When to bless the willow on Palm Sunday. What to do with consecrated willow. How and for how long to store willow after the holiday. Where to put willow after Palm Sunday and how to store it correctly

For many believers, the question is when to consecrate the willow: on Saturday or Sunday. Because, on the one hand, people call it Sunday, but on the other hand, many people already go to churches on the evening of Lazarus Saturday with festive bouquets. Let's try to figure out how to do it right and why.

About the tradition of consecration

Indeed, it is customary for people to prepare palm bouquets on Lazarus Saturday. On this day, the willow itself is collected from reservoirs, but branches of willow and birch can be picked even earlier and placed in a vase so that they bloom a few days before the holiday. You can decorate your bouquet with additional ribbons to make it even more festive and elegant.

Then you can go to the temple with these branches for the evening festive service on the Saturday of Lazarus. But you need to understand that the first consecration of them was carried out by the priest only late in the evening, almost at the end of the service. This usually happens at night. So, if you don’t plan to spend so much time in the temple, then it’s better not to take bouquets with you this time. And wake up on the morning of Palm Sunday and, already at the parade, go to the temple with your branches.

As a rule, the festive morning service on this important Christian holiday, the last Sunday before Easter, begins at nine in the morning and lasts several hours. After this service, a second ceremony of consecrating the festive bouquets is carried out.

What to do with consecrated willow

When willow bunches are blessed, they become inviolable. After all, along with the holy water, the grace of the Holy Spirit seemed to descend on them. Therefore, these are no longer just beautiful decorated branches, but a real heirloom. Traditionally, it is necessary to keep a bouquet at home in a red corner.

In Rus', if someone was sick during the year or his condition worsened state of mind, then they picked off several buds and added them to the patient’s food. Or they simply placed the willow at the head of the bed, believing that the plant would help cure a physical or mental illness and restore strength faster. Some do exactly the same thing now, the church has nothing against this ritual, but still in sermons you can often hear that this is still folk superstitions. Because the main thing to do on Palm Sunday is to greet the Lord in your soul, and palm bouquets and other material rituals are given in order to better and more easily understand the essence of what is happening.

Where to put the old bouquet?

If a believer celebrates Palm Sunday every year, then he should have a lot of last year’s bouquets at home. In theory, in fact, when new willow this year is brought into the house, the old one must be disposed of. But recycling doesn’t happen simply by throwing the branches in the trash. As noted above, blessed twigs- this is a holy relic, and even though a year has passed, the relic has not ceased to be holy.

Therefore, there are different preferred disposal options. Alternatively, this could be burning in a fire (in temples there is also an annual ritual of burning old willow, so you can simply bring it to the temple and put it in a place specially designated for this, and they will sort it out there), you can float it along the river (should be a clean body of water with a current), you can even bury the twig (but choose a quiet and secluded place for this).

The consecration of the willow occurs either during the night service on Palm Sunday or after the festive morning liturgy on the day of Palm Sunday itself. As a rule, there are a lot of people interested, so be sure to think in advance about where to go and how much time you will have for everything: in order to be sure to have time to receive your fresh blessed pussy willow bouquet.

The end of Lent is approaching, but there are two more to come big holiday- Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, as well as Holy Week. In this material we will talk about when the willow is consecrated on a major holiday - after all, this is done on Saturday or Sunday.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is an important big holiday christian church. It always falls on Lent, his last Sunday. But this is a holiday, as evidenced by the diet, which only on this day expands to fish and fish products. An important tradition of Palm Sunday is the blessing of the willow tree in the church. But not everyone knows that the right day when this can already be done is Lazarus Saturday. If you are one of the people who did not know this fact, then we suggest you sort it out in order.

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Important! In fact, when the willow is blessed, you can take bouquets with you on Saturday to the evening service. After this, the first consecration of the willow takes place. But, if you were unable to do this or did not have time, then go to the morning service on Sunday, where a second rite of consecration will also be held.

Church traditions are different, but they are all beautiful and symbolic, and most importantly, they are already deeply rooted in the consciousness modern man. The consecration of the willow on Palm Sunday is one of these rites. This is how we, Orthodox believers, celebrate the entry of the Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem more than two thousand years ago.

