What not to do on July 30th, the day of Marina with Lazarus

      On July 30, the folk calendar marks the day of Marina with Lazarus. The date was also called Marina Lazoreva. It was associated with summer thunderstorms, heat lightning, the danger of fires, and the first signs of the approaching autumn.

      What is this day about? The name Marina Lazoreva was linked to the unusual azure light that appeared in the evening sky. This is how the people described heat lightning — distant flashes of lightning that can be seen without thunder and rain. They were considered harbingers of strong storms and fires.

      In many folk traditions, the end of July was perceived as an especially hot and dangerous time. People tried not to light fires unnecessarily, did not go out to work in the fields during storms, and carefully watched the sky to protect their homes and harvests in time.

      It was believed that after Marina with Lazarus, summer gradually begins to turn towards autumn. The weather on July 30 was used to determine what August and the first half of autumn would be like.

      For Elabuga and the Elabuga district, the end of July is the time for harvesting cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, greens, and berries. At the same time, the risk of thunderstorms, downpours, and strong winds increases, so it is important for gardeners to monitor greenhouses, tools, and already harvested crops.

      Main prohibition of the day: On July 30, it is forbidden to look at lightning and remain in open places during thunderstorms. According to folk beliefs, heat lightning and bright flashes could bring misfortune or damage eyesight. Therefore, during thunderstorms, people tried to close windows, stay indoors, and not observe lightning out of curiosity.

      Today, the significance of the prohibition is primarily related to safety. When a storm approaches, it is necessary to leave bodies of water and open spaces, not to stand near metal structures, and not to hide under solitary tall trees. It is better to wait out the bad weather in a solid building or a car.

      What not to do on July 30:

      - Watch the storm from the street. It is safer to observe lightning from indoors, staying away from windows. One should not go out onto the balcony, open veranda, or elevation for a photo of the spectacular sky. Lightning, unfortunately, is completely indifferent to the quality of future content.

      - Work in an open area during a storm. When thunder rumbles, it is necessary to stop working in the garden or vegetable patch. Metal shovels, rakes, bicycles, and other items should be left aside, and one should move to a safe place.

      - Swim and fish in bad weather. On July 30, people tried not to go fishing and not to travel far from home, especially if a storm was expected. Modern safety rules also require immediately leaving the water and moving away from the shore at the first signs of bad weather.

      - Start important tasks. According to folk signs, on July 30, one should not undertake large projects, make fateful decisions, sign important documents, or make expensive purchases. It was believed that a new endeavor would progress slowly or not bring the expected results.

      - Lend or borrow money. Financial loans were associated with future losses and quarrels. Money given on July 30 could, according to beliefs, not return, and borrowed money could be delayed for a long time.

      - Argue and clarify relationships. Rude words, gossip, and family conflicts were tried to be excluded. It was believed that a quarrel that began on the day of Marina with Lazarus could drag on and destroy relationships between loved ones.

      - Refuse to help. Indifference to someone else's request was considered a bad sign. If a relative, neighbor, or elderly person needed assistance, they were usually not refused.

      - Light an open fire in dry and windy weather. Folk traditions of this day particularly emphasized the danger of fire. In hot and dry weather, it is forbidden to burn grass and trash, leave a barbecue unattended, or light a fire near wooden structures and dry vegetation.

      What can be done on July 30:

      - Complete ongoing tasks. Since new large undertakings were usually postponed, the day was dedicated to current tasks. One can finish work that has already begun, sort through accumulated small items, and make plans for the near future.

      - Spend time with family. The day was considered suitable for calm communication, visiting parents, and helping older relatives. People tried to avoid noisy companies and spend time with loved ones.

      - Harvest. In the garden, one can pick ripe cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, greens, currants, gooseberries, and raspberries. Overripe or damaged fruits should be removed immediately to prevent them from taking nutrients from the plant and becoming a source of rot.

      - Check the garden before the storm. Before bad weather, it is advisable to close the doors and windows of the greenhouse considering the wind direction, secure light structures, and remove tools, buckets, and garden furniture. Gathered vegetables, hay, and other supplies should be moved under cover.

