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The weather is getting colder and as October approaches, we can slowly say goodbye to even the longest rays of sunshine. However, before the tenth month arrives, there is still Saint Michael’s Day, and September 29 is Saint Michael’s Day, which according to popular tradition was a significant day in several respects.
The named saint is one of the seven archangels, the victorious warrior of the heavenly armies. His symbol is his sword, which reflects his nature. His day was associated with various beliefs and customs, but it was also considered a significant date in the life of farms, whether in cattle ranching or when grapes or corn were grown in the fields.
Saint Michael’s Day is a weather forecast
Although astronomical fall only begins on the day of the autumnal equinox, September 21, the noticeable change in weather starts from the beginning of the snow. At those times, the smell of the air will be almost different, and as the weeks go by, we will be able to enjoy less and less sun during the day, the rain will fall and the afternoons will be cooler.
The ancients felt it too, but those who worked in agriculture and livestock paid special attention to the time: partly because of their tasks, partly because of the weather forecast, and the two things were closely related. In agriculture, September is the time for full harvest, harvest, and then fall plowing and sowing, and at that time almost everything depends on the weather.
Many sayings preserve the beliefs of the ancients. In Bácska, for example, it was said that the east wind of San Miguel promises a very serious winter, and the prediction of the bastions of the church was that the horse of San Miguel would freeze and bring winter.
Those who owned animals could also predict what the weather would be like from the behavior of the herd or the condom. It was believed that if sheep or pigs gathered on the night of San Miguel, the winter would be long and harsh, but if they did not hide, it promised a mild winter weather.
The Pereszlényi people believed that a bitter cold winter promises if the sky thundered stormy on this day. The inhabitants of the villages of Ipoly examined the swallows on September 29. If the birds were still visible, that is, they had not embarked on their long journey until the day of San Miguel, a long and slow autumn could be expected.
Unfortunately, swallows can hardly be seen today because their numbers are decreasing. Those who are lucky, however, can pinch one by one in the nature reserves. However, according to the Hungarian Association for Ornithology and Conservation of Nature, these birds usually gather around September 8 and are about to leave, so the chances that anyone, anywhere, will see a swallow in St. Michael’s are even smaller. Either way, according to the ancient belief, everything suggests that autumn will soon turn to winter and turn cool.
A significant period has begun for farmers
A 18-19. In the 16th century, the harvest lasted from the day of San Miguel, the beginning of viticulture, until the day of Simon and Judas, on October 28. From then on, corn also broke down in agriculture. Harvesters prepared the soil for fall planting after harvest. September 29 was also considered an important day by keepers because it was at that moment that the cattle that grazed on St. George’s Day entered. It was also a time for pastors to be held accountable and for new ones to be persecuted. The shepherds operating in the vicinity of Hortobágy were hired for about a year, so this day was especially important to them. They had fun, dancing to the delight of the round.
Thus the ancients celebrated the day
On this day, custom forbade women to work, and this was reinforced by beliefs and sayings. It was believed that whoever washed at St. Michael’s would have a weakened hand, and whoever was maimed would have the sky rumbling over their home all year long. In the 20th century and earlier, by the way, the legislation was abolished at harvest time.
The period of the little carnival began on September 29, and until Catherine’s day, November 25, the fall weddings also began. On Holy Day, church festivals, fairs, and ancient dances were held. There was also the habit of loudness and noise to drive away evil spirits.
A description by Satu Mare described the vintage atmosphere as follows:
Sounds of songs, chants, gunshots, flies are visible in the airways, heartbreaking on the face of the earth, there is joy and happiness everywhere as befits the wine-producing lands.
The origin of our superstitions
They appear in speech almost every day, but their origin is not known to many: an explanation of three well-known superstitions.
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