Winter has come: fatal omens, secret Russian conspiracies

The first month of winter is an important period for the Slavs. In this period it was customary to summarize the results and make plans for the next year. Since in past times there were no horoscopes and weather forecasts, our ancestors were guided by folk omens. In addition, they conducted special rituals and conspiracies that were supposed to bring prosperity and wealth to the house. "Izvestia" collected the most popular omens, many of which are widespread in the people even today.

Winter folk omens: about weather and fate

Traditionally, great importance was attached to weather omens. Forecasts about the weather for the coming winter were made already on the first day of winter. For example, it was believed that if the weather was warm on December 1, the winter would be mild. If it was cold in the morning and a chilly wind was blowing, they were preparing for cold weather. The changeable weather during the day said that there would be both frosty and sunny days in winter.

The weather was observed throughout the day. In the morning they judged about the beginning of winter, at noon - about the middle, and in the evening - about the weather at the end of the winter season. It is not without reason that the first day of winter is called Plato and Roman the Winter Signposts in honor of the Christian saints Plato of Ancyra and Roman of Caesarea. There was a saying about it: "Plato and Roman show us winter".

At the beginning of December our ancestors made other observations. First of all, they tried to find out what to expect in the coming year. It was a good omen to see a bullfinch. If the bird fluttered outside the window for a long time, then, according to the beliefs, good news would soon come. Positive changes awaited the person near whom the bullfinch landed on the street. For an unmarried girl it meant changes in her personal life. But accidentally flown into the house of the bird portended misfortune.

In addition, in the olden days believed that marriages concluded at the beginning of winter, will be strong and happy. In this regard, the people said: "Who is married in winter, he is provided with happiness".

Also in Russia believed that children conceived in December, will be born healthy, strong and will be less likely to be sick. However, this fact has a scientific explanation. If a woman became pregnant in December, the birth will fall in late summer - early fall, which means that the future mother will have time to get enough vitamins and sunlight.

Russian conspiracies for salt and water

To make the year successful, in the villages with the onset of winter read special conspiracies. The strongest were considered to be ancient conspiracies for salt and water, which from ancient times have been attributed special magical properties.

The miraculous power of water is known to many people from Russian fairy tales and legends. It is known to be able to heal wounds and raise the dead. According to popular beliefs, salt, as well as water, is able to heal and protect from evil forces. In ancient times, salt was still considered a symbol of eternity, as it never spoils, and a conductor of subtle energies.

For example, with the help of salt made a conspiracy on the threshold of the house from enemies and envious people. Three handfuls of salt were poured into a clean wooden bowl with water. Then the prepared mixture was used to wash the threshold, saying the words: "Salt is salted, water is soaked, salt does not rot, so evil does not stick to my house". The conspiracy was repeated several times, after that the water was poured under a tree.

For protection from spoilage and evil eye at dawn took a dish and three spoons. From above poured water so that it slowly flowed down the spoons, and three times they said: "From the forest came, go to the forest, from the wind came, go to the wind, from the people came, go to the people.

Those who suffered from intrusive thoughts and restless sleep, or simply wished to cleanse their energy, before going to bed put a container of salt water in front of the headboard of the bed. It became a kind of a magnet for negatively charged energy and "locked" in itself all the bad.

Rites for health, money, love, weight loss

In addition, in Russia there were many winter rites to attract health, love and prosperity in their lives. Particularly popular were simple rites with freshly fallen snow.

To promote health, Slavs walked barefoot in the snow or rubbed themselves with it from top to toe. Women often rubbed snow on their faces and washed their faces with melted water. These unpretentious procedures could not only provide good health, but also restore beauty and youth. It is not for nothing that people used to say: "In the winter cold, everyone is young". And in fact, everyone knows how invigorating the first snow, ruddy cheeks and gives shine to the eyes.

Those wishing to keep a slim figure from morning on an empty stomach drank melted water, having previously read the incantation. Only fresh water was suitable. The benefits of melt water was known to our ancestors since ancient times. It perfectly cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, helping to normalize metabolism.

To always have money in the house, at the bottom of the pot put a few coins, and then stuffed with snow and tightly closed the lid. The vessel was left in the house overnight. In the morning the coins were taken out and left in a secluded place. One of them was put in the purse as a talisman attracting money.

Unmarried girls with the help of snow conducted a rite for love. To do this, it was necessary to collect freshly fallen snow and, when it melts, splash melted water near the house of the beloved. Even in the palm of the hand took a handful of snow, brought to the lips and whispered the name of the favorite guy, calling him to reciprocate feelings. Also in the snow buried a piece of paper with the name of the young man written on it.

Children and young people at the beginning of winter went outside and caught snowflakes on their mittens. Before the snowflake melted, they had to make a wish. Our ancestors believed that then it would definitely come true. This tradition still exists today.

Postcards prepared by Izvestia using photos by Dmitry Korotayev, Vladimir Smirnov, Sergey Savostyanov, Konstantin Mikhalchevsky and Olga Maltseva.