Exploration of the Lithuanian website alkas.lt, rich in topics on Lithuanian culture and ethnicity, reveals some interesting customs. On February 1 an invitation was posted about a celebration of the Day of Thunder (Perkūno diena) on February 2, in the Kelmė district in the North-western area of Lithuania. The celebration was to include music by a folkloric ensemble, crafting special candles, baking “kugelis”, called bulvių plokštainis, singing, dancing and drinking non-alcoholic beverages. The invitation was extended by the leader of the local chapter of Romuva, the neo-pagan community that is surprisingly popular today, and espouses the sacredness of nature, respect for ancestors and the search for harmony as did ancient Baltic tribes.
In olden times, this day, February 2, was dedicated to the god of thunder, with offerings to “Perkūnas” to protect households from fire and the evil eye. Special candles were made on that day, to be lit during storms and thunder. It was believed that they warded off natural disasters and illness. Just as important as baptismal candles, they were also lit when experiencing bad or foreboding moods. As on other occasions, the weather on that day was interpreted to foretell a good or bad harvest, an early spring or stormy summer. Children were not allowed to knock down icicles, because that summer the flax would flatten…
The tradition of celebrating the Day of Thunder in Lithuania is also known in other European countries. February is called “vasaris” in Lithuanian, possible harking back to ancient times when there were only two seasons, and February marked the beginning of the spring-summer semester of “vasera”. In February the sun is warmer, the days grow longer and the wind is warmer. Latvians called February 2 the Day of Wind, and performed rites to ensure that summer winds may not be destructive.
So – lacking a Farmer’s Almanac – be attentive the weather next February 2 to find out what summer 2022 may bring.
With information from alkas.lt
