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The day of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem in the world is called Palm Sunday, it is always celebrated exactly one week before Easter. This holiday marks the entry of Christ on the path of suffering on the Cross and symbolizes the recognition of the Son of God as the Messiah, the Savior.
The history of folk signs on Palm Sunday
Signs on Palm Sunday have been collected by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers for centuries, watching what is happening around. There are signs associated with the weather, with marriage and money, and there are signs with health and the healing of diseases. We learned what signs our grandparents believe in.
“Palm” signs
Willow is the main symbol of the holiday, it is not surprising that most signs are associated with it. Our ancestors attached special importance to the consecrated branches of this plant – it was believed that the touch of a willow heals and saves from damage and the evil eye.
- Willow for consecration should be torn only from young and healthy trees, avoiding diseased plants and those that grow near cemeteries.
- Going to a night vigil or morning service, you should take the plucked twigs with you. Touching the consecrated willow is believed to cure diseases, remove the evil eye and damage – that is why children and households are lightly whipped with branches.
- Willow, brought from the church, is placed at the head of the patient, so that its magical power heals all ailments.
- It is customary to keep the consecrated twigs for the whole year, and after this time to burn, you just can’t throw them away.
- A woman who suffers from infertility should cut the branches herself on this day, consecrate them in the church, and then keep them in her room all year. It is believed that such a simple ritual will help to know the joy of motherhood.
- The consecrated willow stored in the house will protect the house from troubles and natural disasters, attract joy and good luck.
- If you eat a willow bud, a solution to an important problem will soon come.
- If the branches are stuck into the ground before the start of the field work season, then the harvest will be rich.
- If you lightly whip the cattle with the consecrated willow, the animals will not get sick all year.
signs of the weather
Based on the weather during this holiday, our ancestors could predict the volume of the upcoming harvest and make forecasts for the whole year. Here are the most famous signs on Palm Sunday:
- Good weather on this day – to a rich harvest.
- Windy – to a cool summer.
- Frost suddenly hit – this year wheat will be harvested more than ever.
- If April turned out to be so warm that earrings are visible on the trees that day, this is also for the harvest year. The more earrings, the more fruits, vegetables and grains you can collect in the fall.
Do’s and Don’ts on Palm Sunday
As with any other holiday from the list of the Twelfth, all physical activity is prohibited on this day. Spend some time relaxing by avoiding cleaning, cooking, laundry, and even combing.
Farmers on this day should not send livestock to pastures, otherwise the animals will often get sick.
You can not quarrel, scandal and swear, you should avoid loud gatherings and excessive fun.
The requirements of Great Lent should be observed – when planning a festive dinner in the evening, make sure that only fasting dishes are on the table. There is only one exception – on this day, believers are allowed to eat fish.
The main decoration of the house on the eve of Easter is willow. Place the consecrated twigs in the red corner so that the rest of the week before Bright Sunday goes well.