… or in Russian “Czastlivogo Rozhdestva” because Russia celebrates Christmas today (after 40 days of abstinence). Our new Russian colleague has shown us an interesting trait of character of her fellow countrymen.

Christmas in Russia is eagerly anticipated particularly by women. First, because their husbands finally may have a drink with their buddies after the abstinence season and go out together,  so that the women finally have some time for themselves. On the other hand, and this is much more important, the ladies their enjoy the famous Russian “gadanja”, the Christmas soothsaying ritual that, according to a legend, was introduced by Slavic witches…

But don’t worry, most rituals are completely harmless … for women. The most popular “gadanja” are

• to conjure up the future husband
• bewitch an existing husband.

For women who do not exactly know where this man is, there is a famous ritual: go to the street at night and throw your left shoe as far away from you as you can. The direction in which the tip of the shoe points is the direction in which you have to go for your search. If the shoe has turned to one’s own house, prospects are not good for the next year…