Legends of the ages: the strongest rite from our grandmothers
Autumn has always been the time when Russian peasants ended their working days, summing up the harvest and preparing for the winter cold. During this period, the most important rituals and festivals were held, filled with deep meaning and respect for nature. About the brightest autumn rituals that our grandmothers preserved and passed on — in the material of Izvestia.
Autumn — meeting autumn and gratitude for the harvest
Autumns symbolized saying goodbye to summer, meeting autumn and preparing for winter. Until September 14, work in the field was completed, and on September 14, the autumn dances and festivities began.
On this day, the women prepared special dishes, baked pies and treated their pets to ensure that they had a good offspring. It was believed that if the weather was good on this day, it meant that the rest of autumn would be warm.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — the beginning of autumn works
On September 21, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated. This day marks the beginning of autumn work, such as harvesting cabbage and other vegetables for the winter.
Young people organized cabbage parties, celebrations dedicated to cabbage picking. On this day, they also prayed for health, family well-being and good luck in the coming year.
Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos — completion of field work
On October 14, the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated. On this day, the field work was completed, the last fruits were harvested and preparations for winter began.
The women made ten-handed dolls, which, it was believed, were supposed to help around the house. The youth organized festivities, sang songs and danced.
Roasting — gratitude for the harvest
Roasting is a celebration dedicated to the completion of harvesting. On this day, the last sheaves were harvested, a "beard" was woven from them, a symbol of the harvest, decorated with ribbons and brought into the house.
The sheaf was placed in the red corner of the hut, believing that it would bring prosperity to the house. After that, they had a festive lunch with treats from the new harvest. In different latitudes, the holiday was celebrated at one time: in the cold regions in August, and in the south — in late September and early October.
St. Dmitriev's Day — commemoration of the dead
On November 8, St. Dmitry's Day was celebrated, dedicated to the commemoration of the deceased. On this day, memorial ceremonies were held, special dishes such as kutia and syta were prepared, and memorial meals were held.
It was believed that on this day the souls of the ancestors come to the house, and it was important to prepare and serve food properly to please them.
Kuzminki — youth Festival
On November 14, Kuzminki was celebrated, a holiday dedicated to youth. The girls held feasts, invited the boys, sang songs and danced.
On this day, the ceremony of "Kuzma-Demyan's wedding and funeral" was also held, during which an effigy was made, dressed up as a guy, "married" to a girl and burned. This ceremony symbolized the farewell to the summer season and the meeting of winter.
Natural signs and customs of autumn
Autumn was a time when people closely followed nature and its changes. There were many signs related to the weather, crops, and animal behavior.
For example, if the cranes flew away on October 1, it was believed that the first frost would fall on the Cover. If not, frosts should not be expected before November 1. Also on this day, the behavior of birds and animals was observed to predict the onset of cold weather.
Rituals with water and fire
During the autumn holidays, special attention was paid to water and fire. It was believed that water had a special power, and rituals with water were held on the days of the autumnal equinox.
We washed our faces in the morning and evening with the belief that this would preserve the health of children and the attractiveness of women. Bonfires were also lit during this period, which symbolized the farewell to summer and the meeting of autumn.
Rituals with plants
Plants played an important role in autumn rituals. Mountain ash branches decorated the house, believing that they protect from evil.
The girls used walnut branches and put them under their pillows to get married. Also during this period, herbs were harvested for winter preparations, such as teas and infusions.
Folk games and entertainment
Autumn was a time of fun and folk festivals. Round dances, songs, dances, games and competitions were held. The young people arranged screenings, checking how the young couple coped with the household.
The girl showed how she runs the house, and the young man — in the yard. Comic rituals such as "funerals of flies and cockroaches" were also held, symbolizing farewell to summer.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
