Folk signs for September 8: 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 Monday, September 8, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for September 8, 2025

In Russia, Natalia Ovyanitsa was celebrated on September 8. In a number of regions, oat harvesting began from this period. According to custom, the first sheaf was carried into the hut with songs and placed under the images, and amulets were made from the ears to protect the dwelling. The housewives prepared oat pancakes, cookies and treats based on oatmeal mixed with milk or water with berries. The horses were also treated to oats so that the animals would be full of strength and health.

At the same time, it was time to harvest rowan and viburnum berries, which were valued for their healing properties. They were dried, added to compotes and jellies, and made tinctures and decoctions for the winter. The berries were also used to determine what kind of weather would be in the future. For example, an abundance of berries foreshadowed the imminent onset of cold weather, and if there were few berries, it would lead to a rainy autumn.

Other signs of the day:

• fog in the morning foreshadows warm weather;
• The sound of a woodpecker can be heard far away — it's going to rain soon;
• there are a lot of honey mushrooms in the forest — Indian summer is not worth waiting for;
• If the horse kicks with its hind leg, it's bad weather.
• the leaves on the birch and oak have not yet fallen — for the frosty winter;
• high anthills warn that winter will be harsh.

What not to do on September 8th

There were strict prohibitions against Natalia Ovsyanitsa, which they tried not to violate in order not to attract trouble. And although they are based on superstition, the people listen to them. In particular, on this day, wives are forbidden to clarify their relations with their spouses, otherwise it will lead to a prolonged family breakdown. In addition, on September 8, you can not be angry with other relatives, so as not to spoil the relationship for a long time.

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What else can not be done on September 8:

• Complaining about fate will only make the problems worse.;
• to refuse to help those in need, otherwise he himself will be overtaken by need.;
• Going into the woods alone can easily get lost and disappear.;
• overeating, especially eating a lot of fatty foods, leads to a loss of well—being;
• walking barefoot — the ancestors believed that the unclean could grab a person by the foot and drag them into their world;
• To slander and use abusive words is to get yourself into trouble.

What is the church holiday on September 8th?

On September 8, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Presentation of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The history of the holiday is connected with the miraculous rescue of Moscow from the army of Tamerlane in 1395. According to legend, the miraculous icon was brought from Vladimir at the request of Metropolitan Cyprian. The image was brought to the capital with a prayer service and a procession, placing it in the Assumption Cathedral. According to legend, on the same day, Tamerlane, resting in a tent, had a dream in which the Virgin appeared to him with a huge army and ordered him to leave the Russian lands. The elders replied that it was the intercessor of Christians.

Following a divine sign, the Khan hastily deployed his troops and withdrew from Moscow. Later, in honor of this event, the feast of Candlemas was founded, the name of which translates from Old Slavonic as "meeting", and the Sretensky Monastery was built in the place where the townspeople once gathered to greet the shrine.

On the same date, believers remember the martyrs Natalia of Nicomedia and her husband Adrian, who suffered for their faith in the fourth century. Natalia was born in the city of Nicomedia (now the Turkish city of Izmit). Her husband was a pagan Adrian and held a high position under Emperor Maximian. After meeting the Christian martyrs, he came to believe in Christ and openly declared his faith. For this, he was thrown into prison and sentenced to death. Natalia took care of her crippled husband, comforting him with the hope of meeting him in the future. Natalia herself escaped death. She left Nicomedia and lived in Byzantium for the rest of her days.

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Prayers on September 8th

It is believed that the miraculous image of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God helps everyone who prays before it, therefore, on Candlemas they often turn to the Mother of God for support and protection in various life situations: for the healing of diseases, forgiveness of sins, guidance on the true path, reconciliation with relatives and family well-being. The martyr Natalia is revered as an example of a faithful, loving wife and selfless Christian. In Russia, it was believed that the saint helps to preserve happiness and love in the family, and unmarried girls find a good spouse. Girls who were born on this day were usually called Natalia.

Prayer to the Mother of God at Candlemas

"O Most Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-powerful Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanking You for all the great benefits that have been given to you by the Russian people throughout the generations, we beseech You before Your most pure image: preserve this city and Your upcoming slaves and the whole Russian Land from glade, destruction, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare! Save us, Lady, and grant us the way of the earthly career to pass without blemish. Strengthen us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, grant us patience in adversity, abstinence in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, and prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensitivity, and on the terrible day of Judgment, through Your intercession, grant us to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God, to whom befits all glory, honor, and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer to Natalia and Adrian Nikodimsky

"O holy two, holy Martyrs of Christ Natalia and Adriana, blessed are the spouse and the good sufferers! Hear us as we pray to you, and send down upon us all that is good for our souls and bodies, and pray to Christ God that He may have mercy on us and work with us according to His mercy, so that we may not perish in our sins. Receive the voice of our supplication, and through your prayers deliver us from glade, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, hail, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from sudden death and from all troubles, sorrows and diseases, may we ever strengthen ourselves through your prayers and intercession, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. All glory, honor, and worship are due to Him, together with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what Luppus of Thessalonica and Irenaeus of Lyons were praying about.