As autumn nights grow longer and November draws to a close, Poland embraces one of its most enchanting traditions: Andrzejki, the mystical celebration of St. Andrew’s Eve. On the night of November 29th through 30th, young people gather to peer into their futures through ancient divination rituals, transforming an ordinary late-November evening into a magical portal to destiny.
The History of St. Andrew’s Day in Poland
St. Andrew’s Day, celebrated on November 30th, honors the apostle who became the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, and Russia. In Poland, however, the festivities take on a distinctly local flavor, blending Christian observance with pre-Christian Slavic customs that date back centuries.
The first written mention of Andrzejki fortune-telling celebrations in Poland appears in 1557, though the traditions themselves are undoubtedly older. The timing of this celebration holds special significance: as St. Andrew’s Day marks the beginning of Advent, it was believed that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds grew thin during this transitional period. The spirits of ancestors were thought to descend to earth, making them most accessible for those seeking glimpses of what lay ahead.
Originally, Andrzejki was exclusively a celebration for young unmarried women. In traditional Polish society, this was the one night when maidens could legitimately inquire about their romantic futures—who they would marry, when, and what their married life would hold. These divinations were treated with great seriousness, as marriage determined a woman’s entire future in those days.
Traditional Divination Methods
The heart of Andrzejki lies in its fortune-telling games, each more creative than the last. While dozens of methods have been practiced over the centuries, several have endured as the most beloved traditions.
Wax Pouring (Lanie Wosku)
The most iconic Andrzejki tradition is lanie wosku, or wax pouring. This ritual has remained virtually unchanged for centuries and continues to be the centerpiece of modern celebrations.
Here’s how it works: participants melt candle wax (traditionally beeswax) and pour it through the eye of an old-fashioned skeleton key into a bowl of cold water. The wax hardens instantly upon contact with the water, creating unique, often bizarre shapes. The solidified wax is then carefully removed and held up to candlelight or a lamp, casting shadows on a wall. These shadows are interpreted to reveal aspects of the future—a future spouse’s profession, upcoming journeys, financial prospects, or even the shape of one’s future home.
The interpretation requires imagination and a willingness to see meaning in abstract forms. Does that blob look like a ship? Perhaps travel abroad awaits. A ring shape? Marriage is near. A cross? It could signify spiritual growth or, more ominously, challenges ahead. The ambiguity is part of the fun, sparking lively debates as friends offer competing interpretations.
Shoe Racing
Another beloved tradition involves shoes—specifically, who will be the first to marry. Young women (and now men too) line up their shoes in a single row, positioned one behind the other. One by one, the last shoe is moved to the front of the line. The process repeats until one shoe crosses a designated threshold, typically a doorway. The owner of that shoe will be the first in the group to marry.
This simple game generates enormous excitement, with participants cheering on their footwear and groaning dramatically when someone else’s shoe takes the lead. Some variations involve kicking or throwing the shoes toward the door, adding a competitive element to the divination.
Apple Peel Prophecy
The apple peel tradition combines skill with fortune-telling. Each participant attempts to peel an apple in one long, continuous strip. The person who produces the longest unbroken peel will enjoy the most luck in the coming year—or, in some versions, will have the most durable romantic relationship.
Once peeled, the apple skin is tossed over the left shoulder. When it lands, participants examine its shape for the first letter of their future spouse’s name. An “S” curve? Perhaps a Stefan or Sylwia awaits. This method requires considerable imagination, as apple peels rarely land in neat, legible formations.
Keys Through Keyholes
A variation on the wax-pouring tradition involves simply peering through a keyhole at midnight while reciting specific incantations. According to folklore, one might catch a glimpse of their future spouse’s face or a symbolic representation of their destiny. While this method requires less preparation than wax pouring, it demands darkness, silence, and nerves of steel—staring through a keyhole at midnight can be genuinely spooky.
Other Traditional Games
Polish folklore records dozens of additional Andrzejki divinations. Some involved interpreting patterns made by egg whites dropped in water, reading coffee grounds, or drawing names written on slips of paper. Others required counting fence posts while walking blindfolded or listening for specific sounds at midnight. Each region of Poland developed its own variations, creating a rich tapestry of fortune-telling traditions.
Modern Andrzejki Celebrations in Poland
Today’s Andrzejki has evolved considerably from its solemn historical roots. While the fortune-telling games remain, the evening has transformed into a festive social event celebrating singlehood rather than anxiously seeking marriage.
Contemporary Andrzejki parties in Poland are vibrant affairs, typically held in homes, restaurants, or clubs. The atmosphere is playful rather than mystical, with groups of friends gathering to enjoy food, drinks, dancing, and yes, fortune-telling games. The wax-pouring tradition remains hugely popular, but it’s now performed with laughter and playful skepticism rather than serious belief.
