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Folk omens for October 18: what can and cannot be done on this day
On October 18, Orthodox Christians remember the Great Martyr Tsaritina, who lived in the city of Pontus near the Black Sea in the 4th century.
Orphaned early, she came to believe in Christ and suffered at the hands of pagans for her faith. In folk tradition, this day is called the first canvas. Since then, canvases, felt boots, and bast shoes have been woven.
By this day, field work was mostly completed and people began preparing winter clothing and footwear. The first fabric woven on this day was called "life-giving fabric" and was given to newborns or brides in the hope that it would protect them from the evil eye. A small piece of fabric was placed under the foundation or threshold of a new house.
There were also signs on this day. It was forbidden to be idle, so as not to scare away luck, and also to engage in empty talk and swearing. Dark-colored clothes were not worn, women were not allowed to wear men's clothes and shoes, and also to do all the housework. That day I washed all the dishes, but did not throw out the trash, so as not to throw away my happiness.
Weather signals were used to determine the time of approach. Clouds against the wind meant cold weather, crows circling the sky meant snow, and trees splitting in the forest meant warm weather was expected.