THURSDAY

The Day of Strength
 The Day of Jupiter

thursdaeg (Anglo-Saxon) donnerstag (Germanic) dies jovis (Latin) vrihaspat-var or guru-var (Hindu) jumerat (Islamic) jeudi (French) moku youbi (Japanese)

Traditionally seen as the fifth day of the week. Originally associated with two gods, ‘Jove’ and ‘Thor’. Thor was the God of Thunder hence the day also being known a ‘Thunderday’. Jove was also known to be associated with thunder, with the French renaming the day ‘Jeudi’ which means ‘Jove’s Day’. ‘Maundy Thursday’ is the Thursday before Good Friday when in the Roman Catholic faith, the preparation of washing the feet begins. Traditionally those of high office within the church, including royalty would wash the feet of the poor on this day. In John, xiii, 34, the ceremony is outlined with ‘Mandatum novum do vobis’ meaning ‘a new commandment I give unto you’. The washing of the feet is associated with Jesus washing the feet of the poor, and also too of Mary of Magdala washing the feet of Jesus. In Germany (Europe) Thursday was believed traditionally to be the most unluckiest of the week. As a result the practice grew of ensuring that no important business should be carried out, no marriages and even that no child should be sent to school for their first time on this day. ‘Black Thursday’ was the name given to February 6 1851 in Australia when a powerful fire swept in from the bush to blaze a trail across Victoria. According to the English historian Richard Grafton certain dates of the month were unlucky as published in the ‘Manual’ in 1565. Days throughout the year were identified and of course could have related to any day of the week. The date was the most important point to consider. The work was reputed to have some credence with support given by astronomers of the day.  Columba, or Columcille is associated with this day, as it is known that he was born on a Thursday in 521, on the 7 December. The Celtic church notes this feast day as 7 June, revered across the British Isles and Brittany as a truly sacred man of God hence the association in ancient times of this being a holy day.