Many people are familiar with the superstition that forbids pregnant women from attending funerals and visiting cemeteries. Often, when asked by young pregnant women, who are faced with the sad need to be present at the churchyard, about why they cannot go there, representatives of the older generation of the family shrug their shoulders and say that this is a bad omen.
Of course, in our time, the question of whether a pregnant woman can go to a funeral and a cemetery depends solely on the desire of the woman herself to see loved ones on their last journey, being present at the churchyard. All sorts of superstitions and signs in modern days are considered nothing more than remnants of the past or elements of folklore. However, even if the pregnant woman is not inclined to mysticism, esotericism and other similar things, but simply speaking, she does not believe in omens, you should not blindly dismiss them. It makes sense to understand wherethis superstition happened, and only then decide whether to follow the signs associated with it or not.
How did superstition come about?
When did people start wondering if pregnant women could go to a funeral? A sign forbidding this arose in ancient times, and it is impossible to determine even the approximate age of this superstition.
Specialists who study folklore believe that the origins of this sign are at the same time as the formation of ideas about the concepts of life and death. In other words, for the first time, people asked themselves the question of whether it is possible to be pregnant at a funeral when they realized the direct opposite of the phenomena of death and birth.
In ancient times, as now, the birth of a child was a joyful and long-awaited event. Of course, in families where replenishment was expected, they took all possible measures to protect the pregnant woman from dangers, both objective and not related to the real world.
Was it always not customary to visit cemeteries?
In the old days, people tried to avoid the “meeting” of death with nascent life, believing that such contact would not end in anything good. This state of affairs continued until the time when the foundations of the marriage union began to take shape. Then there was a need for the presence of a widow at the funeral of her husband, children at the funeral of their parents.
However, if the deceased were not direct relatives of the pregnant woman or were not members of her family, that is, they did not bury her husband or adopted children, the woman was not obliged to come to the churchyard.
But there is noneone tradition that would not have exceptions, especially if they are caused by objective realities. In the Middle Ages, when European lands entered a period of feudal fragmentation and war, robberies, robberies, mass executions became commonplace in society, no one was surprised by the absence of pregnant women at the funeral of blood relatives and family members. Moreover, old superstitions have gained strength again, and often women deliberately avoided visiting churchyards.
In those days, when epidemics of terrible diseases such as plague raged in the world, there were no questions about whether it was possible to be pregnant at a funeral. Women expecting babies did not visit churchyards. In some areas, there were folk customs that ordered pregnant women to say goodbye to their relatives before the funeral service and, of course, before burial.
What do esotericists and healers think?
Folk healers, witches, fortune-tellers, soothsayers and other practicing esotericists from time immemorial have argued that women who are expecting a baby should not participate in funeral processions.
For what reasons do people who, due to their occupations, perceive the surrounding reality a little differently than others, on the question of whether pregnant women can go to funerals, adhere to such a categorical negative position?
From the point of view of mystics, graveyards are places where the chain of life breaks, and since bearing a child is its very beginning, visiting a pregnant cemetery creates a threat of premature departure to another world. OtherIn other words, the dark forces of death, the energy opposite to life, can absorb an unborn baby, because the baby is completely defenseless.
Folk healers claim that after participating in funeral processions and visiting churchyards, graves of relatives, women almost always feel various specific ailments, physical and mental weakness, loss of vitality, strength. This is not surprising if we take into account the position of magicians, sorcerers, fortune tellers and other esotericists. The life force of a woman goes to protect the child she is carrying.
Why can't attend funerals? What is the danger?
An unborn baby does not have its own energy protection, in other words, it does not have a guardian angel. Everything that can protect the baby in the womb from the influence of evil forces is the maternal aura.
But a woman's strength may not be enough, and then there will be a high probability that an irreparable misfortune will happen, that is, a miscarriage. Of course, the consequences of visiting the graveyard may not be so deplorable. It is possible that a woman will not lose her baby, but will suffer some complications or the birth will be difficult.
Another danger that, according to esoteric beliefs, lies in wait for a woman waiting for a child in the churchyard, is the installation of the restless soul of a dead person in her unborn baby. Although in modern times this statement sounds like a script or a preview of a horror movie, our ancestors believed inthe existence of such a danger and resorted to all kinds of protective talismans if a visit to the churchyard was unavoidable.
In other words, if the question of whether it is possible to be pregnant at a funeral was not raised, that is, the presence of a woman at the funeral service and the churchyard was necessary, then she was protected with the help of prayers, talismans, amulets and other things.
How to protect yourself and your unborn baby when visiting a cemetery?
All sorts of ways to protect a pregnant woman and her unborn child over the past millennia have accumulated quite a lot. These include various talismans and amulets that should have been worn, protective prayers and conspiracies, and much more.
In the event that a woman or her relatives and relatives have doubts about whether it is possible for pregnant women to attend the funeral, one should resort to the help of protective prayers, folk conspiracies and put on some kind of amulet. Even if you are skeptical about the existence of an energy threat, the likelihood of an alien soul invading, or other options for the machinations of dark forces, folk remedies will not turn out to be superfluous. With them, a woman will feel more confident, will not be nervous.
