Today we mark Seknovenie: The day nature prepares for autumn
On August 29, Bulgaria marks one of the important holidays in the folk calendar – Seknovenie, also known as Obsechene. According to tradition, this day symbolizes the transition from summer to autumn and the change in nature.
In folk beliefs, Seknovenie is associated with the "severing" of summer. It is believed that from this moment on, the weather begins to cool down, and the day gradually becomes shorter than the night. People in the past believed that nature was preparing for winter and that active outdoor agricultural work began to decrease.
The holiday also carries specific prohibitions related to daily life. According to old superstitions, one should not start new major projects or perform heavy field work on this day. In many regions of the country, the tradition is observed of not using sharp objects that remind one of the holiday's name.
Although these beliefs are observed more symbolically today, Seknovenie remains an important marker for the change of seasons in Bulgarian culture. The day reminds people of the cyclical nature of the environment and the need to prepare for the colder months that lie ahead.