Today we are guided in time by the days of the week and the names of the months. But how did this happen with our ancestors? In Ancient Russia, the change of seasons was allowed to determine the national calendar. The signs of the month were the main adviser and assistant to the Slavs for every day. So, in our article we will consider the main holidays of the national calendar, as well as their signs and customs.
Carols
Kolyada is a traditional holiday among the Slavic peoples, having a pagan origin.
The celebration was directly associated with the winter solstice. Celebrations were held from December 25 to January 5-6. During this period, the Slavs put on 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 that time carols should be met hospitably, since the fate of the coming year depends on the generosity of the owners of the house.
At a later time, Kolyada began to be closely associated with the Nativity of Christ. The peasants united in groups and went home, where they were to be awarded with money and treats.
It should be noted that on this day the Slavs predicted the abundance of the crop. So, if there is frost on Christmas, then a lot of bread is born. And if on this day the sky will be starry, then peas will be abundant.
It was believed that it was during this period of time that it was necessary to have fun from the heart and perform numerous ceremonies. So, carollers had to put on bright clothes, horns, masks and with large bags to the sounds of loud tambourines go to the windows of wealthy peasants, praise their name and ask for money. Traditional food for the holiday was considered cookies in the form of a cow, kutya and uzvar. Be sure to roll a burning wheel uphill with the words: "Go uphill - go back in spring."
Christmas time
The Slavic traditional holiday, which was celebrated from January 6 to 19, continues the winter folk calendar. At this time, it was imperative to distribute gifts and sweets to the children, alms to the poor, and food to the elderly.
The 1st week of Christmas time was considered “holy” (since it was during this period of time that the Nativity of Christ was celebrated), and the 2nd was called “terrible”. The people believed that at this time unclean power was wandering among the people. It was with this that the desire of the people to fortune for the future or bewitch the soulmate was connected.
At Christmas time people walked and had fun, and some performed magical rites. The purpose of the celebration was caroling, dressing, sowing, erotic games, ritual atrocities of youth, etc.
On Christmas Eve it was believed that the table should behave quietly and calmly, otherwise the year will pass badly. It was not allowed to plant unmarried and unmarried people on the corner of the table, otherwise there was a threat to remain alone forever.
People believed that if it snows on Christmas Eve, then the year will be fruitful and monetary. Everyone believed that at the table it was necessary to try all the dishes offered, but in no case do not eat them to the end, otherwise the year promised to be hungry.
At Baptism, Christians rejoiced in wet and rainy weather, because bad weather foreshadowed a plentiful harvest. The same goes for snowy weather.
Meeting of the Lord
The national calendar (February) continues the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which is celebrated by Orthodox peasants on February 15. This day comes on the 40th day after Christmas. It was believed that at this time winter meets spring. Many signs for the Meeting were connected precisely with the weather. So, if the sun came out in the morning, then the two seasons finally met. A snowy morning meant a plentiful grain harvest. If rain fell on the Meeting, then spring should be with a thunderstorm.
Pancake week
The folk calendar continues, the signs of which were considered fateful among the peasants, Maslenitsa. This holiday was celebrated by the Slavs a week before the beginning of Lent. The people believed that it was during this period that a farewell to winter should take place.
The most important custom on this holiday is making pancakes, organizing a feast, sledding, burning a straw scarecrow.
People believed that if you do not skimp on refreshments during this period, then the coming year will be successful and generous. It was believed that if the hostess bakes few pancakes, then there will be no harvest.
Holy Week
This is the last week before Easter. It starts on Monday and ends on Saturday. During this period, it is customary to clean up the house, commemorate deceased relatives, bake Easter cakes, paint eggs and be sure to swim. Peasants sincerely believed that painted eggs at this time have healing properties. So, if you hold the shell on a fire and put it on a sick tooth, then he will be cured at that hour, the same applies to the disease widespread at that time - night blindness.
Folk customs and signs in Holy Week also existed. For example, if you plant parsley on Good Friday, then the year promises to be fruitful.
It was also believed that the bread baked on Good Friday would never become brown. And if you keep it until the end of the year, then it will protect the house from robbers and fires. People believed that sunny Saturday would bring warm and hot summers on Saturday.
Easter
Easter is the oldest of all Christian holidays. On this day, people should rejoice and meet people with the words "Christ is Risen." The Orthodox call this holiday "a celebration of triumphs" or "a holiday of holidays." On this day, people go on a visit and give each other decorated eggs and Easter cake.
On Easter night, it was believed that you can see your deceased relative. To do this, you should hide near the temple with a candle.
People believed that on this day, according to the national calendar, the devils and all evil spirits are especially evil, so the people were very afraid to leave the house. Christians also thought that if you roll the consecrated egg at the intersection, then the devils must jump out and dance.
