Winter is a stunning time of year, which combines frost that penetrates deep to the bones with rare, but so welcome winter sun. If we consider the ancient signs of winter, as a rule, people have always tried to find out what future events they should prepare for and how long to wait for the onset of spring.

• Remember the date when the first snow fell,– winter will come 40 days after this day.
• If there is a lot of snow in winter, which means you will have an excellent harvest of bread. Conversely, the absence of snow will indicate a poor harvest.
• If there is heavy snowfall at the beginning of winter, this means that there will be heavy rains at the beginning of summer.
• Snow fell before all the leaves fell- There will be severe frosts in winter.
• Thunderstorm in winter portends severe cold, and the appearance of lightning indicates a storm.
• If smoke comes out of the chimneys of the house in a column, you should prepare for cold weather.
• IN daytime It's bitterly cold, but in the evening it starts to get warmer– get ready for a long cold.
• Presence of a strong blizzard In winter it promises inclement weather in summer.
• Cold and dry winter predicts that the summer will be dry and hot, and a warm winter indicates a cold summer.
• The stars are shining brightly in the sky- severe frosts are coming.
• The sun is framed by a misty circle- expect a snowstorm, and if it hides behind the clouds, there will be a strong storm.
• There's not a cloud in the sky– expect frosty weather.
• When the month appears horizontally in the sky, expect warming, vertical cooling.
• Reddish moon indicates that it will be warm all next day and snow will fall.
• If the moon has sharp luminous horns, Expect heavy rain, and when it's steep, prepare for freezing temperatures.
• Frost appeared on the trees- warming is coming.
• When light and dry snow falls, This means the summer will be dry.
• Leaves falling on wet ground promises warm winter.
• On a fine winter day you can hear the sound of the forest- It will rain soon.
• Snow falls on the ground in large flakes, you should prepare for inclement, wet weather.
• If it's very cold in winter, This means that spring will be warm, and on the contrary, a warm winter foreshadows a cold summer.
• Heavy snowstorms in winter– spring will be rainy and summer will be sunny. Our ancestors believed that on whatever day of winter there was a snowstorm, on the same day of summer there would be a downpour.

Winter signs for birds, animals and plants

Our ancestors paid increased attention to how animals and birds behave, as well as the condition of plants. All this helped to make a certain forecast for the future.

Signs for winter holidays

A very large number of signs and beliefs are dedicated to the theme of the New Year.

So, for example, it was believed that when you meet New Year, so you will spend it. For this celebration, they definitely tried to dress in everything new, so as not to know the need for the entire next year.

The following signs are also very popular:

• Appearance in New Year's Eve large quantity stars the sky foreshadowed a good harvest.
• Frost appeared at Christmas- the year will be grain-bearing.
• Blizzard at Christmas indicated that bees would swarm well.
• If the days are clear all Christmas week- you will reap a big harvest.
• If there is a snowstorm on Epiphany, There will also be a snowstorm on Easter.
• Filled ice holes for Epiphany A large spill is predicted.
• Full moon for Epiphany also indicates polyhydramnios in the spring.
• If snow begins to fall in large flakes on Epiphany, It is worth waiting for a fertile year, and clear days will indicate a crop failure.
• If it is colder at Epiphany than at Candlemas and Christmas, this is for a good harvest.
• On Tatiana's day the weather is very sunny- this means the birds will arrive early, and if there is snow, the summer will be rainy.

Signs for the months of winter

Winter signs in December

• If the first snow fell heavily in December, wet and heavy, prepare for rainy weather in the summer, and if dry and light, expect a dry summer.
• Presence of frequent winds in winter indicates slush in March and April.
• December is warm- this means that winter will drag on for a long time, and spring will be cold and late.
• Presence of heavy frost and large snowdrifts when the soil freezes well, indicates a good harvest.

Signs in January

• Long and dense icicles hang on the roofs of houses- the harvest will be good.
• If the weather is snowy with snowstorms and snowfalls for 30 days– a lot of rain in midsummer.
• Cold January predicts that July will be dry and hot.
• And the warm weather indicates a cold March.
• If at the beginning of the month you can hear a woodpecker knocking loudly,- spring will come early.
• If January was very cold, next year will most likely be warm.

