January is considered the coldest month of the year; in the old days it was called “prosinets”, “cold”, “perezimye”. This month has interesting feature– if last year January was warm, then this year it will be harsh, and vice versa. These days you can judge not only the weather, but also the upcoming harvest, and all thanks to folk signs that developed many years ago.

Signs about the weather

The behavior of pets and the weather in January can be used as a kind of meteorological report for the future:

Short-term signs

• The tit squeaks in the morning - to the night frost.
• Jackdaws are circling in a flock in the air - it will snow.
• Crows croak - it means frost, sit in the trees - the wind will rise, settle down on the ground - there will be a thaw.
• When sparrows hide under the roof in January, climb into brushwood and other shelters, there will soon be frost or a strong snowstorm.
• A magpie flying near your home means a blizzard.
• A singing bullfinch under the window of a residential building is a sign of an approaching thaw.
• If a goose presses its paw, cold weather is expected soon.
• A chicken stands on one leg - there will be frost. The higher you climb to the perch, the colder it will become.
• A domestic dog, with its paws outstretched, stretches out and sleeps on the floor - to warm weather.
• Horses fall asleep standing up - it’s getting colder, they lie down to rest - warming is coming.
• The hare came into the garden - warm weather will not come soon.
• If a squirrel leaves the nest after a snowfall, climbs down from a tree, and runs around in the snow, the weather will soon be calm and clear.
• Before a snowstorm, the long branches of spruce bend, but in clear weather they straighten.
• Fluffy frost on bushes and trees - the next day promises to be sunny and warm.
• If there is no wind, but smoke from chimney lies on the ground, then snowfall is expected soon, it goes in a column - towards frost, spreads out on the ground - a thaw will begin.
• A red fire in the stove means frost, a white fire means warming. There will be a thaw if the heat in the stove goes out quickly.
• If there is a light wind or snow on a January night or early morning, the day will be warm and clear.
• A pale moon in a halo always foreshadows snow, a bright moon - clear weather.
• Clouds are forming in bands - temperatures will be above freezing for the next few days.
• If the snowfall ends in the afternoon or evening, but the sky has not cleared, there will be precipitation again the next day.
• It’s frosty outside, and there’s water on the ice – a thaw is approaching.
• Evening or night fog that lasts for a long time - morning frosts are not expected.
• The north wind against a cloudless sky foreshadows frost for the next few days. If the ice cracks, the cold weather will not last long.
• Snow creaking heavily underfoot means cold weather.
• A red dawn or red dawn foretells a blizzard.
• A steep and clear month is a sign of severe frost.
• Stars blinking on a January night means cold. If at the same time the clouds go against the wind - towards the snow.
• Large snowflakes during a snowfall mean an imminent thaw.
• The January day is clear, but in the evening a layer of low clouds appears in the sky - the frost will be mild, snowfall is possible.
• The sun sets in a large cloud - there will be a snowstorm.
• Fogged up windows in cold weather indicate the onset of warming, but if at this time the draft in the stove is strong, then prolonged cold weather is expected.
• Frost that appears at night in January foreshadows snowfall.

Long-term forecasts

• The stronger the frost in early January, the hotter the summer will be.
• A warm month leads to cold March and late spring.
• Cold January means late mushrooms.
• Sunny days in the second half of the month - there will be a good harvest.
• A gloomy, overcast sky throughout January means a meager harvest.
• Frequent snowfalls and blizzards mean heavy summer rains.
• A lot of long icicles foreshadow a big harvest in the summer.
• The mole leaves the hole - it will be a cold May.

Read also the calendar of folk signs about the weather and customs for February

By days

• January 1 is Ilya Muromets Day, it has long been customary to bow native land and remember the exploits of national heroes. On this day, a strong wind foreshadows a harvest of nuts, warm weather - rye will be born, a starry night - there will be a lot of peas and berries.
• January 2 – Ignatiev day dedicated to why home. It is also considered Apple Day, when apple trees are supposed to be cleared of snow and frost for a better harvest. Snow drifts and deeply frozen ground promise grain production.
• January 3 – Prokopyev Day or Half-Korma. By this time, no more than half of the feed stored for livestock for the winter should be used up.
• January 4 is Nastasya's day. Clouds against the wind signify snow, a clear sunset foreshadows dry, clear weather the next day.
• January 5 is Fedul's day. Windy weather is considered a good omen and promises a rich harvest.
• January 6 – Christmas Eve, time for carols. If the day is clear, then both the vegetables in the garden and the wheat in the field will ripen. Bright stars at night foretell a good birth of livestock and poultry.

January 7 – Christmas. A strong snowstorm and snowdrifts on this day are signs of a warm year, rich in harvest. A thaw at Christmas foretells an early and warm spring.

• January 8 – Babi porridge. The day when women in labor and midwives are glorified, and maiden fortune telling begins. Clear weather promises a millet harvest, soft sticky snow - a thaw, stable North wind- to the cold, a red sunset - to increased frost.
• January 9 is Stefan's Day, a harbinger of severe frosts. Snowfall means bad weather, a large reddish moon means warming.
• January 10 is Household Day. The time when the whole family gets together to do housework together and sits down at the table together. If a cat, curled up in a ball, lies down on something soft or warm, the next day will be clear and frosty, frost on the haystacks means a rainy summer.
• January 11 is a terrible day. good time for fortune telling - according to popular belief, on this evening the evil spirits are especially rampant. A north wind in a cloudless sky foreshadows frosts; the appearance of a strip of clear sky in the west in the evening means warming.
• January 12 is Anisin's day. By this time the frost usually intensifies. Crows perch on the lower branches of trees - it will be windy, with unstable daytime winds changing strength and direction, worsening weather should be expected.
• January 13 – Melania Day, Vasiliev evening. According to signs, if the night wind comes from the south, then the summer will be hot and fruitful, the wind from the west is a sign of future abundance of fish and milk, and from the east - fruits and berries will be well produced.
• January 14th – Vasiliev’s day. Snow and frost on Vasily - the year will be fertile. A blizzard is swirling - a good harvest of nuts is expected in the fall, a clear starry sky - an abundance of peas and berries, morning fog - grain crops will be harvested.
• January 15 is Sylvester's day. Also called the Chicken Holiday because of the custom of cleaning chicken coops and repairing roosts on this day. If the horns of the month are bright and sharp, the wind will rise, steep horns mean cold weather, sloping ones mean bad weather. Dim stars promise a thaw, bright stars promise frost.
• January 16 is Proud Day, when you can’t brag. White fluffy clouds foreshadow a blizzard. Good audibility on the street means warming.
• January 17 – Zosima the beekeeper, patron of bees. If tree branches bend from snow on this day, bees will swarm in the summer.
• January 18 – Epiphany Christmas Eve. Snow collected on this day has medicinal properties. To preserve your beauty for a long time, you need to wash yourself in water heated from Epiphany snow. Water collected from springs at midnight also has healing powers.

January 19 – Epiphany of the Lord. The frosts were beginning to subside. Snowy weather with frost or fog on this day is considered the most favorable sign for the future harvest. A person who swims in an ice hole will be healthy all year. If the water in the ice hole reaches the edges, then a large spill is expected in the spring.

• January 20 is Ivan Brazhny Day. The end of the Christmas festivities. Cold and clear weather on this day is a harbinger of drought, cloudy and snowy - a good harvest.
• January 21 – Winter Vasilisa or Emelyan-winter-winter Day. You need to treat your godfather and godfather, this is good for children and brings them health. At this time there is a turn towards spring, the weather changes. Wind from the south means summer thunderstorms.
• January 22 – Philip Day. Clear weather means a good harvest. The cattle do not want to leave the stall - they need to wait for cold weather.
• January 23 - Gregory the summer guide. If frost falls on the haystacks, the summer will be wet and cold; if the weather is cloudy but warm, it will be dry.
• January 24 – Fedosy-vesnyak. If the weather is warm on this day, wait for early spring; if it is cold and frosty, there will be a long winter.
• January 25 is Tatiana's day. Beliefs say that a girl born on this day will become a good housewife. Warm weather in Tatyana promises early arrival of birds and a soft spring; if it snows, expect a rainy summer.
• January 26 – Ermilov day. The forest is cracking - a sign of long frosts. The cat curls up into a ball and hides its face - prolonged cold weather is coming, rolls around on the floor - towards warmth, tears at the wall - bad weather is coming.
• January 27 is Nina's day. It is customary to clean the stalls, treat the domestic animals with bread and vegetables: “On St. Nina’s day, please the cattle.” The trees are covered with frost or it snows on a frosty day - warming is coming, white clouds in the sky - it’s cold.
• January 28 – Pavel. The Day of Witches, when you should especially beware of the evil eye and damage. Starry night on Paul - there will be a bountiful flax harvest. If the day is clear, summer promises to be dry and hot, windy weather promises to be cold, and if it snows, rainy.
• January 29 – Peter-half-feed. Calculate the amount of livestock feed remaining before spring grazing. Frosts on Petra are the harbingers of a hot summer.
• January 30 - Anton-perezimnik, considered the middle of winter. You should not rejoice in the warmth on this day; it quickly gives way to cold weather.
• January 31 – Athanasius the Clematis. On this day, severe frosts are not uncommon. At noon the sun shines brightly - spring will be early, the blizzard is swirling - winter will drag on.

Wedding in January

The following signs are known for weddings in January:

• Snowfall during a wedding means prosperity and a prosperous life.
• Full moon 1-2 days before the ceremony - for a happy, long marriage.

If the weather on the wedding day is warm, then the first child will be a girl; if it is frosty, the first-born will be a boy.

Also, we should not forget that from the 1st to the 6th the Nativity Fast lasts, and from the 7th to the 19th of January - Christmastide. At this time, the church does not conduct wedding ceremonies and does not welcome a magnificent celebration.

January is a magical, special month of the year, in which every day, every action has a certain meaning. After all, it is at this time that most holidays with magical significance fall. In addition, in January the year begins and the first days clearly tell what to expect throughout all months of the year.

It was by weather changes and animal behavior that people tried to understand what changes were expected. Based on such observations, a calendar of folk signs for January appeared.

Signs about January: about the month and holidays

The name of the month is associated with the name of the Roman god Janus, which in Latin sounds like Januarius. This god was in charge of all doors, entrances and exits, as well as any beginning, right up to the beginning human life. He was also responsible for treaties and alliances. And the day dedicated to Janus fell exactly at the beginning of January, on the 9th. The image of this deity was two-faced, where one face looks into the past, and the second into the future.

Among the people you can find a wide variety of names for the month that falls in the middle of winter.

Sechen, sichen (in the Little Russian calendar), as the wind blows and cuts.

Zimetz, prozimets - the month of mid-winter.

Ice - rivers, reservoirs, puddles are covered with ice.

Prosinets - from radiance, blueness, intensifying in the skies as the day lengthens.

January puts on a sheepskin coat to the toes, paints intricate patterns on the windows, amuses his eyes with snow and tears his ears with frost.

For a long time in Rus', January was the eleventh month, when, and later the fifth when counting the months of the year from September.

It was only in 1700 that the calendar was changed. The initiator of such innovations was Peter I, who abolished the ancient chronology associated with the day of the creation of the world. The new calendar corresponded to the Western European one and was associated with the Nativity of Christ.

To this end, he issued two Decrees. In the first, dated December 19, 1699, it was stated that chronology was based on Christmas. And the second, dated December 20, described in detail how Russians should celebrate the New Year.

January, Father, begins the year, and marks winter.

In fact, the calendar corresponded to the Julian chronology.

But in 1918, Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar, according to which the dates shifted by 13 days.

Therefore, the New Year according to the old style, approved by Peter I, was automatically moved to January 14.

This is how the strange Old New Year holiday, incomprehensible to other nations, appeared.

It is in January that Russians' favorite holidays occur. During the winter holidays there is a holiday almost every day.

