Folk omens on January 12, 2026: what you can and cannot do on this day

      Traditions, prohibitions and wisdom on the day of Anisya Zimnyaya — what the old calendar advises for health, luck and protection from evil spirits.

      The second week of January in Rus was marked by days dedicated not only to household matters but also to protection from dark forces that, it was believed, were still active after the Svyatki. January 12, named in honor of the saint who gave away all her wealth, was considered a time when luck could come in an unexpected guise, and health required special care. Signs and rituals of the day of Anisya Zimnyaya — in our piece.

      The Orthodox Church on January 12 (December 30 old style) commemorates the memory of Saint Martyr Anisia of Thessalonica, who lived in the 3rd–4th centuries in Greece. After the death of her parents she gave her fortune to the poor and devoted her life to serving God, for which she met a martyr’s death. In the popular calendar this day was called Anisya Zimnyaya or Anisya the Stomach-Healer.

      Weather signs for January 12: observations about summer and the harvest

      Observations of the weather on this day helped predict the character of the coming seasons.

      - Snowy day — a rainy and cool summer.

      - Wind blowing from the south — a rich grain harvest.

      - Frosty weather — February will be cold.

      - Birds flying low to the ground — a blizzard is coming.

      - The sun peeking from behind the clouds — a thaw at the end of January.

      What can and should be done on January 12

      The day was dedicated to attracting luck, caring for health and ensuring abundance.

      - Meet luck. There was a belief that luck on this day might come in the form of a girl with red hair and green eyes. If one met such a girl, one was supposed to greet her politely to attract well-being.

      - Take care of health (Anisya the Stomach-Healer). The day was considered favorable for treatments and visiting folk healers. To drive out illness, in the evening people went to a crossroads, called out their name, threw a pinch of salt over their left shoulder and left without looking back.

      - Prepare meat dishes for prosperity. To ensure a well-fed year, as many meat dishes as possible were placed on the table. Game taken on the hunt was especially prized.

      - Show generosity and mercy. In memory of Saint Anisia, who gave away her possessions, it was customary on this day to help those in need and give alms.

      What is strictly forbidden on January 12

      The day’s prohibitions were tied to protection from the evil eye, hexes and disease.

      - Handle needles or sew. Sharp objects, especially needles, were considered conduits for disease. Pricking oneself or even simply holding a needle in one’s hands on this day was dangerous.

      - Tear off loose threads from clothing with your hands. To avoid “attracting” trouble, threads were blown off or removed with another object (a stick, a fork).

      - Talk to strangers or let them into the house. Any outsider could be a sorcerer or bear the evil eye. Wanderers and beggars were watched with particular suspicion.

      - Use other people’s personal hygiene items. It was believed that misfortunes and illnesses of a previous owner could be transmitted through a shared towel or comb.

      - Drink water from someone else’s well or let strangers use your well. Well water was considered the guardian of a family’s well-being. Allowing a stranger access could break that protection.

      - Pick up things found on the road (coins, needles, small bundles). These items could be “planted” — deliberately left by sorcerers to cause harm.

      - Overeat or abuse alcohol. Since the day was devoted to health, gluttony was frowned upon and considered harmful.

      By observing these rules, our ancestors not only honored the memory of the saint, but also practiced caution, believing that careful attention to signs, one’s health and the boundaries of personal space is the best protection against any evil.

      author

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