Signs of February

• If the days are at the beginning the months are warm, spring will be early and fine.
• If on the evening of February 1 there are many stars in the sky, cold weather will persist for a long period. And sunny weather portends late spring.
• In February it's worth heavy fog - the year will be rainy.
• Presence of abundant frost on trees predicts a good honey harvest.
• If the snow sticks heavily to the trees, expect warming soon.
• Heavy rains in February indicate a wet summer, and their absence indicates drought.
• If you hear the chirping of tits in the morning, you need to prepare for frost.

By listening to these popular beliefs, you will be able to make a definite forecast of the future weather and be prepared in advance for its various surprises.

This page was created to help children in grades 2-3 who are actively studying the world around them in lessons. this topic, creating projects about the seasons.

For thousands of years, our ancestors observed nature and the weather. From such observations, signs emerged. New observations were passed on from generation to generation and new observations arose, because the life of the people, especially earlier, was inextricably linked with nature and depended on the future harvest.

There are several types of signs:

• winter signs by which the weather for the near future was determined;
• signs of winter that determine what spring and summer will be like;
• and the most important signs of winter predicted what the harvest would be like.

Folk winter signs for schoolchildren

Signs associated with the behavior of animals and birds

A bullfinch chirps under the window in winter - a sign of thaw.

Sparrows hiding in brushwood foreshadow frosts or a blizzard...

A chicken standing on one leg means it’s cold.

Chickens sit on the roost early, which means there will be frost, and the higher she climbs, the lower the temperature will be.

Cat on the stove - cold in the yard.

A cat covers its face with its paw - to a blizzard.

The cat sleeps soundly and for a long time - for warmth.

A cat scratches the floor - to the wind and snowstorm.

Hares stay near housing - in case of frost.

If tits scream in the morning, this means increased frost.

If the dog is lying around, then you should wait for a snowstorm.

If a cat in the house stands up on its hind legs and starts scratching the walls, then you should expect a blizzard.

The friendly chirping of bullfinches and sparrows means a thaw.

Crows croaked as a whole flock - for frost, danced in circles in the sky - for snowfall, sat on the ground - for thaw, settled on the lower branches of trees - wait for the wind.

Crows and jackdaws are circling in the air - towards the snow.

A crow hides its beak under its wing - to the cold.

A crow sits on the top of a tree in the morning and croaks towards the blizzard.

Wolves howl near housing - it means frost.

Folk signs of winter, predicting the weather in spring and summer, as well as the future harvest.

• Warm winter leads to cold summer.
• Like the winter, so is the summer, and according to it the harvest.
• Dry and cold winter- for a dry and hot summer.
• December is snowy and cold - it will be a fertile year.
• A lot of snow in winter means a lot of bread.
• Snowy winter means a long spring and rainy summer.
• Heavy snowfalls at the beginning of winter - to heavy rains at the beginning of summer.
• If the most severe frosts of the entire winter occur on the Epiphany holiday, then the year will be fruitful.
• If there is a lot of snow at the beginning of winter, it will often rain in the summer.
• Clear days during Christmas week mean a good harvest.
• Many large icicles mean a good harvest of vegetables.
• On Epiphany the ice hole is full - there will be a big spill.
• On Tatiana's day the sun will shine through - for the early arrival of birds; snow on this day - summer will be rainy.
• If the snow is dense and wet, there will be a rainy, fruitful summer.
• If the snow is dry and light, there will be a dry summer.

Folk winter signs about the weather

• Clear sky means frost.
• Frequent stars mean warmth and snow, rare stars mean bad weather and blizzards.
• Snow falls in large flakes - a sign of bad weather and wetness.
• The north wind blew, but there were no clouds - the frost would strike.
• Big snowflakes are falling - a thaw
• Clouds move against the wind - towards the snow.
• When windows fog up in frosty weather, warming is expected.
• If the snow begins to stick to the trees, then you need to wait for warmer weather.
• If there was frost at night, don’t expect snow during the day.
• If you hear a crackling sound in the forest, then the frosts will last a long time.
• Smoke from the chimney in a column means frost.
• Smoke from the chimney spreads to the ground without wind - to the snow.
• Firewood burns with a bang - it means frost.
• Firewood in the stove does not light well - it means there will be a thaw.
• If it snows, it will warm up.
• In winter, the wind blew from the north - causing great frost.
• On a frosty day it started to snow - to thaw
• Large flakes of snow mean a thaw.
• White clouds in winter mean wind, blue clouds mean warmth.