It is from Christmas Eve that the Christmastide begins - the festive festivities last until Epiphany, January 19. On these days, people carol, give generously, sow, and dive into ice holes. Each January holiday has its own customs and rituals, traditions and signs. We suggest reading some folk signs of January related to the weather, animals and harvest.

Signs of January - mid-winter

January is considered the wilderness, a time when peace and tranquility sets in in nature. This is the coldest month of the year.

There is a belief about Epiphany frosts, which sometimes reach terrifying levels. However, according to signs, every year January cannot be frosty.

There are no cold Januarys in a row.

Every day people watched the weather to know what to expect, a thaw or even more frost.

It was based on these observations that the peasants planned what to do in the coming days.

Although the only thing to do in the village in January is to have fun and go for walks.

Don't forget to keep the stove on fire so you don't freeze.

January puts wood in the stove.

In January, the pot on the stove freezes.

The day arrives in January and by the end of the month it already becomes longer by almost 1.5 hours.

As the days grow in January, so does the cold.

January is on the doorstep, the day has arrived for the sparrow's leap.

The sun appears more and more often in the sky and even seems to warm up.

January is bokogrey.

In winter the sun shines, but does not warm.

And despite the cold, the month is considered a turning point, since not only the days are getting longer, the sun is warming up, but all of nature is turning towards spring.

From January the sun turns towards summer.

January is the turning point of winter.

January is the grandfather of spring.

So we can safely say that from January nature’s slow preparation for spring begins.

Short-term folk signs and superstitions of January for every day

By natural phenomena forecast for the coming days. So, a circle around the sun promises sunshine for tomorrow. There is a bright moon and many stars in the sky on a frosty and clear day. Frost also promises clear echoes, as well as the crackling of wood in the stove, as well as dry crackling in the forest.

If the echo goes far in January, the frosts will get stronger.

But the wind promised such a rare phenomenon for January as thunder.

Thunder in winter means an imminent strong wind.

They also paid attention to the behavior of animals, especially domestic ones.

A cat hides its nose in its paws - to frost or bad weather.

A cat scratching the floor means a snowstorm or strong wind.

The rooster crows at night - the frost subsides.

The dog stretches out on the floor and sleeps with its paws outstretched - for warm weather.

The behavior of the birds also spoke volumes.

Bullfinches chirped under the window - indicating an increase in temperature.

Crow cr - to the warmth, to the north - to the cold. It looks at noon, towards the south

Bullfinches sing when the weather changes - before snowfall.

Sparrows sit quietly in the trees - it will snow without wind.

Weather signs for spring, summer in January

The weather in January determined what spring would be like when the thaw came.

Warmth in January – towards late spring.

A woodpecker knocked on a tree in January towards early spring.

The mole crawls out of its hole in January - by cold May.

Also, based on folk signs and observations, you can predict what summer will be like.

Cold and dry in January – hot and dry in July.

January frosts to the burning summer heat.

Cold weather in January threatens fires in the summer.

Blizzards and snowfalls leading to summer precipitation.

Snow flakes for precipitation in summer.

Frequent snowstorms lead to frequent rains.

Signs of January about the harvest

The amount of precipitation and weather conditions in summer and spring greatly worried the peasants, since their main occupation was grain farming and harvests directly depended on the weather.

Therefore, many signs were associated specifically with forecasting the harvest for New Year.

Dry January - the peasant is rich.

In January there will be snow and bread will arrive.

In January there are many frequent and long icicles hanging - the harvest will be good.

Tree branches are icy - there will be a lot of nuts and fruits.

Cloudy weather in January means a poor harvest in the summer.

Therefore, the peasants rejoiced at the snow and frosty winters, which promised good rainfall and high yields.

Folk signs for January on holidays

If we talk about folk holidays, then interesting rituals are also associated with them. First of all, this is Kolyada or Karachun. This holiday is more familiar to our contemporaries as the Nativity of the Sun.

On this day we not only had fun, but also looked at natural clues.

On Bogataya Kutya (Christmas) you can see the starry sky, then the chickens will lay eggs well.

Moonlit night - melon harvest.

It will snow - to a large harvest of apples.

Frost on the trees means a grain harvest.

Also in January, the fertility of the earth is celebrated on Epiphany (January 19) and St. Basil (January 13).

On these days, water is blessed and rituals of expelling frost are performed.

Winter rituals embodied a combination of pagan traditions and Christian rituals.

From Christmas until the old New Year, you cannot sweep away dirty linen from the house.

Epiphany under the full month - there will be great water.

If Epiphany frosts are stronger than Christmas frosts, the year will be fruitful.

If there is snow on Epiphany, bread will arrive.

The usual kutya or sochivo, which is prepared for Christmas and Epiphany Eve, is a kind of sacrifice to the forces of nature. In addition, natural forces were appeased with agricultural magic. People asked these days for large harvests, protection for plants, for livestock.

Folk signs and traditions of January

January is the second month of winter and the first month of the new year. January is the time of the most severe cold and the most joyful holidays. New Year, Christmas, old New Year, Epiphany - many signs and beliefs are associated with each of these holidays.

Folk signs for January

On January 1, the first day of the new year, people traditionally did not work, since it was believed that the whole year would then be spent in hard work. At New Year's auctions, the first buyer was given a discount, because it was considered that the initiative was valuable - it determined the commercial success for the whole year.

The first twelve days of the new year, according to popular belief, predicted the weather for all twelve months. Particularly knowledgeable people even paid attention to the mood of each day and noted in which months we should expect good news and in which months we should expect bad news.

It was also believed that the longer it stays in the house Christmas tree, so much the better, and you only need to celebrate the New Year in new clothes. On this day it was necessary to bow to our native land and remember for festive table all its defenders who laid down their lives for the well-being of their native land. Saint Voni-Fatius, whose memory is celebrated on this day, was known as a healer against drunkenness; people prayed to him for deliverance from binge drinking.
Signs January 1

On New Year's Day there are many stars in the sky - there will be a lot of berries.
If it's warm on New Year's Day, rye will be good.
As is the first day of January, so is the first day of summer.

On this day the house was protected. bowed to him. prayers were served to Ignatius the God-Bearer to protect the home from any misfortune. They also served prayer services and carried icons around the village in procession to protect it from any misfortune. This day was also known as apple day. It was supposed to shake off frost and snow from the trees to plant the future harvest.
Signs January 2

Tits chirp - it means it’s cold.

This day received this name because it was believed that by the first days of the new year, half of the winter reserves had already been eaten.
Signs January 3

Snow on the ground is the same as manure.
If in January the echo can be heard far away, the frosts will get stronger.

January 4 is popularly celebrated as the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Anastasia, who received the nickname Pattern Maker because she served a lot to prisoners imprisoned for the faith of Christ, alleviating their suffering. Anastasia was also considered the patroness of women in labor.
Signs January 4

What is the weather like in Anastasia, so will the month of October.
By Anastasia's Day, peasants in Rus' tried to complete all the basic work around the house.
The preparation of raw materials for the Christmas table begins.
They stabbed a pig on Anastasia, that is, they carried out fresh meat. In the old days they used to say: “Christmas without sausages is like Easter without colors.”
Anastasia is considered the patroness of pregnant women; they prayed to her that the pregnancy would pass without complications. On this day, with prayers to the Saint, women embroidered a towel, which was supposed to help safely relieve the burden.

Fedul came - the wind blew.

On Christmas Eve, January 6, people were supposed to fast all day, prepare a holiday meal, and put their clothes in order. It was believed that you should not celebrate Christmas in black - come to the feast in sad clothes. As soon as the first star lights up, it means that Jesus Christ came into the world, and the holiday can begin. On Christmas Eve they always caroled - boys and girls went from house to house, singing carol songs and begging the owners for treats and money.
Signs January 6

Winter is not frolicking in the forest, but right on our noses.
If the paths are black, there is a harvest for buckwheat.
The day arrived on the chicken foot.

From January 7 until Epiphany, Christmastide begins - holy days associated with the events of the birth of our Lord. During these twelve days, it is customary to have fun, think only about good things and spend time with family - after all, children look forward to the holiday more than adults. This is a time of joy, games and fun - there are other days of the year for worries and problems.
Signs January 7

From Christmas until the old New Year, you cannot sweep away dirty linen from the house.

Women's holiday or porridge holiday - this day got its name because mothers considered it their duty to congratulate the midwife who helped with childbirth on the holiday, show her their child and bring a gift.
Signs January 8

On the holiday of porridge, everyone goes with a spoon - a full ladle will not disperse the family.

January 9 was also called the horse holiday. The horses were watered “through silver” - a silver coin was thrown into the bottom of a bucket of water. It was believed that this would make the animals kinder, not afraid of a dashing eye, and would come into the favor of the brownie. The coin that was in the bucket, then like that. so that no one could see it, it had to be placed in the stable under the manger.
Signs January 9

Clear day, severe frosts good harvest.

The holidays continue. On the eve of this day, stakes were brought to Krasnaya Gorka near the village and driven into the ground. On the household's day, the whole family came to Krasnaya Gorka, and everyone tied their own piece of paper on their peg and made a wish. These days, in Russian houses they loved to gather guests and play a wide variety of games.

It was believed that on this day all kinds of evil spirits were especially dangerous, and the objects of their attack were children, as the most vulnerable members of the family.

On this day they prepared to celebrate the New Year according to the old style, which has been known since ancient times by the saying: “A pig and a boletus for Vasiliev’s evening.”

On the night of January 13-14, the Old New Year is celebrated. This day is called Vasily's evening, because the next day the church celebrates the memory of Vasily the Great. An indispensable attribute of the holiday is pork dishes, because Saint Basil the Great was considered the patron saint of pig farmers. “The pig is not a clean animal, but God has nothing unclean - St. Basil will sanctify it in winter!” - people said.

On this day, it was customary to go to visit your relatives and friends and congratulate them on the upcoming New Year. On Basil the Great, peasants performed a special ritual associated with the invocation of wealth and fertility. Peasant children went from house to house and sowed grains of oats, buckwheat, and rye from a sleeve or bag onto the floor, while singing a special sowing song. It was believed that the faster the housewife collected grain from the floor, the richer the harvest would be. Vasiliev's Day divides Christmastide into holy evenings - from January 7 to 14 and terrible evenings - from January 14 to 19.

On this day, healers washed away fever from houses. There was a belief that the fevers were the thirteen daughters of Herod who followed their father into hell. That's where the frost drives them out, and the sisters try to hide in a warm peasant house. To drive away evil spirits, a cloth was moistened in a solution of Thursday salt (salt that was stored from Thursday of the seventh week of Lent), ash collected from seven furnaces and earthen coal taken from under the Chernobyl site on Midsummer Day and wiped the lintel with it. Only older women did this: young women were not trusted with such an important task, and men were not allowed anywhere near it (it was believed that a man could jinx the ritual).
Signs January 15

If a woman on Sylvester trips over a cat, her husband will go on a spree.
Old people say: don’t cut Sylvester’s hair, otherwise it will run off his head (towards a bald spot).
If a woman becomes pregnant on January 15, she will have a son.

On this day, “Proud People” were celebrated - on this day they remembered sayings about pride, which has long been considered a vice: “To be proud is to be considered stupid,” “Satan was proud - he fell from heaven! And we are proud - where are we going?” spoke among the people.

By popular belief, on this day it was necessary to sew a thistle into an amulet and wear it around the neck near the cross - to protect against damage and help wanderers.
Signs January 17

The sky is clear with full moon- to a strong flood.
The snow on Zosima bends the branches of the trees - in the summer bees will swarm.

