Twelve days before Christmas is a bewitching time in Slovakia. The cycle of Witches' Days in Slovak folk tradition is reaching its end with St. Lucy's Day. Until the end of the 16th century, this day was the shortest in the year. On this dark day people believed witches were at their greatest power. Superstitions concerning love happened, too.

The time between St. Catherine's Day on November 11th and St. Lucy's Day on December 13th used to be called Witches' Days. People believed that witches were most powerful two weeks before Christmas.

Take heed of these days. The end of the cycle of so called Witches' Days, time when the activities of evil living in the dark culminate, including that of witches. Don't spin thread and don't sew on December 13th, if you have cattle, lock the door of the stable, hang a garlic wreath and sign a cross on it. Don't forget to take a pan and make big noise at crossroads to drive away the witches. If you want to be sure that the witch Lucy will not do any harm to you, these several rules will protect you against the evil and secure you a tranquil wait for Christmas Eve.