What can not do Volgograd on October 10, the day of Savvatii Beechelnik

October 10 according to the national calendar is the day of Savvaty the Beecher. The life of the saint was devoted to the search for solitude and spiritual concentration. In folk culture Savvatius became the patron saint of beekeepers, hence the name of the day - Beekeeper. The period from October 2 (Zosima Day) to October 10 was called the “bee nine-day”: these days beekeepers completed the honey harvest and prepared hives for wintering. The beehives were insulated, moved to places protected from the wind. The people said that the queen bee carries the summer keys to warm lands: the season of active honey collection is finally over.

What did you do that day

The day was associated with gratitude and generosity: it was customary to share honey with relatives, neighbors and those in need. Honey was valued not only as a delicacy, but also as a means to maintain health - it was used for colds, sore throat, cough, abdominal pain and joints.

The hostess prepared honey treats - cookies and cakes. They were eaten only in the family circle, in the morning, on an empty stomach. Even the crumbs were not thrown away – they were given to poultry, so as not to bring trouble to the house.

Another tradition was horse fairs. Since Savvatius was revered as the patron saint of horses, on this day they came to the auction for horses. For girls, the fair became an occasion to look after the future husband. There were special customs that helped to attract attention: the girl could quietly throw a grain under the boy’s feet, tie a red thread to his clothes or “accidentally” touch him.

What to Avoid on October 10

On this day, they tried not to engage in work, if it did not concern the apiary business: it was believed that any other work would be in vain and even lead to losses.

Under the ban were quarrels, abuse, manifestations of anger and irritation: they believed that the offenses that arose on this day will remain in memory for a long time and will poison the relationship.

It was not recommended to conclude monetary transactions and sign important contracts, including the sale of real estate: according to legend, any financial transactions on this day threatened losses.

There were also household prohibitions: it was not worth sleeping for a long time - it could cause illness, deprive of luck, and even lead to insomnia and debts. Haircuts were also not advised: together with hair, it was possible to cut off happiness and well-being.

Lonely hikes in the forest were considered dangerous: they believed that on this day the forest “muts the roads” and a person can easily get lost.

It was impossible to use the personal belongings of the spouse – it threatened discord in the family. It was important not to refuse help and alms; it was especially right to share honey with those who needed it.

People's weather signs

For beekeepers, October 10 was the time of the final works: they examined the hives, insulated them, observed the behavior of bees and the state of the pilots, in order to predict the nature of the upcoming winter by these signs. If the flyer remained slightly open, and the bees behaved calmly, this was considered a sign of a mild and warm winter; if the bees completely sealed the flyer, they waited for severe and prolonged frosts.

Folk signs associated with the weather on October 10, suggested what will be the winter and what to expect in the coming weeks. Thunder on this day foreshadowed a snowy, warm and short winter. If the weather was dry and windless, it was considered a sign that warm autumn will linger and last longer than usual. Rain and snow promised a mild January, and snowfall - severe frosts after about forty days.

Particular attention was paid to the movement of clouds: if they went from south to north, they waited for the weather to deteriorate. A severe and long winter was indicated by the abundance of cones on firs. A sharp cold snap on October 10 was perceived as a sign that such a temperature will last for about a week.