According to popular belief, the eve of Epiphany, the famous “Epiphany evening-. - a time of rampant evil spirits that seek to enter the house as a werewolf. To protect the home, crosses are drawn with chalk on all doors and window frames. If you don’t put a cross on the door on Epiphany Eve, you’ll be in trouble, they thought in the old days. That evening we were guessing.
Signs January 18

If it snows in the morning, the bread will be good.
There was snow on the hungry Kutya - there will be buckwheat.
If in Epiphany night the sky is clear - there will be a lot of peas.
If the stars shine very bright on Epiphany night, the bread will be good.
A full month on Epiphany Eve means a big flood.
Dogs bark a lot - there will be a lot of game and animals.

It is believed that on this day the most severe frosts of the entire winter occur - Epiphany. They are followed by Afanasyevsky (January 31), Sretensky (February 15), Vlasyevsky (Sevral 24), and late Blagoveshchensk (April 7) frosts. On this day, there is a procession of the cross to rivers and lakes to bless the water, which is called the procession to the Jordan in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ. Water blessed on this day is kept throughout the year; it heals diseases and can stop a fire that has started. You are supposed to plunge into the ice hole to wash away your sins and gain health and good luck for the whole year. It was believed that on the night of Epiphany, before Matins, the sky opens. Whatever you pray to him will certainly come true.
Signs January 19

Epiphany under the full month - there will be great water.
If Epiphany frosts are stronger than Christmas frosts, the year will be fruitful.
If there is snow on Epiphany, bread will arrive.

Whoever buys a cross for the Baptist, his Guardian Angel will rejoice.
If you baptize a baby on this day, then John the Baptist himself will stand next to this child at the baptism.
Whoever, being unbaptized, dies on the Baptist, his soul will cry and grieve for a long time.

On this day, godfather and godfather were treated to food - it was believed that this would bring health to the children whom they baptized.
Signs January 21

If there are strong winds from the south on this day, it will be a terrible summer.
What is the weather like in Emelyan - this is the weather in August.
If Emelyan is quiet (no wind), then the summer will be sunny.

The holidays are over, and after them a lot of household chores have accumulated, which they did on this day. In the evening, the bathhouse was certainly heated to wash away the sinful Christmastide.
Signs January 22

To this day, the day was added by one hour, by the leap of a sparrow.
January is the dark dawn of the year.
January puts wood in the stove.
If cattle released into the yard flock back to the stall, it means there will be cold or snow.
Clear weather on this day promises a good harvest.

The holiday got its name in honor of St. Gregory the Theologian. He lived in the 4th century in Cappadocia and is considered one of the Church Fathers. In Rus', he was nicknamed the Summer Pointer because on this day it was possible to predict what kind of summer it would be - rainy or dry. They said that if frost falls on the fields, then summer months will be raw. The wind from the south foreshadowed numerous thunderstorms. Weather predictions are also associated with sayings related to this day: “Trees in frost - the sky will be blue”; “The day is covered with long frost - the summer period will be stormy, the young rye will bloom in the very rain.”

NAME DAYS: Anatoly, Gregory, Zinovy, Pavel, Peter.

There is a lot of frost on the trees - expect a lot of dew in the summer.
On this day the very first drop occurs.
Wind from the south - a menacing summer.
A circle around the sun or the month means frost.
The sun is at noon - spring will be early.
The water in the rivers is decreasing - expect a dry and hot summer.

If the weather is warm, then spring will be warm.
Fedoseyev's day is warm - spring will be early.
Frosts on Fedosey are unfavorable for future spring crops. (Hence one of the names of this day - skinny frosts.)

It was customary among the people to bake loaves in the shape of the sun for Tatiana, inviting the luminary to return to the people as soon as possible. Such loaves were then eaten by the whole family, so that everyone could get a piece of the sun’s power and warmth.

If it snows on Tatiana, the summer will be rainy.
The sun will shine on Tatiana early - for the early arrival of the birds.

At this time, as a rule, there were severe frosts, so the peasants, yearning for warmth, took note of the weather on this day for the coming winter days. Especially many omens on Ermil’s day were associated with the cat.
Signs January 26

The cat lies down with its belly up and stretches - towards the warmth.
The cat scratches the wall - bad weather is at the gate.
The cat rolls on the floorboards - the warmth is knocking on the house.
The cat curled up into a ball - to the frost.
The cat scratches the floor with its claws and smells a blizzard.

White clouds in winter mean cold weather.
On a frosty day it started to snow - it means it will warm up.
A pillar from the sun at sunset - against the frost.
A crow croaks in the morning - a blizzard.
Early rooster crows in cold weather bring warmth.

The day for Pavel was already noticeably increasing, which is why the following saying appeared among the people: “Paul got wet - he dragged the day.” A person born on this day put on a linen shirt as a talisman, and put a bunch of flax under his pillow to ward off bad dreams.
Signs January 28

Peter and Paul added a day.
If there is wind, the year will be damp.
Starry night - for the flax harvest.
Stars that shine strongly indicate frost, stars that are dim indicate warmth.
The stars "play" - to the blizzard.
Clouds appeared from the north - there would be no thaw.
A snowstorm during the day foreshadows frost at night.

Domestic animals have eaten half of the winter food.
If in barns rye bread There is more than half left, ready for harvest.
If there is a broom to the fire, then there will be bread to Peter, and the sinen and the bell will bring the end of the bread.

Usually at this time the cold weather recedes and a thaw sets in, but this warmth is deceptive, because it is followed by severe frosts.
Signs January 30

Perezimnik - will reassure, warm, and then deceive - everything will be covered with frost.
Don't trust warm weather in winter.

According to signs, on this day there are always severe frosts, and a blizzard kisses a person - (freezes, knocks down). Hence one of the names - Athanasius the Clematis, i.e. people break (freeze) their faces on this day.
Signs January 31

Traditions and signs of February

February is coming - the last winter and shortest month. Our people called this month Fierce, Vyugovey, Snezhen. And the current name came to us from Rome, where February was last month of the year.

Among peasants, February was considered the most difficult month - at this time, winter supplies for livestock were gradually coming to an end, and spring was still far away. According to the signs of February, they noted the weather for the whole year, and also predicted what kind of summer it would be - rainy or dry.

Folk signs for February.

On February 1, special attention was paid to the fire in the stove - so that there would be peace and prosperity in the family. The stove had to be lit like this. so that all the logs are occupied at once, so that the mouth of the stove becomes golden. To do this, the wood was dried and the wood was plucked in advance. The wood was harvested in the winter, and this work was done at this time of year, because in the cold months the trees fall asleep and there is not as much sap in their trunks as in spring or summer. They cut birch trees for splinters, sawed them into logs less than a meter long, split them in half, removed the bark and dried them for a whole year. If the splinter is not dried well, it will crack and hiss as it burns.
Signs of February 1

As is Makar, so is the whole of February.
The old one gets a spoonful of warmth on Makara, and the young one gets a spoonful of worries.
What is the weather like on Macarius, the spring-signaler, is this the whole month of February.

February is the month of snowstorms, it’s not for nothing that they said: “Blizzards and blizzards arrived in February.” We learned whether there would be a snowstorm by the behavior of domestic animals: if a cat scratches the floor or chickens wag their tails, then we need to prepare for a strong wind with snow. Blizzards,
Signs February 2

On Efim - get off the stove, O Maslenaya, guess.
If the sun is clear at noon on Efimiya, then spring will be early.
A blizzard will screech and it will snow all week.
There is a snowstorm on Efim - all Maslenitsa is a snowstorm.

Maxim was considered a comforter in grievances and a helper in troubles, so on his day people who once came to help were remembered with kind words. They prayed to him for the intercession of widows and orphans.
Signs February 3

If it’s a nice day on Maksimov, then it’s a good spring.

On February 4th it can be cold - Timothy's frosts "knock down the horns of the eime." From these days the real February snowstorms begin. Back on February 4, the first needlewomen in the village rode on the donuts they spun. It was believed that the one who rides longer will have better flax.
Signs February 4

If the sun is visible at noon on this day, then spring will be early.
Patterns rise up the glass - towards frost; they go sideways towards the thaw.

This day got its name Agathia-half-bread because the owners were checking their supplies of bread, considering whether what was left would be enough until the new harvest, and whether the family would have to starve. The grain intended for sowing was also checked. The bins, which were already empty, were put in order: they were swept and cleaned, the walls and doors were straightened. In general, this day was considered a time for household chores. We made wishes about the weather: we watched the appearance of birds - if a tit screams in the morning, then it means severe frost.
Signs February 5

Agafy does not straighten his back in the bins; he keeps count of the healthy grain.

This day was considered the turning point of winter. The owners noticed the prices of bread. If the price increased, then people were sure that the future harvest would be poor and bread would be expensive; if it decreased, they hoped for a rich harvest. If the price of bread for a half-bread basket is low, then it will not rise to the level of new bread. From the day of St. Xenia, it was believed that before new breads were needed, the same amount of bread was needed as had already been eaten.
Signs February 6

Like Ksenia, so is spring.
The weather in Ksenia is beautiful - so is spring.
A blizzard will bring all the food to Ksenia (it will be a long spring).
Half-winter does not divide the winter in half; By spring it’s harder for a man.

On February 7, they made wishes about the weather for the coming winter. They believed that what the weather was like before lunch, such was the future winter before Christmas, and what the weather was like after lunch, this would be the weather in the second half of winter. The snow that fell on this day promised a long autumn next year. Well, if the tit sings, it means there will still be frosts this winter. On this day it was supposed to do good deeds and remember the good deeds of others. But talk about your own good deeds, and even more so, brag about them. was not accepted, since the Lord sees everything anyway.
Signs February 7

What Gregory is like from morning to noon - such will be the first half of the next winter, and from noon to evening - the second half of the next winter.

It was believed that on these days the dead yearned for the earth and for their relatives. By retiring to the superstellar world and to the cemetery, the dead, according to legend, even after the expiration of the prescribed forty days after death, can significantly influence the affairs of their relatives.
Signs February 8

Fyodor is chilling the earth.
February is cold and dry - August is hot.

In despair, they prayed to the patron saint of this day, John Chrysostom, for enlightenment of the mind to the teaching of spiritual literacy and for help.
Signs February 9

The February thaw costs nothing.
The clouds go against the wind - towards the snow.
Window glass sweats in winter - for warmth, and in summer - for rain.
After blizzards, the ridges of snowdrifts are rounded - for the harvest.
Summer is like summer, and winter is like an ulcer - cold.

On Ephraim you cannot kill any insects in the house: no cockroaches, no bedbugs, no brownie crickets will be offended.
Signs February 10

If the wind rushed towards Ephraim, it means a wet year.
Wind on Ephraim - for a damp summer.
Efremov's wind is not good.

On this day, they watched the moon: if the moon is reddish, there will be a strong wind, and if the month is just being born, then whatever the weather was like at the birth of the moon, it will remain the same for the entire first half of the next month. They also predicted the weather by the smoke from the chimney: if the smoke comes like a rocker, it means the warmth will come soon.
Signs February 11

February will caress you with warmth and beat you with frost.

According to popular belief, you cannot spin on this day, and therefore it is also called the day of the three non-spinner saints. In the forest on this day there is an animal wedding: fights begin in which the strongest wins, the animals perform weddings. There certainly had to be game dishes on the table that day.
Signs February 12

The wind rushed - towards a damp year.
Snow flakes become large - towards a thaw.
Mice come out into the snow - a quick thaw.
The trees were covered with frost - to the warmth.
The wind blew from the north, but there were no clouds - to great cold.

Saint Nikita is revered as a guardian against fires and lightning; with his prayers he could not only extinguish fires, but also prevent drought.
Signs February 13

Jackdaws and crows scream continuously - there will be snowfall, and possibly a blizzard.
If there was frost during the day, snow will not fall at night.

On this day, girls pray for suitors, probably because February is the month of weddings.
Signs February 14

If by the end of the day the sky is covered with a foggy layer of transparent white cloud, there will be good weather.
Snow on this day means a rainy spring.
On Tryphon the sky is starry - late spring.
Starfall on Tryphon - quiet spring.
If many stars appear in the sky in the evening on Tryphon, then winter will continue for a long time.

