What is "unopened water", how and why was it collected in Russia

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Water in Russia has always been perceived as a liquid with magical properties. It was used in various rituals and ceremonies. The most valuable was the "untreated" water, which had to be collected in certain places in accordance with strict rules. It was believed that such water is healing and sacral power, since they took it before the sun rises, while not a single person has yet approached the source. If we translate the name, we can say "untouched" or "unpolished" water. Our ancestors said that at night a wonderful power was concentrated in her. Read how and where the untapped water was collected, how it was treated, and how it could be used to protect the house.

When and where they collected the untapped water and how they thanked the source

Among the people, the most valuable was the untapped water, which was collected before important holidays - on the eve of Christmas, Meeting, Great Thursday or Friday, the day on Ivan Kupala. The name of the water was given in accordance with the date, for example, Christmas or Sretenskaya, Thursday or Kupala. If the need for magical water was very strong, it was possible to go for it on any convenient day of the week, but Thursday night was considered the most favorable. They found healing water in wells, rivers, streams, springs.

To enhance the magical power, people tried to use several sources (three, seven, and preferably nine), after which the water was mixed. After the liquid was collected, one should thank the reservoir. To do this, they took shreds, clothes, cuts of fabric and hung them on the branches of trees near a stream, lake, spring, which gave magic water.

Strict collection rules, violation of which could deprive water of miraculous power

In order for the untapped water not to lose its magical power, it was not enough to follow it before sunrise - strict rules had to be followed. It was forbidden to have breakfast and talk. Even if someone came across, it was not recommended to say hello. A new vessel had to be used to scoop up the water. They took buckets or jugs, but not cast iron. It was necessary to scoop up with a precise movement and only once, it was impossible to add and pour water from the container.

If the liquid was collected from the well, then the bucket, when scooping up, had to move in the direction against the sun. If they came to the river for water, then the movement of scooping was carried out against the current. It was necessary to go home with the precious loot in silence, it was forbidden to look back. When the water was brought to the hut, it was not necessary to touch it unnecessarily.

How they treated with water: jugs for girls and pots for boys

Unsaturated water was considered a good remedy for the prevention and treatment of diseases, especially for children. If the child was ill, he should have given him healing water, wash his body and face with it, and drain the remains under a tree on the street. In order for the recovery to be complete, it was necessary to repeat this manipulation for at least 40 days. To give additional strength to the water, grains, silver coins, and coals from the Russian stove were placed in it. It was believed that the container for the untreated water, which will be used to treat the child, should not be black.

It was possible to add water consecrated during Epiphany to the magic liquid, and also to warm it up for comfortable use. In order for the little boy to grow up to be a strong and healthy man, water was heated in a pot, and in order for the little girl to grow slender and beautiful, they took a jug. Not only children were treated with healing moisture. The adults washed and drank it when they got sick. So that the mother who had just given birth did not lose milk, she had to drink a lot of water and bathe in it. Before using the liquid, it was recommended to speak, for this there were special "whispers".

How it was possible to protect a house with the help of magic water

In Russia, it was believed that with the help of untapped water it was possible to protect a vegetable garden, livestock, houses and hives. It was used for sprinkling. During the construction of the house, a vessel with magic water was taken and put into one of the corners of the foundation. This protected the hut from evil spirits. In order to live richly, and this primarily depended on good harvests, containers with water should be buried in the ground in the garden, in the field, in the garden. They used healing moisture to remove the evil eye and spoilage: they performed special rituals. Before the sun rose, charcoal was placed in the water from the burning of hawthorn, nettle or rose hips.

After that, an overturned bucket was placed in the doorway, water was poured onto it, and the person had to carefully peer into the bottom. In this case, he could consider in a wet bucket the one who sent damage or evil eye. The rest of the water after the ritual was poured into a bowl, and from there into the bosom of the victim of evil forces. But before that, he needed to swallow some water.

Ceremonial pastries and bread sourdough for St. George's Day

Non-pooled water was sometimes taken to knead the dough during ceremonial baking. Some researchers believe that this tradition was adopted in Russia from the Bulgarians. Peasant women prepared sourdough for bread on healing water, which had to be brought before the sun appeared in the sky, and it had to be taken from several sources. In Bulgaria, for example, only young men and women with healthy parents (father and mother) went to fetch unproductive water, which was called "tsvetnata". In Russia, magic water was used to bake loaves, for example, on St. George's Day, which were then distributed to loved ones and relatives with the wishes of the strongest health and material well-being.

Most often, customs impose prohibitions. So it was in Russia, especially taboos for men.