According to the folk calendar - Venedikt's day, Skotnik

On March 27 (March 14 is the date according to the old style), according to the folk calendar, Venedikt’s Day is celebrated, also called Skotnik The name of the day is borrowed from the name of St Benedict of Nursia, whose memory is honored by Orthodox Christians on this date Saint Benedict was born in the 5th century in Nursia, Italy, and was educated in Rome The immoral life of society burdened him, so Benedict became a monk and retired to the mountains Dozens of monks reached out to him, wanting to become his disciples Then Benedict built the Monte Cassin monastery and created a charter with strict rules The monk knew how to heal the sick with prayers addressed to God People often called the day Skotnik Since large livestock were beginning their coat change period, the owners took care of them on this day The cattle were taken out into the yard, cleaned of dirt and old hair, and allowed to graze the first grass The barns were put in complete order: they ventilated, collected and transported manure to the fields, and laid a clean bedding of hay Horses, cows and goats were considered the first helpers and breadwinners on the farm During the famine period, when flour supplies ran out in the barns, dairy products came in very handy for the peasants Therefore, people performed various rituals to protect livestock, read conspiracies against diseases, the evil eye and the influence of evil spirits The stables and yard were sprinkled with holy water to protect the animals from harm There were various prohibitions on Venedikt's Day They avoided eating meat products so as not to offend livestock It was forbidden to use sharp tools and chop trees for firewood, otherwise household members could quarrel We refrained from looking in the mirror on this day so that our vitality would not leave us But they made sure to pray to Saint Benedict for prosperity and peace The signs on Skotnik were associated with animals If a cow gave less milk than usual, they prepared for worse weather Butting sheep predicted strong winds If the cattle ate with appetite but refused to drink, rainy weather was expected A tripping horse foreshadowed trouble on the journey, but sleeping standing up meant the approach of frost, sleeping lying down meant warming