Yuletide fortune-telling and the night before Christmas. love letter

Holy Week is the days between the birth of Christ and his baptism. Not everyone knows what date Christmastide begins and how many days it lasts. And Christmas Eve begins on Christmas Eve on January 6 in the evening after the first star rises in the sky, the final final date is Epiphany on January 19. As a result, the Yuletide period lasts 2 weeks, right up to the Epiphany itself.

In 2018, Christmastide also begins with the Nativity of Christ and continues until Epiphany Eve. IN church calendar This is an important winter holiday in Rus'. There are many beliefs associated with Christmas. The holiday week in 2018, as in other years, will begin on Christmas Eve on January 6th.

From January 6, from the beginning of Christmas time, the souls of the dead return to our world of the living. From this day on, evil spirits are activated. On holy days, witches hold a sabbath, go wild and have fun with the unclean. But, besides this, on these important Christmas days, in which a miracle is possible.

Magic rituals can begin when the holiday week begins. Fortune telling and rituals for Christmastide for the betrothed are the most popular these days. Christmastide in Rus' lasts 2 weeks: holy week from the evening of January 6 to January 13 (Old New Year), as well as January 14 to 19 -a terrible week, right up to Epiphany. These days in the best possible way Suitable for fortune telling, ceremonies, divination, rituals. Christmas fortune-telling will help you find out the future, and rituals will help you shape and attract necessary development events in the coming year.

What to do on Christmas time: traditions

The Nativity Fast ends on January 6th. On this day you can already drink a little alcohol. On the first day, they visit relatives and friends. People come to visit with congratulations and gifts. It is also customary to thank loved ones for their care and love. Do it sincerely, with all your heart.

Christmastide begins to be celebrated on January 7th. You can start the meal the day before, January 6, when the first star rises. At least 12 dishes are placed on the table.

Another tradition is “Yuletide tales”; in the evenings the whole family gathered in a close circle, invited guests and told tales. There are entire collections of folk stories. Among them you can find original works. Tales were distinguished by mystery, the presence of magic, and miraculous events always took place in them.

During the day on holy days, it was customary for people to go sledding down the hills. And after Christmas time, brides and grooms were matched together, the period of matchmaking began.

IN last days Holy week they were preparing for Epiphany. They made an ice hole in nearby reservoirs. The ice hole had a special shape - a cross.

Throughout the holiday period, you should analyze your income, draw up a budget, and do planning. It is also customary to carry out various fortune telling for Christmas and Christmastide.

What not to do on Holy Week

Popular wisdom put forward a number of requirements that prohibited performing certain actions on holy days.

• You can't count money. It is especially prohibited to count small coins. You will attract tears.
• You cannot sew, embroider, knit in the evening before holidays, or on holy days, otherwise there will be a lot of worries throughout the year that will be difficult to cope with.
• You cannot buy real estate, start new businesses, or open a business during the holiday weeks. At this time, evil spirits are active, they can ruin all your endeavors and bring disaster.
• You can't do hard work.
• It is forbidden to baptize children and get married.
• 7, also on Epiphany on January 19, it is forbidden to guess so as not to lose your luck.

Christmas time fortune telling, superstition

The most suitable time for fortune telling, various predictions and rituals is Christmastide. These days in January, information about the future is open. Every year, young girls and boys used it for Christmas fortune-telling, although this was not approved by the church. Information about upcoming events was available because in the week from Christmas Eve until Epiphany, spirits descend to earth, and through them it was possible to get answers to people’s questions.

Fortune telling is a fascinating and extraordinary way to find out your future. To be precise, fortune telling means prediction. Since ancient times, man wanted to know what awaited him ahead. For this purpose, he used various available means. What motivates people in this case? ...

Fortune telling in Christianity is considered a sin, but on Christmastide one could tell fortunes about grooms, find out about the future harvest, and predict the weather. And then the sins were washed away at Epiphany in an ice hole.

Yuletide fortune-telling was especially popular with young girls of marriageable age; they really wanted to know whether they would get married, what kind of husband they would have. Adults also wondered; they learned about their future. During Christmas time it was allowed to tell fortunes in certain places. Baths, vegetable gardens, verandas, and crossroads were used for this sacred event. In the house it was possible to come into contact with evil spirits only at night, and for protection it was necessary to light candles.

Christmastide fortune telling at home

If you are interested in the topic of fortune telling and prediction, then you should try popular folk techniques. Fortune telling during the Yuletide period is carried out at home; for this you should prepare the attributes in advance, study the technique, choose a place and make sure that no one disturbs you.

Fortune telling for Christmas time, prediction on wax

Want to know your future? For Christmas fortune-telling, prepare white paraffin candles and leftover wax candles, metal dishes, a deep cup, fire, and water.

Place the candles in a bowl, place the container on the fire and wait until the wax and paraffin melt. Pour the melted wax into another white container filled with water. Wait until the figure freezes. It is used to look at the future of the person being guessed at. There are the following interpretations of cast wax figures.

Interpretation of wax figures

• Home - replenishment, prosperity, for a virgin - imminent marriage.
• Ruins are a misfortune in life in the coming year.
• Cave, pit - predicts serious illness, death.
• Rock - obstacles on the way, in the work begun.
• Heart – love, mutual understanding.
• Tree - if its branches are raised up, then joyful events are expected in the near future, drooping branches promise melancholy, sad news.
• Flower - joy, success, brilliant prospects.
• Ring - wedding soon.
• A candle or a church dome is a wedding.
• Damn, which also fell to the bottom - protracted girlhood, obstacles to marriage.
• A dog, an animal with an open mouth - impending trouble.
• Angel - receiving help from above.
• A dog, a horse's head - a faithful friend, support for loved ones.
• Drop – cash replenishment, payments.
• Star – ambulance Higher powers, all problems in life will be solved by themselves;
• Ship - changes, travel, changes in the financial, spiritual, personal spheres;
• The horseshoe is a harbinger of successful transactions.
• Turtle - slowdowns in business.
• Rooster - it's time to act.
• Snake - duality: curled up in a ball - there is a person who is watching you, if the snake is active - aggression towards the one who is telling fortunes.
• The bear is a strong helper, protector; Teddy bear is a caring period.
• Mouse - empty bustle, fussiness, fear.
• Caterpillar - complete collapse, failure.
• Spider is cunning and cunning.
• A hare is a danger for a man, but a gift for a woman.
• Pig - correct actions, deferred profit (correct).
• Hedgehog - the intensity of relationships with people, a certain person.
• Waves – quick decisions, unexpected changes.

