Our ancestors always tried to glimpse into tomorrow — what stops us?
Maslenitsa divinations, from pancakes with a "secret" to mirror corridors — shall we try?
Maslenitsa week is not just about pancakes and joyful festivities. In ancient times, this period was considered particularly suitable for attempting to learn what fate had in store. Young women were especially concerned about marriage: what would their future husband look like when they were called to the altar? We have gathered a selection of ancient rituals that, according to beliefs, helped to unveil the veil of mystery. We warn you: if you are not ready for unexpected revelations, it’s better to focus on tasting pancakes.
Divination at the Stove: The First Pancake as a Prediction
Let’s start with the most accessible method — right in the kitchen. The first pancake baked can serve as a kind of "forecast" for the year:
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a thick and dense pancake — a lot of work without a break awaits;
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burnt on one side — be on guard: troubles may come from an unexpected direction;
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thin, golden, and even — luck is on your side;
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rosy — promises good health;
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pale — it’s time to think about a vitamin course;
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stuck to the pan — alas, no wedding is in sight this year;
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flipped easily — prepare the dowry;
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even edges — a happy marriage;
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torn edges — it’s worth taking a closer look at your chosen one.
Pancakes with a "Secret": What the Filling Says About the Future
Great-grandmothers devised a clever method: they baked pancakes with different fillings, placed them on a common plate, and then each person chose one at random. What has fate prepared?
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sweet filling — the year will be full of joy and pleasant moments;
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salty — you will face disappointments and tears;
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spicy — life will turn into a series of bright but unpredictable events;
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without filling — the year will pass quietly, without significant upheavals;
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with a bean or pea — expect financial prosperity (though the timing was not specified).
Meeting Fate: Divination with a Pancake and a Stranger
For those who are not afraid to step out of the kitchen, there is a more extravagant way to learn the name of the future spouse. You need to:
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Bake a salty pancake.
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Go outside (preferably at night, to a crossroads).
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Treat the first man you meet with the pancake.
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Ask him his name — that will be the name of your future husband.
The bravest would place the pancake directly on their head and approach strangers asking, "What is your name?" There is also a calmer option — to perform the ritual during the day, avoiding nighttime adventures. The main thing is not to forget the name; otherwise, you’ll have to go on dates with all the Ivans and Alexanders in a row.
Dreams, Pans, and Towels: Night Rituals
On the night before Forgiveness Sunday, young women performed special rituals to see their future husband in a dream:
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eat a salty pancake and go to sleep with the incantation: "Beloved, come, quench my thirst with water" — it was believed that the future husband would appear in a dream and quench your thirst;
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secretly place the pan used for baking pancakes all week under your mother’s bed and ask the beloved to come to your future mother-in-law for pancakes — in the morning, ask your mother who she dreamed of;
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hang a clean towel out the window with a request for the future husband to come and dry himself — if the towel is damp in the morning, a wedding this year is inevitable.
Fire, Wax, and Mirror Depths: The Most Mysterious Rituals
For lovers of mysticism, there were rituals with fire and mirrors:
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Write a wish on a piece of paper (for example, "I want to marry a rich and kind man"), light the paper with a candle — if the fire goes out before igniting the paper, the wish will not come true; if half burns — you will have to put in some effort; if it turns to ash — the wish will be fulfilled;
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Divination "Mirror Corridor": sit opposite a window in the dark, hold a mirror, and gaze into the reflection by candlelight — the image of the future spouse should appear in the mirror’s depths.
What to Do After the Divinations?
According to ancient belief, after all the rituals, you should place three copper coins under the plate with pancakes, wrap them in a napkin, and carry them in your wallet until the next Maslenitsa. This is supposed to attract luck and wealth. Will you check if it works?
By the way, Maslenitsa week ends with Forgiveness Sunday — in 2026, this day will mark the final point of the festive celebrations. On this day, it is customary to ask for forgiveness from loved ones and let go of grievances to enter Great Lent with a pure heart. So, while you experiment with divinations, don’t forget the main meaning of the end of Maslenitsa — reconciliation and kindness.