At this time, it was also easy to identify the sorcerer. Mages always stood with their backs to the altar.
"Red hill"
This day according to the popular calendar was considered especially important for Christians. 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. Festivities began after sunset and continued until the morning. But most of all, the youth was waiting for this triumph. It was girls and boys who were supposed to participate in the celebration. Those who refused to walk, came up with insulting nicknames. It was even believed that reluctance to celebrate Red Hill would lead to a failed marriage and unhappy love.
On the eve of the holiday, all the peasants washed the icons in a 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 allow you to get rich.
As for the signs for the weather, people believed that if bird cherry blossoms that day, then it's time to plant potatoes.
Women that day finished spinning, otherwise dry hands could subsequently hit her hands. It was also believed that if you get married that day, then the marriage will be the strongest.
Ivan Kupala
The national calendar, the signs of which are still observed by many, continues the well-known holiday Ivan Kupala. Festivities took place from July 6 to July 7 and were directly associated with the summer solstice. For the rites that were held on this day, water, herbs and fire were used. At this time, it was customary to light a fire and jump over it, dance, sing songs, swim in the lake, divine and make wreaths.
People believed that the devils and spirits on Ivan Kupala were especially dangerous, therefore it was impossible to sleep that night.
It was believed that a strong dew on Ivan Kupala will bring a good harvest, and the starry sky will give a lot of mushrooms. If there is a thunderstorm on this day, then the nuts will become empty.
Day of Peter and Fevronia
The national summer calendar continues the Day of Peter and Fevronia. This holiday, in our time, is celebrated by the Orthodox people on July 8. In the old days it was believed that 40 hot days should be counted from this day, 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 the mermaids began to dance, so that they should bathe on holiday with extreme caution, otherwise the “water seducer” could drag her to the bottom.
It was believed that if there was a drought on Peter and Fevronia Day, then there would be no mushrooms until the fall. Have mice and pigs begun to eat hay? Then the mowing will be bad.
If on this day the seedlings drink water well, then in the days of haymaking it will be dry, and vice versa.
Ilyin day
The traditions of the folk calendar were carefully observed by the Slavs. So is the holiday Ilyin Day, which is dedicated to the transition of summer to autumn. The nights were already getting cold, daylight was shrinking, and the behavior of animals and insects changed markedly.
Equally important for the Slavs were folk signs about the weather on this day. It was believed that it was at this time that it should rain and a severe thunderstorm began. The girls on Ilyin didn’t let their hair fall a day, otherwise the one that drops at least one could be struck by lightning.
People believed that on this day all the evil spirits were hiding from Elijah, since it was he who was considered their "fighter." On Ilyin, the people drove all the animals out of the house for a day, since it was precisely in them that the devils most often settled. It was also believed that animals and fish with red eyes - unclean power.
Luxury goods were also “persecuted” because wealth was not allowed on that day. Thunderstorms and lightnings on Ilyin’s day were considered the most dangerous. People were even afraid to go out. It was believed that someone who at this time will be struck by lightning will certainly be in paradise.
Honey Spas
What is another very important day for the Orthodox people to highlight the national calendar? Signs precisely during the Honey Savior were considered the most reliable. This important day is dedicated to small water blessings. It is on August 14 that honey collection, its consecration and a meal begin.
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 unclean forces do not penetrate the dwelling. Poppy heads should be scattered around the barn with cattle, so that witches would not send diseases to animals and steal milk.
Apple Spas
On this day (August 19), people gathered for festivities, the children sang songs, danced round dances and gave everyone smiles. At Apple Spas it was customary to pluck a lot of apples, light them, distribute to loved ones, the poor and the sick.
It was believed that before the holiday, you can not pick the fruits and even more so - to eat them.
People believed that on this day colds came, cranes left their native lands and fly away.
Success
Success is a very important celebration 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 laid tables, invited guests. Parishioners should have presented a wreath made of spikelets as a gift. It was believed that it was he who would protect and protect the house from unhappiness and poverty.
People believed that if you drop at least one crumb of bread from the table, then this is a great sin.
National signs about the weather on this day were also observed. It was believed that the weather in Uspension should be inclement, otherwise it would be cold during the old Indian summer (September 13-21).
Simon Letoprovodnik
This holiday was celebrated on September 14 and was dedicated to the approaching cold autumn. On this day, peasants observed customs and ceremonies. So, it was necessary to celebrate a housewarming at Seeds of the Letoprovodstvo, to kindle a fire, to perform a tonsure ceremony.
It was believed that if the weather is clear on this day, the Indian summer will be warm, and vice versa. A lot of web? Autumn will be long and dry. If wild geese fly away on this day, you should expect an early and cold winter.
