Why cut. January-prosinets

This is a holiday dedicated to the month, which on the 9th day after Kolyada transfers the Sun-Sivoyar to the Other, so that the new Sun-Bozhich reigns in the world. In honor of the Month-Veles, dumplings are prepared, a ritual dish of the New Year. Boys and unmarried youths sow at home, marking the birth of a new life, while a ritual prayer is said:

I sow sow. Happy New Year. Sow-be born zhito-wheat, Zhito-wheat, any arable land. For happiness, health, many a pet to the Master, mistress, and to the whole White World!

New Year is the celebration of the birth of the new month or the feast of Basil. This ancient Slavic name is associated with the month and boiled vesey, that is, peasants who, according to Orian mythology, were formed from the womb of the first man - the World. From here came the words "all" (village), "all".

The ritual dish of the New Year is dumplings. Ears of the month

For 1 kg of dough you need: 600 g flour, 3 eggs, 40 g melted butter, 250 g sugar, 10 g salt. Filling types: braised cabbage cottage cheese, mashed with yolk, butter and sugar, boiled potatoes with fried onions and mushrooms (110-115 g of filling per 100 g of dough).

Pour milk into the sifted flour, add eggs, salt, sugar, pour melted butter(you can fresh milk) and knead the dough of medium density. Roll out the prepared dough into a layer 1-1.5 mm thick. Cut out circles using a glass. Put the filling on each circle, pinch the edges of the dumpling in the form of a month. Prepared dumplings are placed in a large number of salted boiling water and cook for 5-6 minutes until they float to the surface. Make a frying in oil with onions, pour it over ready-made dumplings and serve. Pour sour cream into a separate bowl.

It should also be noted that on New Year's Eve the yard is plowed with a plow - the owner of the house symbolically walks around the house with a plow. This symbolizes the descent of the Divine power to the earth and its fertilization for a new birth of the harvest. Before Christmas, the “old sun” seemed to die, and on the ninth day (January 1) it set off in a boat-month along the river (the course of time is “year”) to Paradise, that is, a funeral took place (Hore is the God of the month among the Slavs, Charon - the carrier of the dead across the river of death among the Greeks). The time when the boat went to Eternity, we can consider reference. According to our Slavic custom, the funeral was accompanied by sowing for "eternal life", because the funeral is not death, but a transition to another life. Therefore, in the New Year, they sow a dwelling for Wealth and goodness, despite the fact that it is winter outside.

sowing

The boys go from house to house to sow before sunrise. They collect mixtures of grains (rye, wheat, peas, millet, etc.) into a bag or into a mitten, and in each house they shower the owner and the house with these grains, saying:

For happiness, for health, for a new summer;

Bring forth, O God, rye-wheat, and any arable land;

Good afternoon, Happy New Year, be healthy;

I sow, I sow, I sow, I congratulate you on the New Year;

Sow, be born rye-wheat and all arable land.

Happy New Year, stay healthy!

The chief sower is invited to sit down, saying:

“Sit down with us and sit down so that everything sits well with us: chickens, geese, ducks, swarms, and elders.”

During sowing, girls and boys catch grains and guess from them: if the number of grains turns out to be paired, then there will be a wedding this year, and vice versa. The grain that was sown, the owners carefully collect and store until sowing, and then throw it into the ground with other seeds. Some of them are also given to chickens to better rush.

The owners themselves go to congratulate the local sorcerer on the New Year and, instead of mixed grain, they bring him a bag of buckwheat, oats, wheat, etc. Returning from the temple, the owner smokes the house with thyme, and then the family sits down to have dinner.

If the children sow at dawn, then after the Divine service, adults also do this, visiting each other. friend. At the same time, there was one difference - it is not the house that is sown with grain, but the owners are sprinkled, saying:

Soy, be born rye-wheat, any arable land,

For happiness, for health, for the New Year,

To give birth better than last year

Hemp to the ceiling, and flax to the knee,

So that you, the grandchildren of Dazhbozhy, do not have a headache.

Be healthy. Happy New Year. Give, God!

In the afternoon on New Year's Eve, disguised groups of young people walk around the village. Among them must be Vasily, Melanka, grandfather, woman, etc. They take with them a goat, a horse, a plow or ralo, a sickle and a stick. Entering the yard, they make New Year's sowing: they plow and sow snow, and then drag it. Entering the house, they perform a variety of playful actions: they sprinkle those gathered with water, paint the chimney, smear household items with clay, “talk” with the stove, sweep the floor “inside out”, make “quarrels” and “world peace”, and in the end they demand treats. The purpose of these actions is to deceive evil forces and bring wealth into the house.

