January 13 – celebrate the old New Year

January 13 in the folk calendar – Shchedrets and Vasiliev evening. Schedrets in Rus’ was New Year’s Eve. However, after the transition of Russia from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian Shchedrets, it began to take place on the night when we celebrate the old New Year.

In the evening, magnificent feasts were arranged on Shchedrets. Like the day before, it was obligatory to serve pork dishes in large quantities – so that the year would be successful and generous with pleasant events.

Another traditional dish was porridge, which was prepared early in the morning. Our ancestors believed: if the porridge turned out delicious, the family will be lucky. Porridge was always served with raisins, honey and nuts.

In order for the house to have prosperity all year long, a plate filled with grain and coins of various denominations was placed on the table.

Among the traditions aimed at attracting money, there were the following: lay out coins of any denomination in the corners of the rooms and do not touch them all year, and also shower guests gathered at the table with rice so that the grains hit each of them on the head.

It was also believed that if you make a wish during the feast, it will come true within a year.

They always showed generosity at Shchedrets – they helped those in need with money, clothes or food, gave gifts to relatives, friends and neighbors, did good deeds from the heart. They believed that then you would not be left without help for the whole year.

Congratulating each other on the holiday, they tried to avoid the “not” particle so as not to frighten off luck.

Before the holiday, the house was cleaned, but at the same time they did not use a broom, so as not to sweep away luck along with rubbish.

According to popular beliefs, you can’t talk to Shchedrets before you wash your face, otherwise the whole year will pass in empty chatter. You can’t swear and scandal – you won’t be able to make peace with those with whom you quarreled. You can’t count a trifle – the whole year will pass in tears. You can’t save on food so that there is prosperity in the house all year round. You can’t sit down at the festive table in dark clothes – so that the year passes without sorrows.

No important business was started at Shchedrets. But they tried to please themselves with a new thing – there is a sign that a purchase on this day will bring good luck.

Folk signs on January 13 are as follows:

– if it snows, the year will be fruitful;

– if the weather is warm – the summer will be rainy;

– if the night is clear and starry – the year will pass safely.

Dreams that occurred on the night of January 14 are often prophetic. It is believed that with the help of dreams, the Universe speaks to people on this night, opening the veil of the future.

Alena Bodrienko.

Photo by Alexander Avilov / Moskva Agency