The national calendar: signs about the weather, holidays, customs

Today we are guided in time with the help of the days of the week and the names of the months. And how did this happen to our ancestors? In ancient Russia, the change of the seasons allowed to determine the national calendar. The signs of the month were the main adviser and assistant of the Slavs for every day. So, in this article we will consider the main holidays of the national calendar, as well as their signs and customs.

Kolyada

Kolyada is a traditional holiday among Slavic peoples, having pagan origin. The celebration was directly connected with the winter solstice. Celebrations were held from December 25 to January 5-6. During this period, the Slavs wore costumes, animal masks, truly believing that in this way it is possible to influence the rotation of the sun from winter to summer. It was believed that at this time carolers should be welcomed hospitably, since it is the generosity of the owners of the house that determines the fate of the coming year.

At a later time, Kolyada began to be closely associated with the Nativity of Christ. The peasants united in groups and went to their homes, where they were to be awarded with money and food.

It should be noted that on this day the Slavs predicted the abundance of the harvest. So, if there is frost for Christmas, then there will be plenty of bread. And if on this day the sky will be starry, then there will be plenty of peas.

It was believed that it was during this period of time that you should have fun from the heart and perform numerous rituals. So, carolers should wear bright clothes, horns, masks and with large bags under the sound of loud diamonds go under the windows of wealthy peasants, praise their name and ask for money. Traditional food for the holiday was considered a cookie in the form of a cow, kutya and Uzvar. It was necessary to roll the burning wheel uphill with the words: "Go to the mountain - go back in the spring".

Christmas tree

Continues the winter folk calendar Slavic traditional holiday, which was celebrated from 6 to 19 January. At this time, it was necessary to distribute gifts and sweets to children, to the poor - alms, and to old people - food.

1 week Svyatok was considered "holy" (since it was during this period of time that Christmas was celebrated), and the second was called "terrible". The people believed that at this time among the people wandering evil. It was with this that the desire of the people to betray the future or to spell the other half was connected.

At Christmas time people walked and had fun, and some performed magical rites. The purpose of the celebration was caroling, pricking, sowing, erotic games, ritual outrages of young people, etc.

On Christmas Eve it was believed that the table should behave quietly and calmly, otherwise the year will not go well. Not allowed to put unmarried and unmarried at the corner of the table, otherwise there was a threat to remain forever alone.

People believed that if Christmas Eve falls on snow, then the year will be productive and money-yielding. Everyone thought that at the table it is necessary to try all the dishes offered, but in no case to eat them up to the end, otherwise the year promised to be hungry.

At christening, Christians rejoiced in the wet and rainy weather, because the bad weather foreshadowed a plentiful harvest. The same applies to snowy weather.

The Presentation of the Lord

The national calendar (February) continues the holiday of the Lord's Savior, which is celebrated by Orthodox peasants on February 15. This day comes on the 40th day after the birth of Christ. It was believed that at this time winter meets spring. A lot of people will take on the Seness because of the weather. So, if the sun came out in the morning, then two seasons finally met. A snowy morning meant a plentiful grain harvest. If the rain has been poured on the Snel, then the spring should be with a thunderstorm.

Maslenitsa

Continues the people's calendar, the omens of which were considered fateful for the peasants, Pancake week. This holiday was celebrated by the Slavs a week before the Great Lent. The people believed that it was during this period that farewell to winter should take place.

The most important custom in this holiday is the preparation of pancakes, the organization of a feast, sledding, burning of a straw effigy.

People believed that if you do not skimp on food during this period, then the coming year will be successful and generous. It was believed that if the landlady bakes a few pancakes, then there will be no harvest.

Holy Week

This is the last week before the celebration of Easter. It starts on Monday and ends on Saturday. During this period, it is customary to put things in order in the house, remember the deceased relatives, bake cakes, paint eggs and swim. The peasants sincerely believed that the colored eggs at this time have healing properties. So, if you hold the shell on fire and apply it to a sick tooth, then it will heal that hour, the same applies to the disease, widespread at that time - of night blindness.

Folk customs and signs in the Holy Week also existed. For example, if you plant parsley on Good Friday, the year promises to be a good harvest.

It was also believed that bread, baked on Good Friday, would never become stale. And if you keep it until the end of the year, then he will protect the house from robbers and fires. People believed that on the Great Saturday, the sunny weather will bring a warm and hot summer.

Easter

Easter is the most ancient of all Christian holidays. On this day, people should rejoice and meet people with the words "Christ is Risen". Orthodox call this holiday a "celebration of festivities" or "a holiday of holidays." On this day people go to visit and give each other decorated eggs and Easter cakes.

On the night of Easter it was believed that you can see your deceased relative. For this it was necessary to hide near the temple with a candle.

People believed that on this day, according to the people's calendar, devils and all evil spirits are especially angry, so people were very afraid to leave home. Christians also thought that if the consecrated egg is rolled at the intersection, then the devils must necessarily jump out and dance.

At this time, it was also easy to identify the sorcerer. The magicians always stood with their backs to the altar.

"Red hill"

This day was considered to be especially important for Christians according to the national calendar. It was celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. "Red Hill" symbolized the full arrival of spring, which is why the peasants so loved to celebrate this bright holiday. Folk festivities began after sunset and lasted until the morning. But most of all this triumph was waiting for the youth. It was girls and boys who were supposed to participate in the celebration. Those who refused to go out, came up with insulting nicknames. It was even believed that reluctance to celebrate the "Red Hill" would lead to unsuccessful marriage and unhappy love.