Christmastide fortune telling by shadow

A simple and familiar fortune telling to many. Take a sheet of newspaper; regular white A4 will do. Knead in your hands to form a ball. There is no need to knead tightly. The leaf is crumpled by the one to whom it is predicted. Then place the paper ball on a plate, it should be very flat, you can just turn the regular one over. The plate is placed next to the wall. They set the paper on fire and wait for it to burn out. Place a candle behind the plate. Look at the shadow, and they predict the future from it. The shadow is formed by burnt paper. The meaning of the figures coincides with the interpretation of the figures in wax fortune telling.

Christmas fortune telling for marriage by egg

To predict the future, you need to take a glass in the evening on holy days, pour 3/4 of water into it and beat the egg white into it. chicken egg. First hold it in your hands and mentally formulate the question. The glass with the protein must be placed in the oven. Preheat the oven. Wait until the whites turn white. Take it out of the glass. Now, look at the resulting figure.

If the squirrel figurine looks like:

• ring - wait for the wedding;
  church dome - get ready for a wedding;
• a square, a figure with right angles - expect a fatal disease;
• ship - get ready to move to another city after the wedding.
• Damn, it's a flat circle - you'll still be wearing girls for a long time.

Fortune telling about your betrothed in the mirror

All girls of marriageable age dream of one thing - to find out what their groom will be. Yuletide fortune-telling will help you predict what your husband will be like. They are held on any day of Christmastide. But our grandmothers believed that the most accurate fortune telling was on the night of the 14th, that is, 13th at midnight. This night is the best time to cast a spell on the groom.

Yuletide fortune telling for the groom - accurate, effective ritual predictions, which are carried out at mirrors. Selected for prediction large room with a balcony, take two mirrors - one large, the second smaller. Previously, the ritual was carried out secretly in the bathhouse by girls who wanted to see their betrothed.

Preparing for fortune telling: take off the cross, tight clothes, put on a loose shirt, a dress without a belt, let your hair down, take off your shoes.

Place the mirrors as follows: a small mirror opposite a large one so that a visual mirror “corridor” is created in the large one. It will be endless. For better visibility, place lit candles on both sides of the mirror.

As soon as you approach the mirror, say: “My betrothed, in disguise, show yourself in the mirror.”

Sit quietly and peer into the mirror “corridor”. Try to focus your gaze. In about ten minutes you will see a picture of your future husband. Some people need more time for this, for example, 15-20 minutes. At the moment the image appears, sharply place a small mirror on the table with the mirror surface facing down and shout: “Fuck me!” Then cross yourself.

Christmas fortune telling for 4 kings for the betrothed

Ritual fortune telling for kings - great way find out what your husband will be like. Conducted by all girls who have not found their soul mate. To carry out this ritual you will need a deck of cards (regular, playing, new).
The technique for performing Christmas fortune telling for 4 kings and 4 jacks is as follows: Take a deck of cards, select 4 kings and 4 jacks from it, remove the rest. Before going to bed, mix kings and jacks and tuck them under your pillow. At the same time say:

Go to bed, try to remember the dreams you have that night. In the morning, as soon as you wake up, draw one card at random with your hand. If you come across:

• jack – future husband yours will be young;
• king - means that the groom will be older than you in age.

As for suits, spades mean a wealthy, successful man. Cross a stranger, a new acquaintance. Worms - the chosen one will be from the circle of closest friends and acquaintances. Tambourines are a betrothed acquaintance of friends who will introduce you.

Fortune telling for wish fulfillment

They perform fortune-telling during the holiday week; the night from 13 to 14 is best suited for this. There are several techniques for making wishes come true.

For cereal. Take the rice and place it on a plate. Make a wish over the cereal. State clearly without interpretation. Then take a handful of rice and lightly throw them on the table. Count the grains. If there are an even number of them, then HURRAY! Your wish will come true!

On the water: pour into a bowl clean water. Whisper your wish. Take the cup of water to the porch or balcony, outside, preferably under the open sky. In the morning, look: you will find a hole in the water - your wish will not come true; if the surface is flat, wait for your plan to come true.

On chicken bones. Prepare the chicken. Eat a paw for dinner. Save the bones. Fold them carefully into a rag, paper napkin red. And then take it outside the gate to the street. Make a wish. The following words are said:

Place the package outside the gate and go home.

Come to this place early in the morning and check: if the bones are not in place, then the wish will not come true; if the bones are dusted with snow, then you should abandon your plan, and if the bones are untouched, then everything you planned will come true.

Methods of fortune telling at Christmas time, simple and popular

There are several ways of fortune telling on Christmas Day. In Rus' they were used for predictions the following items: cereal, salt, cards, mirror, water, wax, candles. They often took coins and made predictions with the help of animals. The most popular in the village were simple methods of fortune telling at Christmas time; they were believed to be the most accurate. And in order for this to be so, you just need to believe! You all probably know the most popular fortune telling at Christmastime - throwing a boot or felt boot through a gate or out a window. Wherever your toe points, from there you can expect the groom.

Rituals on Christmas Day during the Holy Week

In the days from Christmas to Epiphany, our ancestors were always looking for signs and clues that would allow them to predict the future. Rituals on Christmas days before Epiphany were carried out with one purpose - to find out about your future. During this period, they wondered about the future groom, health, and fate. In order to see their future directly, they tried to perform the ritual and have a prophetic dream.

The ritual of “ordering” a prophetic dream was popular mainly among women. Do you also want to see a dream predicting the future, in which there will be clues and signs of fate? Remember, on holy days all doors are open subtle world, so pay special attention to your dreams. Very often in the period from 7 to 19 I dream prophetic dreams.

If you deliberately want to see a prophetic dream, then perform the following ritual. Take a round mirror. Place it under your pillow before going to bed. Relax before going to bed and say the following special words 3 times:

You will definitely see a prophetic dream, just don’t forget that you need to go to bed before midnight.

An original way of fortune telling for Christmas time

Among the original methods of fortune-telling at Christmastime, the following can be mentioned: pulling out a log from a woodpile, to which they approach with their backs and randomly pull out the log with their hand. If the log is straight, then the groom is good, but if it is crooked, the future husband will be clumsy and will have a flaw.

