Since ancient times, people are used to observing the weather, turning their attention to certain national signs. Some of them relate to specific holidays. For example, folk signs on Pokrov Day say a lot.
This holiday falls on October - a month of yellowing leaves, cooled earth, rains and the first wet snow. What do people say about this day?
National signs on Pokrov day tell about the upcoming winter
This holiday is not just an event revered by Christians. Folk omens on Pokrov Day allow people to understand what kind of winter will be. As a rule, it occurs approximately forty days after the first snow. Therefore, the "snow" Veil speaks of the onset of early winter.
However, this is far from all the “surprises” of October. For example, omens on Pokrov Day also indicate that rain can even go on this Orthodox holiday. Moreover, thunder can also sound. This suggests that winter will be completely snowless.
If the leaves from maple and birch practically did not fall on the Veil, then severe frosts are expected. Dry weather will indicate a snowless winter. Well, hoarfrost will affect a lot of rainfall in the month of January.
There are some other folk signs on Pokrov day. If the wind blows from the north this holiday, the winter will be very cold, if from the south it will be warm. People say that autumn also largely depends on the weather at Pokrov. If there is no snow before this day, you can hear the phrase from the old people saying that "a bear will walk for a long time in the wild." And otherwise: "The cover has covered, so Christmas will cover." Bears, by the way, according to the people, climb into their dens in late October, if they still manage to fall snow on a holiday.
Meeting autumn with winter ...
So, on October 14, Christians celebrate the Protection of the Virgin. Signs to this day include the most diverse. However, the main one convinces people that autumn and winter meet on this holiday.
On this day, as a rule, you can watch the first frost. He covers the earth, just like the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. Hence, in fact, the name. Naturally, the Intercession of the Virgin connects signs with weather and predictions for the coming year.
By the way, not only the wind, snow or hoarfrost is being watched on this day. An early and cold winter, for example, portends the flight to the Crane cover.
If they are delayed, then you can still enjoy the heat. In a word, it will take a lot, but, most importantly, they are all tested by generations and years, so there is no doubt in their reliability!
... and goodbye
However, most often after the Veil, autumn does not linger for a long time. This has been clearly spoken about for a long time by all the usual signs. Snow on Pokrov, cold wind, frost - this means that winter is just around the corner.
By the way, this holiday is associated with other events that Christians celebrate. For example, if snow falls on Pokrov, then it will also fall on Dmitriev Day (November 8). If this day does not please us even with a small snowstorm, we can forget about sledges and snowballs at least until the day of Catherine (December 7).
Traditions
Of course, not only signs, snow on the Veil, rain or wind are associated with this holiday. There are also certain traditions. On this day, many people, for example, go to church services. This rite has survived from ancient years to the present day. People pray at the Intercession in front of the icon of the Mother of God, asking her for intercession and mercy, help and health, and happiness in family life. Kneeling, you can beg the Virgin Mary about yourself, parents, children, spouse ... In a word, Christians sincerely believe that the Mother of God will protect them for a year, covering her with her veil.
Since winter comes after this holiday, all gatherings and festivities move from the streets to the houses. The entire crop is removed from the fields at this time, harvesting is done for the winter, the houses are insulated, the stoves are melted, the livestock is put in a barn. In ancient times, during this period, women and girls sat down for weaving, sewing and embroidery.
By the way, do not forget about the following traditional signs! If you do not insulate the house before Pokrov, the owners will freeze all winter. If you bake a lot of pancakes for a holiday, the house, on the contrary, will be very warm. For the same purpose, the furnace on Pokrov is heated by an apple tree. On the same day, the hosts gather the last fruits.
If your children are often sick, they must be doused with water over a Pokrov sieve. They say it helps a lot. Well, in no case on this holiday can not borrow money from anyone.
Wedding signs
An important role on this day is also played by some points regarding marriage. Sometimes the wedding date falls on Pokrov. Holiday, signs - everything should be taken into account, in no case confusing either the groom or the bride.
So what do people say about this day? Firstly, the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not just a church holiday. This day is also the patron saint of weddings and future brides.
By the way, it’s not just that Pokrov is associated with a white veil. Girls who want to successfully marry, meet a worthy groom, always went and go to the church that day to pray and put candles in front of the icon. This tradition has been maintained for many years.
In ancient times, it was believed that the first girl to marry is the one who puts the candle before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos.
There are several more signs associated with weddings and this church holiday. For example, if a girl properly has fun on Veil, she will certainly meet a good groom. If it snows on the wedding day of the young, they will definitely be happy.
Large snowdrifts suggest that there will be a lot of weddings next year. A strong wind "prophesies" a lot of brides in the coming year. And of course, the wedding played at Veil is a wonderful sign. This indicates that young people will live soul to soul for many, many years.
Bright holiday - good mood
The last thing you should not forget about on this beautiful day is about high mood. Veil is not just a holiday. This is an event with a huge history, celebrated over the years. One has only to ask a question to any elderly person, and he will immediately tell you what kind of holiday it is - the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, the signs and customs that accompany him, etc. Perhaps, church holidays are not so popular today ... However do not forget about ancient traditions ...