Jeremiah the Bean Picker: signs, traditions, and prohibitions on June 13

      This holiday, known to the people as Yermey the Bean Picker or the Unharnessing Day, is filled with wise signs, good traditions, and strict prohibitions. In the middle of the first summer month, when nature has fully awakened and gained strength, our ancestors celebrated the feast day of Saint Yermiy of Comana. In Russia, this date was nicknamed Yermey the Bean Picker, as it was during this period that peasants completed the sowing of leguminous crops — peas, beans, and lentils. However, the holiday also had another, no less eloquent name — Yermey the Unharnessing Day. On this day, grateful farmers freed their horses from heavy work, removed the harness, and gave the animals a long-awaited rest, while all movements were made on foot.

      Folk weather signs for June 13:

      The observant nature of our ancestors allowed them to predict the weather months in advance. Here are the key signs for this day:

      - Rain starting on June 13 foreshadows a harsh and snowy winter;

      - Abundant morning dew on the grass is a sure sign of a sunny and clear day;

      - Increased humidity in the air indicates an impending deterioration in the weather;

      - Heavy precipitation promises a rich harvest of grain crops;

      - Active flying of horseflies foretells rain soon;

      - A large number of spiders in the field indicates a change in the weather;

      - Blooming viburnum is a good sign for fishermen, promising an excellent catch this season;

      - Silence in the forest: if the cuckoo does not call, it means that clouds will cover the sky in the coming days.

      What can and should be done on June 13:

      Yermey the Bean Picker is a holiday of unity with nature. Our ancestors tried to spend it outdoors, walking through fields and forests, gaining strength and energy from the earth. Believers attended church services or offered prayers at home to the saint, asking for protection and patronage. The day was considered ideal for planting peas, beans, and lentils. Peasants believed that if they managed to sow legumes on June 13, the harvest would be unusually generous. There was a strict ritual — sowing had to begin before the first cuckoo call in the forest.

      On this day, housewives would take winter blankets and summer clothes out into the sun to air them out and cleanse them of mustiness. Bundles of medicinal herbs were hung in the huts to repel insects and fill the house with a fresh aroma. The day concluded with a mandatory ritual — baking pies or flatbreads, which were offered to all household members and neighbors, symbolizing generosity and abundance.

      Strict prohibitions on June 13:

      To avoid misfortune and not scare away luck, certain actions were avoided on this day. It was strictly forbidden to:

      - Engage in heavy physical labor: repairs, construction, cleaning, handicrafts — it was believed that such activities would sweep luck out of the house for a whole year;

      - Move to a new place — changing residence on June 13 promised health problems and financial difficulties;

      - Quarrel, argue, or clarify relationships with loved ones — negativity could attract illness;

      - Swim and fish in open water bodies — according to beliefs, mermaids and water spirits become active on this day and could drag an unwary person underwater;

      - Leave containers with grain, flour, and cereals open — it was believed that this would attract evil forces that could spoil the products or bring about a poor harvest. All bags and chests were tightly closed, and sometimes tied with a red thread as an additional talisman;

      - Lend or borrow money — financial transactions on June 13 could lead to problems with repayment or result in a major quarrel.

      By following these simple rules and carefully listening to the voice of nature, one could attract well-being and generous gifts from the earth for the entire remaining year.

      Photo by the author

      Yulia Kazamarova

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