Folk omens April 7: release the birds into the wild

April 7 in the folk calendar is the Annunciation Day. In Rus’, there was a custom to release birds on this day as a sign of love and care for all living things.

Usually, in order to comply with the custom, they went to the market and bought birds – more often pigeons. And then they opened the cage and let them fly free. By the way, the owners of carrier pigeons often used this – they sold the birds, and then the released birds returned to their native dovecote.

In the villages, Blagoveshchensk salt was made on this day: it was calcined in an oven, and then poured into a bag, which was stored all year. It was believed that such salt is able to protect against the evil eye, cure any disease and help soil fertility.

To protect children from the evil eye, pinches of Annunciation salt were sprinkled in the corners of rooms and at the head of a crib or cradle. After Easter, this salt was collected and thrown into a river or pond.

And for a good harvest, calcined salt was buried in the corners of the garden.

Also on this day, amulets were made. Small branches were collected in a whisk and coins were hung on them – for wealth, a pin – from evil, beads – for joy. Such an amulet was hung in a bunch down in a secluded place, and exactly a year later they burned it and knitted a new one.

Nothing can be done on this day, at least around the house. The only thing that is allowed is cooking. But washing dishes should be postponed for another day. Our ancestors believed that those who will work on the Annunciation Day will have to work hard and hard all year, and the results of this work will often be insignificant.

Also, according to popular signs, on this day you can’t have fun and have fun – the year will pass in tears and sadness; you should not go on a long journey – trouble may happen on the way; you can’t talk about your plans – you won’t be able to realize them; it makes no sense to make purchases – they will be unsuccessful; no need to borrow and lend money – to trouble and loss of luck; it is better not to take out the garbage – together with it you can “take out” happiness from the house.

But if the wife calls her husband sweet 40 times on this day, then, if you believe the signs, love and mutual understanding will reign in the family all year long.

Folk signs on April 7 are as follows:

– what is the weather on this day, it will be like this on Easter;

– if the sky is cloudless – there will often be thunderstorms in summer;

– if it started to rain, the fish will be well caught all year round, and a lot of mushrooms will be born in the forests;

– if there are a lot of puddles after the rain – there will be a lot of white mushrooms;

– if a cold wind blows – by a cold summer;

– if the first leaves appeared on the birches – by sunny summer;

– if the first mushrooms grew in hollows and pits, the summer will be dry.

Dreams that are dreamed on the night of April 8 can be prophetic and come true soon. Particular attention should be paid to dreams involving people who have already passed away. They may contain valuable advice or warnings.

Alyona Bodrienko.

Photo by Kirill Zykov / Moskva Agency