Holy evening. Hungry Kutia

On the eve of the Blessing of the Waters, Christmas Eve is celebrated - Hungry Kutya. As on Rich Kutya, only lean dishes are prepared, but in smaller quantities.

In the evening, services are held in temples and the “evening water” is consecrated, which is also considered useful against any misfortune. Returning from the temple, the owner takes a bunch of ears or medicinal herbs and sprinkles the house with holy water.

On the eve of the Blessing of the Waters, one must remain in strict fasting, a hungry kutya is being prepared.

During this period, the Sun is closest to the Earth and begins to rage, to be filled with youthful strength. At this moment, it affects the water - Dana, filling it with divine power. Therefore, Vodosvyatie is also called Yar-Dana. In the morning, people go to the reservoirs to stock up on holy water for the whole year, which at this time has miraculous healing power. On a river or on a pond, an equilateral cross or circle-hole is cut out of ice, which symbolizes the Sun. Next to the cross is a throne made of ice entwined with pine branches - the so-called "gates of heaven".

Magi and priests consecrate the Yar-Dan water. People, having collected consecrated water, wash their eyes so that they see well, their ears so that they hear well (and only good words), forehead, so that the head is wise, and at home they wipe the body so that it is healthy like water. Daredevils swim in the hole, knowing that they will not get sick for a whole year and will be blessed.

The water collected for Water Blessing is used for various diseases - they wash sore spots, sprinkle houses and households. In each house, for a year, under the icons there had to be a bottle of consecrated water, which, if consecrated in accordance with all the rules, can stand for a whole year without spoiling.

On a river or on a pond, an equilateral cross or a circle-hole is cut out of ice, which symbolizes the Sun. Next to the cross is a throne, also made of ice and entwined with pine branches - the so-called "gates of heaven".

From the church where the service was held, people carry banners and flags. After the service on the river, doves are released, which they brought with them, the hunters salute with guns. People collect water from the hole carefully so as not to fall. Having collected consecrated water, people wash their eyes here so that they can see well, their ears so that they can hear well (and only kind words), their forehead so that the head is wise, and at home they wipe the body so that it is as healthy as water. Daredevils swim in the hole, knowing that they will not get sick for a whole year and will be blessed.

Prayer for God's Grace Spoken before diving into the hole

The Path of Faith-Veda Orthodox

I believe in the Supreme Family - the One and Many-Faced God, the source of all things and the bearer, that all the Gods are the Eternal well.

I know that the Universe is a Genus, and all the many-named Gods are united in it.

I believe in the trinity of being Rule, Reveal and Navi, and that Rule is the Truth, and it was retold to the Fathers Our forefathers.

I know that Rights are with us, and we are not afraid of Navi, for Navi has no power against us.

I believe in unity with the Native Gods, because we are Dazhbozh's grandchildren - the favorites of the Gods. And the Gods keep their right hands on our rals.

I know that life in the Great Family is eternal, and we must take care of the eternal, following the paths of Rule.

I believe in the power and wisdom of the Ancestors who are born among us, leading us to good through our Guides.

I know that the strength is in the unity of the Slavic-Orian Clans, and that we will become glorious, glorifying the Native Gods.

Glory to the Family of the Most High, Gods and Ancestors!

Dana- Goddess of Water, Mother Voditsa, primordial water Diva, cosmic water, manifests itself in Reveal by all reservoirs and
rivers, feminine peace. Dana is a young Lada, she comes to us together with fire and light at the time of the birth of the Universe by the Goddess Lada. It is the basis of health and beauty of the body. The Gods bequeathed to sanctify with water, and Dana is the wife of Dazhdbog and his opposite. Dana and Dazhdbog are Lelya and Polel, children of the Great Mother Lada. We know that water is also multi-manifested and stays in four states throughout the year, like the Sun-Dazhdbog. The wedding of Dana and Dazhdbog is celebrated by the Gods and the whole world at Kupala.

The tree of the Goddess Dana is a linden, the day for glorification is January 06, as well as every Friday. Dana is glorified near the healing springs, before they are cleaned and decorated with ribbons, images are sharpened and kummirs are placed. There must always be vessels at the sources and wells so that the traveler can drink. The water of Dana not only cleanses and sanctifies, from that it is called right, living and dead, it also washes evergreen tree Kind. Dana is often called upon by young girls, seeking to find a loved one, she is also called at Glorifications, so that she cleanses and sanctifies bodies and souls.

