July 15 — Slavic Bereginya holiday: traditions, customs, omens
According to the national calendar, Bereginya is celebrated on July 15, a Slavic holiday dedicated to the female deity, who was revered in Russia as the guardian of the family. Our ancestors believed that Bereginya protects the household from all evil and helps to find love. In 2025, the date falls on a Tuesday. Izvestia tells us what rituals and omens are associated with this ancient celebration.
Bereginya National Holiday — what is celebrated on July 15th
In pre-Christian times, Bereginya was called a domestic goddess. The deity served as a symbol of Mother Nature, which gives life to all living things and protects the dwelling from evil spirits. In the old days, she was depicted on embroidered towels, household utensils, as well as on the architraves of houses, accompanying the images with floral ornaments.
Mothers and wives gave Beregin amulets to their loved ones to protect them from diseases and evil. Unmarried girls turned to the deity, asking for a speedy marriage and happiness in love. It was also believed that the goddess helped fishermen with a good catch, so she was often depicted as a mermaid.
However, Bereginya was most often represented in the form of a white—trunked birch, a sacred tree among the Slavs. In the old days, peasants went to the forest to bow to the birch tree, to ask for well-being and good luck in business, including love.
With the spread of Christianity, the image of Beregini began to personify the Mother of God. It is on this day (July 2, Old style) that Orthodox believers celebrate the Position of the Robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae, or the Day of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God. Up to the 19th century, the image was one of the most famous and significant in Russia. He is currently in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
Traditions of the Bereginya folk Festival — 2025
With the Baptism of Rus, many traditions of the national holiday were rethought. However, many of his rituals and customs have survived to this day. First of all, they are associated with rituals to attract love and well-being.
And today, in the villages, girls use this day to love their lovers. To do this, a birch branch is placed on the threshold of the chosen one's house. As soon as the young man steps over it, the branch is removed and hidden in a secluded place, reading a special spell: "As this rod dries, so may my desired one dry out of love for me."
Other spells are read on the holiday to attract good luck and wealth. According to beliefs, all requests made on Beregini Day will be crowned with success.
This time is considered safe for various wellness and anti-aging treatments. In the old days, our ancestors carried embroidered towels with the image of Beregini to the meadows and, after washing, wiped themselves with them to gain health and strength. It was a good tradition to steam in the sauna with birch brooms.
What can and cannot be done on the Bereginya holiday
A number of prohibitions are also associated with the national celebration. For example, you should not swim in reservoirs on this day. According to beliefs, violators of the ban can be dragged to the bottom by mermaids. In addition, you can not quarrel, conflict with loved ones and talk a lot. The elders said that otherwise "the tongue would wither away."
Laziness is also forbidden on holidays. Anyone who shirks his duties risks losing his well-being. It is necessary to complete all the tasks, especially those that have been started for a long time, but have not been completed. You can also dedicate a day to needlework and housework.
It is strictly forbidden to chop birch trees and use birch logs for kindling stoves on Bereginia. In particular, it is forbidden to tear leaves from birch trees, bend branches and cause any other harm to trees. These actions promise illness and lack of money.
Folk signs for July 15th
To understand what kind of weather lay ahead, the peasants carefully observed the changes taking place around them. According to observations, if crows are screaming, bad weather is coming soon. They give the owl's voice — to the warmth. If it is hotter outside on July 15 than on previous days, then this weather will last until the end of the month. Fish splashing in reservoirs also promises warmth, and insects swarming in the air, leading to a downpour.
Earlier, Izvestia told about the traditions and signs of the national holiday Summer Kuzminki.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
