Slavs were serious about church holidays, observing the rules and traditions, which became the basis for many admissions . Petrov day since ancient times is considered a holiday of the sun. People from this time began to hold fairs and set about suffering in the fields. Peter was considered the patron of fields and meadows. In the old days the feast was called Petrov's tread. People prepared different treats and invited relatives, acquaintances and beggars to the table.
Signs on Petrov's Day on July 12
On this day, they celebrated the departure of the summer. By this time cuckoo cuckoo stopped, so people thought that autumn would come soon. From this time, the water level in the reservoirs decreased. Women, trying to preserve their beauty, washed in three springs. One of the famous people's celebrations on July 12 - bathing on the day of Peter is cleansed of existing sins.
On this day there was a tradition to bring cheese to the son-in-law, and for this mother-in-law received instead of delicacies. The godparents gave their godchildren a batch of flour. Petra was still considered the patron of fishermen, so people prayed to him who wanted to catch a big fish. In the church feast on July 12 there are signs of harvest. So, if it was raining on that day, then the harvest will be normal, and if it lasted until lunch, then the rich. On this holiday it was customary to walk into the woods and look for the Petrov root. People believed that if they manage to do this, then the person will be happy all year long and he will be able to see the treasures.
On Petrov's day, various rituals were held, in which they addressed the saint. For example, shepherds tied red crayons to the horns of cows and rams on that day. People believed that they protect animals against diseases for the whole year. The shepherds, tied with bells to the sticks, walked around the barns and pens to protect the cattle from the wolf attacks during the year. As early as the day of Peter, they collected the last cherries from the trees and treated them to beggars in the church. It was believed that this way people "order" a good harvest for themselves next year. The beekeepers carried out their ritual : they had several wings cut their wings to protect their evidence from theft. Another interesting custom on Petrov's day - guys from neighboring villages arranged a joke fight at the crossroads, so that there were no real quarrels and wars between neighbors.
People's weather signs on July 12:
- To see dew on the grass in the morning is a harbinger of the wind, and if there is no dew, then it is worth waiting for the rain.
- Clouds of yellow color move against the wind - it will rain.
- If the cuckoo was not heard before the day of Peter, then we should expect an early winter. When the cuckoo fell silent after this holiday - it is a harbinger of a protracted autumn.
- Seeing how the yellow leaves fall from the lower branches of the birch, it means that soon a leaf fall will come.
- Strong heat on this day - it will be warm and sunny for at least a week.
Love signs and customs of the Orthodox holiday on July 12
This day the girls presented their boys with handkerchiefs embroidered with their own hands, and this indicated that they were ready for marriage. There was also a tradition: an unmarried girl, the father sat on a cart, put a wreath of cornflowers on his daughter's head and took her to the house where the guy who she liked was living. On the shoulders of the girl was a towel. Approaching
Lonely girls spent a simple ritual to attract a soul mate. They were to collect 12 grasses from 12 fields. The collected bouquet of the girl was put under the pillow and, falling asleep, they represented their destined and thought of love. It was important to say such a conspiracy:
"Twelve colors from different fields, twelve well done!" Who is the betrothed-mummer, show me and look at me. "
In a dream the girl should see her soul mate.