Winter signs of December

Warm December- to a long winter and late cold spring.

Warm weather in December foreshadows a long winter and a late, cold spring.

The northern December wind leads to severe frosts.

Frost in December - for the oat harvest.

If the first snow that fell in December is dense, wet and heavy, then expect rainy weather in the summer, and if it is dry and light, the summer will be dry.

If the clouds float from north to south in December, then the weather will be sunny, and if from south to north, then it will be bad weather.

If December is rainless, expect a long, dry autumn and dry summer.

If in December the snow piles up close to the fences, it will be a bad summer; if there is a gap left, it will be fruitful.

If in December there is a lot of frost, mounds of snow, deeply frozen ground - this is for the harvest.

If December turns out to be snowy and cold, then the harvest will be good.

Folk signs of January

Cold Januarys in a row are rarely repeated.

Early in January the woodpecker begins to knock - by early spring.

Low temperatures in January mean dry and hot weather in July.

Frosty January is a fruitful year.

If it's March in January, be afraid of January in March.

If January is cold, July will be dry and hot, don’t expect mushrooms until autumn.

If the most severe frosts fall on Epiphany week, then the year will be fruitful.

If the echo goes far in January, the frosts get stronger.

If in January there are frequent snowfalls and blizzards, then in July there is frequent rain.

If there are a lot of long, frequent icicles in January, then there will be a bountiful harvest.

If the sun shines on Tatyana’s day (January 25), it means early spring and the early arrival of birds; if it snows, it means a rainy summer.

Folk signs of February

Bright stars in February mean frost, dim stars mean thaw.

The colder the last week of February, the warmer it will be in March.

February fogs - for a rainy year.

February is cold and dry - August is hot.

Warm February means a cold spring, and frosty February means a favorable summer.

Warm February is deceptive: it will be a cold spring with frosts.

By the 15th day of February they judge how soon to expect spring. If it snows on this day, then spring will not come soon.

The beginning of February is fine - expect an early, beautiful spring

If February is cold, it means a favorable summer.

If February turns out to be rainy, then spring and summer can be expected to be the same. A fine February foreshadows drought in the summer.

If the sky is clear on the first day of February, then spring will be early.

If on the first day of February the sky is dotted with many stars, then the cold will continue for a long time.

Rain in February means a wet summer, a dry month means drought.

Thunder in February means strong winds.

There is a lot of frost in February - in summer there will be a lot of dew and a lot of honey.

In early February it is warm and the snow is melting - a mediocre harvest.

At the end of February there are a lot of long icicles - for a long spring.

Snowless February threatens summer drought.

Many hopes were associated with the future harvest, which is why so many winter signs are associated with the coming spring and next summer. Based on what kind of winter it would be, they tried to predict the weather in spring and summer. Many signs have grown into proverbs about winter.

The nature of winter determined the entire next year. Without modern technologies Our ancestors could almost accurately predict the volume of the future harvest or the beginning of a thaw.

For people who lived in ancient times, signs were very important, because at that time there was no meteorological forecast and modern instruments to find out the weather. In the old days, they understood what winter would be like even before it arrived. In the summer, by the number of acorns and rowan berries, they determined how much snow would fall; in the winter, they judged what the summer and harvest would be like.

We live according to the laws of nature, but we don’t always think about how closely this or that natural phenomenon connected with us. Our ancestors believed in popular beliefs and... And in those days, people did not waste their faith and time. So maybe we should listen to folk signs about winter, and we will understand what we can expect in the future?

Russian folk signs about winter

What winter signs say about the harvest:

1. If the winter is cold, it means good harvests are expected. A warm winter, on the contrary, promises poor harvests and a hungry year.
2. If the ponds are covered smooth ice– this year there will be little grain harvest, and if the ice is lumpy, there will be a good grain harvest.
3. The amount of bread is also predicted from the snow: snowy winter means a good abundant harvest of wheat.
4. For a good harvest - abundant frost, large snowdrifts, deeply frozen ground.
5. Fog on New Year's Day and clear New Year's Day, heavy snowfalls and frosts in new year holidays- also promise rich harvests.