Of course, the clergy at sermons these days holidays constantly emphasize the fact that the celebration of the day of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem is not limited only to the consecration of the willow tree. The main point This celebration is to remember the events that happened so long ago. Jesus Christ knew, despite how warmly and sincerely he was greeted by the people of the holy city, that it was here that his disciple would betray him, he would be tortured in prison, and then, on an unjust accusation, crucified on a cross, emphatically without any respect.

When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, the people there were waiting for him as the messiah. Many had already heard about the Savior’s miracles, and the day before, on Lazarus Saturday, he raised Lazarus from the dead, who had died four days ago. In those days, it was customary to greet noble and respectable people in Jerusalem by throwing palm leaves at their feet. You don’t need to look around to understand that there are no palm trees in Rus' now and never have been. Therefore, palm trees were replaced by the first tree that blooms already in March and early April - this is the willow. And willow branches and soft buds in bloom have become a symbol of this holiday in our territories.

Once again about when and how

Many believers think that the willow should be blessed on the holiday itself. But in fact, if we are to be guided exclusively and strictly by the church charter, then this is done at the liturgy the night before, immediately after the all-night vigil. Those who go to church on holidays know this for sure.

However, in the morning hours on Sunday they also consecrate the willow - not to deprive believers of such a great holiday. Therefore, on the morning of Palm Sunday, you can fall under this tradition in the morning after the priest reads the corresponding texts of the Gospel. When reading the prayer, the priest sprinkles the bouquets that the parishioners are holding in their hands with holy water, and then the festive service continues.

Important! The priests emphasize that not just for show, but for true grace in the process of consecrating the willow, one must come to the All-Night Vigil service, which takes place exactly on the night from Lazarus Saturday to Palm Sunday.

What do we do with consecrated willow?

After the temple, the bouquet must be brought home. It needs to be stored for a year, the ideal place is where the icons are in your home. If you want the twigs to remain fresh for a long time, you can put them in water.

Important traditions and features of willow bouquets:

• People believed that the number of branches in the bouquet needed to bring home was equal to the number of family members, or the number of branches in the bouquet was unclear.
• You cannot give your willow to anyone. If you were asked to bless a bouquet for friends who were unable to go to the temple, you need to collect a separate copy for them.
• Lightly and symbolically beat your household with a blessed bouquet to improve health and give strength.
• If you eat a couple of willow buds, you can conceive a child (for those who have been unable to do so for a long time), and be cured of an illness.
• In order for the deceased to go to heaven, several seals from a consecrated willow were placed in his coffin.

What to do with last year's consecrated willow

Everything that was consecrated by the church is equated to a shrine. Therefore, under no circumstances should the twigs blessed last year be thrown into the trash bin, but here’s what you can and should do:

• Bury in a quiet place in the garden or summer cottage.
• Send a bouquet along the river.
• Burn.
• Give it to feed animals.
• Take it to the temple.
• If the branches have roots, they can be planted.

The main information that every reader should take away from this material is that, according to all the old church rules, the willow is consecrated on the night of. If for some reason you did not have time for the night service, then you can go to the temple in the morning, where the second ceremony of consecrating the willow will take place.

March 31 and April 1, 2018 are important dates in the life of Orthodox Christians. These days mark two important events– Lazarus Saturday and the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. This holiday is popularly called Palm Sunday.

On Saturday evening, on the eve of Palm Sunday, they transform Orthodox churches. Because parishioners flock to the service and bring willow branches with them. Palm Sunday: when the willow tree is illuminated, on Saturday evening, immediately after the church service. You can also consecrate the willow the next day.

Why willow

Where did the custom of consecrating the willow on this day come from and what does this custom mean? Everything came from the traditions of the Jewish people. It was customary for them to greet the victorious king, who entered the city, with palm branches and flowers. This is how Jesus, the king of heaven, was greeted. IN warm countries The custom of consecrating palm branches on this day has been preserved.




But, in Rus', a palm tree, especially in early spring, it was impossible to find. Therefore, the branches of willow and willow, the first to produce buds, became a substitute for the symbolic palm branch. Therefore, now believers are wondering when to consecrate a willow, and not when to consecrate a palm tree.

The best time to consecrate willow in 2018 is in the evening after Saturday service. Two thousand years have passed since Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem. But believers celebrate this big holiday every year with branches, as it once was. The willow in Rus' has always been considered a symbol of spring, and thanks to Christianity it has also become a symbol of spiritual rebirth.

