Honey Spas (Macovei) is celebrated every year on August 14. During this period, religious people bring honey to the church for the purpose of consecration. The custom is associated with the ancient setting - give the 1st fee to the Lord and only then eat personally. Is it possible to work in Honey Spas or is it better to refrain from any activity?
The history of the celebration
In the spiritual calendar, this period is 7 Maccabees sufferers, and among the people the celebration is simply referred to as Makovei or 1st Spas. August 14 consecrate poppy, honey, water and see off the summer. In addition, they prepare a Macovean flower - a bouquet of mint, thyme, calendula, poppy and consecrate in the cathedral. On Makovei, among other things, sanctify wells, sources.
On Makovei comes the two-week Assumption fast, which is determined by the holidays of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Assumption of the Virgin.
There are many customs and prohibitions associated with this holiday. In Honey Spas, is it possible to work around the house or just collect honey?
Earlier, our ancestors immediately during this period began to collect honey from apiaries. Honeycombs in the hives by this time in most cases are already full. Then, without exception, everyone gathered at the ponds, ate honey, sang songs and generally spent time together. In addition, products with poppy seeds were certainly baked.
Traditions
Can I work at Honey Spas? Traditions show no. To this festive day, cakes and shortcakes with poppy seeds were baked. Classical bouquets were called makoveiki. As a rule, they were carried to the temple by girls, before which they had a tight breakfast - so that the next year was prolific.
The consecrated poppy head, in addition, was laid near the pillow to the guys who are weakly falling asleep or dozing restlessly.
The flowers and herbs sanctified on Makovei were kept behind the icons as a healing potion, which was then used to treat sick pets. And before, the poppy consecrated in the temples was used to protect the home, livestock, and the yard from evil spirits.
In separate villages, large crosses were set up, painted with paints and decorated with poppy heads, and on top was attached a pumpkin mask with a burning candle from the inside, which resembled a human skull. Throughout the whole night, the young generation sang and danced, defending their own Makoveevsky cross. So is it possible to work in Honey Spas or is it only allowed to celebrate?
It is preferable to install the dried makoveychik on the windowsill. In the old days they still believed that on Makovei the girls are forgiven for all unexcused sins, if they themselves will forgive and pray for mercy.
Fortunetelling
In the morning in Makovei, my mother let her daughter go to the temple, where after the service, the clergyman consecrated bouquets tied with scarlet ribbons from the herbs gathered on the eve of the celebration. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to work on a holiday (Honey Spas) was inappropriate in itself. Already after the consecration on the threshold of housing, the mother awaited the girl, took the potion and sentenced: “May your fate be as graceful as the flower, and so cloudless as your mercy at the present time, come with a narrow-dress to you.”
The young girl hung flowers and poppies from the ceiling, often over the image. It was considered an idol from evil forces for a year. Mistresses sanctified in Makovei kept the poppy for the Holy Supper on Christmas, because it is considered an integral component of the evening meal - kutya.
In addition, the poppy was used by a young girl who wanted to spell a young man. With this poppy a woman sowed a young man three times, saying in an undertone: “So that you would throw me if you accumulate this poppy near you.”
Bans
When asked whether it is possible to work in Honey Spas, signs say the following.
- In Honey Spas, summer is drawing to a close. For this reason, on August 14, it is forbidden to plunge into the water, as on Ilyin’s day, as it is possible to drown or to bury. According to logical concepts, the nights became cold, the water began to "bloom", which could provoke a variety of diseases.
- In this period, a serious Assumption post comes, for this reason it is necessary to adhere to the principles of healthy eating.
- You should not talk loudly at Makovei, celebrate loudly, as you can frighten the bees (and honey was collected that day).
- It is unacceptable to swear at Makovey, swear or wish someone bad, otherwise the negative will return as a boomerang.
- During this period, you can’t work and clean up the house: it is preferable to finish important household chores on the eve of the holiday.
Temple Celebration
On this day, festive services were held in temples, people especially trusted in signs. Is it possible to work in Honey Spas - this issue has not even been discussed. The priests perform the water blessing ritual and consecrate baskets with the gifts of nature that the believers bring.
What to put in the basket for consecration in Honey Spas? Each item carries value, symbolic meaning, and this must be understood. According to the foundations, honey or honeycombs (as a sign of prosperity in a home), brown bread (a symbol of family), spice (a sign of perseverance in religion), salt (a symbol of readiness for life difficulties), and baked goods with honey are placed in the saving basket.
Also, do not forget about the makeway charm!
Consecration of flowers
Judging by ethnic foundations, at the given time consecrate makoveychiki amulets - bouquets of flowers and grass. It is imperative that you enter the poppy:
- guelder-rose - a sign of charm and a female basis;
- sunflower - a symbol of faith;
- marigolds and nibbles - a symbol of well-being;
- mint - a sign of inner peace of mind;
- wormwood is a sign of reconciliation;
- poppy heads - fertility.
Candles can be added to the basket (matches to take with you), fragrant vegetation (mint, thyme, Chernobrivtsi). Living plants embody pleasure and faith in eternal life.
And the main thing in this period is not to forget that the Savior in the first place is the triumph of the soul.