What winter signs say about the weather:

1. If there are many stars in the sky, a frosty day will come.
2. The forest is cracking - long frosts are expected.
3. The clouds are moving against the wind - snow is expected.
4. If there are blizzards in winter, the summer will be stormy.
5. Logs burning with a crackle indicate colder weather.
6. Warm and snowy weather on New Year's Eve means a warm and rainy summer.
7. A bullfinch chirps under the window in winter - a sign of thaw. The same can be said about the singing of sparrows.
8. If all the birds fly away at once in winter, it is a sign that the winter will be harsh.
9. The weather on February 1 was used to judge the weather for the entire month. If this day is sunny and the drops are ringing, it means there will be early spring. Blizzards on this day mean the same weather until the end of winter.
10. If there are a lot of rowan on the trees, the winter will be harsh and cold.
11. If the first snow in winter falls dry, the summer will be warm and good.

Signs of winter about upcoming events.

December is the last, twelfth month of the year - a month of cheerful and joyful holidays, but also of severe, severe frosts and deceptive blizzards. In Rus' it used to be called jelly, among the Poles - “gruzden”, and among the Serbs - “wolf month”.
“December ends the year and opens the real winter.”

General December signs

Large frost, mounds of snow and deeply frozen ground in December - for the harvest.

In December, the water in the well is quiet - a sign of a good winter, noisy - a sign of frost, storms and blizzards.

In December, winter lays down white canvases, and frost builds bridges across rivers.

In December the frost increases, but the day arrives.

In December there are usually up to four thaws.

In December there are seven weather conditions: it blows, blows, swirls, tears and sweeps.

At the end of December the sun turns to summer, winter begins to frost.

The year ends in December, winter begins.

The month of December ends old grief, and lays the path for the new year with new happiness.

December is the month of large wolf packs.

December is the month of the first white trails.

December - the year ends.

December is snowy and cold - it will be a fertile year.

The December wind from the north foretells bitter frosts.

If in December there is a lot of frost, mounds of snow, deeply frozen ground - this is for the harvest.

If a lot of snow fell in December, which did not have time to melt, but lies in large snowdrifts, then expect a good harvest of bread in the coming year.

If there are frequent winds in December, then in March and April there will be slush in the yard.

If snow drifts close to the fence, expect a cloudy and rainy summer, and if there is a small gap left, then the summer promises to be stormy.

Green sneezes on alder branches sing “tilly-tip” - to the frost.

Frost in December - for the oat harvest.

We brought a spruce into the house, and she brought a blizzard with her.

The north wind in December means bitter frosts.

Warm December means a long winter and late cold spring.

Steady snowstorm weather means good swarming of bees.

December folk calendar

December 1 (Plato and Roman Day). Whatever the weather is on this day, such it will be throughout the winter.

People used to say: “Plato and Roman mean winter to us.” If you say to the martyrs Plato and Romanus: “Plato and Romanus, put some in my pocket,” then there will be money all year long.
Signs December 1

Look at winter from Plato and Roman to praise it on Maslenitsa.

As is the first day of December, so is winter.

If a mosquito flies around the room at Roman, wait for a thaw.

A crow wanders along the road towards Roman - to the warmth.

December takes everything and gives nothing.

December 2 (Andrian's name day). If northern birds arrive on this day, then you should expect early frosts.

Also - Avdey the Guardian.

The patron saint of this day was responsible for the economy and peace in the house. In order to prevent any evil spirits from sneaking into the house, it was necessary to take an ax and knock with its butt on all the jambs, door and window frames.

What the weather is like on this day is the same during haymaking.

It was believed that from this day a winter sleigh route was established, and Saint Proclus was asked to establish it. On Proclus, all evil spirits underground are cursed so that they do not come out.

Proclus is cursed by the evil spirits.

As is Proclus, so is June.

Until Proclus, don't expect any good from the road.

If it snows on this day, then it will rain in June.

