In traditional beliefs on 25 March, Blagovets (Annunciation) one had to keep some cash, and a fishbone. And anyone would be warned not to leave their homes hungry. Traditional communities were expected to have a busy agenda of rituals on this day of magic. Above all, however, one had to keep a cheerful mood, because the mood on 25 March used to predict the rest of the year.
The roots of the folklore Blagovets are in the pre-Christian era and pagan feasts. Dated close to the astronomical arrival of spring it unites different practices and rituals aimed to welcome the new beginning.
Annunciation is always during the Great Lent, and fish is allowed to serve on this day. Fish is present in folklore celebrations too. After eating the fish meal, eaters were asked to clean their teeth with fishbone to make sure health and luck would accompany them during the year. Even the poorest members of the community who could not have fish, kept an old bone to honor the magical practice of tooth picking.
Cleaning houses and making fires was a must on 25 March. Early in the morning on Blagovets garbage and useless staff was thrown away. A fire was built and people jumped over it to have their feet smoked a bit as a good way to prevent summer serpent bites. There are many tomb-looting legends too, as the belief has it that on this day there is blue flame that goes above big treasures. On the eve of 25 March treasure-hunters went round fields and mounds in the hope of sighting the wonderful sign.
Beekeepers would open their beehives to let bees out so that the new honey comes rich in flavor. In some regions of Bulgaria little girls rolled round loafs down meadows, to make sure work in the fields is pleasant in the summer. And songs that went along with practices and rituals mention the cuckoo, the spring and the wish for goodness and sweetness throughout the year.
English Daniela Konstantinova
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