Continuing the watery theme as autumn progresses, we will take a look at the dread with which many sailors face Fridays if they have to begin a voyage on that day.
It was thought that witches ruled supreme on Fridays and could weald great power over the waters which may explain why so much fear built up around what is, in actual fact, the sacred day of the Norse Goddess of Love and wife of Odin, Frigga.
The renowned poet, Lord Byron, shared all the superstitions of his fellow Scotsmen but although he recognised Friday as an unlucky day, he nevertheless put his superstitions to one side and embarked upon a voyage to Greece, where he died at Missolonghi.
The British admiralty attempted to prove the absurdity of this superstition and so ordered the keel of a ship to be laid on a Friday; they named the ship Friday and launched her on a Friday. They gave the command to a man called Friday and set sail on Friday, however, although the ship was new and seaworthy when it left port, neither the ship or the crew were ever heard of again!
Take care when you book your ferry tickets!
From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements' by Carole Carlton