Fortune telling at the closet where clothes are stored. This method is also classified as non-trivial. This is not only an accurate but also a fun way of making predictions. Invite a boy or a girl of about 10 years old into a group of girls. The closet should contain men's and women's clothes. The child should walk with his back to the closet and then pull out one thing at random. At the same time, the child asks the question: “Whose is this?” Vying with each other, everyone who guesses must answer: “Mine.” Whoever is first is the one who gets the prediction.

If taken out of the closet:

• Suspenders - the future husband will have a big belly and a lover of food;
• tie - rich, wealthy;
• cowards - womanizer;
• scarf – with weak potency;
• pants - a cheerful joker;
• socks - a person of modest means;
• skirt - a fashionable person who follows fashion;
• gloves - “thievish”, dishonest;
• jacket or sweater– a good reliable spouse;
• hat - a smart person with high intelligence;
• shirt, shirt

  The winter solstice is celebrated as the most ominous day of the year. People call it “Karachun”, which among the Slavs meant “death”, “death”. People were afraid of this holiday; they performed various rituals to help the Sun be born again. They were looking forward to a new sunrise...
  

  The Christmas ritual was performed by those who were lonely and had already despaired of finding love. Everyone who wanted to meet their soulmate and tie the knot with her performed the following ritual at midnight during the holy week. You need to go to the church, walk around it 12 times clockwise. In this case, you should turn to God for help in finding new love. It is believed that such a ritual destroys loneliness and removes vows.

Fortune telling for Christmas and Christmastide is rightfully considered the most truthful. Christmas fortune telling has its roots in the times of pagan Rus'. It was fortune telling during the winter solstice (and this is the period of Christmastide) that was given special meaning in pagan times.

It was believed that it was on these days that otherworldly forces were most active, and the boundaries between worlds were thinner, which contributed to a more truthful result of New Year's, Christmas and Yuletide fortune-telling.

With the advent of Christianity in Rus', Christmas fortune-telling was not only preserved, but also acquired a more mystical meaning, and although the church tried to fight superstition and fortune-telling, they were carefully passed down from generation to generation, and have survived to this day in a little changed form.

Two weeks are called Christmastide winter holidays, from Christmas Eve, which falls on January 6, to Epiphany, celebrated on January 19.

When you decide to tell fortunes for Christmas, remember that the result of fortune telling may not meet your expectations, so is it worth spoiling your holidays...

A huge variety of methods for Christmas fortune-telling have been invented in Rus', but the main theme of all Christmas fortune-telling is fortune telling for the betrothed (groom). This is understandable, because in ancient times, the fate of a girl depended entirely on how successfully she would get married.

Yuletide fortune telling or fortune telling for Christmas time

Fortune telling on Christmas Eve is called “Yuletide” for a reason. It is on Christmas Eve, January 6, that the so-called Christmastide begins, which lasts until the night of Epiphany, January 19. In ancient times in Rus', people believed that this was a magical period at the beginning of the year, when higher powers willingly contact a person, and if you ask the spirits well, you can get a variety of answers and you can open the door of your future.

To predict your destiny and see what lies ahead, how life will turn out and what events may happen, it is important to know not only when to tell fortunes at Christmas, but what is needed for fortune telling. Traditional fortune telling in January with cards or on wax, on mirrors and logs, coffee grounds and many other available materials.

It has already been noted that fortune telling at Christmas time very often comes true and is accurate. Because these days the angels help and good spirits.

When can you guess in 2019?

Best time for fortune telling, as we have already reported, this is the night before Christmas.

It is then that astral spirits and ghosts penetrate physical world, making contact and communicating the facts of our future.

Another suitable period for winter attempts to look into your future is considered to be the period between January 8 and January 18. At this time, they are also guessing, recognizing their betrothed (name, hair color, character, class), an imminent or distant wedding, the number of children, a successful or unsuccessful marriage.

Vasiliev's evening is recognized as special when the result turns out to be highly accurate, even prophetic. This is January 13th.
No less successful in fortune telling is January 18 - Epiphany Eve.

Preparing for fortune telling on Christmastide

In order to get reliable answers and not harm themselves, fortune tellers had to meet a number of certain conditions:

• First of all, you had to take off your protection, that is, the cross. You understand that fortune telling is a “conversation with the devil,” and he, as you know, is afraid of the cross. It was also necessary to remove all the icons from the room in which the ceremony would be performed, or to cover them with a scarf.
• Secondly, you had to take off rings, belts and any other “closed” or “encircling” things. It's better to let your hair down.
• Thirdly, during the fortune telling itself, you should not cross your arms and legs. Even now, any esotericist will tell you that this blocks energy.
• Fourthly, there should be no other lighting in the room except from candles.
• Fifthly, before fortune telling (about a day in advance) you shouldn’t quarrel with anyone.

And lastly, it is imperative to maintain silence.

Well, these are, perhaps, the basic rules. In fact, this list could change at different times in different provinces, but these are subtleties.

Now, as for the place in which it is best to guess. It was believed that the place for this ritual should be “unclean.” The bathhouse fit this description perfectly; I have already briefly mentioned why the bathhouse is considered such a place; let’s not focus on this now. If for some reason there is no bathhouse nearby, then you can carry out the ceremony in the attic, basement, or in an abandoned house. And the very last option is at home (by the way, one of the least desirable).

By the way, in addition to all of the above, the girls wondered:

• at road intersections;
• in the courtyard of the house (there are several such fortune-telling);
• and the worst option is in the cemetery (it is believed that this place is reminiscent of strong energy, moreover, the line between the worlds is the thinnest).

Simple methods of fortune telling for Christmastide and Christmas 2019

Fortune telling by book

They took a book at random and asked a question. After this, they called the page number and the line number on it - what was written in that place in the book served as the answer.

Fortune telling on coffee grounds

You need to drink a cup of coffee, cover it with a saucer and tip it up and down three times. At the same time, the thicket will spread along the bottom, forming various figures, from which you need to guess. For example, the outline of a dog will symbolize friendship, the outline of a forest will symbolize wealth.

The image of the cross means patience. Wreath - glory. The ladder is the achievement of a desired and long-awaited goal. The shadow of a person predicts a pleasant date, the shadow of a house when fortune telling on coffee grounds is a symbol of abundance. The outline of a church or bell tower signifies a return home. A deer may portend a fast journey.

Hair fortune telling

Hair fortune telling has always been especially popular among girls. It is generally accepted that it should not be used more often than once a year. This predictive technique will help when a person has to make an important decision, and the choice will entail important consequences.