This day is popularly considered the day of the first meeting of spring (the second meeting is on Soroka, the third on Annunciation). This is one of the biggest holidays. The Sretensky frosts are coming - they are considered the last, and after them the peasants no longer dared to set off on a long journey on a sleigh. The thaw that appears on this day foreshadows a bad and rotten spring. The blizzard predicted that spring would be delayed longer than usual and that feed for livestock would run out.

On Candlemas in the evening they conjure the sun: Bucket sun, look out, red, from behind the mountain, look out, sunshine until spring time!” If it peeks through the clouds before sunset, it means that the last frosts have passed; if it doesn’t appear at all , expect severe Vlasiev frosts on February 24. On this day, they took special care of poultry, livestock, seed grain and fruit trees. On this day, they begin to feed the breeding birds and feed the chickens with oats, saying: “Feed the chickens with oats, and in the spring and summer you will have eggs.” You should not go on a long journey on Candlemas.
Signs for February 15, Candlemas

At Candlemas the sky is starry - winter will not soon begin to cry (spring is late).
At Candlemas the sun is coming for summer, and winter for frost.
On Candlemas, a blizzard sweeps the road and sweeps up food (towards a crop failure).
At Candlemas, gypsies sell fur coats.

On this day, the church celebrates the memory of Simeon the God-Receiver and St. Anna. This day, in memory of the saints, is called the guardian of infants and Anna and Simeon are asked to grant health to newborns. This day is also popularly called mending day. On this day, from early dawn, after praying, the whole family went to the barns to work: they were engaged in repairing summer harnesses, riding and plowing: “Make repairs for Simeon.” "Semyon and Anna are repairing the harness."
Signs February 16

Repairs - a wake for the plow.
Semyon and Anna are repairing the harness.

This day got its name because it was a rare year that it was not frosty. They called him Nikola the icy - wolf matchmaker, poppy sunset. It was time for animal weddings. Hunters noticed: foxes danced and affected each other. When the moon comes out, the hares begin to run around headlong - golden horns, silver legs. It was believed that only Nikola the Cold knew about animal trails in the forest.
Signs February 17

Nikola, who is cold, is too cold for the cold.
A mountain of snow will fall on the frozen Nikola.
It's a cold day - put on your fur coat again.

The martyr Agafya was also revered as the patroness of livestock, protecting them from disease.
Signs February 18

If it is warm on February 18, then there will be no more big ones.
Frost on this day foreshadows a friendly spring, a dry and hot summer.

People said: bugs (that’s what cows and calves were called) are born on Saint Vukol.
Signs February 19

Frosts on Vukola promise a stormy spring, dry and hot summer.
The colder it is on Vukola-calf, the warmer it is in March.

On this day, it was customary to bake pies with onions and not eat everything yourself, but give some of it to the poor - for good luck. It is believed that what is given will be returned to the hands a hundredfold. On this day it was supposed to remember the deceased ancestors; people said: “If your parents are alive, honor them; if they are dead, remember them.” This day was considered the most suitable for preparing healing remedies from roots. Potentilla had special power, since its leaves resembled a cross; it was considered by the Russian people to be a mighty plant, that is, a grass that contains the power of the cross.
Signs February 20

It begins to melt on Luka from the north - towards warm summer.
Blue clouds float - they carry warmth.

Women reapers pray to Saint Zechariah the Sickle. The crescent moon, according to popular belief, was especially sharp on this day. The peasants took out a sickle tucked into the lintel on December 25 or 26 and showed it to the month so that he could sharpen it sharply. On this day, sickles were sprinkled with Epiphany holy water. They said: “If you don’t cut a crooked sickle in time, you won’t harvest a sheaf in the field.”
Signs February 21

Burn, wood, it’s hot - Zakharka will arrive on a written sleigh.
Smoke from the chimney spreads along the ground - there will be snowfall.
A dog lies down in the snow - it will soon become warmer, rolls around in the snow - there will be a blizzard the next day.
The colder it gets the last week February, the warmer it is in March.

On this day they began weaving bast shoes. They said: “Our Pankrat is rich in bast shoes.” On this day the entire household was also supposed to be checked. They said that if Pankrat has the matter in his hands, then the owner has bread in his mouth. We began to prepare for sowing. Seeds intended for planting were exposed to frost for three mornings in a row, and then put aside until sowing. It was believed that such hardened seeds would be more resistant to temperature changes in the spring. Thaws are becoming more frequent, and there is a distinct smell of spring in the air. Winter is coming to an end.
Signs February 22

If the forest rustles during frost, there will be a thaw.
Severe frost after Nikifor, as a rule, occurs only at night.
Pillars near the sun - for frost.
During the thaw, the hazel grouse begins to spend the night on spruce branches - towards frost.
Snow sticks to the trees - a quick thaw.
If the snow bends the branches with its weight, the harvest will be good.

Kharlampy was considered by the Russian people to be a guardian against sudden death without repentance, and they prayed to him for deliverance from it.
Signs for February 23.

Prokhor - a turn towards warmth.
Prokhor came - spring looked into the yard.
February is changeable: sometimes it will be January, sometimes March will appear.

Vlasiev day is a cow holiday. It was believed that evil spirits were raging on this day. To protect against it, it is necessary to tightly cover all the chimneys with views or even cover them with clay; sometimes the views are fumigated with thistle, which does not allow flying evil spirits to enter the house and cause trouble.
Signs February 24

The frost began to sing - the sled track froze.
Vlasy will warm a cow’s side during the day, but at night he will tear off the horn (freeze it).
Vlasiy is outside - spring is on the mountain.
At other times the frost will burn even Blasius to tears.
Vlas has arrived - keep your mittens in reserve.
Three matinees (frost days) before Vlasiy, and three after Vlasiy, and the seventh - on the day of Vlasiy.

On this day, grain intended for sowing was taken out into the frost: it was believed that such plants would be less sick and would give a better harvest. Flax and yarn were also sent out into the cold - they made sure that the threads and skeins were clean, even and white. They believed that if there were streaks on Alexei, then the fish should be caught. On this day, fish dishes were prepared.
Signs February 25

There was frost at night - expect snowfall during the day.
Fluffy frost - for good weather.
Frequent fogs in February mean a rainy summer.
The moon seemed to turn red at night - expect wind, heat and snow tomorrow.

Martinian, the patron saint of this day, was considered a tamer, a deliverer from prodigal passions, therefore in the Tale of the Saints he is given a prayer for this purpose. It is believed that if the snow melts on this day, then a friendly spring will come, and if the day is cold and cloudy, then spring will be long and cold. On this day - Svetlana's day, a bright day - the stars were called out so that their radiance would bring vigilance to the eyes.
Signs February 26

If it melts on this day, then a friendly spring will come, and if the day is cold and cloudy, then spring will be protracted and cold.

On this day, all the villagers went out into the fields and trampled down the snow to keep it on the field. At the same time, they tried to appease the field worker - the spirit of the field.
Signs February 27

The weather is good on Kirill - it will be frosty.
With Kirill, spring is just around the corner.
Kirill clarifies the fields.

Anisim is considered the patron saint of sheep breeding, and on this day the shepherds called out to the stars for abundant fertility of the sheep.
Signs February 28

A large increase in water foreshadows good haymaking.
In Anisima, winter and spring argue: who should go forward and who should turn back.

Traditions and signs of March

After a long and cold winter March is finally coming - the first month of spring. But the warmth is still far away - almost everywhere everything is still covered with snow, and the frosts are in no hurry to recede.

March is popularly called winter forest, birch forest, drip forest, and protalnik. Folk signs for March are most often intended to determine when the last snow will melt, it will be warm and it will be possible to begin sowing. Signs of March can also tell you what the next summer will be like - rainy or dry, how good the harvest of a particular crop will be when the last frost passes.

Folk signs for March

In some areas this day was called Danilo the Newcomer - the first day of spring, the Newcomer, they believed that Danilo the Newcomer had washed himself and would wash us with rain. In the Middle Ages, the first days of March were considered Yarilin, in honor of the god of fertility of the pagan Slavs, Yarila.

March 1 was considered the beginning of the new year, and this day was traditionally a non-working day. We celebrated spring separately, with songs. If snow fell at night, mothers would certainly send their children to lay a path to the well and sweep away the snow from the steps of the porch - this brought happiness to the house and health to the children. Pregnant women always tried to look at the rising sun, as it gives strength to bear a healthy and strong child. The midwives brought the midday snow into the hut and wiped their hands with it so that the purity of spring would be transferred to them.
Signs March 1

The month of March loves to play tricks: it is proud of the frost and sits on its nose.
March is unfaithful: sometimes he cries, sometimes he laughs.
March is winter, knocking down the horn of winter.
February blows away the winter, and March breaks it.

This day received a double name in honor of the saints whose memory was celebrated on this day. In the popular consciousness, the Great Martyr Theodore Tiron turned into a tyrant, who came to his senses in time and defended the people. They prayed to him to find escaped slaves and stolen things.

Marmian, sister of the Apostle Philip, turned into folk ideas in kikimora - a spirit in the guise of a woman, appearing in a house, in a courtyard, in empty buildings.
Signs March 2

If from the first days spring is wild and unshy, then it will deceive, there is nothing to believe.
If there was warming after Epiphany, then expect frost on March 2.

Our ancestors believed that on this day the god of fertility, Yarilo, took up the plow and harrow and checked whether they were ready for spring. On this day the peasants began preparations for spring work in field. From that day on, the blacksmiths also had more work: they were the ones who repaired plows and harrows, which would very soon be needed in the field. On this day, the bunting spoke - a small bird with a yellowish breast and a green back. It was believed that she leads spring and with its appearance there are more and more sunny and warm days.
Signs March 3

A lot of snow - a lot of bread: a lot of water - a lot of grass.
If there is snow, bread will arrive; The water will spill and there will be hay.
On March 3, fog means a rainy summer.

This day got its name from the apostles Archippus and Philemon. On this day in Rus', the poor were fed, the orphaned and wretched were welcomed, since it was believed that the more good deeds one did. all the better. In peasant houses, on this day they always baked a loaf (in ancient times it was called a skull), which was dedicated to the sun and they were sure to treat it to neighbors, relatives and friends, leaving a piece for the poor.
Signs March 4

A person who gets sick on this day will be sick for a very long time.

The day takes its name from the patron saint of Leo, a bishop in the city of Catana in Sicily. Since the Sicilian saint was far from the Russian people, the peasants renamed him Leo of Catania and organized skiing from the mountains on this day. It was believed that the one who slides further will prolong his happiness. They said: "Winter is running out - hurry up and ride your sled to your heart's content."

On this day it was necessary to ask (or even secretly take) hot coals from the forge and take them to the field. They poured them out at the edge of the field and asked for prosperity for the farmer, favorable conditions for the growth and ripening of grain and a good harvest.
Signs March 5

Crows bathe in early spring to bring warmth.
Early spring - don't expect good things.
Snow melts with rain - to the flood.

It was believed that this particular day determined spring: what the weather was like on this day, so will spring, especially since warm, rather than cold, winds began to blow, and they said: “It will be spring.” From this day on, sap flow began in maples and birches. On this day, the old people got off the stoves and moved to bask in the sun on the heap - this is the lower part of the log house, filled with spruce branches, needle cases, and straw mixed with earth for warmth. Children loved this day very much, because the old people always had time for them, they said that it was like spring and warmed the old ones.
Signs March 6

According to Timothy, they looked at spring: like Timothy, so is spring.
Live until spring, and then winter won’t be scary.
If the edges of the melting snow around the tree are steep, it means a cold spring; if the edges are flat, it means a long spring.
If you meet a white hare, it will definitely snow again.
Timofey - in the spring - it’s already warm at the door.
Spring welcomes you with warmth.