The consecration of the willow occurs during a festive service called All-Night Vigils. After reading the Gospel, the priests consecrate the willows with incense, read a prayer, and then sprinkle the branches with holy water.

Sometimes people worry whether the water actually got on the branches, and try to sprinkle them again and again. But every person must understand that the willow is sanctified not by water, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it does not matter at all whether a drop of water fell on the willow or a liter of holy water was poured on it: all the consecrated branches brought from the temple can be considered a completed symbol of Palm Sunday.

If it was not possible to attend the service on Saturday evening, then re-consecration is carried out after the liturgy on the day of the holiday itself. Therefore, there are two times when the willow tree is illuminated: on Saturday evening or already on Sunday after the festive liturgy.




It should also be remembered that the consecrated willow must be brought home and placed with the icons. It is believed that it has a magical effect and protects the house from troubles and misfortunes throughout the year. Old branches must be burned, taken back to the church, or thrown into a fast-flowing river.

When to light willow in 2018? This must be done either in the evening of Lazarus Saturday, March 31, or after the festive liturgy on the day of Palm Sunday itself - April 1.

The willow branch symbolizes the victory of life over death - the resurrection of the Lord. On weekends they usually go to the forest to break willow branches.

In ancient times, sacred branches were kept behind the images for a whole year, that is, until the next Palm Sunday. It is believed that the sanctifiedWillow branches protect the house and its inhabitants from all troubles, misfortunes and evil spirits, and bring grace.

You can find out what the church says about willow.

They sweep all the corners, windows, thresholds with an old willow that has stood for a year, thank it for its service and burn it.

The pious tradition of consecrating willows is performed at the festive All-Night Vigil. After reading the Gospel, the priest burns the willows, reads a prayer and sprinkles the branches with holy water. When consecrating willows, a prayer is read: “These willows are sanctified by the Grace of the All-Holy Spirit and the sprinkling of this sacred water, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!" (So ​​you can consecrate the willow yourself, if for some reason you good reasons If you can’t go to church - only women cannot do this during menstrual periods - it’s better to ask someone in the household to read a prayer and sprinkle willow).

Blessed willow has special healing powers.

For example, a sick person can take a willow branch consecrated in church and move it over those points of the body that are especially troubling, saying: “Holy Spirit, enter through the willow - take away the disease. The willow will come and the disease will take away.”

Be careful, neither in church nor after, do not give anyone branches from your already blessed bouquet - many knowledgeable people “steal” happiness and health this way.

But, if, say, someone asked you to consecrate a willow for him, there is no nothing bad, just make a separate bouquet right away. I have often seen how whole armfuls are blessed... This is of no use - here quantity does not turn into quality. Moreover, as I already mentioned, you cannot give out consecrated willow from your bouquet to anyone (this does not apply to your household).

Having blessed the willow, the owner returned to the house and lightly hit all the household members, saying:

“The willow is kind, God forgive me” or “The willow is a whip, it hits you to tears, the willow is red, it doesn’t hit in vain.”

Having struck lightly with a willow, you can say the following words:

“Willow whip

It brings me to tears.

Blue willow

Doesn't hit hard

The willow is red

It hits in vain

White willow

Strikes for the cause

Willow whip -

It brings me to tears!”

Or these words: “Be as strong as a willow,as healthy as her roots and as rich as the soil."

But know that the one who slapped you on the backside wishes you harm. Since, having lashed with willow on this great holiday, they may wish you harm, and it will come true.

Children benefited most from the willow - so that they grew up healthy, obeyed their parents and studied well, saying: “I don’t hit, the willow hits!”

Villagers also hit livestock with willow so that the offspring would not get sick the healthy one brought it, they said: “As the willow grows, so will you grow.”

It is curious that willow was often placed in feeders.

According to the beliefs of the peasants themselves, nine willow catkins could protect against fever.

Traditional healers advised infertile women to eat the buds of the blessed willow.

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Once again I draw your attention: Be careful, do not give anyone branches from your already blessed bouquet - many knowledgeable people “steal” happiness and health this way.

