Thunderbox — Candlemas (15/02)

The Slavs believed that Gromnitsa serves as the border between winter and spring, which is why the second name of the Feast of Candlemas is popularly explained by the meeting of winter with spring: on Candlemas, winter met spring; on Candlemas the sun turned to summer, winter turned to frost.

And this is also the only day in winter when a thunderstorm can happen — you can hear thunder and see lightning. That's why the Serbs call this holiday «Svjetlo». The day was dedicated to Perun's wife Dodola-Malanica (Lightning) — goddess of lightning and feeding children.

The gromnitsa at the height of winter reminded us that even among the most terrible disasters there could be a ray of light — like bright lightning in the middle of a fierce winter. There is always hope. The Slavs honored Malanica for giving them hope for a speedy spring.

«Oy Dodola-Dodolyushka, Light Perunitsa! Your husband is on a campaign, rule the war; Diva in the forests, Roof — in the skies. Go down to the Slavs with zealous lightning! We have plenty of bread — come down to us from heaven! We have plenty of salt — can't deprive us of our share! Get off loud, get off happy, Come down beautifully — honest people marvel! Dodola is famous, she is given hope!».

The Slavs of the Western Russian region used Sretensky candles to set fire to each other's hair crosswise on this day, considering it very useful for headaches.

In agricultural life, based on the weather conditions on Gromnitsa, people judged the coming spring and summer, especially the weather and harvest. Spring was judged as follows:

As the weather is on Candlemas, so will spring. If a thaw sets in on Candlemas — spring is early warm, if the cold turns — spring is cold; snow that fell on this day — for a long and rainy spring. If on Candlemas the snow across the road carries — spring is late and cold. It was on this day that they said: sun for summer — winter for frost. And also: there will be a snowball — spring yeast. If a blizzard sweeps the road — spring is late and cold; if the warmth — is early and warm. At Candlemas in the morning snow — harvest of early bread; if at noon — average; if by evening — late. On Candlemas of Drops — wheat harvest.

From that day on, it was possible to drive cattle from the barn into the — pen for warming up and heating, they also began to prepare seeds for sowing, clean them up, earn extra money, and check for germination. Fruit trees were whitewashed. Breeding birds were also fed (fed): chickens were given oats to carry better, and the eggs were larger and tastier.

On this day, peasants usually made a calculation of the reserves of bread, hay, straw and other feed: whether they were at half capacity, and if not, they amended the feeders, and tightened their belts themselves.

People also worshiped the Sun on the day of the holiday: the priests of the Sun performed rites of meeting and greeting the luminary, and called for warmth. And when the Sun was at its zenith, they burned a doll made of straw —, the so-called Erzovka. This doll personified the Spirit of Fire and the God of Love. It was decorated with gifts and offerings — flowers, beautiful ribbons, festive clothes, and people turned to her with requests for well-being and prosperity. It was believed that with its burning, Erzovka destroys the cold, brings warm summers and a good harvest. In the meantime, while the doll was being carried on a pole, the lovers turned to her for help in love and with requests for happiness in the house.

Pancakes were baked to the table, round, golden — they symbolized the Sun. This called for his return. In some villages, bagels were baked and livestock was fed these bagels to protect the animals from diseases. On this day, fires burned and people had fun with ritual dances.

It was impossible to get bored on a holiday — the God of Love does not accept sadness, but responds to a joyful meeting with joy.

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