Fortune-telling in January
New Year’s fortune-telling can be performed from December 25 to January 19. Fortune-telling should be avoided on Sundays and Mondays.
Most fortune-telling rituals are associated with the holy days (the period from Christmas to Epiphany) and are an integral part of this time, when the souls of the deceased come from “the other world”
and evil spirits become active. Since ancient times, it has been believed that during this period nothing prevents one from looking into the face of the future.
All girls dream of a happy marriage and love. And of course, who wouldn’t be curious to learn about their future in advance?
Fortune-telling (with a valenok) about the “direction” in which you will get married.
This is the most well-known and widespread type of fortune-telling. Girls take turns throwing a valenok (boot or slipper) onto the road and determine the direction in which they will marry based on where the “heel” of the boot points.
Fortune-telling (by choosing an object) about the “quality” of life and the future groom.
Objects are placed into a bowl, saucer, or boot; girls then choose them. The chosen object symbolizes future life: ash — a bad life, sugar — a sweet life, a ring — marriage, an onion — tears, a shot glass — a joyful life, a gold ring — a wealthy life, and so on.
Fortune-telling with a rooster.
Grain (or money) is poured into one plate, water is poured into another, a mirror is placed nearby, and sometimes a hen is brought in. If the rooster approaches the mirror, it symbolizes the beauty and tenderness of the future groom; if it approaches the grain or money — his wealth; if it approaches the water — a tendency toward drunkenness; if the rooster approaches the hen, then the groom will be a womanizer.
Fortune-telling with matches.
Two matches are inserted from the sides of a matchbox and lit. If the burnt match heads face each other, then the “intended” boy and girl will be together.
Fortune-telling (by a dog’s bark) about the groom’s age.
After certain actions, the participants listen carefully to a dog’s bark. “A hoarse bark promises an older groom, while a clear, ringing bark indicates a young one.”
A passerby’s exclamation
Go outside at midnight and ask the first person you meet their name. That will be the name of your destined partner, and he will be exactly as handsome and wealthy as that person.
Snow fortune-telling
At midnight, go outside and walk through fresh snow. If no one crosses your footprints before dawn, married life will be free and untroubled; if the footprints are trampled — your entire life will be spent arguing with your husband.
At midnight, go outside and throw a handful of snow against the wind. If the snowflakes fall directly on you, it means your husband will be young and handsome; if the snowflakes scatter away — the husband will be older.