An example of such negligence (From a letter to a healer)

“Sorry for distracting you from your business, but I really need your advice. On Palm Sunday, I went to church to bless the willow tree; I had three bouquets with me. In church a woman came up to me and asked for one willow sprig, and I gave it! And I know that you shouldn’t give anything to people in church, but for some reason I couldn’t refuse that woman.

That evening I felt bad, and I collapsed on the bed, helpless. I slept for a long time, but the sleep was very difficult. The next morning I had a heart attack, then had a headache all day and it got worse and worse. Natalya Ivanovna, I don’t understand how this could happen to me! I wear a cross all the time, and I have protection, but here is such a misfortune!”

In order to remove the damage caused in the church, take a handful of gray poppy seeds in your right hand and pour it into your left hand. Mac will fall from his hand to the ground, and meanwhile you say:

Just as this poppy does not stick to my hand, So that the damage does not stick to me From this hour, From God’s order.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Here are some rituals associated with Palm Sunday.

Love spell for blooming willow

On the eve of Palm Sunday, break willow branches, read a special spell over them and give them to your loved one. The plot is like this:

Just as Palm Sunday brings joy to the entire Orthodox world, so I would be a joy to My dear servant of God (name). As Christian people wait for the ringing of the bell for the festive mass, so the servant of God (name) would be waiting for me, waiting for me, looking for me in the crowd of people, looking out of the window, looking everywhere, and would rush, and rush on the oncoming path, and pull towards my hands are white. Just as Palm Feast will not be forgotten by the Church, so the Servant of God (name) will never forget me. Amen.

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P turn on the willow

On Palm Sunday they break a willow tree and say:

Until the willow

Behind the icon will lie,

Until then, my husband will not stop loving me,

He won't forget. Amen.

If your chickens are jinxed and they stop laying eggs, brew them some willow from Palm Sunday and give them a drink. There will be a lot of eggs, and to prevent them from being jinxed in the future, go up to the sleeping chickens early in the morning and say:

As the sun appears, so will the eggs be with you.

Whoever yawns, croaks,

He will take it upon himself. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Willow twigs also help protect livestock. In the spring, before you drive the animals out to pasture for the first time, say three times on a consecrated branch: “Holy willow, save and preserve my cattle, my animal from the fierce beast, from the evil eye, from the machinations of the black sorcerer.” Then stick the willow under the roof of the house.

For that to save crops and get a good harvest, you need to stick a willow twig into the ground (in the garden, in the garden, in the field) and say 7 times: “Take away black curses and misfortunes from my servant of God (your name) land. Holy willow, be a shield from any enemy.”

And if tormented by insomnia, then you need to put a willow twig at the head of the bed and before going to bed, looking at it, say: “Holy angels, take care of my sleep, holy willow, drive away the undead.”

Buds and fluff from holy willow help for female infertility and with enuresis.

Today you can bake the fuzz of the holy willow into bread and give sick pets will be healed.

They ate nine willow catkins, counting it fever medicine.

And also as a remedy for other diseases.

They put the willow in the water, in which bathed sick children.

They baked willow catkins into bread, and in Kostroma villages they baked cookies in the shape of willow buds.

Many believed that a consecrated willow could stop a summer thunderstorm.and thrown into the flames - help in case of fire.

Any a coward who wants to get rid of his shortcomings, upon arriving from church on Palm Sunday, must drive a peg of a blessed willow tree into the wall of his house - if this means does not turn a coward into a hero, then, in any case, it should drive away natural timidity.

Eat a willow bud - an important matter will be decided.

If you have to go to important negotiations, or you're going begin a very important matter for you, and you are not sure of the result, then willow will help you here too. But only the willow that was consecrated in the church on Palm Sunday will help. When going on an important task, you need to tear off three buds from a branch and eat them, washing them down with holy water, while thinking about your business. True, this property of a twig can only be used as a last resort. Constantly, don’t, it’s better not to disturb the willow, it can go sideways.

On Palm Sunday, think about your loved one, he will come. Superstition? More likely. But before, a young girl, if she liked some guy and he didn’t pay any attention to her, would wait for this very day. Starting in the morning, she began to think about who was dear to her heart. Her thoughts were somehow incomprehensibly transmitted to this guy. And in the evening he came to her to invite her for a walk. In principle, it has long been proven that human thought is material. Everything we think about inevitably happens sooner or later. real life. Perhaps Palm Sunday has such an energy that allows us to bring our thoughts to life much faster than on any other day.