On this day, according to popular belief, Winter herself rides across the earth in a snow-white fur coat and, with her icy breath, casts snow patterns on the window panes. From this day on, Vedovsk thaws often began, from which the roads became completely muddy, but Vedovsky frosts also occurred. They said about them: “Vvedensky frosts do not cause winter.”

Introduction - the gate of winter.

Introduction - thick ice cream (frosty).

The introduction breaks the ice (thaw).

Introduction came - winter brought.

If it’s frosty on Vvedenye, then wait for hot days in the summer.

Vvedensky frosts do not cause winter.

In the oven, the millet porridge turns brown - it looks like snow.

December 5 (Prokop). From this day on, a good sleigh path was established; more often than not, enough snow had already fallen so that there was a need for winter roads suitable for both walking and sleighing. On Prokopyev day, this was exactly what was supposed to be done; usually roads were laid by the entire village, after which a hearty treat was arranged for all the workers.

Prokop came and dug up a snowdrift, stepped in the snow and dug a road.

The excavation treads on the snow - the roads are torn.

December 6 (Mitrofanin Day). If there is snowfall and north wind on this day, then on June 6 you should expect north wind and rain.

Also Memorial Day of Alexander Nevsky.

On this day they always remembered fallen soldiers and wondered about those who went to war or served in the army. To do this, you need to catch the spider and put it in a jar, which you then tie up. After six (sometimes eight) days they look to see if he is alive. If he's alive. then the person they are guessing about is also alive. Or the spider needs to be put in a pot. The insect begins to weave a web. If it begins to do this from the very top of the pot, then the person being told fortunes will soon return home.

The clouds are floating low - the cold is close.

Clouds are burning at sunset - the weather will be clear.

December 7(Katerina Sannitsa). On this day, people organized mass celebrations, opened carriages, began fortune telling and organized sleigh races. On December 7, the girls looked out for suitors, and the men prayed to Katerina to protect them from their harmful wife.

Saint Catherine is revered by the Russian people as the patroness of marriage and brides, pregnant women, as well as an assistant during childbirth. On the night of this day one could tell fortunes about marriage. To do this, you had to break off a twig from the apple tree, put it under the pillow and ask to show your betrothed. young man it was possible to bewitch. To do this, they rolled a loaf of bread from a rye ear, which was placed at the door, to an item secretly taken from the guy they liked, and then in circles around this item. The girls believed that the guy near her house would also walk in circles. From this day on, the winter transport service opened, and merchants were preparing for a long journey with goods.

December is rolling its way towards Catherine.

December 8 (Clima is cold). On this day, according to legend, there is severe frost and wolves walk in a pack around the newborn’s hut.

At this time, it was already established throughout the country real winter, and from white snow the house became much lighter. Therefore, it was possible to do handicrafts, spinning, and embroidery near the window, and not just under a torch. It was believed that Clement could only begin any important work on an empty stomach.

The frost poured white roses on Clement.

Clement makes the man cry.

A big frost is coming over Clement.

The frost on Klim drove a wedge into the cold of winter.

December 9 (St. George's Day). In the old days, it was on this day that the ownership of the peasants passed from one master to another. In 1649, this tradition was canceled and this is where the saying “Here’s St. George’s Day comes to you, grandma.”

Also - St. George the Victorious.

Remembrance Day of St. George the Victorious, who is popularly called Yegor or Yuri and whose second name day falls on May 6 (Yuri warm). After Yury's day, people, as usual, went to the wells to listen to the water. If the splashing of water was not heard, it foreshadowed a warm winter. On this day, before the journey, a prayer was always served for well-being on the upcoming journey. By Yegoryev's Day it was customary to caulk windows and cellars.

There are two Yuri in Rus' - one cold (winter), the other hungry (spring).

If you don’t repay your debt before St. George’s Day, you’ll be in debt all your life.

Yuri collects a cold rent.

If there is frost before Yegoryev’s Day, the sowing of oats next year will end on May 6th.

December 10(Sign of Saint Roman). On this day, the upcoming weather is judged by the stars and winds. If you face the direction of the wind from the north, it will take all your sorrows and sorrows with you. People pray to the Holy Roman for relief from the punishment of infertility. By this day, the fish should all be hiding in the pools and pits for the winter, but the burbot, whitefish and frogs are swimming out to spawn.

