Folk omens of December

The last month of the year is a significant period. In December, it is customary to take stock and make plans for the coming year. Previously, people were guided by folk signs in this, and some of them are popular today.

We talk about interesting signs for December 2022, which will tell you what you can and cannot do on each day of the month. And we will also advise how to spend the winter solstice and New Year’s Eve.

December signs by day

Our ancestors believed that the observance of folk signs will help to avoid life’s difficulties, attract wealth or love, and ensure a good harvest. Some of these beliefs have survived to this day. 

We offer you to see what a blizzard means on the first day of winter and why apple branches were brought into the house in December.

1 December

There are many superstitions associated with the first day of winter. According to some “tricks” of nature, the weather for the future was predicted. For example, if there was a snowstorm on December 1, then it was worth waiting for Shrovetide. And if on this day someone saw a crow walking along the road, they were preparing for a thaw.

2 December

Avdeev’s day was celebrated in Our Country. Saint Obadiah is considered the patron of families, the protector of households. 

According to legend, in order to protect your house from evil spirits, you had to knock with the butt of an ax on all window frames and door jambs. 

Signs did not advise leaving the house on December 2: people believed that evil spirits were walking around outside the window.

3 December

On this day, it is customary to look closely at the birds. A black grouse, located on the top of a tree, is considered a harbinger of clear sunny weather. And if a magpie is buried under the roof of the house – there will be a blizzard.

And on this day, believers remember St. Proclus. They used to say: “Curse evil spirits on Proclus.” In Our Country, people read protective conspiracies, prayers to protect themselves and loved ones from evil spirits.

Usually by this day a toboggan road was installed, it was possible to go on a long journey on the accumulated cases. And people asked Saint Proclus for well-being on trips.

4 December

Based on the prevailing weather on that day, forecasts for the future were made. If there was a blizzard or frost crackling outside the window, they were preparing for a cold winter. But people were amused by the thought of a hot summer. In the house, cherry branches were placed behind the icon: if new leaves appeared by New Year’s Eve, the year would be successful.

Some traditions do not lose their relevance today. On December 4, Christians celebrate the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos. People dressed in their best outfits go to church, and after the service they are supposed to visit each other.

5 December

On Prokopiev Day, the peasants looked at the sky and waited for snow: precipitation on December 5 promised a fruitful year. Warm weather that day foreshadowed a protracted winter. And if wolves appeared from the forest, it was worth stocking up on firewood – it would be a harsh winter.

The most risky went on December 5 to the thicket in search of a rare healing herb efilia. Yes, they were looking for her under the snow. The grass was brewed for children (instead of modern multivitamins), and it was also used to treat people with spinal problems.

6 December

By December 6, most often there was already strong ice on the river, people rode sleds for joy, and then organized festivities. The hostesses laid magnificent tables and invited guests. While the fellows were having fun with noisy companies, the girls got together to tell fortunes. 

Mitrofanov’s Day is celebrated on December 6 in the Orthodox Church. It is recommended to keep emotions under control, to be kinder to your neighbor, and it is strictly forbidden to swear.

7 December

On the day of Ekaterina Sannitsa in ancient times, mass celebrations were organized, young people went sleigh rides. Couples often formed on this day. Young people showed signs of attention to the girls, and the parents were vigilant: if the daughter answered the invitation and got into the sleigh, it was worth thinking about the future wedding.

Catherine was considered the patroness of marriage, so on this day it is customary to guess at the betrothed. How to: Bring an apple tree twig into your home and put it under your pillow. It is believed that the future husband will appear in a dream.

If guessing was allowed, then dancing – in no case. In addition, on this day it was forbidden to sew and repair.

Weather changes predict what winter will be like. If the sky is clear, no snowflakes – wait for severe frosts.

8 December

On this day, St. Clement is commemorated, services are held in the church. But with the exception of this, December 8 has long been tried to be spent at home: women spun, men were engaged in crafts. And at the same time they wondered what the weather would be like. 

If plump snowdrifts have already grown outside the window by this day, you can rejoice in anticipation of a fruitful year. Snowfall on December 8, according to popular belief, promises a rainy summer.

9 December

On this day, the Orthodox commemorate St. George the Victorious. The simplified name of the holiday has taken root among the people – St. George’s Day.

To this day, the custom has been preserved to distribute debts until December 9, getting rid of this burden by the New Year. The tradition has historical roots: a week before St. George’s Day and a week after, the serfs could change the master, having previously paid off the previous one.

