty. Okay, So where I've I've fanned these out like kind of the length of my keyboard here. So where do you feel? Like, where's the energy? What do you think?

37:00 I don't know. I'm just saying a broomstick. Does that help? It's pointing this way. The broomstick is pointing. Like your left or my left. It's pointing to my left. Wait you're right? Yeah, okay, And like is it pointing dramatically in that direction or kind of like a slight like veer in that direction, like dramatically? Okay, all right, let's see. Okay, I think this is the Three of Swords in reverse. And remember what they said about the blood Yeah in Decapitation, Yeah, there were people in the aisle laying in a pool of blood. Oh yeah, Oh it does have a head. Okay, yeah, the bird does have a head. But it's like like these are like dark colored petal, you know, feathers. It looks like they're laying in a pool of like blood.

37:59 It dead. So go look at the card on her Instagram. But I totally thought the head part was like one of the pedals, so it was like, oh, it's decapitated, but it's not, just has a redhead. Yeah, it's hard to see though. I feel like that is just kind of perfect. Three of swords in the reverse. I mean it's not at thirteen, but close enough. Yeah, the keywords are suffering, heartache, regret, grieving, sorrow, and loss. In the traditional deck, it's a heart with three swords piercing it. Just looking at this heart with three swords piercing it is painful. One of the saddest cards in the tarot. It symbolizes deep emotional pain, heartbreak, and a real or perceived tragedy.

38:46 That word ache, Oh that yeah, what is interesting because I was just thinking, well, there was real tragedy in your story, and real you know, loss of yeah, loss of money, but also this like perceived allegedly true story exactly. Well, and this next part I feel like is particularly appropriate here. You may not manage to avoid the suffering indicated by the three of swords, However, the card advises separating true grief from self pity. Interesting that reminds me of whoever was hiding in the right changing Yes, Edmund, he was the guy who turned into the Lufah.

39:27 Yeah, this is so funny too, because I feel like this, well, I think you'll see why. I think this is kind of funny just given the format of the episode. But we'll discuss the. Reverse three of swords is actually less problematic and severe than the upright three. Like, you know, depending on whether you believe the story was true or not. It suggests you're making more of an unhappy situation than necessary, or that a disappointment is temporary, not the end of the world. Perhaps the truth hurts, but once you face it, you can improve things, pull yourself together, and get on with your life. I feel like if we just think about that as like a general vibe, maybe that's a good attitude for Friday of thirteenth. Yeah, does that? Does that track?

40:24 Also what you were saying about like kind of a self fulfilling thing about Friday the thirteenth being bad, Like you're just waiting for something bad to happen. Yeah, Like, just calm down, it's fine. Also, if you want to return a cat collar because it choked your cat, don't try to get one hundred dollars out of it. I wouldn't recommend that. I feel like the switch's name was Karen, just saying a little bit, right, the Karen of witches. This is really interesting and I'm really curious to see what you think about how this applies to the story. In a reading about money, you may harbor about what might have been, or you're chastising yourself for a bad decision.

41:05 Ooh yeah, like even if she was a care and maybe we should have appeased the witch, I don't know. Right, well, he tried and then whoever the well, that's. What I'm saying that the upper management guy, like, maybe you should have just left well enough alone. Yeah. The reverse three recommends letting go of blame and guilt, repairing damage, and starting a. New job surfing. Yeah, if the reading is about your job, you may be pulling out of a damaging and hurtful situation. Yeah. The reverse three can mean the worst is over and you've learned from your mistakes. Remain watchful for confusion, deception, or poor judgment.

41:47 Ooh, watch out for them witches. Man well, and watch out for bad managers. I mean some of them are now currently inhabiting aloof of form. But you know, yeah, he's not the only one. In a reading about love, this card points to painful experiences, but you're working on past problems and trying to make things better. You need to let go of jealousy, regrets, guilt, and fear. Sometimes this card represents accepting a loss and moving on. That reminds me of like the investing things too, right, Yeah, I. Feel like there's a lot of applications to like the kind of the first part of the episode where it's like kind of more the biographical section, if you will, and then there's our kind of more. Uh, I mean definitely dark, we do. We do dark humor here for sure, But like the second half with this Redditt story is like, yeah, oh my gosh.