But planting willow was considered a bad omen. They said: “He who plants a willow prepares a spade for himself.”(That is, he will die when a shovel can be hewn out of the willow).

Palm bazaars were considered a special feature of Palm Week.

They were especially loved by children, because they presented a wide selection of children's toys, books, and sweets.

They also bought willow tied in bunches there.

A decoration - a paper angel - was tied into the bun.

He was called the “willow cherub.”

On this day you can plant a houseplant, to live in abundance.

Previously, it was believed that if you plant an indoor flower on this day, it would will attract money into your life. In cities, of course, they kept indoor plants, but in villages there was no time for that. But those who knew about this sign and planted indoor plants quickly got back on their feet.

When you plant a plant, stroke it (or the pot, if you planted a seed), reading the spell three times: “For you to grow, and for me to bloom in wealth. This is my will. Let it be so!"

And be sure to ensure that the plant is always healthy and well-groomed. Water it on Wednesdays, reading the same plot. If you do everything correctly, you will soon notice that your material wealth has begun to improve.

But this sign has several features that few people know about. Firstly, if the flower withers within a month, then you will have to live your whole life in poverty. And secondly, you only need to plant plants with large and fleshy leaves. By the way, one of these plants is now called the money tree. In order for it not to wither and grow well, you need to know the special rules for planting and caring for it. By the way, it was noticed that in the house where Money Tree grows well, there is always prosperity and there is no shortage of money.

Also with the help of a willow spell you can attract money.

holiday (on Lazarus Saturday), take a willow twig in your left hand, and cross yourself with your right hand and read “Our Father.” Then ask the Almighty to save you from financial problems and send prosperity to your home. The enchanted twig must be blessed in church on Sunday.

Family amulet (for Palm Sunday) It is done once a year on Palm Sunday.

To do this, you will need as many willow branches as there are people in the family. Early in the morning, at dawn, cut off the branches, then go to the morning service and bless them. Arriving home and drinking holy water, begin to weave a braid from the vines, mentally imagining at this time how all the household members joined hands and formed a circle. After completing the work, let the eldest member of the family, holding a wreath in front of the icon Mother of God, will read: « Saint Paul waved his willow and drove away our enemies. Just as it is true that Palm Sunday is celebrated, it is also true that evil people they won't bother you. Amen". 3 times. Keep the wreath near the icons for a year.

Willow in folk medicine

Willow bark contains vitamin C, carbohydrates, cellulose, salicin glycoside, lignin, anthocyanins, flavones, catechins, tannins... Willow bark is collected on the eve of spring or at the very beginning of March before flowering and during sap flow. The tree should not be old or too young. Trees 6-8 years old are considered the most healing. The bark is carefully removed, cut into pieces, dried in the sun, and then dried in a dryer or oven at a temperature of 50-60 degrees until it breaks easily. The shelf life of the bark is 4 years.

For medicinal purposes, male catkins are also collected during flowering. Willow decoctions have hemostatic, disinfectant, astringent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties.

A decoction of willow bark prevents the formation of blood clots because it thins the blood.

In folk medicine, willow preparations are used for sore throat, fever, malaria, internal bleeding, dysentery, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and colon, gynecological diseases, rheumatism...

For inflammation of the mouth and throat, decoctions are used for rinsing.

For varicose veins and skin diseases, decoction baths are used.

Decoction for diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract: 2 tbsp. Brew tablespoons of dry crushed willow bark with 1 liter of boiling water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain. Take ½ glass 3-4 times a day.

For pulmonary tuberculosis and jaundice, drink 2 cups of decoction per day.

This tree has also proven itself in cosmetics. For dandruff, itchy scalp and hair loss, wash your hair with a strong decoction of equal parts of willow bark and burdock roots.

In France, young willow shoots, peeled from bark, were used to cook very healthy dish. The shoots are pre-boiled, then fried with sugar and onions, seasoned with flour sauce and vinegar. Tea is brewed from young leaves, buds, and shoots, which, according to fishermen and hunters, lifts your spirits and gives you strength

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A shrub with reddish branches and delicate fluffy buds - willow - a symbol of spring. She is the first to wake up after the winter cold. This is probably why in Rus' it became a symbol of the awakening of life and rebirth.