People believed that it was on this day that starlings, rooks and swallows fly home. It was believed that the early arrival of birds meant early spring, and that early swallows meant a happy year, and these birds were very loved by the people. On this day, field work began. While the road was still passable, manure was transported to the fields. On this day it was necessary to secretly take the land from under the first spring plow and just as secretly put it in the hut.
Signs March 7

If there is a blizzard and blizzard on Afanasy, spring will be delayed.
On Afanasiev Day the walls are warm (the sun is hot) - for a green year.
When in the spring the surface of the snow is rough (the snow begins to melt) - it means a harvest, when it is smooth - it means a crop failure.
The rooks are playing - the weather will be good.

This day got its name because at this time the girls were really “sour” - those who did not get married before Maslenitsa had to wait until the summer. It was believed that this day was one of the best to bewitch the young man you liked
Signs March 8

Spring is fickle, like a stepmother: it will blow with warmth, then it will bring cold weather from the north.
In spring, a bucket of water is a spoonful of dirt; in autumn, a spoonful of water is a bucket of dirt.

It was believed that the first migratory birds arrived on this day. If snow fell on the day of discovery, then this foreshadowed a cold Easter, and a dry day - a sunny one. The birds began to build their first nests, and if they did this on the sunny side, it was believed that the summer would be cold.
Signs March 9

A bird is making a nest, and a migratory bird is flying from warm places.
Bird sweating, finding nests.

The patron saint of this day is asked to relieve fever, which is also called kumokha.
Signs March 10

March 10 is the average date for the appearance of thawed patches in the north.
If the door breaks off its hinges on this day, expect trouble.

It would seem that. Spring has already arrived, but still the weather at this time is still very unstable, and they were afraid to start field work: a frost would strike and destroy all the crops.
Signs March 11

Early spring is worthless, but late spring will deceive.
If it melts early, it won’t melt for a long time, the Wind eats up the snow.
Spring ice is like someone else's hut threshold (unreliable).

The sled track began to deteriorate; a rut appeared under the horse's hooves. Therefore, before leaving the yard, we listened to the road to see if it was reliable. It was believed that from this day on, real spring began. They listened to the drops in the same way. If there was a strong drop, then they were afraid to set off on a long journey, but when there was a good drop, the hunters gathered in the forest to hunt hares.
Signs March 12

The sleigh path on Procopius is fragile.
Snowdrops have appeared - it's time to plow.

On this day, it was customary to bring a pine branch into the house - they believed that it purified the air in the house and gave health to its inhabitants. Various infusions and teas were prepared from pine buds and needles on this day. From this day on, the snow on the roofs begins to melt; it is believed that there is always a thaw on this day. In many localities, on this day they sawed wood and carried logs to the river bank on sleighs for rafting.
Signs March 13

Vasily the dropper will come and winter will cry.
Vasily the drip-dripper - dripping from the roofs.
If it rains on Vasiliev's day, good luck to you.
On Vasily, the warm sun in circles means the harvest.
Vasily the dropper gives drops, there will be drops - for a good year.
Long icicles - for a long spring.
It's time to collect pine buds from Basil's warm season.

Spring winds begin to blow. The snow was actively melting, and it was believed that the melt water obtained from the snow on this day had special healing powers. They collected snow from the hills for the sick and gave them snow water to cure various ailments. This day was considered the onset of spring, which was celebrated with great joy.
Signs March 14

Avdotya takes off eight fur coats.
As is Evdokia, so is summer.
If the ivy is nice, it will be nice all summer.
Avdotya is red, and spring is red.
Where the wind comes from is from Evdokea, from there in the summer.
The first thaw with Evdokia Ivy.

On this day they celebrate the memory of the holy martyr Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrene, and the Russian people “secured” the name Vetronos for this saint. Indeed, on this day there were strong winds, which were greatly feared, since the wind brought illness and misfortune. There was a belief that on this day all underground springs boil and pour out onto the ground - the last great thaw occurs. But if instead of a thaw there was frost, they said: “Fedot is not the same.” On this day, sometimes the grass grew so much that it was already possible to let the cattle out to graze.
Signs March 15

Fedot is evil - don't be with the grass.
Fedot is angry, but by noon he goes limp, apparently, and the sun is hot on him.
There is a drift on Fedot - the cattle will go for demolition.

On this day, they went out into the fields and walked around them crosswise in order to attract the sun’s attention and force it to melt the snow on the field. In addition, the cross on the field was intended to protect crops from diseases and attacks of evil spirits.
Signs March 16

Eutropius melts the snow.
Eutropius follows the path.

It is believed that on this day rooks arrive from across the sea. If the birds fly straight to their old nests, then the spring will be friendly, the water will all go down at once, after three weeks you can start sowing, but if smart birds sit on the nest only for a short time and take off again, then the cold will last for a few more days.
Signs March 17

The rookery brought the rooks.
If the rooks have settled into their nests, then after three weeks they can go out to sow.

The martyr Konon Gradar lived in the Pamphylian city of Mandona and was engaged in cultivating vegetable gardens, which is why he received his nickname. In ancient church monthly books, this saint is called Stradnik, and our ancestors said about him: “Even if it were winter on the day of Conon the Gradar, start plowing the garden, and just do it on this day, the garden will certainly be good and there will be a lot of vegetables.” The Russian people used to say: “Konon the gardener called me to the garden.” Therefore, from that day on, they dug vegetable gardens and transported manure to them.
Signs March 18

Konon called me to the garden.
On Konon Gradar, start digging ridges in the garden.

On this day it was supposed to go around all the wells in a circle and trample down the snow. They did this both to prevent dirty melt water from flowing into them, and to take strength and health from the well.
Signs March 19

If there is frost on March 19, then there will be forty more morning frosts.
If a woodpecker knocks on March 19, then spring will be late.
March is a time of sowing, sometimes it blows, sometimes it warms.
The wagtail returned earlier than usual - to the warm spring.

People said that from this day on, spring is coming, “it’s dripping from the roofs, and it’s grabbing you by the nose.” If at night a window suddenly cracks or a layer of snow falls off the roof, then, according to popular opinion, these are grave sins falling to the ground. It was necessary to pray to the icon on this day Mother of God"Helper of sinners." On this day you could dry up the girl you liked.
Signs March 20

Dripping from the icicles on this day means a good harvest of flax and hemp.
Cloudy cold weather by night means there will be frost.
Drops with icicles - to the hemp harvest.

This day- the vernal equinox, spring solstice - was considered the real beginning of spring. It was believed that larks flew to our region. This day was dedicated to the willow - it was believed that its branches expel heaviness from the house. In the old days, willow was used to whip the body for lightness. When the head hurt, they kneaded a willow twig, put it under a scarf, on the head, and headache retreated.
Signs March 21

The willow has blossomed - spring is ready for summer.
A palm branch brings happiness to the house.
Erma came with a willow.

On this day the second meeting of spring is celebrated. It is believed that forty different birds fly in these days, and the first of them is the lark. They bake buns in the shape of larks and coat them with honey. It is believed that from March 22 until Zosima the Bee (April 30) there will be forty morning frosts - matinees. If matinees go on continuously from this day on, then the summer will be warm.
Signs March 22

If magpies and jackdaws fly to Soroka, it means it will be warm.
Warm wind - for a rainy summer.
At forty forty, larks, fly in, bring red summer.

The patron saint of this day was asked to divert melt water from cellars and houses so that the courtyard would not flood. It was believed that water flooded the underground floors of those houses whose owners sinned a lot in winter. This was related to this. that the water that penetrates into any crevice is omniscient, knows everything, is aware of all events taking place. It was believed that when spring streams were already flowing into the river, roach was caught well.
Signs for March 23.

A cold wind at your back means you won't survive the winter.
On Vasilisa the day is hazy - the flax will be fibrous.
The fog eats up the snow.
Blue clouds running across the sky mean warmth and rain.
If a thunderstorm occurs in March, it means fertility.
Frequent fogs in March foreshadow a rainy summer.

It was believed that finches and lapwings fly to Efim and Sophrony, and the cuckoo gives a voice. On this day they watched the birds, predicting something. what will next summer be like? If the nests are located on the sunny side, then the summer will be cold, if in the shade, it will be hot. When you hear the cuckoo for the first time, you are supposed to blurt out money in your pocket so that they will follow you. They believed that an early cuckoo (before the leaves bloomed on the trees) meant famine. On this day work began in the garden.
Signs March 24

The friendly arrival of birds means bad weather and cold weather.
The lark comes to the warmth (to the grass), the finch - to the cold.
Cranes fly quickly, low, silently - expect bad weather soon.
Early swallows - for a happy year.
Ducks and rooks arrived early - wait for warmth, they are gone for a long time - it will still be cold.
The swans leave the wormwood and disperse into the ponds - to the warmth.
If a lot of mice appear in the spring, there will be a hungry year.

On this day, in the early hours of the day, we went out into the street to welcome spring. It was believed that if fog appeared in the morning, there would be a large harvest of flax and hemp that year. To make the omen come true, a handful of hemp and flax seeds were scattered around the yard to treat the birds.
Signs March 25

At night, fogs fall to the ground, driving snow more than rain.
The fog falls towards the sun, rises towards bad weather.
Feofan drives away the fog.
Early spring - in the summer there will be many bad weather days.
In late spring there are no dangerous frosts.

Spring has also arrived in the forest, and melt water seeps into the den and begins to disturb the bear. It is believed that from this day bears begin to wake up. Since ancient times, this animal was considered a man in animal form, overgrown with six. The arrival of geese these days is a sign of a harvest year. And if the geese are rinsing themselves in the water, it will soon be warm. By the last ice Roach, perch and ide bite well.
Signs March 26

Until the warm water wets the sides, the bear will not jump out of the den.

Traditions. On this day, they took care of domestic animals, took the cattle out into the yard, cleaned and scrubbed them, and spoke against the evil eye and anxiety.
Signs March 27

A good year is evident in the spring.
If it melts early, it won’t melt for a long time.
Early spring costs nothing.
Late spring will not deceive you.

This day was also called forest grooming. because with special respect it was necessary to speak about the forest, which was the breadwinner and drinker of the peasants, providing mushrooms, berries, game and meat, medicinal herbs and useful roots.
Signs March 28

If the seagulls have arrived, the ice will soon melt away.
Seagulls bathe a lot - to bad weather.

IN church calendar Under this day there are three martyrs: Savvin. Papa and Trofim. It was believed that on this day the sleigh ride ends, it is time to prepare the cart, and this must be done before the flood. We weren’t planning on setting off that day, but were preparing to go out into the field. The first step was to put the cart in order - to change the worn-out spokes and iron rims.
Signs March 29

If this day is warm, then spring will be warm.
Clouds float quickly and high - good weather.
The snow is melting soon, and the water is flowing together - expect a wet summer.

At this time, the snow melts rapidly, which is why this day was named Alexey - water from the mountains. They called it warm because real spring comes, and with it the warmth. It was believed that if large streams appeared on these days, the flood would be large and spread widely across fields and meadows. It was forbidden to get into a sleigh on this day: they will take you for a ride past your desires. On this day they were removed until the next winter.
Signs March 30

If it’s warm on Alexey, then spring will be warm.
Alexey - spill a jug from every snowdrift.
There is water from the mountains on Alexey, and fish from the camp (from the winter hut) are moving.

Why was this day called "deri runner"? Because. Having gone out in the morning on a sleigh onto the crust that had melted in the March sun and frozen overnight, one could really strip off the runners.
Signs March 31

A sandpiper will fly from overseas and bring spring from the hills.
There is no contractor to deliver on time in the spring.
Rough snow (melted) means a harvest, smooth snow means a bad harvest.