Dana is mentioned in the old folk refrains: “Oh Dana, Dana”, “Shidi-ready, Dana”. The names of many of our rivers also point to the name of the Goddess of Water: Don, Danube, Dnieper, Dniester, Desna, Dvina. The goddess Dana was also revered by the Celts and Indo-Aryans. Hindus still have temples dedicated to the goddess Danu (near lakes Batur and Bratan in Indonesia), who is considered the embodiment of primeval waters.

Prayer-Glorification to Dana

Dana the Maiden, Holy Water! You flow with milky rivers, with fruitful rains, You saturate the Earth, you rejoice the Sun, you release rays from behind cold clouds. Ant-grass grows tall, yarovitsa grows rich. We sing glory to Thee by all Kin, let bread-loaf into the holy river. Accept it, Dana, a week early from the Orthodox Family, from the world of the Life-Giving. Your holy water, young Dana, your happy water, our beautiful Virgin. Not seething with floods, hail, dark waters, but only with rich rains and murmuring streams, from which crops grow and fill our bins with bread. Bless, Dana, show us your will. Glory to mother Dana!

Ritual dish - carp or just river fish

Fish on this day is considered a direct manifestation of the Almighty, therefore all Slavs use it, regardless of the height of the level of spiritual initiation, to sanctify their bodies and unite with God.

2 large crucian carp, 1 onion, 6-8 salted or pickled mushrooms, a pinch of salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil.

Peel carp, gut, remove gills, but do not cut off heads. Rinse well in cold water, pat dry. Then grate with salt, sprinkle with pepper and stuff with chopped mushrooms and fried onions.

Put the fish in a deep, richly oiled sunflower oil frying pan. Brush carp with oil too. Bake in the oven or oven at medium temperature until tender, periodically turning carefully.

Dedications

A kind of transitional day between entertainment and everyday chores are devotions, which fall on the second day after the Blessing of the Waters. On this day, bread and salt are taken out of the house, which lie on Pokut from Rich Kutya, and, broken into pieces, they feed the animals. Do the same with hay.

On this day, the Christmas holidays come to an end. People do not work, they gather for the last evening party, where they see off Christmas time.

The beginning of the week, in which it is customary to guess at the future, the middle of the calendar winter - the conditional immersion of the world into darkness, Nav - where the past and the future intersect. Fortune-telling rituals are held according to the weather, birds and animals. This week should pay attention to your spiritual life, think about the destination and its best fulfillment. Summer Holidays:

Your attention is invited to several options for the reconstruction of the Slavic calendar, comparison and order of months in different Slavic languages, as well as detailed explanation the origin and meaning of the names of each of the months of the year. It should also be noted that the true Slavic calendar was solar; it was based on 4 seasons (seasons), in each of which the solstice holiday (rotation, solstice, equinox) was celebrated. With the advent of Christianity in Rus', they began to use moon calendar, which is based on the period of changing the phases of the moon, as a result of which, by now, a certain "demolition" of dates has formed by 13 days ( a new style). The dates of the Slavic pagan holidays (many of which have been replaced with Christian names over time) are considered according to the old true style and "lag behind" the new calendar by 13 days.

Table 1. Variants of the names of the Slavic months.

Origin of the names of the months

The Romans originally had a lunar year of 10 months, beginning in March and ending in December; which is indicated, by the way, by the names of the months. So, for example, the name of the last month - December comes from the Latin "deka" (deca), which means the tenth. However, soon, according to legend - under Tsar Numa Pompilius or Tarquinius I (Tarquinius the Ancient) - the Romans switched to lunar year at 12 months containing 355 days. To bring it into line with the solar year, an extra month (mensis intercalarius) was added from time to time already under Numa. But still a civil year with holidays designed for famous times year, did not coincide with the natural year at all. The calendar was finally put in order by Julius Caesar in 46 BC: he introduced a solar year of 365 days with the insertion of one day in every 4th year (we have this day - February 29); and set the beginning of the year from January. The calendar and yearly cycle was named after the great Roman general and statesman Julian.

