Folk omens for September 27, 2025: what you can and cannot do on this day

      Traditions, prohibitions and ancestral wisdom for the Exaltation of the Lord’s Cross — what the old calendar advises for your well‑being.

      On September 27 Orthodox Christians celebrate the Exaltation of the Lord’s Cross — an important feast fixed in the folk calendar. In Rus’ this day was considered a fasting day: people abstained from animal foods, spending more time in prayer and good deeds. According to popular beliefs, it was precisely during this period that an invisible battle between the forces of light and darkness took place. The Holy Cross of the Lord was considered a protection against unclean spirits, a symbol of suffering and redemption, and it was by its help that good triumphed over evil. In connection with this, the Exaltation of the Lord’s Cross became a day of strict fasting. It was believed that whoever spent it in abstinence would be protected from misfortune and deceit for the entire following year.

      Weather signs for September 27

      On this day there were many superstitions related to the weather:

      - A clear morning, but cirrus clouds appear by noon — a rapid cooling is coming.

      - Loud flocks of geese flying high in the sky — a long warm autumn is ahead.

      - White frost on the roofs in the morning — a sunny and dry day.

      - If a southerly wind rises during the day, the mild weather will hold for several more days.

      - Morning fog — clear weather.

      - Rowan tree drops its berries early — a windy and cold winter.

      - Water in the rivers becomes clear — dry weather.

      - If the cat often looked out the window — strong wind was expected.

      Traditions and rites

      The Exaltation of the Lord’s Cross was also called Stavrov Day. On this day processions with the cross were organized around villages and settlements to protect against calamities. Services were held in churches; gardens and fields were walked around with icons, asking the higher powers for a good harvest and well‑being.

      People prayed for the sick, believing that the Life‑giving Cross could raise even from the deathbed if the prayer came from a pure heart. From this date lively autumn gatherings began, which lasted two weeks. Young women dressed in bright festive clothes, sang songs and treated the hosts with cabbage pies. Single young men came to such gatherings to look for future brides.

      Prohibitions on the Exaltation

      According to folk beliefs, September 27 was not a day to plan important affairs: anything conceived could turn into wasted effort. Girls avoided needlework, washing and heavy housework so as not to attract evil. One was also advised not to go into the forest, as it was thought that leshies and other unclean spirits awakened there.

      Houses were kept closed, gates were locked and sprinkled three times with holy water to protect against snakes and other reptiles. The strict fast meant complete abstention from meat and dairy products, fish and eggs. People tried not to share their plans even with close ones, believing that everything spoken aloud could ruin what was intended.

      author

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