      - Ventilate greenhouses after rain. High humidity and poor ventilation increase the risk of fungal diseases. After rain, the greenhouse should be ventilated, condensation removed, and tomatoes checked for signs of late blight, while cucumbers and zucchini should be checked for powdery mildew.

      - Clear excess in the garden. In folk recommendations, the day was associated with getting rid of unnecessary things. In the summer house, one can collect plant debris, remove diseased leaves, clear broken branches, and free pathways without starting a heavy reconstruction of the area.

      - Harvest berries and herbs. Simple home preparations are allowed: berries can be sorted, frozen, dried, or used for jam. Medicinal plants should only be collected in dry weather and in ecologically safe places.

      What heat lightning, seagulls, and insects warned about:

      - The weather on July 30 will determine the first half of autumn.

      - Bright heat lightning appeared in the sky — the danger of fires increases.

      - Seagulls are calmly sitting on the water — clear and sunny days are ahead.

      - The day is rainy, but white clouds have appeared in the sky — the weather will change soon.

      - Lizards have hidden, and there are many dragonflies near the water — rain is possible.

      - Insects are behaving restlessly — a downpour and strong thunderstorm are approaching.

      - A hot and dry day — winter will be cold and with little snow.

      - By evening, after the heat, it has suddenly cooled down — the next day will be clear.

      - A thunderstorm on July 30 — autumn was expected to be rainy, and winter snowy.

      Lunar calendar for gardeners of Tatarstan: On July 30, 2026, the Moon is waning after the full moon that occurred on July 29. It is in the sign of Aquarius, and the lunar disk is illuminated by about 99%. Until 21:05, the sixteenth lunar day continues, after which the seventeenth begins.

      In lunar planting calendars, Aquarius is considered a low-fertility sign. Therefore, the day is often recommended to be dedicated to weeding, removing excess shoots, harvesting, and seeds, protecting plants from diseases, and planning further work. Sowing and transplanting crops are advised to be postponed.

      The recommendations of the lunar calendar relate to gardening tradition. When choosing tasks, one should primarily consider the actual weather, soil moisture, and the condition of the plants. The moon may be beautiful, but late blight does not respond to its aesthetic qualities.

      Gardeners in the Elabuga district are recommended to:

      - harvest cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, greens, and berries;

      - check the readiness of early potatoes, onions, and garlic for harvesting;

      - remove diseased, damaged, and overripe fruits;

      - weed the beds and thin out overly dense seedlings;

      - remove excess whiskers from strawberries;

      - carry out moderate pinching of tomatoes;

      - remove damaged leaves and dried inflorescences;

      - inspect plants for aphids, Colorado beetles, mites, and other pests;

      - if necessary, use biological protection methods considering the waiting period;

      - collect ripe seeds of flowers and greens;

      - ventilate greenhouses and remove condensation;

      - prepare a dry place for storing onions, garlic, and potatoes;

      - tidy up garden tools;

      - make a work plan and repeat sowing for early August.

      It is better to postpone:

      - sowing vegetables and greens;

      - transplanting and pricking plants;

      - dividing perennials;

      - working with the roots of weak and diseased crops;

      - heavy pruning of trees and shrubs;

      - removing a large amount of healthy foliage;

      - abundant root feeding without necessity;

      - deep digging of dried or overly wet soil;

      - chemical treatment of plants before the nearest harvest;

      - working in open areas during thunderstorms;

      - fishing and swimming during thunder;

      - large purchases, loans, and starting important projects.

      In short:

      What can be done: complete ongoing tasks, harvest, remove damaged plants, check greenhouses, help loved ones, and plan further work.

      What cannot be done: look at lightning from open places, work and swim during thunderstorms, start large tasks, lend money, argue, and light fires in dry weather.

      For gardeners: the day is suitable for harvesting, weeding, removing excess shoots, combating pests, and preparing the area for August. Sowing, transplanting, and serious interference with the root system are