Months were designated by the same names as now. The first six months are named after the Italic gods (with the exception of February, named after a Roman holiday), July and August were called Quintilis (fifth) and Sextilis (sixth) until the time of Emperor Augustus, they received the names Julius and Augustus in honor of Julius Caesar and Augustus . Thus, the names of the months were as follows: Januarius, Februarius, Martius, Aprilis, Majus, Junius, Quintilis (Julius), Sexlilis (Augustus), September (from Latin "septem" - seven, seventh), October (from Latin "okto "- eight, eighth), November (from Latin "novem" - nine, ninth) and, finally, December (tenth). In each of these months, the Romans counted the same number of days as it is considered at the present time. All the names of the months are adjectives in which the word "mensis" (month) is either implied or added. Calendae was called the first day of every month.

In Rus', the word "calendar" has been known only since the end of the 17th century. Emperor Peter I introduced it. Prior to that, it was called the "message". But whatever you call it, the goals remain the same - fixing dates and measuring time intervals. The calendar gives us the opportunity to record events in their chronological order, serves to highlight special days (dates) in the calendar - holidays, and for many other purposes. Meanwhile, the old names of the months among Ukrainians, Belarusians and Poles are still in use!

January so named because it was dedicated by the ancient Romans to Janus, the god of Peace. In our country, in the old days, it was called "Prosinets", as it is believed, from the blue of the sky beginning to appear at this time, radiance, from amplification, with the addition of day and sunlight. On January 21, by the way, the Prosinets holiday is celebrated. Take a closer look at the January sky and you will understand that it fully justifies its name. The Little Russian (Ukrainian) name for January "section" (sichen, sіchen) indicates either the turning point of winter, which, according to popular belief, occurs precisely in January, the dissection of winter into two halves, or crackling, severe frosts. Some of the researchers single out the root "blue" in the word "blue", believing that such a name was given to January for the early twilight - with "blue". Some scientists associated the name with an old folk custom to go to "Svyatki" from house to house and ask for a treat. In Rus', the month of January was originally the eleventh in a row, for March was considered the first, but when the year began to be counted from September, January became the fifth; and, finally, since 1700, since the time of the change made in our chronology by Peter the Great, this month has become the first.

February among the Romans it was the last month of the year and was named after Febra, the ancient Italic god, to whom it was dedicated. The indigenous Slavic-Russian names of this month were: "cut" (a name common to it with January) or "snezhen", probably from snowy time or, according to the verb, whip for blizzards, common in this month. In Little Russia, from the 15th century, following the imitation of the Poles, the month of February began to be called "fierce" (or lute), for it is known for its fierce blizzards; the settlers of the northern and middle Russian provinces still call him "bokogrey", because at this time the cattle comes out of the stables and heats their sides in the sun, and the owners themselves warmed their sides by the stove. In modern Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish languages, this month is still called "fierce".

March. From this month, the Egyptians, Jews, Moors, Persians, ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as, once upon a time, our Slavic ancestors began the year. The name "March" was given to this month by the Romans in honor of Mars, the god of war; it was brought to us from Byzantium. The true Slavic names of this month in the old days in Rus' were different: in the north it was called "dry" (little snow) or "dry" from the spring warmth that drains all moisture; in the south - "berezozol", from the action of the spring sun on the birch, which at this time begins to fill with sweet juice and buds. Zimobor - conquering winter, opening the way to spring and summer, a thorn - this month the snow begins to melt, thawed patches, drops appear (hence another name for a dropper). Often the month of March is called the "flying" month, since spring begins with it, the harbinger of summer, and together with the months following it - April and May - makes up the so-called "flying" (which is celebrated on May 7).

April comes from the Latin verb "aperire" - to open, and it indicates, in fact, the opening of spring. The old Russian names of this month were birch (breezen) - by analogy with March; snow-driving - streams run, taking with them the remains of snow, or even pollen, because it is then that the first trees begin to bloom, spring blooms.

May. The Latin name for this month is given in honor of the goddess Mai, as well as many others, it came to us from Byzantium. The old Russian name for this month was herbal, or grass (herbalist), which reflected the processes taking place in nature at that time - a riot of growing herbs. This month was considered the third and last spanning month. This name is known in the Ukrainian language.

June. The name of this month comes from the word "junius", given to him in honor of the goddess Juno by the Romans. In the old days, the original Russian name for this month was izok. Izok was the name given to the grasshopper, of which this month was especially abundant. Another name for this month is a worm, especially common among Little Russians, from a worm or a worm; this is the name of a special kind of dye worms that appear at this time. This month is also called colorful, because nature is born with an indescribable riot of colors of flowering plants. In addition, in ancient times, the month of June was often called kresnik by the people - from the word "kres" (fire).