On a windless moonlit night, you should cut off a strand of your own hair, and then burn it on a fire and watch how it burns:

• if everything lights up at once, then soon expect changes for the better; success awaits you in any planned task;
• if they burn but smoke, then there will soon be changes in your life;
• if they burn brightly and for a long time, it means that major acquisitions await you;
• if they smolder and do not light up for a long time, then this is a warning about a major trouble or illness.

Fortune telling on Wax with a candle

This is one of the most popular and interesting methods of fortune telling during Christmas time. To tell fortunes in wax during the holidays, put cool water in a basin or bowl, a deep plate and pick up a wax candle. You need to light the candle and wait until a little wax melts.

Of course, in this matter you cannot do without a bit of imagination; it is advisable that you are not alone during fortune telling in order to correctly read and interpret the signs of fate from all sides. Of course, there are certain figures that appear more often than others. For example, a ring or wreath is a sign of imminent marriage.

A bad omen is a snake or a coffin.

The swan and the mushroom are good forms that promise only prosperity and success in the new year.

If, in addition to a large figure, many small figures appear on the water, this is an excellent sign. It indicates that in 2016 everything will be fine for you financially, you can expect a good income. Often the main figure turns out to be large and round, resembling an apple in outline. This is also an excellent sign that indicates prosperity and success in 2016. The egg is a symbol of unfounded fears.

The meaning of a candle flame during fortune telling:

• If you light a candle and you succeed the first time and it burns steadily, this is a good sign.
• If the candle sparks, hisses, whistles or makes some noise, it means that some important news or message awaits you.
• A wax candle that does not light well and barely burns is not a good sign.
• If during fortune telling the candle does not want to light, this is a sign that it is better not to tell fortunes today, but to postpone the ritual of fortune telling with candles to another day.

Meanings of wax figures in wax fortune telling:

If the wax is poured out in the shape of a horse, your life will change in better side.
Home for unmarried girl means a quick marriage; in Rus' this symbol has always meant farming.
Apple and pear mean wisdom and good health.

A wax figure resembling a ball or a round ball of the correct shape - the birth of a child.
A wax egg promises some changes in life.
If during fortune telling you see a deep hole, this is a sign of serious illness or death.

Wax figures resembling stripes are roads; you are destined to spend 2017 constantly moving.
If the wax did not form some kind of large figure, but was divided into small droplets, this indicates a monetary period.
Wax Mushroom Indicates Longevity

A wax figure resembling a tree with branches upward is a symbol of joy and prosperity.
A ring-shaped figure is a sign for a wedding.
If you see the shape of a pancake, this is a sign of late marriage.

The dragon will tell you about the work, which promises the successful completion of a large project.
Bell-shaped figures are a time of anxiety.

Flowers and berries are signs of love and marriage.
Figures from the cross are a symbol of anxiety and illness.

Fortune telling by mirror

This ancient fortune telling has always been considered the most accurate. However, it also carried dangers. Often impressionable young ladies lost their senses. And the whole point is that, according to ancient legends, a mirror is nothing more than the line between the real and the otherworldly.

There are many signs and customs associated with this belief. Previously, when mirrors were made using silver, it was believed that in addition to connecting with the world of spirits, they had a long memory, which could harm people. Therefore, almost all signs relating to the mirror are considered bad omens.

Everyone knows that broken mirror promises misfortune and trouble. In the old days, women were not allowed to look in the mirror during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth, because... it was believed that this could destroy the precarious line between the two worlds and harm the baby and mother. At the same time, the mirror also served as a strong amulet: it was believed that evil spirits, reflected in the mirror, instantly and forever lost their power.

But let's get back to the fortune telling itself. They told fortunes with a mirror in an “unclean” place (for example, in a bathhouse, where they washed off all the dirt from themselves), at midnight on Christmas Eve, when the boundary between reality and the other world became thinner. The girl who performed the divination had to be alone in the room.

She needed to take off her belt, let her hair down, and put two cutlery and a candle on the table. Having prepared everything necessary, the girl sat down facing the mirror and said: “Betrothed, mummer, come to me for dinner.”

At exactly midnight, in the mirror, she saw the face of a man leaning over her shoulder. At this moment, peering into the face of her future groom, she had to utter words that would drive away the image: “Cheer out of this place!” From that moment on, the danger subsided. It was believed that if this is not said, the betrothed might come out of the mirror, and then misfortune would occur.

Fortune telling by egg

Pour water into a glass and pour the protein into it raw egg. Place the glass in a heated oven so that the whites curl. After this, take out the glass and carefully look at the resulting figure.

Interpretation of figures:

1. A church dome or ring means an imminent wedding.
2. Rectangle or square - serious illness, death.
3. Ship - moving after marriage to another city or country.
4. A pancake that has sunk to the bottom is a series of adversities and troubles, a long girlhood.

Take blank slate paper and crumple it, then place it on the bottom of an inverted plate and set it on fire. When the paper burns out, bring the saucer with the ashes to the wall and carefully turn the plate until a shadow appears on the wall, the outlines of which will be the result of fortune telling. How to interpret a shadow? Using your imagination!

Christmas fortune telling by nut shell

Pour water into a basin. Along the edges of the pelvis, attach strips of paper on which events are written, for example, a wedding, a trip, receiving money, new job etc. (if there is only one fortuneteller), or the names of all those present who want to know their future.

In the second case, one event is planned, in particular a wedding, engagement, meeting a future spouse, etc.
Take half a shell walnut and secure the stub of a church or birthday candle in it. Light the candle and push the “boat” to the middle of the pelvis. From there, the shell should float to one of the notes on its own.

But the dream will come true only if the paper, upon contact with the boat, lights up from the candle flame.

Fortune telling by ring

Take a bowl of clean water, throw it at her wedding ring and put it in the frost. In the morning, look how frozen the water is. If the surface of the water is smooth, the fortune-telling woman will not have children in the near future. If the surface is uneven, look at it very carefully, because the bumps are boys, and the depressions are girls. Accordingly, the number of tubercles and dimples you count, the number of children you will have.

When everyone is asleep, you need to take the gold chain, rub it between your palms, hold it in your right hand, shake it and throw it on the table.

• A circle has formed - closed troubles are expected;
• streak - luck;
• node - difficulties and illnesses;
• triangle - love success;
• bow – wedding;
• snake - betrayal;
• heart is love.