10 December

On this day, believers pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God, asking for protection from family quarrels and troubles. In Our Country, men stoked the stove, and women baked pies. People believed that the smell of baking attracts comfort and family happiness to the house. 

But doing needlework or repairing something in the house was not recommended – such activities were postponed to another day.

11 December

The Orthodox holiday of Irinarch’s day among the people has a second name – Soykin’s day.

In Our Country, these birds were revered, it was believed that the jay gave happiness and good luck to those born on this day. And if a bird was noticed near the house, it promised good news.

And on December 11 they guessed. They threw a handful of coins into a snowdrift, and then they took it out. If the first one that came across was of the highest denomination, good luck will accompany business.

12 December

Orthodox venerate the holy martyr Paramon on this day, and on December 12 they also call Paramon the winter indicator. You guessed it right: they predicted what winter would be like.

For example, you can watch the dawn: the fiery red color of the horizon – to piercing cold winds, and a snowy morning – a harbinger of a prolonged snowstorm.

And folk signs say: if high snowdrifts have piled up by December 12, the next year promises to be happy.

13 December

From this day the winter period of holidays began. It has long been customary to visit, arrange gatherings – but only without alcohol, obscenities and gossip. Snowfall on St. Andrew’s Day (as it is called in the Orthodox calendar) indicated prolonged cold weather. At the same time, it was believed that the snow would lie for 100 days – it would not melt earlier.

December 13 was considered favorable for all sorts of divination. Unmarried girls went to the crossroads to read the conspiracies, then they plucked a twig from any fruit tree and put it in the water at home. The leaves that blossomed for Christmas prophesied an early marriage.

14 December 

According to folk beliefs, this day is great for starting an important business, learning, or resolving a difficult issue. All thanks to the help of St. Naum the literate. 

But to praise someone’s mind, academic success is not recommended: it is believed that you can jinx a person.

On Naumov’s Day, housewives used to bake cakes resembling coins in shape – and treated them to guests and neighbors. This is how prosperity was brought to the house.

15 December

On Habakkuk Day, it was customary to read special conspiracies for insomnia. Parents invited healers to perform a secret ceremony with their children. According to legend, this helped babies find restful sleep for a long time.

Even our ancestors watched the frosty patterns on the windows: the more intricate they are, the greener the upcoming spring will be.

16 December

On the day of John the Silent, they tried to speak and write less. A popular sign says: those who were laconic on December 16 will definitely be gifted with good luck in the coming year. Also, ancient beliefs convince that on December 16, evil spirits can take away the voice, and therefore it is worth remaining silent.

Another folk life hack: if a husband and wife managed to do without quarrels and disputes on December 16, they will live in peace and harmony all next year.

17 December

From that day on, Varvara’s frosts set in – you can’t go for a walk. And therefore, on December 17, it is customary to spend time with family or at a party. Women usually prepare sweets on this day, and men brew intoxicating drinks.

On the morning of December 17, believers go to church to pray to St. Barbara. She is considered the patroness of women, protects from strict relatives and helps to cure a sick child.

18 December

On this day, according to folk signs, it is supposed to stay at home. Since ancient times, only grooms who came to woo were a welcome guest on December 18. It is believed that the day is good for the first step: the married will live happily ever after.

19 December

On this day, according to folk signs for December 2022, you need to distribute debts. It is logical that it is not recommended to recruit new ones – otherwise you will have to shrink in money for the whole next year. By the way, lending is also not worth it.

On December 19, according to popular beliefs, one should not be sad and scold children. It is believed that Nicholas the Wonderworker can severely punish for this.

By the amount of snow on this day, you can guess what the next half of the year will be like. If there are a lot of snowdrifts and they are high, there will be a lot of greenery and flowers in spring and summer.

20 December

Abrosimov Day drew a symbolic line under the holidays of the outgoing year. In Our Country, from that day on, a ban was imposed on all entertainment events, up to Christmas. Women took up sewing, prepared a dowry for themselves. There was a belief that the more beautiful the outfits were, the faster unmarried girls would meet their husbands.

The colder it was outside that day, the hotter summer promised to be.

21 December

Winter solstice. In the morning, the first thing people did was look out into the street: if it was frosty and calm, they would expect a good harvest. 

