The rich man came and brought joy: how our ancestors on September 21 attracted happiness and prosperity to the house

In the church calendar, September 21 is the Christmas of the Most Holy Mother of God. In the folk tradition, the holiday has several names: Small All-Pure, Second Autumn, Sitting, Rich. Enjoyed a good harvest, danced, gave gifts to midwives and went to visit older relatives.

By mid-September, all field work was over, the peasants could completely switch to routine gardening. However, before that should be summed up the harvest. On this day, they gathered in bulk, made a mound of grains of a new harvest: each owner brought a handful, which he poured into the common basket. In the center of the resulting slide was put a thick lit candle, which was made by hand from beeswax. They invited the father to consecrate all this building, which was called Rich.

The rich man, laid on an embroidered towel, was solemnly carried around the village, walked around the fields and herd with him to ensure a rich harvest, protect animals from diseases and the evil eye. After that, the main character of the holiday was taken to the house, the owners of which this year were the most successful. After the ceremony, they gathered at a feast, which was organized into a fold. A prerequisite for this day is to maintain a cheerful mood, since it was believed that happiness and luck would come to those who sincerely rejoice. But the whiner and the pessimist will get what he ordered - sorrow and sorrow. Also on this day, they visited the cemeteries: cleaned up there and brought bread, apples and honey. Since the Virgin is the main patroness and protector of women, the Little All-Pure was considered one of the main women's holidays of the year. On this day necessarily went to visit the midwives and older relatives, brought them gifts: pies, cooked dishes, cuts of canvas, vegetables and fruits of a new harvest. Of course, it did not do without women's gatherings under honey and berry tinctures. Well, since the topic of claims of the weaker sex to the stronger one necessarily surfaces, the men on this day tried not to highlight especially, but it is better to find an occupation away from home at all. For example, go fishing - there is definitely not reach.

In Belarus, September 21 was also called "Sitting": from this time the evening family meetings by the fire began. On the eve of the coming cold, tales and various instructive stories were told, of which there were many in each village. And in the autumn ritually buried flies and cockroaches. Dead insects were sealed in symbolic coffins of large potatoes or turnips and buried somewhere behind the fence to remove harmful insects from the house. What can you say? Cheap and angry at least. We all play chemistry.

TRUTH

♦ It was forbidden to engage in needlework, household chores and pick up sharp objects so as not to get hurt and not to incur trouble.

♦ It was necessary to help those in need of money, things or products, otherwise they would not see the blessings of the Most Holy Mother of God.

♦ They did not leave crumbs on the table, as this could lead to losses.

NOTES

♦ If the day is sunny, and spiders sit quietly on their web - then warm days are ahead.

♦ Cloudy weather and the sky in clouds - winter will be cold and sluggish.

♦ A lot of dew on the grass - to the fast frost.

bebenina@sb.by