Why not take out the garbage and put on new clothes on October 18? Folk signs on Kharitininin day

In the Orthodox tradition, October 18 is dedicated to the memory of the martyr Charitina of Amisia. In the national calendar, this day received a special meaning: by the middle of autumn, field work was usually completed, and peasants switched to household chores.

Women began to weave the canvas, spin the yarn, sew and embroidery. The first woven thread was called life-giving and was considered a protective amulet. According to legend, she could protect from the evil eye, damage and disease. Sometimes clothes for newborns or brides were sewn from fabric, and small pieces were used in the construction of the house, laying them in the foundation or under the threshold.

In the evening, the girls gathered for handmade gatherings. They brought yarn and embroidery with them, sang songs, shared news and guessed at the betrothed. Older women taught the young needlework, passing on family skills to the next generations.

Men at this time were preparing for the winter: rolling boots, repairing outbuildings, harvesting firewood and tidying tools. Warm clothes and shoes were checked in the houses.

According to popular belief, October 18 should not be lazy and leave things unfinished. It was believed that idleness could lead to work difficulties and financial problems.

Wearing new clothes is not recommended, especially before important meetings and dates. It is believed that this could attract failure. Dark outfits also tried to avoid, fearing quarrels and troubles.

Ancestors believed that envy of others' happiness and boasting about their own successes can repel luck. Therefore, on this day they tried not to tell outsiders about their plans, not to gossip, not to swear and not to enter into conflicts.

Special attention was paid to needlework. The yarn and threads were not left in a mess: it was believed that tangled threads could lead to confusion in affairs and family quarrels. The first canvases made on this day were not recommended to be sold or given away, as they were associated with future prosperity.

Another concern was home waste. They tried not to take the garbage out of the house, fearing to lose happiness and well-being with it. At the same time, the hostess washed dishes to avoid family quarrels. It was also considered a good sign to pay off debts before winter.

On Kharitininin day, we carefully watched nature, trying to understand what the coming winter will be like. If there were still leaves on the birches, this was considered a sign of severe cold. Rounding in the sky snags and crows foreshadowed snow, and clouds floating against the wind - snowfall.

Windless weather, according to popular observations, promised a cold snap. Morning frost, on the contrary, was associated with dry weather for the next week. If by October 18 the snow had not yet fallen, it was assumed that winter would come late.

There were other signs. The fog, moving low above the ground, was associated with a change in weather, and the smoke from the fire, which did not rise up, but spread over the ground, was considered a harbinger of rain. Anxiety of livestock was also perceived as a sign of approaching bad weather.