Folk Omens for February 1 — Makaryev Day, Makar the Spring Indicator 0 7

Saint Makarius the Great (c. 300–391) was an Egyptian ascetic and one of the founders of Christian monasticism. Born in Lower Egypt, he left the worldly life after the death of his parents and retreated to the desert, where he spent more than 60 years in prayer and asceticism. He founded the Scete and Nitrian deserts, which became centers of monasticism. He was known for his strict fasting, silence, and humility, possessed the gift of foresight, and healed the sick through prayer. He left spiritual teachings on the struggle against sinful thoughts, humility, and love for one's neighbor. He passed away in old age around 391. His memory is celebrated on February 1, and his works remain an important legacy for the faithful.

Folk Calendar

In ancient times, when people realized that the weather was subject to natural cyclical changes, they established that on February 1, there are often severe frosts, which is why they called these frosts Makaryev frosts. "Frosts drive you where Makary does not drive calves."

After exactly half of the climatic winter had passed the day before, all thoughts turned to spring. Hence the nickname — Makar the Spring Indicator. To better remember the omens, people gave them a poetic form: "On Makary, if there is dripping — believe in an early spring. And if it is sunny and clear on Makary, then the whole of February will be wonderful."

Many sayings are associated with the name Makary on various topics. For example: "Makary blows up the samovar with a valenok," or "Yesterday Makary was digging the beds, and today Makary has become a commander."

The folk omens presented in this material are not an alternative to the weather forecast and are of purely cultural and historical nature. Our weather forecasts are based on scientific data and modern meteorological methods.