They always expected something special from this day and looked closely at the starry sky, the flight of birds, clouds and listened to the wind. Everything in nature contained signs for those who mastered the art of interpreting signs and symbols. On this day, they used the clouds and stars to guess about the future weather. It was believed that if you stand facing the north wind at dawn, all troubles and adversities will go away with it. They prayed to Saint Roman the Wonderworker for the resolution of infertility - according to legend, this saint, through his prayer, asked “many barren wives to give birth to children.” People believed that by this day the fish should have buried themselves in wintering pits and pools, prepared for the winter, and burbot, whitefish and vendace began to spawn.

December 11. Irinarch's day. According to signs on Irinarch, they “listen to the water” for success in future affairs. If you hear some tinkling in the well, you should expect monetary profit next year, but if the water is silent, there is nothing to count on success.

On this day they also tell fortunes using coins. To do this, you need to throw a handful of coins into the nearest snowdrift, and then take them out from there. If the smallest coin comes across first, do not expect success in business, but if it is a large one, the year will be successful.

On this day they tried to see the jay, which was considered a prophet. If on her day she flies to the window and starts screaming at him, this is a good sign: the jay heralds happiness.

December 12 (Paramon Winter Pointer). If in this There won't be a lot of snow - it's worth waiting for week-long snowfalls.

On this day, snow was removed from the roofs, and, according to legend, this had to be done with a broom and brooms, but not with shovels, so that the roof would not become leaky. In general, the broom was treated with great respect; it was believed that it was endowed with special magical properties. It was impossible to sweep the floor with different brooms in one hut, otherwise wealth would disperse to the corners. On this day they made predictions about the weather for the whole winter; to do this they had to look at the morning dawn. A crimson dawn means cold winds, a clear morning means clear December, a snowy morning means blizzards.

If the valleys snow, the blizzard will blow for another seven days.

On Paramon, the earth turns to stone, the river freezes.

December 13 (Day of St. Andrew the First-Called). On this day, people are supposed to “listen” to the water; to do this, they go out to rivers, lakes or wells in the evening. If the water is calm, this means that the winter will be warm, without snowstorms. If the water splashes and hums, it means we must expect storms and serious frosts. If the water is very agitated, it means trouble. On this day, girls could tell fortunes about their betrothed. To see your fiance in a dream, you need to sow flax in a pot of soil. Over it, you need to read the “Our Father” nine times standing, nine times on your knees and nine times sitting, and then say the following conspiracy words: “Holy Andrew, I sow flax on you, give me to the nobility, for whom I will be that flax.” tear it up,” and go to bed. To find out whether a girl will get married soon, you need to pick a branch of an apple tree or any other fruit tree on this day and put it in water. If leaves bloom on it before Christmas, then in the spring the girl will get married. For fortune telling to be truthful and accurate, you must definitely ask St. Andrew the First-Called for help and fast for a week before this day.

If it snows on St. Andrew's Day, it will remain there for 100 days.

December 14 (Naumov day). People said about this day: “Nahum came, the winter wind blew.”

On the day of the Holy Prophet Nahum, children were sent to school - this day can be called the original Russian day of September 1. They prayed to Saint Naum, asking him to give him some advice - to teach him, they said: “A head without a mind is like a lantern without a fire,” “If you don’t study, you can’t weave bast shoes.”

December 15. Day of Habakkuk. If there is a lot of snow in mid-December, there will be a rich harvest of herbs in the summer.

December 16. Ivan Silent. This day is dedicated to the memory of St. John the Silent, and on December 16 it was supposed to chat as little as possible, talk about oneself in order to avoid absurdities and rumors, and in no case make promises. They said: “Ivan is silent, good rumors are growing the business.” As they say, people were afraid to “wash dirty linen in public.” It was believed that the one who fulfilled this covenant would be eloquent all year and with the power of words would be able to resolve conflicts and reconcile those who had quarreled.

December 17 (Varvarin Day). Particularly severe frosts were expected for Barbara the Great Martyr, which continued over the next few days. It was believed that this was one of the coldest days, and the cold on Varvara is second only to Epiphany. Saint Barbara was considered the intercessor of women; pregnant women prayed to her.