In the piggy bank folk wisdom A great many signs and beliefs associated with willow have been preserved. And psychics and herbalists agree that willow has a special energy and can relieve many problems and diseases.

Magical properties of willow:

The pagan Slavs called the willow the Perun vine. They believed that this tree enjoyed the special favor of the main god, Perun. Why was this shrub awarded such a high honor?

First of all, because willow is the most resilient plant.

Secondly, willow has a unique quality: over the years, its energy changes from “plus” to “minus”.

That is, a young willow is a powerful donor: it generously shares its energy with a person, fills it with strength, and relieves fatigue. That is why sick and weakened people have long gone to the willow tree. Stand next to a bush, squeeze a few branches in your fist, and you will feel better.

Also, young willow eliminates negativity, cleanses and protects. That’s why bouquets of branches were kept in every home from early spring to late autumn. To protect crops from pests and bad weather, shrubs were planted at the edge of the field. The willow also served as a talisman for cattle.

Palm bud (fresh or specially dried for this occasion), according to ancient beliefs should be eaten before important matter- this promises good luck. Just don’t abuse it and disturb the willow often and over trifles: it will get angry and there will be no success. When bathing children, they always put a willow twig in the water so that the tree would give the baby health.

But the old hollow willow is a witch tree. It can drain strength and even take life. You can’t rest under it or drink water from a stream flowing under such a willow: this risks illness. This is why you should not plant a willow near your house: while the tree is young, it will help you, but when it gets old, it will begin to feed on your energy. People have always been afraid of cutting down willows: you will incur anger Higher powers, spirits of the forest.

When cutting flexible branches for magical rituals, a person must first bow to the tree, stroke it and ask for forgiveness. And under no circumstances should you cut off too many branches from one willow.

Palm Sunday:

It is no wonder that this sacred plant replaced palm branches in Christian Russia - the original attribute of the last Sunday before Easter.

And even the holiday itself bears the name of a tree - Palm Sunday (on this year falls on April 9).

On this day, willow bunches are blessed in the church and gain even greater power. So, if you lightly tap the blessed willow on your body, you will not get sick all year, and if you catch an illness, you will quickly recover.

They tap each other’s willow branches to get rid of sins, saying: “It’s not the willow that hits, but the old sin.” The blessed willow helps timid people. Coming from church on Palm Sunday, you need to drive a piece of a twig into the wall (if the wall is wooden, between the boards) or find a small hole in the plaster where the twig will fit like a nail. After this, all your fears will disappear.

A bouquet of consecrated willow is kept behind the icon for a whole year: it protects the house and its inhabitants. On the eve of the next Palm Sunday, the bouquet must be taken out, taken to the river and floated on the water. A pond or lake with standing water is not suitable: the branches should float away with the flow.

How to make a willow amulet:

To create a powerful amulet, willow branches are cut from a young tree early in the morning on the waxing Moon. They choose young and intact ones - exactly according to the number of household members. Before cutting, contact the willow, explain why you are asking for its help, and never take a single extra branch.

The amulet must be made on the same day that the willow was cut. Stock up on a white wax candle and a red wool thread. Place branches on the table to your left, light a candle, take the first branch, bring the cut to the candle and read the spell:

“Prophetic willow, generous willow, Health and longevity ( full name) give, push back the edge of life.”

Set aside the charmed branch to your right and take the next one. Do the same ritual for each of the branches, for each member of the household, say the last branch to yourself. Tie the bouquet with red thread and place it in a vase without water.

Attention: You cannot place a palm bouquet in metal vessels or plastic vases. And under no circumstances put artificial flowers in the same vase: the willow will lose its strength.

It is best to keep the willow where the family gathers. After a year, bury it under an old tree or float it on water. Try not to quarrel in the room where your enchanted willow stands, otherwise it will stop helping you. However, in a house with a willow, quarrels are rare!

Every time before Palm Sunday, Orthodox Christians have a question: what to do with last year’s willow, which they kept all year?

And when should you get rid of it? On the eve of the holiday or on Palm Sunday itself?

Blessed Willow- these are no longer just tree branches, but a real shrine. You can't just throw it in the trash. It is believed that the willow retains its magical properties until next spring.