July comes from the name "julius", given in honor of Gaius Julius Caesar, and, of course, has Roman roots. In our old days, it was called, like June - worm - from fruits and berries that ripen in July, they are distinguished by a special reddishness (scarlet, red). The folk poetic expression "red summer" can serve as a literal translation of the name of the month, in which attention is drawn to the brightness of the summer sun. Another original Slavic name for July is Lipets (or Linden), which is now used in Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian as the month of linden blossom. July is also called the "crown of summer", since it is considered the last month of summer (July 20 is celebrated as "Perun's Day", after which, according to popular belief, autumn comes), or even "sufferer" - from the suffering summer work, "thunderstorm" - from severe thunderstorms.

August. Like the previous one, this month got its name from the name of the Roman emperor - Augustus. Indigenous old Russian names months were different. In the north, it was called "glow" - from the radiance of lightning; in the south, "serpen" - from the sickle, which is used to remove bread from the fields. Often this month is given the name "zornichnik", in which it is impossible not to see the changed old name "glow". It will be unnecessary to explain the name "stubble", because in this month the time of reaping in the fields and harvesting came. Some sources interpret the glow as associated with the verb "roar" and denotes the period of the roar of animals during estrus, while others suggest that the name of the month contains an indication of thunder and evening lightning.

September- "sentemvriy", the ninth month of the year, among the Romans was the seventh, which is why it got its name (from the Latin word "septem" - the seventh). In the old days, the original Russian name of the month was "ruyin" - from the roar of autumn winds and animals, especially deer. The old Russian form of the verb "ryuti" (roar) is known, which, when applied to the autumn wind, meant "roar, blow, call." He received the name "frown" due to his weather differences from others - the sky often frowns, it rains, autumn comes in nature. Another name for this month is "spring" due to the fact that heather begins to bloom right now.

October- "octovry", the tenth month of the year; among the Romans, it was the eighth, which is why it got its name (from the Latin "octo" - eight). Among our ancestors, it is known under the name "leaf fall" - from the autumn fall of leaves, or "pazdernik" - from pazderi, bonfires, since this month they begin to crush flax, hemp, and manners. Otherwise - "dirty", from the autumn rains, causing bad weather and dirt, or "wedding" - from weddings, which are celebrated at this time by the peasants.

November. "Noemvriem" (november) we call the eleventh month of the year, but among the Romans it was the ninth, which is why it got its name (nover - nine). In the old days, this month was actually called breast (breast or chest), from piles of frozen earth with snow, since in general in Old Russian the winter frozen road was called the chest path. In Dahl's dictionary, the regional word "pile" means "frozen ruts along the road, frozen hummocky mud."

December. "Dekemvriy" (lat. december) is our name for the 12th month of the year; among the Romans, it was the tenth, which is why it got its name (decem - ten). Our ancestors called it "jelly", or "studny" - from the cold and frost, common at that time.

The very word "month" indicates the connection between the allocation of such a chronological segment with the lunar cycles and has pan-European roots. Consequently, the duration of the month ranged from 28 to 31 days; it is not yet possible to specify the number of days by month more accurately.

Table 2. Comparative names of months in different Slavic languages.

In the "Ostromir Gospel" (XI century) and other ancient written monuments, January corresponded to the name prosinets (since it was getting lighter at that time), February - section (since it was the season for deforestation), March - dry (since in some places the earth was already drying up), April - birch tree, birch tree (names associated with a birch that begins to bloom), May - grass (from the word "grass"), June - izok (grasshopper), July - worm, sickle (from the word "sickle", indicating harvest time), August - glow (from "glow"), September - ryuen (from "roar" and the roar of animals), October - leaf fall, November and December - chest (from the word "pile" - a frozen rut on the road) , sometimes - jelly.

Thus, the Slavs did not have common ideas about the order and name of the months. From the whole mass of names, Proto-Slavic names are revealed, which indicates the unity of the origin of the calendar. The etymology of the names is also not always clear and gives rise to all sorts of disputes and speculations on this topic. The only thing that most reenactors agree on is the connection of names with natural phenomena characteristic of the annual cycle.

