Nikita Gusyatnik: folk signs and bans on September 28

September 28 in the national calendar is the day of Nikita Gusyatnik. By this time in the farms traditionally began the autumn slaughter of birds. The date was associated with many signs and strict prohibitions – people believed that the observance of customs helps to protect the house and family from trouble.

According to legends, on this day it was impossible to sit at home all day: it was believed that you could miss luck. It was undesirable to stay in the evening alone - the more fun the end of the day, the more prosperous the year will be. It was also not worth bragging about their success: they believed that it could cause trouble. Arguments and clarification of relations threatened a protracted discord - it will not be easy to reconcile afterwards. Another prohibition was to visit the bath: according to popular beliefs, on this day, evil forces could send diseases. In addition, they tried not to make spontaneous purchases - such spending, according to legend, could turn into serious problems.

The signs helped predict the weather. If the geese were flying high, they were waiting for strong floods in the spring, and if they were standing with one paw between them, they should soon get colder. When the birds splashed in the water, it promised that the heat would linger. Rain on September 28 foreshadowed late spring, and large anthills in the forest - a harsh winter. A multicolored crown around the moon was considered a sign of rapid weather deterioration.