You can perform a small ritual on Palm Sunday itself, before it, or immediately after Palm Sunday.

There are several options for getting rid of willow:

1. Throw old willows along flowing water into any body of water.

2. Burn dried willow branches. In this case, the ashes need to be poured out in a place where they will not trample on them. You can pour the ashes into the river.

3. If willows sprouted in water, it is best to plant them in a forest or near a river.

4. Willows can be stored for several years. But at the same time, celebrate the holiday with fresh branches every year.

5. If someone dies in the coming days, then the willow is placed in the coffin.

6. Some older people collect willows to take them to the grave.

7. With a lit willow branch, you can cleanse the house and sanctify it by walking around the house with this branch and prayer.

8. Take them to the Church, where they are burned with prayer.

9.. Take it to the forest and leave it there between the willow bushes.

10. If you have a stove in the house, you can use last year’s dried willow to light it for baking Easter cakes.

11. Old willow symbolic ones sweep the corners of the house and then burn them, thanking them for their service.

MIRACULOUS PROPERTIES OF CONCEDED WILLOW:

*Coming home from church, they lightly beat all household members with a blessed willow so that they are healthy. They don’t forget about all the cattle. All living things absorb the power of spring and renewal.

*The willow protects the house from evil forces and spirits.

*Verba is planted in the garden if there is a bride of marriageable age or a young guy in the house. As soon as the willow takes root, there will be a wedding.

*On St. George's Day, willow is used to drive cattle out to the fields. Then he will be healthy and fruitful.

*It is believed that willow can be used to ward off thunder, hail and clouds, tilting it towards the clouds.

*The willow reduced the destructive power of fire by throwing it into the fire.

* Willow buds were swallowed to get rid of fever, sore throat, and infertility.

* Willow was used to line wells to prevent evil forces from getting into the water.

FOLK TRADITIONS RELATED TO PALM SUNDAY:

To this day, there are many signs and traditions associated with Palm Sunday. They are passed down from older to younger family members.

*On the night of Palm Sunday you can make spells for headaches. To do this, the hair from the comb was dipped into water and the willow was watered with this water. The water will go into the ground along with the headache.

*On Palm Sunday, girls cast a love spell on willow. When casting a spell, the willow was placed behind the icons. You cannot throw away charmed branches.

*You can only “hit” with a willow on the back, wishing for health. If you are hit on the butt, this person wishes you illness and evil, and it may come true.

*It was possible to cut willow branches only from young trees. It is important that the trunks are free of damage and mossy bark.

*You cannot pick branches from a willow tree if there is a hollow in it. You also cannot tear branches from a cemetery willow.

*You cannot tear branches bending over the river. It is believed that mermaids sit on them at night.

Signs:

*If it was frosty enough on Palm Sunday, then a fairly good harvest of spring grain was expected.

*If there were frosts on the night of Verbnoye, there will be a good harvest of cabbage and cucumbers.

*If on Verbnoye strong wind, then the whole summer will be quite windy, there will be hurricanes and storms. And if the day is warm and quiet, it will be summer.

*What kind of wind is in Verbnoye, will be like this all summer.

*If the sun shines in Verbnoye, there will be a rich harvest of cereals and fruits.

*Tap the willow on your body on Palm Sunday and you will be healthy all year.

*The willow is the most tenacious tree. Stick a branch into the ground and a tree will grow. The tree gives the same vitality to humans.

*If you eat a bud of a consecrated willow, any matter will be easily solved. Of course, you can use the “magical” properties of willow only in extreme cases.

*Think about your loved one on Verbnoye, he will come to you.

*If you plant a houseplant on Palm Sunday, you will be rich. But if the flower withers, you will live in poverty all your life.

*The energy of Palm Sunday helps make all your desires come true.

WHAT TO DO WITH WILLOW?

How to collect willow? Tear several branches from small young trees. Don't cut off all the branches from one bush. But you need enough branches to put several in each room, and in the livestock quarters too. Take the branches to the church for blessing. If you can’t go to church, you can sprinkle the willows with holy water at home.

Arrange the branches among the vases. They do not need to be removed for two weeks. On Maundy Thursday, the branches were used as sprinklers: they were moistened with holy water and sprinkled on all corners of the house. And then the branches can be used in different ways: left until next Palm Sunday, or immediately floated down the river.