Almost all holidays among the Slavs coincide with the life cycle of the Earth, and therefore not only the spiritual principle matters, but also something else - familiarization with Nature, bringing into your life the feeling that the Earth is living matter. For thousands of years, natural calendars have served people, helping them to cultivate the land, harvest, hunt and fish in time. The year, divided into 12 parts, is depicted on ritual thickets, and each month corresponded special sign, The annual wheel - Kolo Svarog - carried special meaning, which consisted in the eternal rebirth and renewal of all living things. But the calendar is important not only for weekdays, it is always decorated with happy holidays.

January (Sechen, Stuzhen)

January 1 (sechnya, cold) noted Day of Frost (Frost). Once upon a time, the god of severe cold Morok walked through the villages, sending hard frosts. The villagers, wanting to protect themselves from the cold, put gifts on the window: pancakes, jelly, cookies, kutya. Now Morok has turned into a kind old man - Santa Claus, who distributes gifts to children. It became so quite recently, in the middle of the 19th century. By the way, there is a deep ritual meaning in decorating the Christmas tree: according to legend, the spirits of ancestors live in evergreens. Therefore, decorating the fir tree with sweets, we bring gifts to our ancestors. Such is the ancient custom. This day, like the previous Shchedrets, is a family holiday.

From January 1 to January 6 (cold) are celebrated Veles Days or Terrible, Conjuring Evenings- the second part of the Great Veles Christmas time, which begins with the Day of Frost (Frost) and ends with Turits. Among the people, these six days are marked by rampant evil spirits. The first half of Christmas time was devoted to the future harvest and fortune-telling about marriage, and the second was associated with cattle and beasts. Veles could act both in the form of a bear - the "forest king", and in the form of a bull-tour - a representative of horned wealth. At Veles Christmas time they baked ceremonial cookies in the form of domestic animals ("cows", "goats", "donuts", "horns"), dressed up in animal skins and masks, danced in sheepskin coats turned inside out (so that evil spirits would not recognize).

January 6 (section) Slavs celebrate Tourists Winter. This family holiday is dedicated to one of the totem and most revered animals among the Slavs - Tur, the embodiment of the union of Veles and Perun. Tur is the son of Veles and Makosh and patronizes shepherds, guslars and buffoons, valiant prowess, dancing and fun, as well as groves and forest animals. Another name for this day Vodokres. This day completes the Christmas atrocities. It's time when the Gates of Navi are closed, and the world of Yavi acquires its usual orderliness. About this time, the Spark of Heavenly Fire (Kres) from the Svarozh Forge falls into the waters of the Earth, endowing them with miraculous properties. They also believe that at this time Veles - the Giver of Health - blesses all earthly waters, so that everyone who bathes in them on this day will be healed of all kinds of ailments. Orthodox Christians celebrated the Baptism of the Lord (otherwise called Epiphany) on this day.

January 8 (section) are celebrated Babi Kashi. On this day, it is customary to honor midwives (now midwives) and women in labor. They brought gifts and treats, kvass, pancakes, pies and fruits. They came with children so that the grandmothers would bless them. It was especially recommended that expectant mothers and young girls go to grandmothers on this day.

January 13 (cold, cut) noted Mara Winter- holy day, when the great dark mistress, the mistress of the winter cold, enters her full force. This day is considered by the people "terrible", dangerous for all living things. It is not celebrated as a holiday proper, so ethnographic information about it is extremely scarce. So, it is known that this day is one of the most "unlucky" days of the year. This is due to the fact that, according to popular beliefs, the Fever, or the Shaking Sisters, the daughters of Mara, who live in the gloomy dungeons of the world of Navi, are now "released" into the wild. On the night of this day, porridge, milk and bread are left on the table for the Brownie, with a request for well-being. If Likho "settled" in the house, they turn to Domovoy for help.

January 21 (cold), according to folklore Prosinets- the holiday of the revival of the Sun, which is celebrated with water blessing. On this day, the Slavs bathed in cold river water and made grandiose feasts, in which milk and dairy products must have been present. Praise Heavenly Svarga - the world of all Gods.

January 28 (cold, cut)- the day of honoring the House Master, who is also called by the people "Kudesami". If, on this day, Domovoy is not honored, he may be "offended" and stop helping the household, the grandfather-neighbor from a kind keeper of the hearth can turn into a rather dashing spirit. Then everything in the house can go to waste: the owners will lose their desire to work, illnesses will appear, troubles and misfortunes will pile up, the economy will fall into decay. After all, Brownie is a family guardian spirit, the spirit of the Ancestors, insulting which, a person cuts the roots of his Family Tree. To honor Domovoy, after dinner, a pot of porridge is left for him on the table, which is covered with hot coals so that the porridge does not cool down until midnight, when he comes from under the stove to have dinner. Since then, he has been quiet throughout the year.