On the eve of the holiday all the peasants washed the icons in the basin. Water was left and washed in the morning. It was believed that the liquid in which the holy icons were washed would bring good luck and make it possible to get rich.

As for the signs on the weather, people believed that if the cherry flies on that day, then it's time to plant potatoes.

Women on this day ended up spinning, otherwise the hands could later hit the dry. It was also believed that if you marry that day, the marriage will be the strongest.

Ivan Kupala

People's calendar, the signs of which are still observed by many, continues the notorious holiday Ivan Kupala. The festivities took place from 6 to 7 July and were directly connected with the summer solstice. For the rituals that were held on this day, water, grass and fire were used. At this time it was customary to kindle a fire and jump through it, dance dances, sing songs, bathe in the lake, guess and weave wreaths.

People believed that devils and spirits were especially dangerous for Ivan Kupala, so it was impossible to sleep that night.

It was believed that a strong dew on Ivan Kupala would bring a good harvest, and the starry sky would give many mushrooms. If this day there is a thunderstorm, then the nuts will get ugly empty.

Day of Peter and Fevronia

The people's calendar of the summer continues the Day of Peter and Fevronia. This holiday is celebrated in our time by the Orthodox people on July 8. In the old days it was believed that from this day it should be counted 40 hot days, and then autumn will follow.

Many do not even realize that the Day of Peter and Fevronia is considered a holiday of lovers who are married. The people believed that it was on this day that mermaids begin to dance dances, so they should bathe in the feast with special care, otherwise the "water seducer" could drag to her bottom.

It was believed that if the day of Peter and Fevronia is a drought, then there will be no mushrooms until the fall. Mice and pigs started eating hay? Then the mowing will be bad.

If on that day the seedlings drink well water, then in the days of haymaking it will be dry, and vice versa.

Ilin Day

The traditions of the people's calendar were carefully observed by the Slavs. So on the feast day of Ilyin, which is dedicated to the transition of summer to autumn. The nights were already getting colder, the daylight diminished, and the behavior of animals and insects changed markedly.

The people's signs of the weather on this day were of no small importance for the Slavs. It was believed that it was at this time that it should rain and a strong thunderstorm began. The girls on Ilyin day did not loose their hair, otherwise the one that will drop at least one could be struck by lightning.

People believed that on that day all the evil forces were hiding from Ilya, since he was considered to be their "fighter". The people on Ilyin's Day drove all the animals out of the house, for it was in them that the devils most often settled in. It was also believed that animals and fish with red eyes are an evil force.

Luxury goods were also subjected to "persecution", because on that day it was not allowed to have wealth. Thunderstorms and lightning on Ilin day were considered the most dangerous. The people were even afraid to go out into the street. It was believed that the one who at this time will get hit by lightning, be sure to be in paradise.

Honey Spas

What is still a very important day for the Orthodox people allocated the national calendar? Signs during the Honey Spa were considered the most reliable. This important day is dedicated to the small water consecration. It is on August 14 that the collection of honey, its consecration and a meal begins.

People believed that on the first day of the Assumption of the Savior, it is necessary to sprinkle all corners in the house with poppy seeds, so that the impure force does not penetrate into the dwelling. Poppyheads were worth spreading around the cowshed with cattle, so that witches did not inflict disease on animals and did not steal milk.

Apple Savior

On that day (August 19), the people gathered for a walk, the children sang songs, led dances and gave everyone smiles. It was customary for the Apple Spas to pick many apples, light them, give them to relatives, beggars and the sick.

It was believed that before the holiday, you can not rip off the fruits and even more - eat them.

People believed that on this day the cold comes, the cranes leave their native lands and fly away.

Assumption

Assumption is a very important holiday of the end of summer. This day is celebrated on August 28. The peasants dedicated the Assumption to the end of the harvest and the greeting of autumn. People set tables, invited guests. The parishioners were to present a wreath woven from spikelets as a gift. It was believed that it was he who would protect and protect the house from misfortune and poverty.

People believed that if you drop at least one crumb of bread from the table, then this is a big sin.

People's signs of weather that day were also observed. It was believed that the weather in the Uspenie must be inclement, otherwise it will be cold in the old Indian summer (September 13 to 21).

Semen Letoprovodets

This holiday was celebrated on September 14 and was dedicated to approaching the cold autumn. On this day, the peasants observed customs and rituals. So, the Semyon Letnodvorets needed to celebrate a housewarming party, fire a fire, perform a ritual.

It was believed that if this day is clear weather, the Indian summer will be warm, and vice versa. A lot of cobwebs? Autumn will be long and dry. If this day fly wild geese - it is worth waiting for an early and cold winter.

Russian national calendar. Cover

To the triumph of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the peasants tried to finish the harvesting of food for the winter and collect the whole harvest. The people believed that if the holiday is fun, then life will be easy and carefree.

On this day, the harvest of the last fruits was also completed. People believed that the flight of cranes before the onset of the Pokrov precedes the early and cold winter. If on that day the wind blows from the east, then the winter will also be frosty.

That's so important for the peasants was the people's calendar. The signs for each day were observed unquestioningly. It should be noted that in our time some Orthodox holidays are celebrated on a special scale. Well, this shows that we still appreciate and respect the traditions of our ancestors.