The modern name for this month was borrowed from the Roman calendar, in which it was dedicated to the two-faced god Janus. Among the ancient Romans, Janus was considered the god of doors, all beginnings, entrances and exits. He was depicted with the keys with which he opened each day of the year. Janus has two faces looking in different directions, symbolizing the inseparability of the beginning and the end, the future and the past. Janus is the god of order and peace, the organization of earthly and cosmic existence. In fact, the first month of the year was perceived in the same categories: it served as the beginning of the year, and with it nature, the sun, and human spiritual and labor activity were supposedly revived.

Janus - in ancient Roman mythology - the most mysterious figure of God ancient Rome. The Romans believed that he taught people calculus because numbers corresponding to the number of days in a year were inscribed on his hands.

In January, special significance was attached to weather phenomena, the behavior of birds and animals, and the actions of people. All this was considered as signs of fate, a harbinger of something important. At the beginning of the year, almost all peoples performed many magical rites, ritual actions, all kinds of fortune-telling and predictions. People turned to their ancestors in the hope of finding out the future.

January and are considered important Orthodox holidays. According to the old style, they ended the outgoing year and opened the new year. At this time they celebrated.

January included the concept of a beginning associated with the increase in daylight hours and the rebirth of the sun after winter solstice. According to the early calendar, the year began in March and then January was the eleventh month. Later, during the September New Year, it took fifth place, and only in 1700, after the calendar reform of Peter I, did it become the first month of the year.

In the East Slavic tradition, the month was called “Prosinets” and “Sechen”. The first name comes from the blueness of the sky (glow) beginning to appear at this time, associated with an increase in daylight hours. The name “section” became widespread mainly in Ukraine. It is connected with the words “cut”, “cut”, and has two meanings:

• January “cuts” winter in half;
• the bitter frosts for which this month is famous “cut” the earth and all life on it.

January: signs, proverbs, sayings

Most proverbs, sayings and signs of the month are centered around the beginning of the year, increasing daylight hours and frosts. A wide variety of forecasts were made based on the signs of January. Moreover, their range was large: from the next day to the end of the year.

January is the turning point of winter, the beginning of the year, the middle of winter.

January begins the year and brings winter.

January - I sang all year long.

The month of January is winter, sir.

January is just around the corner - the day has lengthened by a sparrow's leap (by a chicken's step).

January will add two hours (by the end of the month, daylight hours increase by two hours).

In January, the cold increases with the day.

In January, the pot on the stove freezes.

January is rich in frosts.

January is cracking - the ice on the river turns blue.

January is the first, and therefore the eldest, month of the new year. The counting of days, months and seasons begins with it.

January is the grandfather of spring.

January – frosts, February – snowstorms.

In January the frosts are harsher, and the burbot are more lively.

According to the signs of January, the nature of the year, the weather of spring, summer and autumn, the future harvest of agricultural crops, berries, mushrooms and nuts were determined:

1. Frequent snowfalls and blizzards in January lead to rainy July.
2. If January is dry and frosty, and the water in the rivers has greatly decreased, then the summer will be dry and hot.
3. Little snow in January means crop failure.
4. Cold January leads to dry and hot July, there will be no mushrooms until autumn.
5. Dry January means a rich harvest.
6. Lots of long icicles in January - for the harvest.

It has long been noted that the weather in January is different every year. Therefore, the idea of ​​alternating warm and cold Januarys did not appear out of nowhere.

If last year January was warm, then this year it will be cold.

Folk signs for January about the weather

There are many signs about the weather in January and weather changes during the month, based on a comparison of different phenomena. Most of the signs are based on centuries-old observations and tested by life itself:

1. The sun in a circle means snow, and wearing mittens means frost.
2. If the echo goes far, then the frosts get stronger.
3. Pillars for about a month - to cold weather.
4. If the young month's horns are steep, it means bad weather; if their horns are flat, it means good weather.
5. The stars shine brightly - it’s cold.
6. Firewood burns with a bang - it means frost.
7. There are few stars in the sky - bad weather.
8. The forest is cracking - a sign of prolonged frost.
9. A weak draft in the oven is for heat, a strong one is for frost; red fire - for frost, white - for thaw.
10. If the stove is heated in the evening, and in the morning the ash goes out, then expect frost; if the heat remains in the ash, there will be a thaw.
11. The samovar is humming - it’s cold.
12. The wind is humming in the chimney - it means cold.
13. If a cat climbs onto the stove to warm itself, it will be frosty.
14. Sparrows are actively collecting feathers near the chicken coop and insulating their nests - frost will hit in a couple of days.
15. Jackdaws and crows hover in the air - before a snowfall, sit on the snow - before a thaw, sit on the tops of trees - before frost, on the lower branches - before the wind.
16. A crow cries to the south - for warmth, to the north - for cold weather.
17. Hares stay near human habitation - in anticipation of cold weather.

Signs of January for every day

	Ilya Muromets, Bonifatiy	The stars twinkle strongly - towards the snow. Many bright stars mean a good pea harvest.
	John of Kronstadt, Ignatiev Day	On this day you cannot: buy shoes, eat milk mushrooms, borrow money, sing songs after sunset, or pin pins on yourself. In the old days, this day was called “guest week”. It was customary to visit or receive guests.
	Peter the Half-Fed, Peter's Day	On the third day of January you cannot: pick up from the ground what another person has dropped, swear and make promises, wish yourself or another person health, eavesdrop and spy. Also try to avoid long trips.
	Anastasia Pattern Maker	Dreams that occurred the day before or that day warn of danger. On January 4, you cannot: wash the floor of a pregnant woman, pierce your ears, beat animals, walk barefoot, knit mittens, gloves, muffs.
	Fedulov day	On Fedula, three handfuls of rye flour were kneaded with holy water and a cake of happiness was baked, and they also made a wish and believed that it would definitely come true. On January 5, it is undesirable to pay off debts and have surgery. On this day you need to be careful with sharp objects, because if you cut yourself, the wound will take a very long time to heal.
	Christmas Eve	A lot of snow and deeply frozen ground means a harvest of bread. If the snow has melted or loosely covered the ground, it means a buckwheat harvest. Many stars in the sky - for a berry harvest.
	Nativity	A lot of snow means a good year. Snowstorm on Christmas - the bees will be born well. If there is a new moon on this day, then the year will be lean.
	Babi porridge, Babi holiday	On this day, it is not advisable to buy ropes so that there will never be a hanged person in the family. On this day, it is advised to throw away all the cracked dishes in the house so that all the problems and adversities of that year remain in the past.
	Stepanov's day, Stepanov's works	Frost on the trees - there will be plenty of bread. A clear day and severe frost means a good harvest. For Stefan, horses are watered through silver so that they do not get sick. On this day you cannot spin or work with cutting objects.
	Households Day, Christmas meat eater	On this day, the whole family gathered and did homework together so that the family would be strong. If there is a snowstorm at night, the bees will swarm well.
	Scary day (evening)	Strong draft in the oven - to frost. If a man enters the house first on this day, then there will be a cold in the coming days.
	Anisya's day, Onisya-cut (gastric disease)	On this day, in the old days, they prepared for Vasiliev's evening (December 31, old style): they slaughtered geese and pigs, from whose meat they cooked delicious dishes for the upcoming holiday. They believed that if it snows on this day, the pig will give birth to many piglets.
	Melanin's day, Malanin's gathering	If the wind blows from the south in the evening, the year will be hot and prosperous. A clear starry night means people will be healthy all year. It is believed that a person who falls ill on this day will remain ill for a long time.
	Vasily's Day (evening), Vasily the Pig-Keeper, Pig Festival	Warm weather means a rye harvest. A clear day means a lot of grain will be harvested in the summer. Lots of stars and frost - to a good harvest. A strong wind means a nut harvest. If the night is starless and moonless, then the peas and lentils will not grow. If you spend this day cheerfully, then throughout the whole year you will not know sadness.
	Sylvester Day, Chicken Holiday	On this day they spoke of fever. If a woman trips over a cat while on Sylvester, her husband will soon have a mistress. Anyone who hiccups before lunch on this day will be damned to hell.
	Gordey and Malachi, Gordeyev's day	The moon in a circle or in a cross means severe frost. Snowstorm - bees will swarm well. Frost on the trees means dry and clear weather.
	Zosima the beekeeper, Feokistov day	A lot of snow on Zosima means a swarm of bees in the summer. On this day, they walked around the house with icons in order to drive away evil spirits from the home and from the yard, inciting people to scandals, adultery, drunkenness and gluttony.
	Epiphany Eve, Hungry Evening, Epiphany Eve	The dreams seen on this day are prophetic. You cannot cry on Epiphany Eve, otherwise you will shed tears all the time. Clear skies on Epiphany night mean a pea harvest. It snows in the morning - early buckwheat will be born, at noon - medium, in the evening - late. There are no stars in the sky - mushrooms will appear. There is a lot of frost on the trees - the year will be fruitful. If there is a snowstorm on this day, then there will be a snowstorm on Maslenitsa.
	Epiphany, Epiphany	For the one who wooes for Baptism, family life will be happy. Whoever is the first to draw water from a well or ice hole at Epiphany will not get sick for a year. If a person who takes Epiphany water near the church falls or spills it, he will not live long in this world. If there is fog and the hole is full of water, there will be a big spill. Dogs bark often - there will be a lot of game and animals.
	John the Baptist (Forerunner)	From that day on, weddings were celebrated in the villages. It is believed that marriages concluded during this period are strong and happy. Whoever buys a cross on this day will have his guardian angel rejoice. If you baptize a child on this day, then John the Baptist himself will stand next to him during baptism. Clear weather means a dry summer, cloudy and snowy weather means a rich harvest.
	Emelin day, Emelyan winter	If the wind blows from the south, the summer will be stormy. Based on the weather of the day, they predicted what August would be like: if it’s sunny, it’s hot, if it’s snowing, it’s rainy. Frost on the haystacks – it will often rain in the summer.
	Philip's day	The day is clear - the summer will be fruitful. Cattle strive from the yard to the barn - towards frost and snowfall. Birds sit on the tops of trees - to the cold, on the snow - to the warmth.
	Gregory the summer guide, St. Gregory's Day	There is a lot of frost on the trees - there will be a lot of dew in the summer. Dry snow falling means a dry summer, wet snow falling means a rainy one. A clear and cloudless sky means early spring.
	Fedoseyev day, Fedosey-spring	A thaw on Fedoseya means an early and prolonged spring. Rare clouds mean frost. If there is frost on this day, then the spring sowing will be late.
	Tatyana's Day, Tatyana Kreschenskaya	Snow on Tatyana - for a rainy summer. Early the sun appeared in the sky - the early arrival of birds. Red sunset - towards the wind.
	Ermilov (Eremin) day	The forest is cracking - the frost will last a long time. A cat lies belly up and pulls itself up - towards warmth, and if it climbs onto the stove or curls up into a ball - towards frost. A titmouse chirping near the window means early spring.
	Nina's Day	White clouds mean cold. A crow croaks in the morning - a blizzard. The trees were covered with frost - a thaw. Fog near the moon means snow.
	Pavlov's day	The wind promises a wet year for Pavel. Starry night - for the flax harvest. Clouds from the north mean cold weather.
	Peter the Half-Fed, Peter's Day	If there is frost on this day, then summer will be hot. A chicken standing on one leg means cold weather. Red sun at sunset - for a frosty and sunny day.
	Anton-perezimnik, Antonina-half	Warm weather - early spring. If it is cloudy at night, the crops will be harvested this year. A clear and windless day means frost.
	Afanasyev Day, Afanasy the Clematis	Blizzard and blizzard - for a long spring. A circle near the moon or sun means cold. Sun at noon - early spring.

