On December 22, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by righteous Anna. People called this day Anna Winter or Anna Dark, since this time usually marks the longest night of the year.

It was believed that whatever the weather was like on December 22, it would be like that on January 31. In addition, our ancestors believed that the weather in the next 12 days would determine the weather for the next 12 months: December 22 “corresponds” to January, December 23 to February, and so on.

You can find out what the weather will be like in the coming days by looking at the sky. Low clouds mean snowfall, the sun in a foggy haze means warming, and bright and twinkling stars mean increased frost.