On the eve of the Palm Sunday, many Orthodox people wonder: what to do with the old willow, which was consecrated a year ago and was kept in the house. After all, she "defended" the whole year from dying, swearing, elements and just throwing it into the trash can not raise the hand. There are several ways to get rid of such a pussy-willow, but in the beginning a few words about the very holiday of the Palm Sunday.
Historically, this day is marked by the solemn entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem. The earth, on which Christ walked, was strewn with palm branches. In Russia, willow branches are used, that is, willow, since here palms do not grow everywhere. They are lit in the church and brought home to serve as a kind of shield that protects our peace and health for a year. At first, usually, the willow branches are put in a vase of water, and then laid out in cabinets, corners or simply removed somewhere until the next Palm Sunday.
What to do with a virgin consecrated in a church?
New branches of willows, which were lit in the church for the Palm Sunday, it is customary to come home to whip up relatives and friends. It charges their health for the whole year. The same must be done with animals, regardless of whether they live in the house or not. All must absorb the spring renovation and be filled with new forces.
So what to do with the willow after the holiday? Since it is believed that the pussy has protective forces against evil forces, it must be left in the house or:
- to plant in the front garden if a young guy or girl lives in the house (it is believed that after the planted willow begins to grow - there will be a wedding in this house);
- By sending the willow branches to the side of the clouds, one speaks of hail or thunder;
- in a fire, you can reduce the fire by throwing a branch of the consecrated willow in it;
- Earlier they planted wells with willow branches, protecting water from evil spirits;
- some use palatine kidneys to cure fever and even infertility.
What to do with the last year's pussy-willow branches?
After you have brought fresh willows from the church on Palm Sunday, a legitimate question arises: what to do with last year's lighted willow? After all, it's impossible to throw out such a "shrine" simply because it acted as a guard against evil spirits for a whole year and continues to preserve its protective functions. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a certain rite to get rid of the old branches of pussy willow. Below are ways to do this:
- If there is a nearby reservoir (and better a river), then the willow branches can be launched downstream.
- You can just burn the old willow, and scatter the ash on the river or pour out in a deserted place.
- Sprouted twigs can be planted near a river or in a forest.
- The branches of the old willow can be placed in the coffin of the deceased person. Some people begin to collect lighted vertebral branches with age to be put in their coffin after death.
- You can clean and consecrate your house with an old willow branch. It must be lit as a candle and walk with it around the house, saying a prayer.
- Earlier, they burned willow branches in the oven on Holy Week, when they baked Easter cakes.
- On the eve of the Palm Sunday or immediately after it, you need to sweep the corners of the dwelling with willow branches and burn in the street,
saying the words of gratitude for saving the house. - It is possible to carry a willow into the forest and leave it there, laying willows in the bushes.
- Bring to the church, where the old willow is burned, reading the prayer.
Now you know what you can do with last year's willow and this question will not bother you anymore. The main thing is that if you keep the willow at home for more than a year - the Palm Sunday is always celebrated with freshly cut vertebral branches.