On December 21, it is supposed to distribute debts, and if you have been asked for something, do not be greedy, share it. According to signs, on this day of December 2022, you can light red candles and admire the fire in silence: purification and good luck are guaranteed in the near future.

22 December

On the day of Anna the Dark, they wondered what the weather would be like on New Year’s Eve. If it was clear outside, then on December 31 you can expect cloudless, however, frosty weather. And if it’s cloudy, then a thaw is coming.

Particular attention in folk signs for December 22 is given to pregnant women. It is believed that on this day they should avoid work and unnecessary stress, it is useful to fast and pray to St. Anna for health for the child.

23 December

According to tradition, on this day in Our Country they prayed to St. Mina the Eloquent and asked him for health and spiritual insight. It was believed that Mina helps to distinguish between truth and lies.

According to the established weather, forecasts were made for the next winter and even beyond. The day turned out to be clear and sunny – you should prepare for frost. And if the weather is windy, you can expect a dry summer.

24 December

What the weather will be like, on December 24 they looked at the sun: the rays are baking – there will be warming, if they do not reach the ground – to frost. And in general, if the day turned out to be icy, one should not dream of a thaw in the near future.

Lovers of different rituals on this day can do the following: break a branch of an apple tree, put it in water and make a wish. If young greenery appears by Christmas, the wish will come true.

25 December

People have always tried to find out whether the next year will be fruitful, relying on folk signs. For example, if the wind changed direction on December 25, then you can count on a fertile year. And by the 12 days following December 25, you can judge what the rest of the 12 months will be like.

Traditionally, working on Spiridon’s day is not recommended, but you can make grandiose plans for next year.

26 December

If this day is frosty, then in January it is also worth waiting for cold weather. 

And even earlier they warned to be afraid of evil spirits on December 26th. The people said that on the day of Eustratus one should not swear and swear. You should not start a conversation with strangers, pick up animals from the street and pick up a thing that has been lost for a long time and suddenly found. 

Well, about the good: it was believed that if you touch the bell on Eustratus day, saying the name of the sick person, he will recover soon.

27 December

In Our Country, there was an opinion that on December 27, evil spirits walk free, but they will not bother good owners. Therefore, on Filimonov’s day, it has been customary to clean up the house since ancient times. 

In order to drive away evil spirits from themselves, they tried to wash themselves more often, because they believed that evil spirits were afraid of water.

It was also believed: what the weather is on this day, this will be the whole of February.

28 December

If on this day it is cloudy and snowy, then, according to popular beliefs, the same gloomy and snowy weather should be expected in March. If it is clear outside, the windows are fogged up, get ready for an early warm spring.

On December 28, it is customary to carry out a rite of purification of housing: if there is a stove or fireplace, kindle a fire, and then take the burning coals out into the street. 

Also on the day of Tryphon, you need to do good deeds: help people who need it, feed homeless animals, pour birds into the feeder. It is believed that this way you can easily attract good luck and prosperity.

29 December

On the day of Agea, believers try to behave quietly and calmly, to think over all actions and words so as not to invite trouble. 

A frosty day promised cold weather until Epiphany. Well, and, accordingly, cloudy or sunny weather on December 29 predicts what to expect from April.

This day is traditionally spent with family. According to signs, if December 29 is spent away from loved ones, there is a risk of suffering from loneliness all year.

30 December

According to legend, dreams on the night of December 30 are prophetic. They wondered what to expect from the new year.

On the eve of the holiday, housewives in Our Country stoked stoves so that there was enough heat for two days. We did not forget about the bath: we went with the whole family to wash away the negative and meet the next year with pure thoughts. A good tradition has been preserved to this day.

And about the weather: a snowstorm on December 30, according to folk signs, portends a warm, gentle summer.

31 December

On this day, it is necessary to finish all unfinished business. Adults were especially attentive to children: it was believed that angels spoke through the mouths of babies. Therefore, they usually tried to fulfill their whims and wishes.

Many New Year’s signs are still used today. For example, to attract happiness and good luck in the new year, it is recommended to carry out such simple actions:

• put a plate with refreshments and a glass of wine for the brownie on the table;
• hang an elegant wreath on the front door;
• ask loved ones for forgiveness and let go of all grievances;
• shortly before the chimes, light a candle in each room, preferably red.

Popular questions and answers

In December, it is customary to say goodbye to the outgoing year and plan for the future. Many are guided not only by folk signs, but also by horoscopes and lunar calendars. We answer the most popular questions.