Video: signs of January

Categories

• • . In other words, a horoscope is an astrological chart drawn up taking into account place and time, taking into account the position of the planets relative to the horizon. To build an individual natal horoscope It is necessary to know with maximum accuracy the time and place of birth of a person. This is required in order to find out how the celestial bodies V given time and in this place. The ecliptic in the horoscope is depicted as a circle divided into 12 sectors (zodiac signs. Referring to natal astrology, you will be able to better understand yourself and others. A horoscope is a tool for self-knowledge. With its help, you can not only explore your own potential, but also understand relationships with others and even make some important decisions.">Horoscope130
• . With their help, they find out the answers to specific questions and predict the future. You can find out the future using dominoes; this is one of the very rare types of fortune telling. They tell fortunes using tea and coffee grounds, from the palm of their hand, and from the Chinese Book of Changes. Each of these methods is aimed at predicting the future. If you want to know what awaits you in the near future, choose the fortune telling that you like best. But remember: whatever events are predicted for you, accept them not as an immutable truth, but as a warning. Using fortune telling, you predict your destiny, but with some effort, you can change it.">Fortune telling67

January is “the beginning of the new year, the middle of winter,” people say about this month. January used to be conventionally portrayed as having two faces: its old face is turned to the past, its young face is turned to the future. Russians popular names January - “prosinets”, “student”, “perezimye”, “turn of winter”.

The stronger the frosts in early January, the hotter the summer.

If January is dry, frosty, and the water in the rivers decreases greatly, then the summer will be hot and dry.

If January is warm, March may be cold.

In the second half of January, sunny days mean a good harvest.

If there are many frequent and long icicles hanging in January, then this year’s harvest will be good.

Cold January foretells a poor mushroom harvest until autumn.

Cold Januarys almost never happen in a row.

Cloudy January means a bad harvest.

January is warm - towards late spring.

Snowfalls and frequent snowstorms in January mean frequent rains in the summer.

The mole crawls out of its hole in January - by cold May.

The stronger the frost in January, the less hail there is in the summer.

Calendar of folk signs

January 1 is Ilya Muromets Day. On this day, people were supposed to bow to their native land and remember the glorious exploits of national heroes. A strong wind on this day promises a harvest of nuts, and a month-long starry night promises peas, lentils and berries. If the weather was warm, they expected rye to grow. Low wind speed meant stable, partly cloudy weather. Coal burning in the stove flares up on its own - leading to frost and a bucket. The bullfinch sings - to the snowy and cloudy days. If the strong night frost weakens during the day and gets stronger again in the evening, then prolonged sunny weather sets in.

January 2 is Ignatiev's day. In Rus', this day was dedicated to the house where a person was born and raised. This day was also considered “apple day”: it was supposed to clear the apple trees of frost and snow so that the harvest would be rich. It was believed that the weather on this day predicted the weather of the month of August, namely the days when apples ripen. On this day there is a lot of frost, mounds of snow, deeply frozen ground - for grain production. The Milky Way is full of stars and as bright as a bucket. If clouds cover the sky, it will soon become warmer. The samovar hums loudly - it means frost.

January 3 – Prokopyev Day. On this day, the memory of Procopius of Vyatka, the holy fool of the Christian saint, was honored. In Rus', peasants gave this day the name Half-feed, because by this day half of the feed stored for the winter for livestock was consumed. If the sun is red at dawn, there will be a snowstorm. The morning dawn is quickly fading - the weather will be cold, without precipitation. The wind changes direction clockwise - towards cloudy and relatively warm weather for January. Steady weakening of frost - to cloudy and snowy weather. In general, the weather on this day indicates the weather in September.

January 4 is Nastasya's day. This day got its name in honor of Saint Anastasia. On Nastasya's day we watched the weather. It was believed that if the clouds go against the wind, then there will be snow. A clear sunset - good to go the next day. Lower back pain in older people - due to snow. The bullfinch makes noise with its wings, clearly indicating bad weather. Straw clumps into clumps when burning in a stove - a sign of cold weather. In general, the weather on this day indicates the weather in October.

January 5 is Fedul's day. The day got its name in honor of St. Theodulus. In Rus', on this day, much attention was paid to domestic animals - cattle and poultry. “Fedul came - the wind blew,” they said in Rus'. The wind was considered a good omen - it promised a rich harvest. The blue spots over the forest weaken and soon disappear completely - don't expect a thaw. A sunset with a greenish tint heralds a partly cloudy day. Red fire and strong draft in the stove - to the cold. Window shutters creak - it's time for a thaw. In general, the weather on Fedulov's day predicts the weather in November.

January 6 – Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is colloquially called Christmas Eve, or Sochevnik. This name comes from a special dish made from wheat, nuts and honey - sochiva. They started dinner only at night - with the rising of the first star; Until this moment it was necessary to fast. They also decorated the trees in the gardens - they tied the trunks with straw. They said that thanks to this they would grow better. On Christmas Eve in Rus' they sang carols. Crows fly and circle in flocks for a long time - to clarity. The sun sets into a cloud - towards a snowstorm. Lightning in winter means a storm. A clear day promised that both the vegetables in the garden and the wheat in the field would grow. The stars in the sky foreshadowed a large blueberry harvest, frost and deeply frozen ground - a bread harvest, black paths in the snow - a buckwheat harvest. They said that if the Milky Way is full of stars, the weather will be sunny.

January 7 – Christmas. One of the main holidays of the year. At Christmas the table was laden with food. One of the main places on it was occupied by pork - and this is not surprising, because it was on this day that the peasants timed the slaughter of livestock. In addition, for the holiday they always prepared sochivo, kutya, pancakes, pies, gingerbread, geese or ducks with apples, jelly, jellied fish. It is usually frosty at this time. If frost falls on this day, bread will be produced; if the sky is starry, peas will be produced. And if there is a snowstorm outside, the bees will swarm well. The snow is deep, then the grass and bread will be good.

January 8 – Babi porridge. In Rus', on this day they celebrated a woman's holiday, or a holiday of porridge. On this day, midwives and women in labor were glorified. It was from this day that girls' fortune telling began, which continued until Epiphany. If titmice scream in the morning, it means there will be frost in the evening; But if the crows are loud, there will be snowfalls and blizzards, the finch sings - to the warmth. Heavy snow was also foreshadowed by the porridge browning in the oven. It was believed that clear weather on this day promised a good harvest of millet. The snow is soft and sticky - expect a thaw soon. When the sun set, the sky turned red on the northern side - indicating increased frost. The north wind began to blow steadily - against the cold.

January 9 is Stephen's Day. In Rus', this day was notable for the fact that shepherds entered into agreements with peasants who had livestock. Since then, several proverbs have been preserved: “Stepanov’s day feeds the shepherd for a year”; “If you hire yourself as a shepherd, the whole village is in your debt”; “Everyone is master of St. Stepan.” A mandatory attribute of the holiday were dough figurines in the form of cows, sheep and shepherds. They decorated the table and gave them to relatives. People said: “Stepan came - he was wearing a red jacket.” This meant that it was worth waiting for frost. But if it snowed on Stepanov’s day, this foreshadowed bad weather and wet weather. A large reddish moon has appeared in the sky - expect warmer temperatures and snow tomorrow. The goose sits with its paws tucked in - expect cold weather. The horse lies down - to an increase in air temperature. Fog or smoke spreading over the plains means warming.

January 10 – Household Day or Christmas Meat Eater. Meat-eater was not a holiday, but meat appeared on the table. However, this did not cancel the weekly fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. At this time, the time for weddings began. The meat eater was also called Household Day. The whole family gathered in the house, did housework together, and sat down at the table together. “When there is harmony in the family, every now and then there will be arguments, and prosperity will be born.” The cat lies down, curled up in a ball, on something soft or on the stove - to a clear frosty day. If frost falls on the stacks on this day, then the summer will be rainy.

January 11 is a terrible day. The terrible day received such a name because on this evening the evil spirits were especially rampant. A good day for fortune telling, and the children were told fairy tales and asked riddles. If the north wind blows and there are no clouds in the sky, then frost will soon begin. The sun shines somehow unclearly, despite the fact that the sky is clear, a sign of bad weather. By evening, a strip of clear sky appears in the west - a sign of improved weather. Black grouse walks across the field - before frost.

January 12 is Anisin's day. Anisya in Rus' was nicknamed the Stomachwoman, because ancient custom On her day, pigs were slaughtered and tripe, including stomachs, was boiled. And before eating the entrails, they were used for fortune telling. By this day the frost usually intensified. That’s why people said: “Don’t ask Anisya for warmth,” “The cold has come to Anisya.” A strong wind subsides faster than a weak one. Crows sit on the lower branches of trees - towards the wind. Black grouse sits on the top of a tree - before the onset of blizzard weather. Unstable daytime wind, changing direction and speed, leads to worsening weather.

January 13 is Melania's day, Vasilyev's evening. New Year's Eve (old style). They prepared a lot of all kinds of food for Melania. This is where the saying comes from: “Eating like Melanie’s name day.” The evening before the New Year was called generous. On Vasiliev evening it was customary to shake off the snow from the apple trees. This had to be done at midnight so that the apples would be born. Also at night you should monitor the weather: if the wind blew from the south, it meant a hot and prosperous year; if from the west - to an abundance of milk and fish; from the east - to the harvest of fruits and berries. A lot of fluffy frost on the trees foreshadowed a good honey harvest. A pale and cloudy moon is a sign of snowfall. Birch firewood burns with a bang in the stove - expect severe frosts. The cessation of unstable daytime wind by night against the backdrop of worsening weather foreshadows short-lived bad weather. During frosts, black grouse huddles in high snowdrifts - a sign of prolonged cold weather.

January 14th – Vasiliev’s day. First day of the new year according to the old style. “Vasily divides Christmastide in half.” On this day, girls especially zealously wondered about marriage. Also, according to signs, on this day it was necessary to have a cash reserve in the house; They didn’t give me a loan. Snow or severe frost on this day promised a fertile year. A clear starry sky promised a harvest of peas and berries, and a blizzard promised a good harvest of nuts. Small and light snow- to a quick improvement in the weather. The wind from the southwest turns to the west or north-west - the weather improves. Rainbow pillars on the sides of the sun or a reddish pillar across the solar disk - to stable, partly cloudy weather. A tit whistles - on a clear day.

January 15 – Sylvester Day, Chicken Holiday. The day was named after church holiday- St. Sylvester's Day. They also celebrated Chicken Day. On this day, it was customary to clean chicken coops and arrange roosts. On this day, children received new toys - cockerels and chickens made of clay, as well as cockerel lollipops. People used bulbs to tell fortunes about Sylvester. We cleaned 12 pieces, put a pinch of salt on each and left them on the stove until the morning. Whichever bulb turns out to be wet is the month that will be rainy. At night they looked at the month: if both horns are sharp and bright - towards the wind; if both horns are steep - to frost; sloping horns foreshadowed bad weather. Magpies also promised a blizzard if they flew near a dwelling. However, frosts are common at this time. People said: “On this day it is cold and frosty not only on the ground, but also underground. A “false” sun appeared - it meant cold. Dim stars mean thaw, and bright stars mean frost. Field mice have crawled out of their holes and are running around in the snow - a thaw in the coming days. In the cold, a squirrel leaves its nest, descends from a tree and runs on the ground - to warming.

January 16 is Gordeev Day. In Rus', peasants believed that on this day hungry witches milked cows with such force that they died. To avoid this, they tied a tallow candle over the gate and asked the brownie to look after the cattle. On this day it was also customary to cook oatmeal in milk and feed it to cows. According to the belief associated with the name of the holiday, on Gordeev's Day you cannot boast about your goodness, health, or children - in other words, you cannot be proud. Otherwise, the object of boasting may be lost. The weather that day showed what March would be like. The sound of the bell is clearly heard - before the warming. If the shoots of snow “plants” on the glass bend, then a thaw is not far away. The sun sets into a cloud - it means snowfall. A rapid drop in low atmospheric pressure when the wind direction changes from east to north foreshadows the beginning of a cold wave with snow. Large white clouds in the sky foreshadowed a blizzard.