Towards cold weather the sky is sprinkled with stars; to warm weather it is blind and dim.

Winter will seal the road to Varvara.

December 18(day of Savva the seal). According to legends, Savva continues Varvara’s work “Varvara pavers, and Savva lays” - it becomes a little warmer. On this day you can’t argue about who has a horse.

People also said that Savva continues the work of Varvara - he freezes rivers and lakes. It was with this day that the saying was connected: “Varvara is paving, Savva is sharpening nails, Nikola is nailing.”

Savva is generous in the cold.

If Savva rolls away, the earth will be well covered.

The bullfinch sings in the snow, blizzard and slush.

December 19 (Nikola Zimny, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, cold Nicholas). Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker was considered the patron saint of all sailors and travelers. By popular belief, December 19, Nikolai the saint in the form of a kind grandfather walks across the earth, dispersing everything dark forces. Nicholas the Saint is also considered the patron saint of marriages. They like to say about Nikola: “You can’t beat your betrothed with a horse,” “whoever you marry will be born into him,” thereby confirming the belief in the power of St. Nicholas to bind the fate of the betrothed. This day was considered a deadline for various types of transactions, payments and business contracts. On this day, the weather was also especially closely monitored.

Winter is hard on Nikola.

Winter sweeps over Nikola - there is no road.

Nikola will say that Yegory will pave the floor.

Ask Nikola, and he will say: I will save you.

If winter closes in on Michaelmas, then it will unshackle on Nikola.

We carried the winter on a sled to Nikola, and here comes the thaw.

If winter covers its tracks before Nikolin's day, the road will not stand.

The Nikolsky convoy is more expensive than gold for the boyar treasury.

Winter covers Nikola's roofs with icy tar.

If Nikola is cold and clear - for the grain-bearing year.

The height of the summer grass will depend on how much snow there is that day.

December 20 (Ambrose Day). It was on this day that all the winter holidays of the current year ended, and the girls sat down to sew for the upcoming dowry. People said: “Ambrose threw away the holidays,” there will be no more before Christmas national holidays. All that was left was to wait Merry Christmas Christ and Christmastide.

Winter is cold - summer is hot, winter warmth- summer cold.

The snow is dense and wet - for a wet summer, dry and light - for a dry summer.

The sun is in a foggy circle - expect a snowstorm.

The sun sets in the clouds - snowfall.

December 21st. Anfisa's Day. On this day, the girls were engaged in handicrafts: spinning, weaving, embroidering. It was believed that on this day an extra eye was an evil eye, so on these evenings they discouraged a girl’s beauty from being damaged. To protect yourself from the evil eye, you could tie a silk thread around your wrist.

December 22(Anna Winter). People believed that it was from this day that the real winter began. The shortest day of the year.

It was believed that on December 22 the real harsh winter began. On this day, pregnant women had to observe strict fasting (on other days they are exempt from fasting), avoid any quarrels and troubles, and avoid being seen by the crippled and disabled. There were other prohibitions: you cannot light a fire, knit, embroider, so as not to accidentally harm the unborn child - it was believed that the fire kindled on this day could leave a red mark on the child’s body, tangled threads would twist his umbilical cord, and wretched and ugly people whom he saw his mother may pass on her injuries to the baby.

The sun is for summer, winter is for frost.

Opoka (lace) on trees for Anna’s conception - for the harvest.

Anna finally establishes winter.

December 23. Mina Day. The Great Martyr Mina is considered a healer of eye diseases - this saint really had the gift of miracles and really healed eye diseases. It was believed that it not only bestows healing on the eyes, but also removes the veil from the eyes, which prevents one from distinguishing good from evil, truth from lies. People turned to him with a request for spiritual insight.

If the snow falls right up to the fence, it’s a bad summer, but if there’s a gap, it’s a fruitful summer.

December 24. Nikon day. On this day it was supposed to pray to Saint Nikon so that he would calm the soul and drive away evil spirits, who tried with all her might to get into the house. People said: “Nikon stands at the icons.”

