Many nuts and few mushrooms — for the harsh winter. What signs were observed on Kondrat and Ignat and why it was impossible to do nothing on this day

One of the main observations was about the wind. If October 4 was clear weather, but at the same time blew a sharp northeast wind, waiting for a cold winter. It was also believed that the weather on this day will remain unchanged for another four days.

If during the day it was cold, and by night it became warmer, this was perceived as a sign of imminent bad weather.

Special attention was paid to the forest and animals. According to popular beliefs, if there were few mushrooms, and there were many nuts, the winter should be severe and snowy. If moles began to actively wear straw in burrows, this was also considered a harbinger of severe frosts.

They tried to determine when spring would come. If the leaves first turned yellow at the top of the tree, expected early spring. If the foliage began to change color from below, spring, according to the omen, should have come late.

With the day associated beliefs about money and the well-being of the family. It was believed that friendliness and benevolence on October 4 can attract prosperity, and quarrels, scandals and conflicts, on the contrary, promise poverty.

It was not recommended to idle on this day either. According to popular beliefs, those who refused to work risked losing previously earned. Therefore, the day was devoted to economic affairs.

There were also unusual prohibitions. Girls and women were not recommended to eat before sunset: according to legend, along with food you could lose youth and beauty. Another superstition concerns the shoes of others. It was believed that you can not try it on, otherwise you can incur troubles and illnesses of the former owner.

The name is associated with autumn agricultural work. At this time, peasants dried grain and began threshing - separated the grain from the ears. On how successfully it was possible to complete the work and prepare stocks, depended on the well-being of the family in the cold season.

Orthodox tradition connects this day with the memory of the Hieromartyr Hypatius, Bishop of Ephesus, and the Apostle Codratus from seventy. Also on this day, the relics of St. Dimitry of Rostov are remembered.

Folk signs and prohibitions were passed down from generation to generation, but they have no scientific confirmation. Therefore, they should be perceived as part of traditional culture and our ancestors’ ideas about nature and everyday life.