What should Russians avoid doing between Christmas & Epiphany to avoid trouble?

In Russian folklore, ‘Svyatki’ is not only one of the most ancient and beautiful annual holidays, but also a rather “dangerous” period. It's no coincidence that the second week of ‘Svyatki’ was dubbed "scary evenings". That’s because it's a time of… timelessness: the old year has died, the new one has not yet been born, so the world order is disrupted. Particular care was needed to avoid upsetting the delicate balance between chaos and harmony.

Therefore, during this period, it was customary to flirt with the world of the dead: dressing up as animals and devils and walking the streets singing, telling fortunes and engaging in fistfights, which often led to spilling blood into the snow. On the other hand, it was necessary to observe a number of taboos to avoid bringing illness, poverty or any other misfortune upon oneself and one's family.

So, what was forbidden during ‘Svyatki’?

1. Engaging in women's handicrafts – sewing, knitting and spinning. Russian peasants said that those who work during ‘Svyatki’ "will not have cows or goats". Handicrafts also threatened vision problems, even blindness. Therefore, spinning wheels were sometimes hidden altogether.

2. Hunting, fishing and slaughtering livestock. A hunter or fisherman could anger the spirits of the forest or water bodies and be punished for it. Slaughtering livestock is hard work, which was also considered highly undesirable during this period.

3. Doing "dirty" housework: cleaning, washing, taking out the trash, especially on Epiphany Eve (January 18th). This could "defile" the water or "sweep" happiness and prosperity from the home.

4. Counting money, especially small change, lending or borrowing or making large transactions. This could lead to tears, poverty and long-term financial difficulties.

5. Swearing, arguing, using foul language and getting angry. Any words or thoughts spoken in anger can boomerang, leading to potential illness and loss.

6. Refusing help, alms to beggars or treats to mummers, who went door-to-door. Generosity ensured prosperity throughout the year, while greed only brought disaster and crop failure.

7. Getting married. This is a case where Christian tradition converged with paganism. The Christian ban on the sacrament of marriage also existed during these days. People used to say, "Only wolves get married on ‘Svyatki’."