The old Slavic name for January is the cut, it is also called in Ukrainian. And in the modern Belarusian language, the name of the month is stuzen. The last name does not require explanation, but the section, experts believe, comes from the word "cut" - to cut down a forest. To prepare the area for crops, the forest was cut down in winter. There is another explanation: January cuts winter in half.

The gloomy days of December are over, the thaws are over, real winter has come. True, even in January there are mild winters in our area, and the frequency of such winters in each century is very changeable. Scientists have calculated that over the past millennium there has been a slow decrease in the average annual air temperature in the northern hemisphere. They call these years the Little Ice Age. Since the middle of the 20th century, scientists have noted warming, which, according to them, "came at an unprecedented rate," and over the century (by 1998) mean annual temperature increased by one degree. The increase in temperature can be explained by the melting of glaciers and the increase in the number of mild winters with thaws in January.

The whole of January is referred to by phenologists as the “root winter” subseason. However, the people said that in spite of everything, from the "New Year's Eve, winter turned into spring." Another name for January is common among the people - prosinets. This name is associated with a decrease in the number of days with overcast skies and the more frequent occurrence of clear or slightly cloudy days when blue skies are visible. Remember the lines: “Frost and sun! Wonderful day! It's about January. There are only four or five clear days in a month, but this is already noticeable. January is our best cold month of the year. The average air temperature in January in the north of the region, in the Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov regions, is from minus 7.5 to 8.7 degrees. In the central zone and in the south from 9.4 to 10.6 frost. The coldest January in the Vladimir region. There average temperature month minus 11.2 degrees.

The coldest January in Moscow was recorded in 1940. Then, at the meteorological station at the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, the thermometer dropped to minus 43 degrees. This record frost for Moscow remained in my memory as such an episode. That winter we lived near Moscow, where my mother worked. The school where I studied was in a nearby village on the banks of the Uchinsky reservoir. On the occasion of a severe frost, the school did not work. Glad I didn't have to go to school, I dressed warmly and went skiing. But in less than half an hour, I was forced to return - and not because I was cold, I was dressed warmly - the skis did not "go". The snow was somehow unfamiliar, grainy, like groats. And the skis refused to roll even from the hill, although before the frost it was our favorite hill. Of course, I heard about special ointments for different snow, but I learned how to use them much later.

In that 1940, a record frost for the Central Region was noted in Kalinin (now Tver). There, the temperature reached minus 50 degrees. And yet, January is not only frosts, there were also warm Januarys, when the air temperature rose to plus 5-6, and in Pskov and Vladimir even up to 7 degrees. In Moscow, an absolute maximum of plus 6 degrees was recorded in 1976. In almost all areas of the Central Region, the third decade of January is the coldest. Snow cover continues to grow in January. In the last decade of the month in the Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov and Tver regions, its height reaches an average of 19-25 cm. In the Yaroslavl, Moscow and Vladimir regions, there is more snow - the height of the snow cover is 28-35 cm, and in southern regions about 18 cm. In snowy winters, already in the first decade, the height of the snow cover can exceed 40 cm, and in the last decade - above 50 cm. The record holder is Novgorod, where in January a snow depth of 88 cm was noted. including the northern ones, in January there is no snow at all.

Midwinter. In the forest, everything is dormant in anticipation of spring. deciduous trees naked. Pine and spruce trees are covered with bizarre snow caps. Only traces of wintering animals enliven the picture winter forest, but grouse and hazel grouse not flying south. Of the domestic birds familiar to our eyes, only sparrows remain to spend the winter with us, and all the rest, including crows and jackdaws, migrate to us from more northern regions.

In January, licensed hunting for ungulates and fur-bearing animals continues. Ice fishing enthusiasts tend to notice a decline in biting activity. There are years when the decline in activity is so great that already in January the wilderness sets in.

In January, gardeners and gardeners of our region prepare the land for seedlings stored since autumn, check the seeds for germination. At the end of the month, especially impatient ones sow the seeds of pepper and early tomatoes, so that in late April - early May, at the age of about 60 days, they can be planted in greenhouses.