42:52 That's good. I wasn't sure how the how the terror was gonna go, But the broomstick in my mind did not disappoint. It really didn't. I feel like you nailed it. Friend. I closed my eyes and I was like, how is this helpful? I'm just seeing a broomstick. We just talked about a witch and I'm like, oh, but it's pointing. That other direction. I love that for us, And this is going to look great in the tarot altar setup that I have. Oh yeah, I have managed to marry the Friday the thirteenth theme and Valentine's Day and the card is that literally m yeah wow, swords and hearts and red and blood and yikes.

43:39 You know, I totally forgot it was Valentine's Day. I like, we've been talking. About Friday the thirteenth, February thirteenth, blah blah blah, it's literally Valentine's Day the next day. Forgot, I know, I know. So I was, you know, kind of trying to do my best. I was like, you know what, we might focus up on Friday the thirteenth and just see how that goes. But I feel like, you know, kind of married the two a little bit. Yeah. I like it. Love it so fun. Thank you. Oh you're so welcome. Yeah. I really enjoyed that. I have some other stories that I'm interested in doing, Like, I feel like this is fun for us, something kind of narrative especially. I feel like for like a theme episode, it's nice for us because that lets us do something creative and Hopefully our listeners are, you know, hopefully it's something that they enjoy that kind of like refreshes us and yeah, well they are creepy, so exactly exactly. Yeah, just something to keep the show fresh and fun.

44:50 We'll have to all need some voice actor training so I can bury up my voices a little bit. I tried, guys, but. I know it would be a lot easier if we were both here with the roadcaster, because I feel like we definitely could have played with that. Well, if someone could just feel okay and fucking come over and do her job. Me. I'm talking about me. Hi, you know, what happens will happen, and that's that, And that's. The takeaway you should take from this episode. Whatever happens is gonna happen, and that's that. It's Friday the thirteenth. Yeah, it's not that serious, Like hopefully nothing actually serious happens. Yeah, full disclosure, though I did take Friday the thirteenth off work.

45:33 I feel like that says, well, whoa more about. My not wanting to go to work than it does the date. But I was like, hey, you know, if I'm good, let's take a Friday off. Yeah, might as well do you have any spooky plans. I'm probably going to start working a little bit more intensely on my next episode that day. So if that counts, you're not gonna watch tik tak No, probably not. Probably not. I'm interested to see what that is like now. I want to look it up and see it.

46:14 If that is that real? Is that a real movie? Like? It looks like it might be. And based on the description, I was like, you know, actually, I think I think I'm all good. I read it to you. I want to know. Okay. So it is a Japanese urban legend about the ghost of a school girl where her body was split in half by a train after she had become stuck. She is a Japanese word for a vengeful spirit who lurks in urban areas and roams trains at night. Dude, I want to watch it. Yeah, this is really interesting. That seems like a good Valentine's Day movie. Get all snugly and close and scared. Yeah.

47:01 Yeah. I have to say, the limited imagery that has come up based on my very specific search, does look like it could be quite gruesome. There are also a number of them that are being blurred out by the search engine because they're like, that's graphic. Like the Jesus Nles Oh Jesus Chice chice crast. Okay, I have to stop looking at this. That was horrible. You're gonna have nightmares. You gonna have nightmares. Oh my god, she looks like the girl from the Ring.

47:41 Oh okay, I don't know we're talking. No, nope, loosing that tab and am out. Speaking of witches and scary movies, I watched Weapons. Oh really that movie is fucking terrifying. Really Oh no, yeah, I wanted to watch it. No, it's so scary. Okay, it's scary and also sad like I cried. Oh so I probably can't handle it right, Like. It's really scary, like I just was not expecting it. Okay, is it like super natural scary. Creepy old lady witchy and it's got very scary icky moments.

48:21 Oh yeah, okay, I don't know. That might not be the best for me. I screamed out loud, and I don't do that a lot with movies. Like I screamed out loud. Oh I wasn't like drunk or anything. Well maybe a little, but like, no, but you're not enough to be crazy. No, you don't get like I just feel like that is my default and that is not the case for you. So I feel like that's very informative. I'm glad we. Had this chat. Yeah. Yeah, I've been I've been waiting to tell you about it. Yeah. I am not built for that. I feel like I'm gonna go ahead and take that. Off my list. But it was good, like if you love scary movies like, it was great.

49:02 Yeah. Yeah, And I think I'm out. Have have a creepy as Friday the thirteen. We'll see you next Thursday. That's confusing. I'm sorry, guys, not really thursdays before Friday. You guys got it. I'll do an Arnold. Yeah. I suppose that is taking care of something funny. Yeah,