Among church holidays, December 9 is the date of the consecration of the Church of St. George the Victorious, who was revered for courage, courage and loyalty to Christianity. And also this day is called Yuryev, since Yuri is one of the ancient forms of the name George.
Folk omens for December 9 are associated with the onset of cold weather and preparation for Winter.
In the old days, there was a belief that on this day Saint George releases wolves, therefore this time was considered the period of wolf weddings.
Folk signs
The end of autumn meant the end of agricultural work. Therefore, in the 16th century on December 9, the peasants were allowed to move from one master to another. In those days, there were many who wanted to seek happiness. This transition was previously agreed on for Mikhailov Day. This is how an important sign appeared: if you get hired on December 9, the employer will treat the employee well.
Folk omens on December 9 about the weather and harvest
- A lot of snow fell – folk signs promise early warmth. Until May the snow will melt and the grass will grow.
- Cold day – frosty winter.
- A persistent blizzard leads to excellent swarming of bees.
- According to the signs, if a wolf howls next to housing, it is severe frost.
- Rime – predicts a good harvest of oats and millet.
- The north wind is blowing – signs predict frost.
- On December 9, the rivers were covered with ice – on December 19, frosts will intensify, the ice will strengthen.
To determine what winter would be like, people listened to the water at the wells. If it was quiet, it foreshadowed a good winter, warm, without snowstorms and severe frosts. If the noise of a well was heard, the omen spoke of a blizzard, frosty winter.
Sign by date of birth: if a person was born on December 9, he will be withdrawn and uncommunicative, it is difficult for him to get along with people. To rectify the situation, such people need to use the chrysoberyl stone as a talisman, which helps in organizing their personal life and attracts good luck in business.
Superstitions on St. George's Day
- For December 9 to be a successful journey, you need to order a prayer service in the church before the trip. Otherwise, no luck on the way.
- If you do not pay off debts by St. George's Day, a year of poverty awaits. This superstition is associated with the transition to a new master. To change the landowner, the peasant had to completely settle accounts with the previous owner. Not to pay off the debts meant to remain in distress with the old master.
- On December 9, one cannot go hunting, so as not to suffer from a wild beast – at this time, wolves come close to housing, try to drag off livestock, and are capable of attacking humans. And the bears fall asleep in their den that day.
- The people were condescending to the wolves, sometimes even with a share of respect. It was believed that Yuri Kholodny rides a wolf.
Customs
Among the people, December 9 is a holiday of strength and courage, a day of veneration for all the soldiers who were awarded the St.George Cross.
To give strength to weak guys and men, they were soared in a bath, whipped with oak brooms, and then smeared with wolf fat. People believed that after such a procedure they would become the owners of the animal courage and hardness of oak.
On December 9, the oldest villagers threw burning coals into an ice-hole so that they could absorb the life-giving power of river water. Then the old people scooped the coals out of the river with their palms and threw them into the troughs from which the domestic animals eat. It was believed that it would be easier for the animals to survive the winter.
The women baked cookies in the form of horses. Men with these pastries walked around the yard, and then buried the cookies in the open area to appease Yegoriy, feed him with baked horses, and save the livestock.
On this day, they insulated the dwelling and sheds (they upholstered the doors with felt, caulked the windows, the entrance to the cellar). This was done not only for practical reasons, so they tried to 'hammer' the winter, not let it 'roam', weaken the frosts and wind.
