Are 13 cards in a spread bad mojo?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Molly	25 Aug 2002
I was just wondering... I really like to create my own spreads and *I* think I made a great one, but it totals 13 cards. I personally don't care and am not interested in adding a position or removing one because it is geometrically how I want it... but I was wondering if there was some school of thought out there that I was unaware of... would others be superstitious about using a 13-card spread?

Marion	25 Aug 2002
:D now don't be talking about mojo like that! To answer your actual question, I would not think so.

Maan	25 Aug 2002
I don;t know if this is correct information but i have read somewhere that the only reason that the number thirteen is considered badluck is cause in the early days it was sacred to the goddess. Thirteen connected to the fases of the moon etc. So when a new religion came along the sacred number became there badluck number!!!!!

Laurel	25 Aug 2002
Nope, I wouldn't have any problems with a 13 card spread. Laurel

Mojo	25 Aug 2002
There's something wrong with bad mojo?

cjtarot	25 Aug 2002
hi, Was told by a friend that knows all kinds of stufffff... that the number 13 was a lucky to the Native American Indians. It has to do with the fact that a turtle has 13 sections on it's shell. And some used the turtle shell to do divination. I would love to know if anyone else has heard this. Blessings Cj

Molly	25 Aug 2002
That's awesome!! (about the Native American tradition). I will have to post my spread pronto! Hey, mojo, are you bad :::teasing grin::: ;)

WolfSpirit	25 Aug 2002
Never heard of this...but 13 is no unlucky number for me. A spread with 13 cards sounds ok to me

Supletion	25 Aug 2002
i wouldnt have a problem with that number... not at all. but its a matter of personal feeling, use the way you ar more comfortable with personally.

Diana	25 Aug 2002
edited

Keslynn	25 Aug 2002
The number 13 is exactly that - a number. It only becomes more if you let it. Likewise, Friday the 13th is only a bad day if you let it become so. I think a lot of people go out on that day expecting for bad things to happen and the universe meets their expectations. So if you're only expecting good things from your spread (which I want to see too!) then you will get good things out of it, and it will be a useful tool for you. :) Kes

midnightmerry	25 Aug 2002
Personally, I like the number 13. If you like it, use it.

Mojo	25 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Molly: Mojo is a scoundrel, a rogue and a rascal. And he is fast turning into a scallywag - ask Major Tom. Actually, I was the original scallywag. But I stopped calling myself that when it got popular.

zorya	25 Aug 2002
this is a quote by umbrae, from the rune study group, about the number 13 in the norse teutonic numbering system. "13. Is the great number of magical power. It is not a number for the unwise or weak. Thus, for the uninitiated, unlucky." __________________ there are 13 moons in a year. __________________ cjtarot; yes, i am familiar with what your friend told you about the turtle shell. __________________ some theories i've heard about why the number 13 is considered unlucky; there was a story that alexander died when he did, because he wanted to be the 13th god. jesus was betrayed by the 13th disciple.

amyel	25 Aug 2002
Well, Molly, I suppose that would depend on how superstitious you were about the number 13. I don't find it "bad luck" at all. In fact, I kinda like it, especially when it falls on a Friday. I am serious. Perhaps it is just heightened awareness, but I always seem to have good days when 13 falls on Friday. Actually, I find that about most Friday's... ;) Anyway, I am joking here and taking away from the seriousness of your question. I apologize, but I will once again re-iterate: it all depends on your attitudes about numeroloigy and superstitions. If it doesn't scare *you*, then go for it!

cjtarot	25 Aug 2002
Molly, Now that you have us all hanging by our nails...will you post your spread so we can try it...Do you mind sharing? I do a simple 8 card spread the "talisman's cup" it works wonders for me, but I could use another 5 or so cards to help go deeper.. Blessings, Cj

Molly	26 Aug 2002
I will absolutely post it sometime today! And, thanks for the encouragement, everyone *G*... Happy to see the #13 is no big, just as I suspected ... I have to take my daughter for her shots this morning, and I have a LOT of all work all of the sudden, which is great for my wallet but :( for me cuz less time on aeclectic ;) But I will try to get on later...

Minderwiz	26 Aug 2002
The number 13 is actually a number of power - its association with bad luck tends to derive from the claim that at the last supper there were 13 (JC + 12 disciples) and look what happened to him! However the 13 most likely signalled a coming rebirth and stronger and higher new cycle - there are quite a lot of other groups in which there is a leader and 12 followers. I'd treat it as being a powerful spread not a jinxed one. Minderwiz

Molly	26 Aug 2002
Okay, it is posted :O I really hope ya'll like it! Oh, ya........ LOL It's called the good mojo spread ;-) I couldn't resist...... you can be good too, right, mojo? *G*

Mojo	26 Aug 2002
Shhhhhhhh... that's supposed to be a secret

Molly	26 Aug 2002
heh heh heh .... I won't tell... ;-) If they ask where the title came from I'll just shrug my shoulders and act suspicious. or is that confused? Hmm... how would you do suspiciously confused? I should go check the mirror - I imagine I look like that a lot... LOL

lunalafey	27 Aug 2002
here's the learn something new everyday thing.. WOW you guys, I knew about the 13 moons a year...but all the other stuff? WOW.... I never found the number 13 to be a bad number infact it has ALWAYS been one of my fav. (scared away the bullies in school..."what's your fav. #?".....'13hisss') As I got older and mischievous, Friday 13th was a day for FUN!!! I'd find trouble for sure, but always walked away with a smile... So my attraction to the number makes even more sense... In no way would I have trouble with a 13 card spread will have to check it out.

catlin	28 Aug 2002
I don't bother about the number of cards in a spread, in fact my CC spread often gets 3 extra cards as clarifiers when there are still unanswered questions in the spread.

Thirteen	28 Aug 2002
Crossing arms and leaning in the doorway to listen in on this fascinating conversation..... Quote: Originally posted by zorya ...this is a quote by umbrae... "13. Is the great number of magical power. It is not a number for the unwise or weak. Thus, for the uninitiated, unlucky." Umbrae is my friend. Zorya, too. We like Umbrae and Zorya.

Molly	29 Aug 2002
Well, I really have to say that I am glad I asked. I had no feelings about the number 13 either way before this thread, but now I quite like it. *Glad Thirteen's around* ;)

The Are 13 cards in a spread bad mojo? thread was originally posted on 25 Aug 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.