The unusual word "blacktrop" comes from the merger of two words - "black" and "path". Blacktrop - this is the road in the fall, when their blackness is especially noticeable. The constant movement of equipment and pedestrians breaks the frozen road. Its surface is clearly distinguished against the background of white snow or yellowish withered grass and leaves.
Meaning of the word blacktrop
In the modern interpretation of explanatory dictionaries, the word "blacktrop" has several interpretations:
- The Black Trop is the period of time of autumn cold before the first snow falls.
- Holiday dedicated to the goddess Makosha. Among the ancient pagans, he was revered no less than the feast of Yarila the Cold, the lord of warriors.
- Hunters are called the actual autumn hunt.
Blacktrop Holiday
For the Russian folk tradition, the Black Tropic feast is by value the most important in the month of Gruden, modern November. The date of the holiday is November 9th. Although each year the date may shift, depending on weather conditions. The black path against the backdrop of white snow symbolized the last warmth of the earth itself.
During this period of autumn, snow already covers everything around, but the roads and paths that people walk along blacken. This stems from the fact that the snow trampled underfoot melts. It lasts for about two weeks, and then winter comes and the goddess of winter - Siwa - takes over the rights.
The Black Trop festival itself is dedicated to the pagan goddess of fate - Mokoshe. Among the ancient Slavs, it symbolized the protector of the hearth. The servants of the goddess were considered spiders. Hence the patronage of Mokosh over such a craft as spinning.
After the Blacktrop festival, all agricultural work was completed. Long winter evenings began - at this time women weaved, spun, knitted, embroidered.
Blacktrop - Hunting
The second most popular meaning of the word "blacktrop" is hunting. Basically, during this period of the year they hunt rabbits. The explanation is very simple: white hares can be clearly seen on the black background of the frozen ground, not yet covered with snow. A blacktrop is snow-free soil (in the slang of hunters).
During the Black Trop period, hunters divide the trails into three main types:
- black path, when the surface of the earth is absolutely free from snow;
- a white path - everything is covered with snow, and on its surface traces of animals are perfectly readable;
- motley path - from the name itself it is clear that snow does not lie in a continuous cover, but only in places.
For hounds , pure land, the blacktrop, is preferable. They more easily take a trace, do not get stuck in the snow and are able to catch up with the game. On the other hand, experienced hunters know: the longer the snow does not fall, the more difficult it is for dogs to work on the black trophy.
The long absence of snow cover contributes to the fact that the hare or the fox densely covers their habitats while searching for food. It is not always possible to understand them and a well-trained dog.
The Black Trop is time for leisurely walks through the autumn forest. True connoisseurs of peace and quiet can truly enjoy this gloomy season.