January 20 – swans bring good luck

January 20 in the folk calendar – Ivan Brazhnik. The tradition of this day was to “wash down evil” with brew, that is, to arrange a feast with alcoholic beverages. It was believed that if you at least sip a little brew or other alcohol on this day, the whole year will pass without grief and sadness, but if you get drunk, you can lose prosperity and financial well-being.

The time came for matchmaking and weddings, but the girls rarely managed to get married of their own free will – the groom was chosen by her parents. On Ivan Brazhnik there was a tradition of “drinking girlish happiness.” It was believed that if you “wash down” an unhappy marriage, then soon the newlyweds will fall in love with each other and live in joy.

Before sitting at the table, everyone drank a little baptismal water. Our ancestors believed that this would help protect health and prevent bad habits.

The feast did not start with the first courses – there was a sign that if you start the meal with soup or cabbage soup, you will not be able to complete the work planned for this year.

It was also believed that on this day it is better not to wash your face – otherwise you can wash off protection from scammers, deceivers and liars.

But on the day of Ivan Brazhnik, they tried to work hard. According to popular beliefs, those who do nothing on this day will have to live all year without work and, accordingly, without income. So, even if you have a day off, you should find something for yourself – for example, to do cleaning, laundry or minor repairs.

It was a good omen to see a swan or a goose. It was believed that a meeting with these birds indicates that the wishes made on New Year’s days will come true. But if you harm them, the desire will not come true.

It is impossible to accept gifts today, especially from unfamiliar people – with a present, you can take on other people’s problems and illnesses.

Folk signs on January 20 are as follows:

– if few stars are visible in the sky – to bad weather;

– if the south wind blows, thunderstorms will often rumble in summer;

– if a blizzard sweeps – there will be wind and snow on Maslenitsa;

– if birdsong is heard all day – to good and sunny weather.

Dreams that are dreamed on the night of January 21 may come true. But often they are full of symbols that are difficult to decipher in order to understand what information the dream carries.

Alena Bodrienko.

Photo by Moscow agency