Folk signs: what not to do Volgograd on October 26, in Agathon day
On October 26, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyrs Carp, Papila, Agathonica and Agafodor, and in the popular calendar this date was called Agathon’s Day, or Agathon the Bath. It was with this day that the villagers were associated with the main autumn ritual - a thorough soaring before winter
According to tradition, the bath on this day was prepared especially carefully: washed, warmed long and well, and in the steam room placed clay jugs with infusions of chamomile, St. John's wort and linden. The birch broom was endowed with special strength - they believed that such a steam drives away ailments and helps to survive the cold without disease.
Do not forget about the “owner” of the steam room – Bannik. So that the spirit would not be offended and not cause trouble, he was left modest offerings: a grain of bread, a jug of clean water or a piece of soap.
Cleansing on this day should not only affect the body, but also the whole house. The hostess went around the dark corners and sprinkled them with holy water, banishing all the bad from the dwelling.
Folk wisdom established a number of strict prohibitions on Agathon day. It was absolutely impossible to drink alcohol and boast about their success: it was believed that bravado attracts envy and evil eye.
It was not necessary to lend or borrow - along with the money you could lose wealth for the whole winter. It was also not worth sharing your plans with strangers: according to legend, evil forces easily overhear and interfere with what was planned.
The rules apply to unmarried girls. They were forbidden to go for water to the spring or well alone, so as not to fall under the bad eye.
Our forefathers followed the signs closely. Crows sitting on the lower branches of the trees warned of strong wind, and red clouds at sunset promised rain. The morning dawn, on the contrary, promised a clear and weathery day.
