7 Unusual Trading Rituals Traders Swear By (Especially on Friday the 13th)

It’s Friday the 13th—a day famously associated with bad luck. In the trading world, superstition is no stranger. Let’s explore 7 Unusual Trading Rituals that stock and options traders believe in. Are these practices psychological crutches, or do they actually offer an edge? You decide. But in trading, any little edge might help. Stock and options trading are full of uncertainty and risk, making it a ripe playground for rituals and superstitions. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, understanding these practices might offer some insight—or at least a bit of fun.

1. Burning Sage to Ward Off Bad Luck

One of the more unique rituals among traders is burning sage around their desks. Rooted in ancient traditions, burning sage is believed to cleanse negative energy and invite a positive environment.

Why Traders Do It: Many traders believe sage creates a calm, focused atmosphere, free of stress that can lead to poor decision-making. A clear head is crucial in volatile markets like options trading.

Friday the 13th Twist: Some traders burn sage at both the start and end of the trading day, hoping to “double cleanse” their workspace to avoid any Friday the 13th bad luck.

2. The “No Trading” Rule on Friday the 13th

Some traders strictly avoid trading on Friday the 13th, believing the day is cursed. In their view, any trade placed on this day is doomed to fail. In fact, they won’t even check the markets to remove all temptation.

Why Traders Do It: Fear of Friday the 13th is a long-standing cultural superstition. Some traders believe staying out of the market on this day protects them from bad outcomes.

Friday the 13th Twist: This ritual is all about prevention. By sitting out the market, they believe they’re dodging disaster altogether.

3. Using “Lucky” Trading Strategies

Some traders lean on “lucky” trading strategies—approaches not necessarily grounded in analysis but ones they’ve found success with before.

Why Traders Do It: These strategies are more about confidence than logic. If something worked in the past on a Friday the 13th, some believe it will work again.

Friday the 13th Twist: Traders will often dust off these “lucky” strategies on Friday the 13th, trusting that they’ll provide protection against bad luck.

4. Following Astrological Predictions

It may seem far-fetched, but many traders consult astrology before making trades. Some believe the stars and celestial events influence market behavior.

Why Traders Do It: For some, astrology provides an extra layer of insight. On Friday the 13th, when superstitions are amplified, astrological forecasts may be used to guide trading decisions.

Friday the 13th Twist: If the astrological forecast warns of tough times, these traders may adjust their strategies or avoid the market entirely.

5. Avoiding Certain Stocks or Options

Some traders actively avoid trading specific stocks or options on Friday the 13th, especially ones that remind them of bad past experiences.

Why Traders Do It: They avoid anything associated with bad luck, including stocks whose ticker symbols contain “13” or unlucky letter combinations.

Friday the 13th Twist: Traders may carefully comb through their portfolios to ensure no “unlucky” stocks or options are lurking.

6. Placing Protective Trades

Some traders take extra precautions by placing protective trades on Friday the 13th. These can include hedging positions with put options or setting up tighter stop-loss orders.

Why Traders Do It: Protective trades limit exposure to risk, offering traders a sense of security, especially on days believed to be unlucky.

Friday the 13th Twist: These traders stay in the market but make extra moves to protect themselves from perceived bad luck.

7. Ritualistic Desk Arrangements and Feng Shui

Some traders swear by arranging their desks according to Feng Shui or other rituals. They might position monitors in specific ways, place lucky charms around, or avoid reflective surfaces like mirrors.

Why Traders Do It: They believe this setup promotes positive energy and clear thinking, leading to better decisions.

Friday the 13th Twist: Traders might be extra meticulous with their desk setups on this day, adding lucky objects to enhance their chances of success.

Are These Trading Rituals Effective or Just Psychological Comfort?

The effectiveness of these rituals is debatable. For some traders, they provide comfort and a sense of control. On Friday the 13th, a day steeped in superstition, these rituals may offer reassurance and help traders maintain a calm mindset. In a fast-paced, high-stress environment like stock and options trading, where emotions run high, maintaining composure is critical. Whether you’re burning sage, following astrology, or avoiding certain stocks, real success in trading ultimately comes down to strategy, discipline, and staying level-headed.

On this Friday the 13th, be mindful of your mindset and understand the difference between helpful routines and those that might lead to overconfidence or fear-based decisions.