I’m not really a religious person, but I like all the superstitions connected to religion. Most superstitions are from ancient times, even before we became Christians.

Today I will tell you a bit about Epiphany superstitions that we have :).

First of all, on this day ( 6 January ) it is said that the sky is open and that on this day people can predict how the year will be.

On this day, all the water becomes Holy. But for that to happen, the priest will say some magical words and plays a bit with some basil.

 All the water will stay Holy for eight weeks, so the women shouldn’t wash clothes (I wonder why just women are supposed to wash ?. Men do not wash? ) for the next eight weeks ( really a lot of time if you ask me, you do need to have a lot of clothes. :)) ) if you do wash then the waters will be defiled.

The water from church, after blessing it turns into Holy Water. This Holy Water will be put by people in bottles and brought home. Over the year furthermore for the first eight days from today, they drink a bit in the morning before they eat or drink anything.

People believe they will feel better and the evil banished.

On this day, young men jump in the cold water of a river or lake. They dive into the water to catch the crucifix that the priest is throwing in the river or lake. They believe if they bring the crucifix, they will be lucky and healthy all year. Many years ago, they wouldn’t have just the belief of being fortunate because then, the lord would have given to the person who would bring the crucifix a lot of good material things, plus he would gain the respect, of the community. I find it a little crazy, as it is so damn cold at this time of year.

Today, the tradition says that the devils get out of the waters. The only creature that can see them is the wolf, who will scare them away ( I wonder in Bucharest who would do that as we don’t have wolves and lately not even so many dogs).

For the same reason keeping devils at bay in some regions, men will shoot above the river, so they scare the devils. In some other regions, young men will light a fire and then jump above the fire to banish the evil.

On the night before Epiphany, the animals are starting to talk and say about hidden treasures ( I wonder if my cat would be good enough to share that with me :))

If you are a woman and you are dying of curiosity to find if you will get married this year and if you don’t have yet, a prince then put some basil under your pillow and get a nap, you might dream of the chosen one. For that to happen, you have to fast that day.

If you already have a prince, yet this prince doesn’t get the idea that you want to be married, then if you desire to find out if he finally decided that, you need to fall on ice on this day, you might get married this year then. You might also get married if you see a white horse on this day. I think it is easier but painful to fall on ice than see a white horse, at least in my city 🙂 good that I don’t plan to get married :))

If you want to be beautiful all year and everyone to like you then you first have to go to the church get some Holy Water and then pour some water three times on your head, if you have more courage and you like a cold you can take a swim in a river, lake. I don t think a pool would work, yet you can give it a try :))

On this day, you can predict how the year will be: if it is cold and a lot of ice and snow, it will be a good year if not then a bad year.

Also, if you don’t want to have some flea in the summer, you have to sweep after the priest visited you. But on this day, you shouldn’t throw your garbage out.

I hope you enjoyed some of our superstitions 🙂