The simplest amulets include red threads, amulets with an image inside, pectoral crosses and much more. It is customary to turn to the Mother of God with a protective prayer, and folk conspiracies are usually read before going to the churchyard.
Of course, there are also talismans made from herbs. There is also a special one that protects against evil spirits.embroidery, this type of amulets was common in Little Russia and the Don. However, in order to make and use them, specific knowledge, a certain personality type and, no doubt, esoteric experience are required.
What do the clergy think?
It is precisely with the spread of Christianity that at a certain historical moment pregnant women had to attend the funerals of people close to them, contrary to popular signs and established traditions.
Currently, the position of the church is no different from the previous one. Priests do not see anything bad in death, capable of harming a woman and the baby she is carrying. On the question of whether pregnant women can go to a funeral, the opinion of the church is unambiguous - to send a loved one on their last journey, to say goodbye to him is the duty of every Christian.
The clergy argue their position by the fact that death is an integral part of life, moreover, the Lord equally loves all his children - both those who are on earth and those who have found peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.
What do psychologists say?
There is no consensus among doctors about whether pregnant women can attend the funeral of a loved one. Psychotherapists consider this issue in direct relationship with the mental attitude and state of he alth of a woman. This means that if a pregnant woman considers herself obliged to be at the graveyard during the funeral, is not special, prone to mysticism, superstition, does not show signs of stress or depression, then noThere are no barriers to visiting the cemetery.
However, if a woman believes in omens, is afraid, is nervous, then the answer to the question of whether pregnant women can go to a funeral will be a categorical "no". Psychotherapists are also loyal to the use of amulets, reading protective prayers or the use of other talismans. Such an attitude is not caused by belief in folk signs, but by the individual characteristics of the psyche of a pregnant woman. In other words, if the expectant mother experiences fear, stress and is absolutely sure that she needs prayers and talismans, then she needs to use them.
Signs related to the dead and funerals
If there are doubts about whether it is possible to be pregnant at a funeral, then it will not be superfluous to find out about the general signs associated with burial.
The coffin with the deceased should not be lifted and carried to relatives, family members. It is generally accepted that a dead man can drag his “native blood” with him. Neighbors, acquaintances, friends can move the domino. They should wrap their hands with a new towel, which is destroyed after burial or buried under the coffin.
The lid can only be nailed in the graveyard. If this is done earlier, then death will definitely return to the house. A coffin lid forgotten in an apartment is considered a very bad sign. This means that death has not finished its work. The people give the same meaning to a too large, wide grave pit.
You should not walk in front of the coffin, and you should not look into the windows of those who take part infuneral procession. Also, such an action as turning back is prohibited, even if someone called out.
Signs related to windows and funerals
Special attention to women who trust signs and are expecting a baby should be paid to those that are not related to the direct presence on the churchyard or participation in the funeral procession.
It is no coincidence that in the old days all the windows in the houses were tightly curtained, past which the funeral procession was supposed to pass. There is such a sign - you can not consider the coffin with the deceased. Otherwise, the dead man can drag him along. Signs also say that people who closely observe the funeral, both through the windows and with their own eyes, are sure to become seriously ill. It is especially dangerous to consider funeral processions for children and those whose body is weakened, for example, by pregnancy or a recent illness, prolonged malnutrition, or something else.
If the look at the coffin carried past the windows fell by accident, then you need to turn away and cross yourself. In the old days, in such situations, they made the sign of the cross three times.
Signs associated with the presence of the deceased in the house
It is generally accepted that the dead should not be left alone. This is one of the few traditions in which the church and esotericists are united. Practicing magicians, soothsayers, healers and others believe that objects on the dead man, as well as parts of his body, for example, hair or nails, have strong energy, that is, they can be used in any rituals, for example, in inflicting damage. In other words, the deceased should be guarded.
The Church calls not to leave the dead alone for other reasons. According to the priests, the soul of the deceased needs prayer support. For this reason, one should be near the tomb and earnestly pray to the Lord for mercy on the soul of the deceased.
There is another superstition. If the dead man's eyelids rise, then the person who "catches" his gaze will surely die in the near future. Accordingly, there should be someone next to the coffin who lowers the eyelids of the dead.
Should I visit cemeteries when pregnant? Possible consequences
Of course, questions about whether pregnant women can go to a relative's funeral or not are decided by the women themselves and their loved ones. However, one must understand that such a pastime can have the most unfortunate consequences, and the mystical forces will not be to blame at all.
A pregnant woman, regardless of whether she is inclined to believe in folk omens or not, is extremely impressionable. During the bearing of a baby in the female body, the hormonal background changes and many other physiological processes occur that have a direct impact on the emotional, nervous state. No wonder all experts, without exception, say that a pregnant woman should receive only positive emotions, good impressions. A visit to the churchyard is not one of those.