Mauritius day
March 6, Wednesday
Traditions and signs of Mauritius Day
On Mauritius Day, people also paid attention to weather signs and performed special rituals associated with the arrival of spring and the symbolic end of the winter season.
Weather on Mauritius Day. It was believed that the weather on March 7 predicted what the rest of March and the beginning of spring would be like. If the day was sunny and warm, they expected a quick and early spring. If the day was cold and windy, it meant that winter was in no hurry to leave.
Snow and ice. People used to say: "On Mauritius Day, winter holds on tight." If the snow still lies, it did not foretell a sharp warming, and the snow could stay until the end of the month.
The beginning of streams and meltwater. It was considered a sign of a good spring if the first streams began to appear from the melting snow. The appearance of meltwater on this day was considered a symbol of fertility and a rich harvest.
Rituals for the future harvest. On Mauritius Day, many peasants began to prepare seeds for sowing, sorted and checked them so that the future harvest would be rich.
Protection from diseases. On this day, it was customary to pray to Saint Mauritius and ask for protection from diseases, since the end of winter was considered a period when people were especially susceptible to colds.
Farewell to winter. In some villages, symbolic rites of farewell to winter could be held on this day. People rejoiced at the arrival of warmth, prepared their farms and homes for spring work, which marked the transition from winter rest to the labors of spring.