Fortune telling with a knife

For this type of fortune telling, gypsies use a round wooden board about 30 centimeters in diameter for cutting bread. If you don’t have a board of this size at hand, you can take a tray or cut a circle out of cardboard. Along the edges
circle write answers to the most frequently asked questions:

"Yes",
"No",

"Be patient"
“Beware: there is an enemy next to you, hiding under the guise of a friend,”

"Good news"
"Love Letter"

"Luck in the undertaking"
"Unexpected Guest"

"Love",
"Today's tears will turn into joy tomorrow"

"Unexpected news"
« New love»,

"An Unexpected Meeting"
"Journey",
"Important letter."

Place an ordinary kitchen knife in the center of the circle and mentally formulate a question. Rotate the knife around its axis three times. One of the three messages that the tip of the knife will point to will be the answer to the question asked.

The other two may be the cause or effect of the predicted event. If, after rotation, the tip of the knife stops at an equal distance from the two messages, the fortune telling must be repeated.

Fortune telling YES-NO

Hold over a jar containing any cereal or grain. left hand palm down. While concentrating, you need to ask the question that interests you.

After this, take a handful of cereal from the jar and pour it onto the table, then count the number of grains. If the number of grains is even, this means a positive answer - YES, an odd number means a negative answer - NO.

Fortune telling with a needle

Take the needle and white thread. Thread the thread through the eye. Take the thread by the end right hand, and point the tip of the needle to the center of the palm of your left hand at a short distance from it. Keep an eye on the needle. If it begins to sway across your palm, it means you are having a girl, if along it means you are having a boy.

After the needle stops, it may begin to swing again, which means it alerts you to the gender of the next baby. Wait until the needle stops making any movements at all, and until then, count the number of your children and do not forget to remember their gender.

Christmas fortune telling by barking dogs

At midnight, take a knife, go outside, go to a snowdrift and start cutting the snow with a knife, saying: “Damn, damn, don’t be silent, damn, damn, tell me what kind of husband I’ll get, will I have to laugh or cry?”

After pronouncing the words of the spell, shut up and listen carefully to the barking of the dogs. If an angry, abrupt bark is heard, it means that the future husband will be strict and gloomy.

If the dogs bark cheerfully and loudly, then the husband will be cheerful and kind.

It is very bad if you hear a dog howling during fortune telling. This suggests that the marriage will not last long and very quickly the young wife will become a widow.

Fortune telling on the number and gender of future children

On Christmas evening, you need to pour water into a glass, put a ring in it and put it out in the cold. Before going to bed, a glass is taken out of the cold and future children are judged by the icy surface formed in it.

The number of tubercles indicates the number of boys, and the number of pits indicates how many girls there will be.

Fortune telling about your future husband

Fortune telling at Christmas for your future husband is the most popular type of fortune telling among girls. There are a lot of fortune telling about your future husband. One of the simplest ones is to go out into the street and ask the first man passing by his name - this will be the name of your future spouse. Also, the appearance of this person will tell you how handsome and rich your groom will be.

You can find out what the groom will look like in your own dream. This dream must be prophetic. To summon him, take a clean comb before going to bed, slowly comb your hair with it, while saying: “Betrothed-mummer, come to me dressed up.” Then put the comb under your pillow and go to bed.

In the old days they used to tell fortunes using logs. The girl had to leave the house at night and, in complete darkness, select one log from the woodpile, without looking at it and without exchanging for another if it was difficult to pull out. Arriving at the house, you need to carefully examine the log, because it can tell a lot about your future spouse.

A smooth and even log is a good and handsome groom. A rough log is an ugly but hard-working husband. Thick and good bark – rich tapering. Stripped bark - poor groom. A thick log means a large and strong future husband. A log with knots is a big family. A crooked log is an old groom or one with physical disabilities.

Christmas fortune telling for love

This fortune telling is for those who are lonely but passionate about finding true love. At midnight, go to the nearest church and walk around it 12 times. It is believed that this ritual destroys loneliness and promotes the emergence of new love.

Fortune telling by wish

Fortune telling about desires is as different as others. We suggest you try to tell fortunes using grains, take a handful of them in your left hand, clench your palm into a fist and say your wish out loud.

After this, count the number of grains. If you have an even number of grains in your hand, your wish will come true, but an odd number - not now.

You can tell your wish by looking at a cat, if you have one in your house. Make a wish and invite your cat to come to you. If he crosses the threshold of the room with his right paw, the wish will come true, but with his left - not.

During Christmas fortune-telling, you need to look for only good meaning. Bad omens should not be given any importance, otherwise you will set yourself up for failure in the new year.

If you didn’t have time to tell your fortune for Christmas, don’t worry! Christmas time is ahead of you, and that means almost 2 weeks of exciting and fun fortune-telling!

Video: Christmas fortune telling at home

Traditionally, from January 7 to January 19, fortune telling is carried out for the coming year, fate, future and betrothed. This time is called Christmastide. The Yuletide period serves as the boundary between the old and new solar years and was perceived as a “bad time.” Next year hasn't arrived yet, but old year has already passed, the upcoming future is dark and incomprehensible.

They believed that at this time the souls of the dead appeared on earth, and evil spirits became especially dangerous, since during the timeless period the border between the world of people and the world hostile to them evil spirits was blurry.

Ideas about a “bad” time are reflected in the name “terrible week” in relation to the second half of Christmastide; The first half of Christmastide, which began with the Nativity of Christ, was called “holy week.” Pagan ideas merged with Christian ones: legends said that God opened the gates of hell so that demons and devils could also celebrate Christmas.

Especially true fortune telling They happen on January 13th on Vasilyev's evening and on January 18th on Epiphany Eve. According to ancient beliefs, the most accurate way to tell fortunes about your betrothed is on the night of January 13-14. Prophetic dreams often occur at this time, so if you dreamed of something unusual, think about what it could mean for you.

True fortune telling for Christmas and Christmas: for the betrothed with a mirror

Fortune telling by mirror is considered one of the most dangerous Russian Christmas fortune telling for one's betrothed.

Fortune telling begins at midnight; the girl must be alone in the room.

For fortune telling you will need a mirror and a candle. Let your hair down; if you are wearing a belt, take it off. Place the mirror in front of you, next to it there is a candle, which should be the only source of light. Quietly say the spell: “Mummer, come to me for dinner,” and look in the mirror. The appearance of the groom is heralded by a slight flickering of a candle and a fogged or darkened mirror. Look carefully at left shoulder of your reflection. Examine the face and say the amulet spell: “Beware of this place!” After these words, the image of the man will disappear, and you will be out of danger.

