Christmas Folk Customs Aimed at Securing Success Throughout Year

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Slovak folk customs linked to Christmas Eve - December 24 - were focused on securing success throughout the coming year by concentrating together all the important components for contentment in life. Various magic acts were performed to influence the future. For instance, it was said that the mood or frame of mind a person had on this day would continue throughout the upcoming year. If children were unruly and were punished, this would typically be the case next year as well. The day was marked by preparations for the festive dinner. Men prepared to take care of the cattle even before sunrise. Women baked cakes and cooked Christmas meals. Not only the evening celebrations, but also the outcome of the upcoming year depended on these preparations. Many tasks were prescribed and others proscribed, accompanied by magic words and divination. Magic was also involved in the arrangement of dwellings, which was linked to their purity. Houses, cottages, kitchens and rooms were adorned with evergreen boughs. A small straw tree was hung above the table. This was replaced by a Christmas tree in the 20th century, under the influence of German culture. The same applies to giving presents that were collected and brought by the Child Jesus. The ringing of bells or gun salutes heralded the arrival of Christmas Eve when the first star appeared in the sky. Dinner started with a prayer. Eating leguminous plants symbolised riches, while honey and garlic were on the table for protection of health. Anybody kicking the table's legs risked pain in their own legs in the following year. Blowing on the food could result in mouth pain. Leaving the table was considered to bring some kind of misfortune. The candle's flame also held ominous portents. If the flame bent in someone's direction it meant that the person would die by next Christmas. A cut apple or a cracked walnut also played a magical role. Girls wanting to marry pricked three matches labelled with men's names into an apple or walnut. The longest burning match indicated who the bridegroom would be. Midnight is the time for a ceremonial Mass in the local church. Meanwhile, water was said to turn to wine in the brook, while livestock spoke human language. The heavens opened and souls and angels visited the earth, so the leftovers of the dinner were left out on the table for them. All domestic animals were given titbits from Christmas meals, and fire and water were also offered libations. ko