The fourth day of the last month of spring is called 'Proculus' in honor of the martyr famous for his miracles. The people believe that Saint Proclus helps in the fight against evil spirits, the fight against which this moment of May is dedicated. The second half of spring is the time of active farming, and folk signs on May 4 give an idea of the upcoming summer and the expected harvest.
Traditions of the day
According to legends, on the night of May 4, witches poison all the grass, so it cannot be collected on this day, but the villains should be urgently expelled from the field and garden.
People's omens do not order to work on May 4. All efforts are directed towards performing various rituals. It is believed that witches can also kill livestock, on the presence of which in the old days the life of people directly depended. Therefore, the whole day is devoted to the expulsion of witches and evil spirits.
A beautiful tradition – young girls danced around the apple tree, as if they cherished fertility and good weather. In the old days they used to say 'lalili' – hence the name of the day 'Lyalnik' or 'Fedor-lalnik', and the beginning of May is called 'lyalny time'.
Conspiracies
On May 4, the Elders left the outskirts, turned their faces to the west, and loudly cursed the evil spirits, uttering the words of the conspiracy. The Orthodox Church taught that in the West is the land of the dead, where dark forces live, and in the East is the abode of God. Even churches, according to the signs, were built with the orientation of the main entrance to the west, as a symbol of the striving for light of a person going to the temple.
The content of the conspiracy is as follows:
This protection is enough for a year. It is believed that the evil spirits will be afraid of these words, and will not bother until next spring.
Signs on Procul about the weather
The superstitions of this day are associated with the expulsion of evil spirits, and folk signs predict what to expect in the summer:
- Birch pubescent before maple and alder – a dry summer is expected.
- Maple is pubescent before birch, on May 4 there are many leaves on it – the summer will be rainy.
- Ants are clean and non-aggressive – a harbinger of a bountiful wheat harvest.
- It rains from 'high clouds' – the earth 'gets drunk', the water gets deep, a good harvest is expected.
- The bird cherry blossomed much earlier than the fourth day of May – there will be a lot of rain in summer.
- The bird cherry blossoms on May 4 – a harbinger of a dry summer.
- There is a lot of color on the bird cherry – it will be hot in summer.
- If the first thunder is booming and loud, a bountiful harvest of wheat is expected.
- Drizzling rain – a harbinger of prolonged bad weather.
- The strong twinkling of the stars at night is accompanied by the appearance of clouds in the morning – at noon there will be a thunderstorm.
- 'Damp' and softened hair on the head predicts rain.
- An abundance of sorrel – next winter will be warm and snowy.
- The nightingale began to sing among the bare branches – you can not expect a bountiful harvest of fruits.
- Alder and birch have bloomed – morels can be picked.
Superstition is not allowed on May 4 to lend money.
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