December 25 (Spirodon Solstice). If the sun shines brightly on this day, spring will be early, and the New Year will be frosty and clear. If there is a storm outside, expect long cold weather and the New Year will be gray and warm.

This is the day of the solstice - the longest night and the most short day per year. “Sun for summer - winter for frost,” they say about this day. It was believed that Spiridon himself turns the sun to summer and makes sure that it does not hide from people, and from that day on the sun dresses up in a festive sundress and kokoshnik, gets into a cart and travels to warm countries.

Based on the weather of the first 12 days following Spiridon, the weather of each of the 12 months of the coming year was judged.

From the solstice of the day he will arrive at least as fast as a sparrow.

If the sun is bright and radiant, the New Year will be frosty and clear, and if it is gloomy and there is frost on the trees, it will be warm and cloudy.

Spiridon's Day determines the character of the entire winter.

December 26(day of the martyr Eustratus, Eugene). People said: “The martyr Eustratus is glad of the sun.” From this day on, they begin to observe the weather for the next twelve days, believing that every day they predict the corresponding weather for the next 12 months.

It was believed that on this day witches organize gatherings and gatherings at which they decide how to deprive people of sunlight and warmth. You cannot use foul language on this day, otherwise witches will fall from the sky right on the head of the offender. You couldn’t even leave a broom on the porch, otherwise the witches would take it away.

December 27. Filimonov day. The darkest days of the year had arrived; it was believed that at this time echidnas and kikimoras came out into the light of God, huddled against the windows, and scratched at the doors. To scare away evil spirits, it was necessary to wash oneself more often on this day - the undead are most afraid of water.

December 28. Trifonov day. From that day on, the day began to increase, and people, in the fight against evil spirits allies appeared - sun rays, which pierce evil spirits, drive them away from houses.

Red rainbows are visible in the sky - the frost will be threatening.

There will be severe frost if the cat is looking for warmth in the morning.

If the water decreases in winter, summer will be clear.

If there is frost in winter, there is dew in summer.

If there is little snow in winter, there will be little rain in summer.

If there is a lot of moisture in winter, then summer will be good and warm.

If there was frost at night, snow will not fall during the day.

If the snow is deep, the bread is good.

December 29 (Ageev day). If there is frost on the windows in the morning on this day, Christmas will be warm, and if the cold is strong, this will be the weather until January 7th.

It was believed that the prophet Haggai instructs on a righteous life and especially notes the love of work in a person. If a lot of frost falls on this day - deep snow will fall on Christmastide, frost will strike - the cold will last until Epiphany. It was possible to find out about the weather during Christmas time in this way. That night, according to ancient custom, fires were lit and little men made of snow were thrown into them. If the flame went out soon, clear, sunny weather was expected for Christmastide.

Haggai sows frost.

If the frost is strong and has curled the spirit into curls (patterns on the glass), it will freeze for another twenty days.

If there is severe frost on Haggai, he will crackle all Christmastide and stand until Epiphany.

If there is frost on the trees, the holidays will be warm.

December 30th. On this night (from 30 to 31) people used to make fires and throw snowmen there. If the flame continued to burn, Christmastide will be cloudy and snowy.

In the old days, this day was called Danilov’s day, and since it is the penultimate day in the month of December, they usually said: “Daniel hastens December.”

On Daniel's day the Holy Spirit and incense smelled.

On Danil’s day, the housewife lit the stove so that there would be enough heat for two days.

If there is frost on this day, it will be warm in a week.

There are snowstorms in December - bees will swarm well.

There is frost on the prophet Daniel - warm Christmastide.

Danila is in a hurry for December.

December 31(Simeon or otherwise Modestra, Novolet e ). On this day, people slaughtered pigs for the festive table and prepared for the holiday.

Saint Modest is known as the patron saint of livestock, and therefore in the Tale of the Saints a prayer is assigned to him in case of bestial death. According to legend, on this day all evil spirits are released that seek to harm people. Therefore, it was impossible to leave milk in an open container - evil spirits they will climb. Under no circumstances should they leave knives on the table unattended - the evil spirits will play around, and then disaster will not be far away.

December ends the old year and lays a path for the new with new happiness.

The wind blows from the west or southwest - warming will occur.