#guising

Saint Barbara is known in folk circles primarily for fortune telling about marriages, future life and the fulfillment of other wishes in the coming year using cherry, sour cherry, blackthorn, plum or even pear branches, the so-called barborek.

However, it is also the opening day of a long series of Advent processions, the origins of which date back to the winter solstice celebrations, for which dressing up in various human and animal forms was a characteristic feature. In the Znojmo region, processions associated with the feast of St. Barbara are reliably documented only in the Moravian Krumlov and Vranov regions, with an overlap with the Moravian Budějovice and Jemnice regions, always only in Czech settlements.

In the Moravian Krumlov region, a woman disguised as a barborek would go around with a broom or brush, who would scare children, look at the yarn and reward or punish. She was usually dressed all in white, her head covered and she wore white stockings. When she entered, she did not speak or greet anyone, and began to do her housework in the corner by the door. She gradually repeated this in all corners of the room. She also left in silence. She only shook everyone's hand when saying goodbye, she did not give the children any presents, and when she did give them anything, they were certainly not pleased. Instead of the expected share, they only received potatoes, chopped beets and coal. Other times she came with a goose feather and she would poke around behind the cupboards, under all the pictures, and wipe away the cobwebs, which was especially unpleasant for the housewives.

In Ždár, the Barborka was represented by a girl dressed in white, with a sheet on her head and a face covered in flour. Upon entering the room, she would grumble: “Muli se! Muli!” Whoever did not pray would be waved at with a rod.

However, we will also mention the most famous custom, which was also widespread in our country and appeared in several variants. In Moravian Budějovice, for example, girls would cut as many twigs as they had a wish. When the twigs sprouted before Christmas, the wish was supposed to come true. The girls would pronounce individual wishes while dipping the twigs in water, which, however, no one was allowed to be present at. Otherwise, the prophecy would not come true. In Horáček, the housekeeper would cut as many twigs as there were members of the household. If the twig did not bloom by Christmas Eve, that person would die within a year. If the twigs bloomed by Christmas, the girl who plucked them would get married the following year. In Vrbovec, in addition to fruit tree twigs, vine shoots were also cut. These were placed in a vase, and if they turned green before Christmas, the farmer could expect a favorable year. “Barborkas were also given as gifts to close friends and family members. Sometimes the blooming twigs placed on the festive table replaced the Christmas tree. Divination was also done using the blooming twigs in Lower Austria.

More info (in English!) here:

BE FREE!!

And take the skittles before you go!!

Halloween is a night synonymous with ghosts, goblins, and copious amounts of candy. It is a beloved autumnal celebration across many parts of the world. While its modern form is often characterized by playful spooks, it also has sugary delights. The roots of Halloween stretch back millennia. They intertwine ancient pagan rituals with Christian observances. And the iconic tradition of…

(PSA: if you are currently utterly bewildered you may find some clarity in Googling the term "Guising") Song credit: Andy Munro

OH MY GOD

I have a perfect treat for you my lil guiser!