Folk signs for September 11: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Thursday, September 11, and what prayers are read on this day.

Folk signs for September 11, 2025

In Russia, on September 11, the feast of Ivan the Lean was celebrated. This day was associated with the end of summer and the onset of autumn, so another name popular in some regions is Ivan—proletok. People used to say about the changing of the seasons: "Ivan the Lean has come — he has taken away the red summer" or "Ivan the Lean — the godfather of autumn".

At this time, the villages began to harvest turnips and made preparations for the winter. Autumn auctions and fairs were opened in the cities, where it was possible to buy vegetables and fruits of the new harvest, as well as handicrafts and clothing. Even on the holiday, it was supposed to help the poor and reconcile with their loved ones.

Omens were given great importance on this day. They were used to determine what kind of weather would set in the coming days. According to observations, if the buds of the white water lily have not opened on the rivers and lakes since the morning of September 11, then prolonged rains are ahead. And the departure of cranes to the south foreshadows the imminent onset of cold weather.

Other signs of the day:

• wind change leads to short—term precipitation;
• Thunder rumbled — towards a warm autumn;
• there are a lot of rooks in the sky and in the trees — for sunny weather;
• Geese fly in flocks — to bad weather;
• Swans are circling overhead — the first snow is coming soon;
• find a podberezovik on September 11 — to good luck in business;
• to hear the sound of a woodpecker in the forest leads to changes in the family.

What not to do on September 11th

There were a number of prohibitions and superstitions on the holiday, which are firmly rooted in folk traditions. For example, it was forbidden to consume round-shaped foods and red drinks associated with blood. Another strict rule was to avoid using any sharp objects — knives, axes, scissors. In the old days, it was believed that if you cut yourself or prick yourself with them, the wound will not heal for a long time.

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What else can not be done on September 11:

• to refuse alms — otherwise you can go around the world with your hand outstretched.;
• arrange engagements and weddings — the marriage will be short-lived;
• drinking alcohol and having fun — according to beliefs, luck will turn away from idly spending the day.;
• Wearing red clothes can get you into trouble.;
• unmarried girls have to do their mother's homework, so they can postpone their marriage.

What is the church holiday on September 11th?

On September 11, the Orthodox Church celebrates the beheading of John the Baptist, the predecessor of Jesus Christ, who predicted the coming of the Messiah and baptized the Son of God in the waters of the Jordan. The holiday was established in memory of the martyrdom of the holy prophet.

According to legend, John suffered from the treachery of Salome, the daughter of Herodias, the wife of King Herod, who decided to take revenge on him for declaring her marriage illegal. During the feast, she inspired Salome to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. At her behest, the prophet was imprisoned and then beheaded.

In the church tradition, St. John the Baptist Memorial Day is considered a time of strict abstinence and penance. According to the charter, strict fasting is established. It is forbidden to eat meat, fish and dairy products. Sometimes believers completely abstain from any food until the end of the service.

In addition, any entertainment activities, including singing and dancing, should be abandoned, in memory of Salome's request to execute John the Baptist, which she voiced during the feast.

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Prayers on September 11th

John the Baptist is approached with various requests: for the admonition of lost souls, strengthening in faith and help in temptations. They also pray to the saint for relief from headaches, which is symbolically connected with the image of his beheaded head.

Prayer to John the Baptist

"To the Baptist of Christ, preacher of repentance, do not despise me, but copulate with the heavenly host, pray to the Master for me, who am unworthy, despondent, weak and sad, who have fallen into many troubles, burdened with the stormy thoughts of my mind. For I am a den of evil deeds, by no means having an end to sinful custom, for my mind is nailed to earthly things.We do not know what I will do, and to whom I will run, may my soul be saved. To you, Holy John, name the grace that you have before the Lord, according to the Theotokos, the greatest of all those who were born, for you have been vouchsafed to touch the head of the King of Christ, who takes away the sins of the world, the Lamb of God. Pray to him for my sinful soul, that from now on, at the first hour, I may bear a good burden and accept a reward with the last <...> I pray to you, I run to you: do not reject me from your intercession, but raise me up, who have been overthrown by many sins. Renew my soul by repentance, as by the second baptism, for you are the ruler of both: by the baptism of ablution; I am the ancestral sin, but by repentance you cleanse which deed is evil. Cleanse me, Who have been defiled by sins, and compel me to enter the Kingdom of heaven, even though I enter into nothing. Amen to that."

Personal petition to John the Baptist

"Oh, holy servant of God, John the Baptist of the Saviours. Hear me, the sinner (name). Beseech Christ God, that He may vouchsafe (the grace of holy baptism, repentance) to His servant (name). May we all glorify the mercy of the Trinity of the glorified God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your fervent intercession forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the righteous Anna the Prophetess.