You can tell fortunes using two mirrors. Place them opposite each other, and candles between them. If you did everything correctly, a kind of corridor should appear in the reflection. Leave only your closest friends in the room, but they should not disturb you or comment. Start peering into the corridor and wait for the groom to appear. After completing the fortune telling, it is also necessary to cast a talisman spell.

True fortune-telling for Christmastide and Christmas: from scraps

This fortune telling will help you find out about the appearance of your betrothed or betrothed. You need to guess alone, on any holy day, preferably at dusk. Place scraps of fabric in a box different colors- white, black, red, brown. Ask the question: “What color will my fiancée’s hair be?” Then take out any piece of paper. White means light hair, black means dark hair, red means red hair, brown means light brown hair. In the same way, you can find out eye color, nose length and other external signs.

True fortune-telling for Christmastide and Christmas: in the name of the future husband

1. “Christmas time has come, what a joy, windy youth is telling fortunes,” wrote Pushkin, describing this interesting Yuletide fortune-telling. At all times, young girls went out at night and asked the first man they met his name. It was considered the name of the future husband.

2. The names of possible candidates for marriage are written on the bulbs. They put them in the water. Which bulb will sprout first - on behalf of that, wait for the proposal.

3. Write little notes with names, roll them up and put them under the pillow. The next morning they pull one out and read the name of the betrothed.

True fortune telling for Christmas and Christmas: who will the future husband be?

One of the most interesting fortune telling for Christmas. Objects are laid out on the table from which the husband’s profession can be guessed. In the old days it was bread, a book, keys, coal, meaning the work of a peasant, blacksmith, priest and merchant. Nowadays modern things are used, but among them there should be a wedding ring. A blindfolded girl chooses an object. If a ring comes into her hands, it means she will certainly get married in the coming year, but who this person will be is unknown.

Scissors - this will be a fashion designer, a computer disk - a programmer, a candle - a priest, a pen - a writer (official), a knife - a military man, a glass - a drunkard, cereal - a businessman, ashes - a loser, a coin - generous, a mirror - a dandy (reveler), a hatchet - wicked. And if a girl comes across a piece of coal, she will be a bride for another year.

True fortune-telling for Christmastide and Christmas: by thread

Only girls use the thread to tell fortunes. Thread three threads into three needles - black, white and red. Have someone carefully pin them to the back of your clothing. Without knowing in what order the needles are located, you pull out one thread. Red thread - rejoice - this year you will get married and have a child. Belaya - the road to the registry office is closed to you for now. Black - better pay attention to your career: marriage will not bring you happiness.

True fortune telling for Christmas and Christmas: on coffee grounds

To read the sign correctly, it is better to use a simple-shaped cup. After drinking coffee, cover the cup with a saucer and shake it up and down three times.

The thicket spreads along the bottom, forming intricate figures:

- The outline of the dog symbolizes friendship.

- Forest is wealth.

- Staircase - achieving the desired goal.

- Cross - patience.

- The wreath is glory.

- The mill is a lie.

- Cliff - sadness, melancholy, loneliness.

- A person’s shadow is a pleasant date.

- The shadow of a house is a symbol of abundance.

- Arable land is a good sign - fertility, shoots, success.

- Meadow, field with grazing animals - fulfillment of desires.

- Church, bell tower - returning home.

- Deer is a fast track.

- Gate - arrival of guests.

- The mountain is a difficult path in life.

True fortune-telling for Christmas and Christmas: on tea leaves

Holding the cup in your left hand, stir the tea (the liquid should slightly cover the bottom) - making three sharp turns with the cup clockwise, and turn the cup over, holding it with the handle towards you, slightly tilting it, and look inside. Mentally divide the volume of the cup in half. Everything that is closer to the pen is directly related to the fortuneteller, the rest is related to strangers, but familiar people. Tea grounds at the sides of the cup predict the near future, and at the bottom - the distant future:

- The bottle is a health hazard.

- Mountains are obstacles on the path of life.

- Tree - deliverance from diseases, fulfillment of desires.

- The key is to health, prosperity, wealth, happiness in love.

- The road is two tracks or two rails - to near changes, if the lines are winding - the path is difficult.

- A turn is associated with drastic changes in life.

- One big star in the center of the cup is a warning: it’s time to change the nature of your activity, otherwise troubles await you.

- The contours of an airplane indicate an unexpected journey.

- Cross - troubles, suffering, anxiety, illness.

- Coffin - sad news, losses, regrets.

- Circle - a happy event, marriage.

- Two laps - disappointment.

- Ruins are broken hopes.

- The ball - ups and downs.

- Ladder - take-off in official and personal affairs.

- Heart is a symbol of love.

- A heart at the bottom of a cup is a disease, a heart attack in a loved one.

- Arrow is bad news. If it flies away from you, you yourself can become a messenger of trouble for those around you.

True fortune-telling for Christmastide and Christmas: by wax

Fortune telling, very common in Rus' since ancient times. You need: wax (wax candle), large spoon, bowl of water, small open fire (a regular burner or candle fire will do).

If the candle is hard, you can grate it on a coarse grater or simply cut it into pieces. The wax needs to fit into a tablespoon. Melt the wax and then quickly, in one bold motion, pour it into the bowl of cold water. And look, look! Silhouettes, shapes and strange patterns can tell a lot about the future. You can interpret many of the figures yourself - they can resemble a palm tree (vacation in a hot country), Pushkin’s profile (discovery of a poetic gift) or the $ sign.

But some figures have special meaning:

- If the wax breaks up into small droplets, it means money.

- Many stripes - there will be many trips in the year.

- Fan - difficulties at work, friction in the team. The more clearly the fan is “drawn”, the more serious problems should be expected.

- Grapes - good luck and happiness in the coming year.

- Mushroom - vitality, health, and not only yours, but also your loved ones.

- The figure of a dragon - achieving a goal, making a dream come true.

- A bell always means news. A bell that is straight on all sides portends good things, a curved bell portends bad things, and several bells mean alarm.

- Asterisk(s) - good luck at work or in school.

- A leaf from a tree - someone is up to no good, they envy you and weave intrigues behind your back.

- The Monkey promises betrayal, false friends and lies.

