We all love the New Year, celebrate it on a grand scale, prepare tables and decorate the Christmas tree. But have you ever wondered where this holiday and tradition came from? Who is Santa Claus, what is Karachun, are they related? We will try to find out today.
Meaning of the word “Karachun”
Probably, many people know the proverb "What is good for the Russian is death for the German"? So earlier, the word death was not uttered, but the karachun was spoken. Or, for example, a phrase from the movie "Zhmurki" in which Mikhalkov, referring to the sculpture, says: "Well, that's all! Karachun to you, Tsereteli!". That is, it immediately becomes clear that the word "karachun" means "death", well, or in the jargon of thieves "khan".
But why exactly this word, where did it come from and who is Karachun?
Karachun. Who is he?
So what is karachun? In fact, this, according to Slavic mythology, is none other than the god of Death. Of course, he has many other names. For example, Koschey, Bone God, Korochun, Koshchy God, Chernobog, Koschey the Immortal, etc.
A kind of evil spirit that brings cold, death, darkness, shadow. If you look at the old images that have come down from our ancestors, you can see a tall, gray-haired old man. He has a cold, hard and even angry look.
He wore a warm hat on his head, and wrapped his body in blue or white caftan. But the immutable attribute was his staff, with which he froze all life. Here he touch them to the river, and it will turn into solid ice. And if he touches a staff of windows, then they will be covered with hoarfrost. And if you go back, you can clearly see the connection between Karachun and Varun. It was Varun, according to myths, who could freeze a person with his one breath.
But over time, popular consciousness adopted the deity of Karachun, as the present Santa Claus. Thus, today Frost is a glorious grandfather who carries gifts to kids and runs in the winter.
Karachun holiday
In mythology, the pagan god Karachun played an important role. It consisted of the end of the old year, when the old sun is leaving, and a new one is rising in its place. This day is also called the winter solstice. For ancient peoples, it is one of the most important days of the year. And our Slavic ancestors celebrated it as the day of Karachun.
This day is considered the shortest for the whole year. He was feared and honored. In addition, the day of Karachun was of great importance in the magical realm. It was at this time that the line between our and the other world was erased. Spirits gained power, and there was a struggle between light and darkness. Therefore, magicians and fortunetellers were waiting for this day, as the best moment for their affairs.
Rites and traditions
Massively, Karachun was not celebrated, but adhered to certain traditions and rules that must be followed. Some have survived to this day. True, slightly modified, but not yet lost their relevance.
What is Karachun? This is death, death, damage, therefore, in order to get rid of everything bad, a person had to ask Karachun himself about it so that he would take away everything bad in the past year.
For example, 2 weeks before the solstice, you need to start paying off debts, both monetary and moral. That is, to forgive the offender or to apologize to someone yourself. You need to try to finish important things in order to enter the New Year without obligations or with unfinished business.
If possible, fasting, people tried not to eat meat. They had to be cleansed by body and soul, which means that bathing days were massively held.
The night before, all business affairs were terminated. You could not take a broom or a rag. The housewives should have prepared everything, set the table, decorate the hut.
Since the longest winter night inspired fear in people, to help the light, they armed themselves and went out into the field in order to frighten evil spirits. Big bonfires burned everywhere, because fire was always considered a protection from evil.
In order to further inspire fear in the dark forces, they dressed masks and costumes more terrible. Also, people believed that this would save them from the revenge of darkness, because they do not show their faces.
Preparing for the New Year
Before entering the new year, you need to do some things in order to maximize the impact on the energy of the house.
Need to clean the house. For this, there are many rites. The main ones are based on fire, herbs, water, that is, all 4 elements should participate in this process.
Also, the housewives try to get rid of everything unnecessary, broken, old. This is especially true for dishes.
On any few days before Karachun (from December 18 to 21), it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning, clean the housing, and ventilate all the rooms.
Bake a loaf of white flour, and on the eve of prepare Karachuna gifts that you need to leave somewhere on a bench or a stump.
Go to the bathhouse or take a hot shower with salt, because salt will help wash away all the negative energy that has accumulated over the years.
Clean the house with herbs. Use sage, juniper, wormwood or St. John's wort. You can buy aromatic oils or sticks. Any incense that pleases you will help in cleaning the room. Light a bunch of herbs and smoke all the rooms.
So we learned what Karachun is. Meet the new year correctly, see off the old year and do not forget that the main thing is your pure thoughts and deeds.