What is strictly forbidden to do on the winter solstice on December 21st
On December 21, the winter solstice will arrive — the moment when the Sun reaches its lowest point above the horizon, and the night becomes the longest of the year. In folk tradition, this day was considered a turning point and mystical: it was forbidden to quarrel, lend money and take out the trash, so as not to scare off luck. Other strict prohibitions can be found in the Izvestia article.
When is the winter solstice in 2025
The winter solstice in 2025 will occur on December 21, the moment when the Earth's northern hemisphere records the smallest value of the declination of the Sun and, consequently, the shortest duration of daylight per year. According to calculations by astronomical services and meteorological centers, the exact moment of the solstice in the Moscow time zone will occur at about 18:03 Moscow time. In daily reports and calendars, this event is recorded as a milestone: further, from December 22, the total light volume in the northern latitudes begins to gradually increase.
For residents of Moscow and neighboring regions, the typical light regime on the day of the solstice is as follows: sunrise at about 08:58, sunset at about 15:58, which gives about seven hours of daylight. These values may vary slightly depending on the specific observation point and calculation methods, but the principle remains the same, December 21 should be considered the shortest day in terms of illumination.
What is strictly prohibited on December 21
In traditional culture, many prohibitions related to key calendar dates had a pragmatic and symbolic basis. The winter solstice marked the boundary between the old and new annual cycles, and in the popular consciousness, the future course of the fate of the family and household depended on the actions of people on this day.
Quarrels and conflicts were considered dangerous because they disrupted social and family order at a time when the community was symbolically reloading its resources; it was believed that strife attracted troubles and prevented the arrival of good luck. Accordingly, proverbs and prohibitions formed a social norm — during the festive and ritual period, people had to demonstrate agreement and mutual support.
The ban on borrowing money on this day also has deep roots: according to popular beliefs, lending or borrowing on "pivotal" dates means opening a channel for the leakage of benefits for your home. In popular folklore literature and modern collections of books, this rule is interpreted simply: money lent at the symbolic moment of the transition of the year can "go away" forever, and with them the financial success of the family.
It was believed that on the day of the solstice, one should not take out the garbage from the house, because along with the waste, one can "take out" luck, well-being, or even the soul of the house.
Folk signs: what will attract misfortune
Folk observations have developed over the centuries, and many signs are associated with the weather, animal behavior, and household rituals. On December 21, special attention was paid to external signs: if there was frost on the day of the solstice, this was interpreted as a harbinger of a harsh winter. A warm, foggy day leads to a thaw and unstable weather. The interpretations had economic value, and decisions were made on food supplies and housing preparation based on them.
Among the signs that were considered to bring misfortune were family quarrels, unwillingness to help, and stinginess, which were popularly perceived as a path to social isolation and poverty.
What should be done on December 21st
Modern sources and folklore studies recommend combining symbolic actions with rational preparation. The traditional set of useful activities for solstice day includes general cleaning, preparing supplies for the winter, and strengthening the home.
If you believe the folk tradition, it makes sense to carry out symbolic purification rituals: fumigating the house with herbs, sprinkling the thresholds with salted water, burning notes with what you want to let go, or placing coins under the threshold for good luck. The effectiveness of these practices is largely psychological.: they help to "close" the year, fix the intention and start a new cycle with a clean page.
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