- Pants portend a quick choice on the path of life.

- Flower - congratulations! - promises a happy marriage or a romantic meeting.

- Human figure - a new friend will appear.

- If a figure resembling an apple has been formed from wax, take a closer look - the smoother it is, the better the sign; if the apple turns out to be crooked, a temptation awaits you in the future, which you should refuse.

- The egg has always symbolized new life, be it either the birth of a child or changes in life. In any case, it will be something new and unknown.

True fortune telling for Christmas and Christmas: with a knife

It has long been believed that this is how gypsies told fortunes. To do this, they used a round wooden board to cut bread with a diameter of about 30 centimeters. You can easily get by with a piece of cardboard or a large tray, along the edges of which you need to write answers to the most frequently asked questions:

- yes

- No

- be patient

- there is an enemy nearby, hiding under the guise of a friend

- good news

- love message

- good luck in business

- unexpected guests

- Love

- today's tears will be replaced by joy tomorrow

- unexpected news

- journey

- important letter

- new love

- postpone making a decision

Place an ordinary kitchen knife in the center of the circle and mentally formulate a question. Spin the knife three times. The answer will be a message that will be shown by the tip of the knife for the first time. The other two may be the cause or effect of the predicted event.

If the tip of the knife stops at an equal distance from the two messages, the fortune telling must be repeated.

True fortune telling for Christmas and Christmas: the gender of the unborn child.

Needed: ring, thread, glass of water.

Thread the thread through the ring and slowly lower it into a glass of water. Then just as slowly pull it out and bring it to your girlfriend’s palm. If the ring moves in a circular motion, a girl will be born. If it starts swinging like a pendulum, then it’s a boy.

Based on materials from http://www.tainoe.ru/gadania/svyatki.htm

Christmas fortune telling by the hour: If you have vintage wall clock, you can tell fortunes from them.
You need to lock yourself in the room where you are going to tell fortunes, turn off the lights and close the curtains. It is important that the room is pitch dark, otherwise the ritual may not work. First, leave your desk lamp or night light on. Take the glass out of the watch and remove the hour hand. Turn off the lamp, feel for the arrow adjustment wheel and start turning it in any direction. Do it quickly. After counting to twelve, stop and turn on the lamp. Take a look at the clock, or rather, at the hand. Pay attention to which number the arrow stops at. If it freezes between two numbers, choose the one to which it is closest. If the arrow is exactly in the center, give preference to the larger number.

Decoding fortune telling on the clock:
- If the arrow is on the number “1”, forget about changes. Life will proceed without shocks and surprises. This is a time of rest and relaxation, which, however, will not be as long as we would like.

- the arrow on the number “2” means that you should be examined by doctors as soon as possible. Yours good health perhaps deceptive, and soon you will be faced with a disease that needs to be prevented.

- The arrow at “3” foreshadows the successful completion of the work begun. But you shouldn’t rely on simple luck - success doesn’t come on its own. Only hard work and perseverance will help you achieve your goal.

- An arrow stopping at the number “4” signifies imminent trouble. Be prepared to meet them fully armed, and only attentiveness and caution will help prevent them.

- Five hours will mean quick enrichment. Luck and hard work, perseverance and caution will lead to the fact that you will have a lot of money, which, however, you will also have to save. Many crooks may pay attention to you.

- The arrow on the number "6" is a dangerous sign. Soon troubles and misfortunes will fall on your head. Exercise extreme caution - only in this case will you be able to endure this black streak with dignity.

- Number " 7 " means an unprecedented career rise. Do not lose your head at the peak of success - this mountain is difficult to climb, but easy to fall. Concentrate all your strength, show all your talents to withstand this test.

- The hand at eight o'clock foreshadows conflict. Try not to get involved - be modest and calm, don’t run into a quarrel. If you are challenged, do not accept it. Curb your pride and maintain a measured rhythm of life.

- Nine o'clock - time of Darkness. You don’t control the situation, you don’t know what to do to change everything for the better. You're unlucky, but it's temporary. A few weeks, or maybe even days, will pass, and something will happen that will radically change your current situation.

- If the arrow stops at the number “10”, be sure of your safety - no machinations of enemies will affect you, even indirectly. Calmness is the main thing in your situation. If you worry, you will harm yourself.

- 11 o'clock - the beginning of happy time. Wherever you go, new friends and pleasant acquaintances await you. Any struggle in the name of high goals, Honor and Good will be successful. Completely unexpected people, whose help you could not count on, will help you with this.

- Number " 12 "is a wonderful sign. You are the star followed by others. You will become the main participant in future events, so choose your friends carefully. Only people who are truly devoted to you will be able to help you achieve noble goals.

Illustrative photo from the site newsgoroskop.ru

Fortune telling for Christmas - ancient tradition. They allowed girls to determine the name of their betrothed, find out when they would get married, and how many children would be born in the union. The best date for fortune telling is considered to be Christmas - the night from January 6 to 7. But you can guess at other times.

You can start guessing from January 5 until Epiphany. But fortune telling was considered the most reliable on the night of Christmas, so you can tell fortunes in the evening, preferably from 22:00-23:00 on January 6,” said Svetlana Likhanova, a fortune teller.

One of the fortune telling that Svetlana Likhanova advises to use is fortune telling on a mirror. You need to prepare a transparent glass glass (without pictures), white or gray paper and two candles.

A glass is placed in front of the mirror. Water (half a glass) is poured into it. The glass is placed on paper. Two candles are placed on the sides, but a little away from the mirror so that they do not interfere with looking into it. The girl sits on a chair in front of the mirror and lets down her hair. It's good that she's wearing a nightgown. Lights candles and throws a wedding ring (can be a parent or someone you know) into a glass. It is important that the ring has no stones and no threads. And then he looks in the reflection in the mirror; the glass and the ring should be reflected in it. The girl should carefully look inside the ring in the reflection of the mirror. And make a wish for what she wants to see. The ring will show her everything that awaits her ahead. This is not scary, but very interesting and exciting fortune telling. For a beginner, it may take some time. Those who are not guessing for the first time will cope faster,” said Svetlana Likhanova.

Then you need to put out the candle with your fingers, remove the ring from the glass and pour out the water. It is advisable to wipe the mirror with holy water.

During Christmas and Christmas fortune-telling, you need to look for only good meaning in all predictions. Bad omens should not be attached of great importance, otherwise, as the fortune teller says, you will set yourself up for failure in the new year.