January is the middle of winter, and the grain growers are already guessing what spring will be like, what summer will come. No wonder the people say: "After winter lies summer." It has been noted that “winter heat - summer cold”, “if it is dry and cold in winter, it is dry and hot in summer”. snowy winter- to a protracted spring and rainy summer. It was noticed that frosts are timed to certain days of January. So, Christmas frosts (7.01), Epiphany (19.01), Afanasevsky (31.01) are well-known. In order to find out which of the cereals will bear better next year, before Christmas they stuck spikelets of different breads into a snowdrift along the ravines. The next morning they looked: which spikelet will be covered with frost, that cereal will be in coming year fruitful. We noticed if on Vasiliev's day (14.01) there is severe frost and light snow - to have a good summer, and if it is warm and there is no snow - by a cold summer. If on Epiphany (19.01) the weather is clear and cold - by a dry summer; cloudy and snowy - for a bountiful harvest. If on Yemelyan (21.01) the wind is from the south, the summer is formidable. If frost falls on Grigory (23.01) - wait for a damp and cold summer. If Fedoseyev's day (January 24) turned out to be warm, then wait for early spring. If the sun peeps on Tatyana's day (January 25), - to the early arrival of birds. If it’s warm on Anthony the winterer (January 30), don’t believe it, it’s only for one day, Afanasiev frosts are ahead.

Old Slavic calendar. Month names and explanations

Slavic calendar or months. The calendar consists of twelve months, which make up a full year, year or. The names of the months are not invented just like that and are not borrowed from other peoples and foreign languages. All names come from events and phenomena that are characteristic of a particular season.

It is worth knowing that in ancient times the calendar was sunny. It consisted of four seasons, each of which celebrated the festival of the Sun: two solstices and two equinoxes. Later, a lunar calendar was introduced in Rus', which depends on the changes in the phases of the moon. Because of this, there was a transfer of calendar dates, as a result of which the new style is ahead of the old one by 13 days.

January (Sechen, Prosinets). The name Prosinets, as researchers believe, came from the fact that this month added light, the blue of the sky appears more and more often. The cut is from the fact that in January there is a turning point in winter, which divides the winter into two parts. In our time, Prosinets is the first month of the year, in ancient times it was the eleventh, since New Year celebrated in March (from 21 to 22 - the spring equinox).

February (Lute, Snezhen). The name Snezhen came from the onset of snowy time. Blizzards and snowfalls were common this month. For the same reason, it was also called Luten (fierce blizzards).

March (Berezen, Berezozol, Dropper). The names Berezen and Berezozol come from the fact that in March they begin to fill with birch sap, in March they release the first buds. Droplet - from the fact that the first drops occur this month, the snow begins to melt. March was the first month in ancient Rus'. With the advent of spring, the resurrection of nature and the beginning of a new summer were celebrated (in ancient times, the Year was called Summer).

April (Pollen). The first trees begin to bloom, the first flowers, spring wakes up.

May (Traven). Herbal, Herbalist, herbal - from a riot of growing herbs that, after winter, stretched towards the Sun, and everything around became bright green.

June (Kresen, Cherven, Izok). The ancient Slavs called izok the grasshoppers, of which there were a large number this month. Kresnik, Kresen came from an ancient word meaning Fire. Worm - from fruits and berries that were poured red (red - scarlet). In addition, in some areas, June was called colorful.

July (Lipen, Stradnik, Groznik). The time of linden blossom, hard work in the field and strong thunderstorms. Lipen was considered the last summer month among the Slavs. After Perunov Day (20 lipen), autumn began.

August (Serpen, Zhniven). These names do not need to be deciphered. It is clear that in this month bread is removed with a sickle, the harvest is harvested, and the harvest time comes. In some places this month was called Zarev, from the fact that in August the animals roared.

September (Veresen, Khmuren, Ruyin). The name Ruying comes from the roar of the autumn winds and animals, especially deer. The sky begins to frown more and more often, it rains, summer finally turns into autumn, from these phenomena September received the name Khmuren. Another name - Veresen - comes from the fact that heather begins to bloom at this time.

October (Leaf fall, Pazdernik, Gryaznik, Svadebnik). A fall autumn leaves, bad weather, rains, ubiquitous dirt. Weddings were also celebrated at this time, so he, among other things, was also called a wedding man, the time for weddings.

November (Breast). The name chest came from the piles of ground frozen with snow. Piles, the chest path is a winter, frozen road.

December (Stuzhen, Studen). Frost and cold. The coldest month of the year.