On April 11, the folk holiday Bereshchenie is celebrated, dedicated to the birch tree — a tree with magical properties. This event, beloved by many, is associated with various traditions and omens. Our ancestors believed that on this day, it was necessary to drink birch sap, visit the bathhouse, and steam using a birch broom.
On April 11, Orthodox churches commemorate Saint Mark, the bishop of Arethusa, who suffered for his faith in Jesus Christ in the 4th century. In the folk calendar, this day is known as Mark's Day or Bereshchenie. The holiday is considered sacred, as according to tradition, the birch tree sheltered the Most Holy Theotokos and the Infant from the elements, protecting them with its crown.
Folk Calendar: Bereshchenie
The holiday dedicated to the birch tree has become one of the most beloved in folk culture and is surrounded by numerous myths and legends. Artists sought to capture this beautiful tree in their paintings. People, admiring the birch, created poems, songs, and proverbs in its honor.
“The birch is not a threat – where it stands, there it rustles.”
“And the birch tree sheds tears when its bark is stripped.”
“A crooked birch cannot hold snow, a bad person cannot keep their word.”
“A slender birch teaches wisdom.”
“As the birches are, so are the sprouts.”
The birch was considered a healing plant. Our ancestors believed that birch sap gives strength and strengthens the spirit. An infusion made from birch buds was used for digestive problems. Birch brooms were used to combat colds and curses. Tar was obtained from the bark, which was used in household applications, and wreaths were woven from the branches, serving as powerful amulets.
Bereshchenie: What Can Be Done
This folk holiday dedicated to the birch tree was considered a family celebration, but this does not mean that one should stay at home on April 11. In ancient times, Bereshchenie featured joyful round dances, songs praising the birch, and riddles, competing to see who could provide the most correct answers.
It was believed that on Bereshchenie, the gates to the spirit world open, and they can grant any good wish. To do this, one must approach the birch, embrace it, and whisper or think about their dream.
One of the main round dance songs since the late 18th century has been “In the Field Stood a Birch.” As for riddles, some puzzles have survived to this day, which not everyone can answer immediately:
“A slender beauty stands in the clearing, in a green blouse, in a white sundress.”
“Sticky buds, green leaves. With white bark, it stands under the hill.”
“The trunk is white, the cap is green. It stands in white clothing, with earrings hanging down.”
On Bereshchenie, riddles entertained children and youth, testing their speed of answers. The quickest received small gifts.
Bereshchenie: Folk Omens
The holiday of Bereshchenie, dedicated to the birch, has many omens related to nature. For example, in ancient times, people knew: if thunder is heard on April 11, the summer will be cold. If it rains heavily on this day, autumn promises to be fruitful.
If sap flows from the birch, frost is expected ahead. And if geese and ducks are noisy on this day, it means that the birds are rejoicing in the warmth, which will not be long in coming.
Dreams seen on the night of April 10 to 11 may seem strange, but there is no need to fear them. However, what is dreamed should be remembered to avoid mistakes.
Bereshchenie: What Should Not Be Done
Like any folk holiday, Bereshchenie has its own taboos. In ancient times, people knew that on this day, it was forbidden to cut down trees and light fires in the forest. Violators faced serious consequences in the form of illness, poverty, and discord in the family. On Bereshchenie, it is also prohibited to:
Wash and dry laundry outdoors – dark forces may enter the home with it.
Prepare many dishes in advance – they may cause stomach illnesses.
Dip feet in bodies of water – mermaids may drag them to the bottom.
Sew, knit, or repair clothing – any labor related to handicrafts may lead to illness.
Hunt, fish, or slaughter domestic birds and livestock – problems may arise in the family, leading to discord in relationships.
Elders advised young couples that on Bereshchenie, they should not engage in intimate relations, as children conceived on this day may be born weak and sickly.
Furthermore, on Bereshchenie, it was forbidden to stay near weeping willows for long, as it is believed that on this day, the souls of the deceased come to earth to greet spring and gather near these trees.
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