English: January 17th – Tenis Day. The Turning Point of Winter
When the January frost bites the hardest and the nights seem endless, Tenis Day (Teņa diena) quietly arrives. For our ancestors, this wasn't just a date on the calendar—it was the "Midwinter," a crucial turning point. While until now we were only drifting deeper into winter sleep, after Tenis Day, the Sun begins its slow but inevitable journey back toward spring.
The Honor of the Household and "Pig’s Day" Tenis Day was also known as Pig’s Day. But don't think it was just about farming! To ancient Latvians, the pig was a symbol of prosperity, fertility, and "digging forward." On this day, the blessing of the home was especially honored. It was customary to cook a traditional meal of barley and beans to share with the whole family, ensuring that the year would be bountiful and the larders never empty.
What to Do (and What Not to Do) on Tenis Day This is a day to listen to nature. Ancient folk beliefs say:
Bring nothing from the forest into the house. This was done so that forest animals and snakes wouldn't come near the farmstead in the summer. Whatever belongs to the forest stays in the forest today.
Women were not allowed to spin or knit. It was believed that doing so could bring ill fortune to the livestock. It was a day for rest and togetherness.
Watch the sun. If the sun shone on Tenis Day long enough to saddle a horse or eat lunch, it meant the coming summer would be sunny and the haymaking season excellent.
Winter Inventory Tenis Day was a natural "checkpoint." Farmers would check if half the firewood and half the livestock feed were still left. It’s a moment when you stop, assess your resources, and realize—half of the long winter is already behind you!
Even if we don't live on farmsteads today, the energy of Tenis Day remains relevant. It’s about confidence, stability, and honoring the cycles of nature. It’s a moment to enjoy a cup of tea in your warm room with a piece of "Sweet Amber" and know—the light is starting to return.