January 17 – Zosima the beekeeper. There is also a special sign: if there is a lot of snow on this day, it will be a honey year. To respect Zosima, they always put honey and delicacies made from it on the table - for example, honey gingerbread. The ash in the stove goes out soon - it means warming. Squirrels hide in a hollow, closing the entrance to it - before frosts. The direction of the wind near the ground and the movement of cumulus clouds begins to coincide - the weather improves. If morning fogs appear in the second half of winter, it means a spring grain harvest. A clear sky with a full moon foretells a strong flood. If it is also frosty under a cloudless sky, it means that the cold will remain for a long time.

January 18 – Epiphany Christmas Eve. The day before the Epiphany of the Lord, on which people prepared themselves for the holiday by fasting. The women knew that only Epiphany snow could whiten any canvas. They also believed that snow collected on Epiphany Eve could heal ailments, and if you wash yourself in a bathhouse with water heated from such snow, you can preserve your beauty for a long time. We went to the river at midnight for Epiphany to fetch water. Having brought the water home, they preserved it: they said that it could stand in a closed vessel without spoiling, and had the same wonderful properties as Epiphany snow. The rooster crows at the wrong time - it means there will be a thaw. If a fox lies in the snow on warm days, it will soon be cold. If the day was fine, and in the evening the sky was clouded with low stratus clouds, it means prolonged frosts. There are many bright stars in the sky - it means frost. The starry sky foreshadowed that bread would be harvested, snowfall - that buckwheat would ripen, and a blizzard - that bees would swarm well. In addition, a blizzard on this day also meant a blizzard on Maslenitsa; strong winds from the south foreshadowed a stormy summer. They also said: “The bright stars will give birth to bright white stars,” which meant that the sheep would bear a large offspring.

January 19 – Epiphany of the Lord. One of the main Orthodox holidays. On this day, the church celebrates the entry of Jesus Christ onto the path of serving people. It is believed that on Epiphany night the water acquires miraculous properties and becomes healing. And if you draw water from a river or stock up on water blessed in a church, it will retain its properties all year round. They said that anyone who bathes in ice water at Epiphany will be healthy all year. Usually on this day there are frosts (Epiphany frosts) - they were always particularly strong, but after this day the weather began to change. People said about the frosts: “The cracks are not cracks, but the water cracks have passed.” At the same time, severe frost foreshadowed a good grain harvest. “The frost is severe on Vodokreshcha - don’t complain about bread,” the peasants noted. However, both fog and flakes of snow foreshadowed a good harvest. The stars are shining strongly - the frost is gaining strength. A bullfinch chirps under the window - to the warmth. White fire in the stove means a thaw.

January 20 is the day of Ivan Brazhny. The day received its name in honor of John the Baptist, or John the Baptist. They called him Hawkmoth because on this day it was customary to “wash down” evil; at the same time they said: “Celebrate once a month - you will be cheerful; If you celebrate every day, you will be naked.” The end of the Christmas festivities meant a return to normal life. The holiday of Ivan the Hawk Moth was also called Perezimnik. They said that he was “bringing news of spring.” Clear and cold weather on this day foreshadowed a dry summer, and cloudy and snowy weather foreshadowed a bountiful harvest. Rich grains promised and morning fogs. Birds start singing early in the morning - towards the bucket. Pigs squeal and drag straw into the barn - for cold weather without precipitation. The hare does not go far from the place of lying - before the snowfall. The massive appearance of tits near houses indicates the approach of great cold weather.

January 21 – Winter Vasilisa, Emelyan-perezimnik. On this day, it is customary to treat godfather and godfather. It was believed that this brings health to children. When they came to a dinner party, godfathers and godfathers brought with them a gift - a bar of soap and a towel. When bathing the child for the first time, he should be washed with this soap and dried with this towel, saying: “Water off a duck’s back, thinness off my child!” There was a custom of telling fairy tales, fables, interesting stories. To do this, the whole family gathered in the house in the evening. Hence the well-known saying: “Shallow, Emelya, your week!” Emelyan is nicknamed Perezimnik, which means the turn of winter to spring and promises a quick change of weather. A snowstorm on this day was considered a common occurrence, but the direction of the wind was noted. If it blows from the south, it means that the summer will be rich in thunderstorms. The evening dawn soon burns out - leading to thaw and wind during the day. A crown around the sun means a lot of snow. Early in the morning, a raven cries continuously more than twice - this means warming. Sparrows chirp in flocks, indicating warmth. The weather on this day predicts the weather for August.

January 22 – Philip Day. In Rus', Filippov's day was considered a day of household chores. On this day, it was customary to start cleaning, doing laundry, and also going to the bathhouse. It was called “flushing away the Christmastide.” If it is clear on Philip, it means there will be a good harvest in the summer. If cattle, released into the yard, sought to return to the stall, this foreshadowed cold and snow. A purple sunset means a snowstorm with frost. The gray continuous veil of clouds is blurring - to better weather. Clouds go against the wind - towards snowfall. Cumulus clouds appear in the morning, increase in size by noon, disperse in the evening and disappear completely after sunset - in frosty weather without precipitation.

January 23 – Gregory the summer guide. On this day it was possible to predict what the summer would be like - rainy or dry. If frost falls on the stacks, the summer months will be damp. Trees covered in frost - the sky will be blue. Abundant frost on the grass and trees means stable sunny but cold weather for several days. Winds from the south foreshadowed numerous thunderstorms in the summer. A magpie sits on the tops of trees - it means frost. A large gray cloud appeared in the sky - a blizzard. High clouds mean good weather.

January 24 is Fedoseev Day. In Rus', this day was often very cold, people expected trouble from these frosts: “The frost is bad, the cold is preparing.” Frosts on this day mean prolonged cold, and warmth, on the contrary, promises early spring. “Fedoseev frosts - you will sow spring crops late”, “Fedoseev warmth - it’s an early spring.” An excessively warm day also did not bode well: “The warm days of January are not good.” Rare clouds mean frost. In the morning, white clouds are visible for 2-3 days in a row - it’s cold with snow. High Atmosphere pressure falls slowly, the wind changes from east to northeast - to snow in a day.

January 25 is Tatiana's day. The second, more ancient, name of the holiday is Babi Kut. This was the name of the woman's corner - the place near the stove where household utensils were located and where the housewife spent a lot of time. This place was also called the sun. In honor of this, on Tatiana’s Day, the eldest housewife in the family baked a loaf, symbolizing the sun. She took it out of the oven and, after allowing the bread to cool, divided it among family members. Everyone had to get at least a piece. In addition, on this day it was necessary to go to the river for water and knock the dust out of the rugs. It was believed that a girl born on Tatiana’s day would be a good housewife. If it snowed on Tatiana, the summer will be rainy, but a warm snowstorm portends drought and crop failure. The snow stops in the afternoon or evening without clearing the sky - the snowfall will continue the next day. If the sky was clear and there was frost outside, the peasants expected a good harvest. When the sun set, the sky darkened from the north - due to the wind and change in weather. The frost weakens in the evening - towards precipitation. The tit is worried, spinning, pecking at the bark of trees or their branches - a sign of bad weather.

January 26 – Ermilov day. On this day, due to the cold weather, people were supposed to spend the day at home. Yerema was advised to pay special attention to the cat living in the house. If the cat curls up into a ball and hides its face, it means you need to wait for frost. If a cat rolls on the floorboards, heat is knocking on the house; if the wall is torn, bad weather is at the gate. One could also ask the cat for a cure for illnesses. The mental circle for about a month on Ermilin’s day foreshadowed a blizzard. If the rays from the sun go down in bunches, then the next day will be sunny and frosty. The great tit began to sing - in early spring.

January 27 is Nina's day. On this day, the animals were cleaned, manure was taken out of the barn, and straw was spread on the floor. The cattle were treated with kind words and treated to fresh bread and vegetables. People used to say: “Give joy to the cattle on St. Nina.” If the trees were covered with frost, this foreshadowed warmth, but white clouds promised cold. If it was snowing on a frosty day, they waited for warming, and if at sunset a pillar of sunlight appeared near the sun, on the contrary, they prepared for frost. Frost that falls at night indicates that there will be no snowfall during the day. It was believed that the early crowing of roosters promised warmth, and the croaking of a crow in the morning meant a blizzard. Chickens often bang their beaks towards the bucket. Weak draft in the stove - to warming.

January 28 is Pavlov's day. Day of the Sorcerers. People believed that on this day sorcerers and witches could pass on their art to their students. On Pavlov's day they advised to beware of damage and the evil eye. On St. Paul's Day, people often prayed, knocked on wood, and spat over their shoulders. “Paul added the day,” winter is already steadily moving towards its end, the nights are getting shorter and the sun is getting brighter. Brilliant stars on this day foreshadow frost, dim ones - warmth, and “blinking” ones - a blizzard. If clouds appear in the north, you should not hope for a thaw. Also, according to St. Paul's Day, they looked at what the summer would be like: if it is clear, then dry and hot, if it is windy, then cold, if it snows, then rainy. Calm, cloudy weather was considered ideal. Chickens, sitting on a roost, huddle together - towards a clear day. The wood in the stove hisses, smokes, and does not light well - this means warmth. The smoke from the chimney arched like a rocker - to weaken the frost. A short morning dawn means snowfall.

January 29 – Peter-half-feed. On this day, it was customary to estimate how much livestock feed was left before the start of spring grazing. If the hay and straw amounted to less than half of what was stored for the winter, they began to save. They checked how much rye bread was left in the barns. On this day, severe frosts often occur, about which people said that “they tear iron and kill birds in flight.” Frost on Peter's Day is a harbinger of summer heat. He is also known for thaws: “he will reassure, warm, and then deceive - he will freeze everything with frost.” Chickens begin to climb on the roof of a chicken coop or barn - on a clear day. Fog at night means stable, partly cloudy weather. If on this day the wind blows from the north, it will be frosty.

January 30 – Anton-perezimnik. The day of Anton the Winterman was also called the day of Antonina the Half. Both of these meant that half of winter was over. “Antonina has come - half of winter.” On this day, it was customary to bake oatmeal koloboks, which symbolized the sun. It was not recommended to trust the warm weather that day. “Perezimnik will reassure, warm, and then deceive - it will cover everything with frost,” “Heather Anton from all sides.” If the sky becomes clouded, it means a blizzard. Crows sit on the tops of trees - to the cold weather. The tit squeaks in the morning - to the night frost. Abundant frost on the trees means stable, partly cloudy weather. When it's cold, the windows fog up - a sign of rapid warming.

January 31 – Athanasius the Clematis. Afanasy was nicknamed Clematis in Rus' because severe frosts occurred on his day. “Athanasius the clematis has come - take care of your cheeks and nose.” If the day turns out to be blizzard, you shouldn’t wait for early spring; The clear weather at noon suggested otherwise. If crows fly and circle in flocks, this means even more frost. The loud humming of the samovar also foreshadowed the cold. The cold was perceived without negativity: it was believed that the ground frozen in winter would produce more crops in the summer. Large white circles around the sun increase in size - a sign of severe cold. After the January lull, ide and pike begin to bite.

Gardening work in January:

January 1-10 – They shovel snow into tree trunks, under bushes, and over bulbous plantings. They feed the birds, otherwise they will peck out the fruit buds on the trees. Snow removal work is being carried out. January is the best time to purchase seeds.

January 11-20 – If there are heavy snowfalls, the snow will be swept away from the branches. Collect eggshells, onion and garlic peels, spent tea and coffee, and citrus peels for compost. Regularly check the condition of the cuttings if they are stored in the basement or cellar for spring grafting and cuttings. Prepare the soil and containers for growing seedlings.

January 21-31 - they begin to fight mice and hares: they protect tree trunks. Planning work and planting for the new season. Repair of gardening equipment. You can start sowing some flowers for seedlings, such as ever-blooming begonia, Chabot carnation, zonal pelargonium, sparkling sage, Waller's impatience.