We've collected a few more Christmas fortune tellings that promise to help reveal the secrets of the future.

Fortune telling on things

The girl is blindfolded, things that symbolize a particular profession are laid out on the table. In addition to professional items, they also include a wedding ring. The fortune teller is allowed to choose an item three times. If she chooses the same thing, then the chosen item will symbolize the profession of her future husband. If you keep bumping into a ring, it means the girl will certainly get married, but who the chosen one will be is not yet known.

Christmas fortune telling on wax (candles)

Take wax or paraffin candles white(holiday colored candles are not suitable for fortune telling), place in a metal bowl, melt over a fire and immediately pour into a container with cold water. The figure formed in this case will predict the future that awaits the fortuneteller.

Interpretation of figures

House - you will soon acquire a new household; for a girl this is connected, first of all, with her marriage.

Shapeless ruins are a misfortune in the near future.

A pit, small cave or grotto is the most undesirable figure, since it symbolizes a burial place and predicts a serious illness or imminent death.

Trees - they can be interpreted in different ways: upward-pointing tree branches promise quick joy, drooping branches - sadness, melancholy and boredom.

A ring or candle definitely predicts an imminent wedding.

A pancake that has settled to the bottom, on the contrary, promises a long girlhood.

Fortune telling with wax and milk

Pour milk into a saucer and place it on the threshold. Take some cinders wax candles, put in a metal bowl and melt on the fire, saying: “Brownie, my master, come to the threshold to drink milk and eat wax.”

Having said last word spell, pour the wax into the milk and carefully examine the resulting figure.

Interpretation of figures

The cross is a disease; if its outlines are unclear, then soon you should prepare for a series of minor troubles that will affect all aspects of life.

A blossoming flower - a wedding in a year.

Animal - an ill-wisher has appeared in your close circle.

A scattering of small stars means good luck in business.

Stripes with blurred edges - trip, business trip, relocation, travel.

A human figure means the imminent appearance of a new friend.

Fortune telling by shadow

Take a sheet of newspaper and crumple it well (but do not roll it into a tight ball!). Place the crumpled paper on a plate and set it on fire. When the paper is completely burned, place a candle next to the plate and look at the shadow that the burnt newspaper casts on the wall. The meaning of the resulting figures is similar to the interpretation of wax figures.

Fortune telling by egg

Pour water into a glass and pour the white of a raw egg into it. Place the glass in a heated oven so that the whites curl. After this, take out the glass and carefully look at the resulting figure.

Interpretation of figures

A church dome or ring means an imminent wedding.

Rectangle or square - serious illness, death.

Ship - moving after marriage to another city or country.

A pancake that has sunk to the bottom is a series of adversities and troubles, a long girlhood.

Fortune telling "Well and Bridge"

Pull out a few twigs from an ordinary household broom, build a bridge out of them and put it under your pillow until the morning with the words: “Who is my betrothed, who is my mummer, will take me across the bridge.”

After this, at night in a dream the girl will most likely see her future husband.

You can use matches instead of twigs. Build a well out of them and put it under the pillow in the same way with the words: “Betrothed, mummer, come and drink some water.”

Fortune telling by nut shell

Pour water into a basin. Along the edges of the pelvis, attach strips of paper on which events are written, for example, a wedding, a trip, receiving money, a new job, etc. (if there is only one fortuneteller), or the names of all those present who want to know their future. In the second case, one event is planned, in particular, a wedding, engagement, meeting a future spouse, etc.

Take half a walnut shell and secure the stub of a church or birthday candle in it. Light the candle and push the “boat” to the middle of the pelvis. From there, the shell should float to one of the notes on its own. But the dream will come true only if the paper, upon contact with the “ship,” lights up from the candle flame.

Christmas fortune telling from a book

In the old days, the Psalter was used as a prophetic book - liturgical book, containing the biblical book of psalms. Now, in the absence of a Psalter in the house, you can take a volume of your favorite writer - Pushkin, Lermontov, Shakespeare or any other.

In order to find out the answer to a question of interest, you need to mentally formulate it, guess the line number below or above and open the book at random. The answer includes not only the hidden line, but the entire semantic passage in which this line is included. If the answer found in the book cannot be interpreted logically, then the fortune telling should be repeated.

Fortune telling for the betrothed

This widespread and popular fortune telling is probably known to everyone to this day.

At midnight, leave the house and ask the first man you meet what his name is. This name will be the name of the betrothed.

Christmas fortune telling with a knife

For this type of fortune telling, gypsies use a round wooden board with a diameter of about 30 centimeters to cut bread. If you don’t have a board of this size at hand, you can take a tray or cut a circle out of cardboard. Along the edges of the circle write answers to the most frequently asked questions:
“Yes”, “No”, “Be patient”, “Caution: there is an enemy nearby, hiding in the guise of a friend”, “Good news”, “Love letter”, “Good luck in your undertaking”, “Unexpected guest”, “ Love”, “Today’s tears will turn into joy tomorrow”, “Unexpected news”, “New love”, “An unexpected meeting”, “Travel”, “Important letter”.

Place an ordinary kitchen knife in the center of the circle and mentally formulate a question. Rotate the knife around its axis three times. One of the three messages that the tip of the knife will point to will be the answer to the question asked. The other two may be the cause or effect of the predicted event.
If, after rotation, the tip of the knife stops at an equal distance from the two messages, the fortune telling must be repeated.

Fortune telling on a needle

Make a pendulum from a needle. To do this, thread a red silk thread about 75 centimeters long into it, fold it in half and tie a knot at the end.
Take a coin from the fortuneteller (previously they always took a silver one) and put it on the table. Sit at the table, place your elbow on it, take the pendulum needle with your fingers by the tip of the thread and point the tip of the needle at the center of the coin.

The fortuneteller asks a question, the answer to which is the words “yes” or “no,” and carefully looks at the pendulum. If the needle stands still without moving, there is no answer to the question yet; if it begins to move in the longitudinal direction, the answer is affirmative; if in the transverse direction, the answer is negative. If the pendulum makes circular movements, the question is not clear and it should be formulated more precisely.

Fortune telling by thread

To do this you will need three needles and three threads: red, white, black. Insert threads into needles. Ask other fortune tellers to carefully pin needles on clothing in the back area. Do not indicate the order. You pull a thread at random and determine your destiny: red - you will get married, white - the road to the registry office is closed for you this year, black - instead of getting married, think about a career.