October 11 – scary, already horror!

October 11 in Russia is Khariton’s day. It was considered one of the most terrible and dangerous of the year – they believed that evil spirits were especially rampant on this day, causing damage to everyone and everything, and it was easier for evil people to jinx a person they met on the way. Therefore, on Kharitonov’s day, they tried not to leave the house, even into the yard.

Work on this day was possible only when absolutely necessary. Even household chores were put off: it was impossible to clean, wash and sweep floors, take out the trash, rearrange furniture or do repairs. They believed that otherwise it was possible to inflict damage on your home, invite grief and misfortune.

In order not to mess around at all, women on this day were engaged in needlework – they sewed, knitted, embroidered. It was believed that the threads on this day would “link” love and family happiness.

October 11 was considered a bad day for travel and travel – various obstacles and troubles awaited those who set off on the road.

In Russia, on Kharitonov, they did not eat any berries for a day. Perhaps this prohibition came to us from Britain: the British have a belief that it was on this day that the devil was expelled from heaven and fell to the ground – right in the blackberry bush. Then he cursed the plant itself, and scorched the berries with his breath, crushed and spat. Therefore, after October 11, it was impossible to pick blackberries – so as not to invite trouble on yourself. Our ancestors believed that having tasted any berries on this day in any form – fresh, pureed, in compote or jam – you can get poisoned.

Black cats were not lucky that day – they feared that a witch could turn into a cat, from which, of course, nothing good was expected. It was believed that if a black cat ran across the road on Kharitonov’s day, this meant trouble on the way, and if it entered the yard, it meant problems in the house. The cawing of crows near the house was perceived as a harbinger of unpleasant news, and the creaking of floorboards or ceiling beams was perceived as a warning of impending troubles.

The natural signs by which the weather on October 11 was judged are as follows:

– a rainbow circle around the moon – to the wind and bad weather;

– red sunset – tomorrow the wind will rise;

– the trees began to bloom for the second time – autumn will be long and warm;

– the north wind blows – the winter will be cold;

– willow covered with hoarfrost – winter will not end for a long time;

– the dog’s coat has become very thick – to the extreme cold in winter.

A dream that occurred on the night of October 11 was considered prophetic, if only it was pleasant and bright. But no one was allowed to talk about their dreams that day, including relatives and friends. It was believed that otherwise even good sleep can lead to misfortune.

Alena Bodrienko.

Moskovskaya Pravda collage