The demographic has also expanded. While originally limited to young unmarried women, Andrzejki now welcomes everyone—men, women, married and single, young and old. Many universities organize large Andrzejki parties for students, complete with DJs, themed decorations, and fortune-telling stations. Companies sometimes host Andrzejki events as team-building activities.
Interestingly, the party aspect has grown so prominent that November 29th is now one of the busiest nights of the year for Polish bars, clubs, and restaurants. It’s become something of an unofficial holiday for young adults, a last chance to party before the more solemn Advent season begins.
Age Groups and Social Aspects
Traditionally, Andrzejki was primarily celebrated by teenagers and young adults in their marriageable years, roughly ages 15 to 30. Today, the celebration has broader appeal across age groups, though it remains most popular among younger demographics.
For teenagers, Andrzejki parties offer a first taste of grown-up socializing, with school-organized events providing safe environments for fortune-telling fun. University students embrace Andrzejki with particular enthusiasm, organizing elaborate themed parties that rank among the highlights of the academic year.
Young professionals in their twenties and thirties often host more sophisticated gatherings, combining traditional games with wine tastings or dinner parties. Even older Poles sometimes organize nostalgic Andrzejki events, recreating the parties of their youth.
The social aspect of Andrzejki cannot be overstated. These gatherings strengthen community bonds, provide opportunities to meet potential romantic partners (ironically fulfilling the original purpose), and create shared memories. In a world of digital communication, Andrzejki parties offer genuine face-to-face connection wrapped in tradition and playfulness.
Polish-American Celebrations in the Bay Area
The Bay Area’s Polish community has enthusiastically maintained Andrzejki traditions, adapting them to American life while preserving their essential character. Local Polish-American organizations, churches, and cultural centers frequently organize Andrzejki events at the end of November.
These gatherings serve multiple purposes for the diaspora community. They provide a tangible connection to Polish heritage, especially important for second and third-generation Polish-Americans. They introduce Polish customs to non-Polish spouses and friends, fostering cross-cultural understanding. And they create community, bringing together Polish speakers and heritage enthusiasts who might otherwise rarely meet.
Bay Area Andrzejki celebrations typically blend traditional elements with American party culture. You’ll find wax-pouring stations alongside appetizer tables featuring both Polish pierogi and California wines. Shoe-racing games might be followed by dancing to both Polish folk music and contemporary pop. The fortune-telling remains central, but the overall vibe is inclusive and educational, welcoming anyone interested in Polish culture.
Some Polish-American families host private Andrzejki parties at home, teaching younger generations the traditions their grandparents brought from Poland. These intimate gatherings often prove most meaningful, as family stories and memories intertwine with ancient customs.
Hosting Your Own DIY Andrzejki Fortune-Telling Party
Ready to host your own Andrzejki celebration? Here’s a comprehensive guide to creating an authentic fortune-telling party:
Essential Supplies
- For wax pouring: Candles (beeswax works best), matches, a metal spoon or small pot for melting, skeleton keys (or any large key), bowls of cold water, and a white wall for shadow-casting
- For shoe racing: Just shoes—and a doorway or finish line
- For apple peeling: Apples and paring knives for each guest
- Atmosphere: Candles, dim lighting, perhaps some Polish folk music or contemporary Polish music in the background
Setting the Scene
Create an appropriately mysterious atmosphere with low lighting, candles, and perhaps some autumn decorations. If possible, include Polish elements like folk art, red and white colors, or traditional textiles. Set up multiple “fortune-telling stations” so guests can try different divination methods throughout the evening.
Food and Drink
Serve Polish appetizers like pierogi, kielbasa, cheese plates with pickles, and traditional pastries. For drinks, offer vodka (Poland’s national spirit), Polish beer, or hot beverages like tea and coffee for those preferring non-alcoholic options.
The Fortune-Telling Program
Start the evening with explanations of each tradition’s history and significance. Then guide guests through the activities:
- Begin with wax pouring, as it’s the most elaborate and time-consuming
- Follow with shoe racing while wax shapes are cooling
- Move to apple peeling, which works well as a competitive game
- End with any additional games or simply dancing and socializing
Encourage creativity in interpreting the wax shadows—the wilder the predictions, the better. Consider offering small prizes for the longest apple peel, the first shoe across the threshold, or the most imaginative wax shadow interpretation.
Making It Educational
For guests unfamiliar with Polish culture, take time to explain the historical context. Share that Andrzejki connects to both Christian and pre-Christian traditions, discuss how these customs helped young people in historical Poland navigate the uncertainty of their futures, and explain how the celebration has evolved into its modern form.
Connecting to Other Polish Traditions
Andrzejki represents just one jewel in Poland’s crown of seasonal celebrations. Those interested in exploring more Polish traditions might also enjoy learning about Polish New Year’s Eve traditions, which continue the winter season’s festive spirit with their own unique customs. The fortune-telling aspect of Andrzejki also connects thematically to Polish wedding customs, as both traditions focus on romantic partnerships and future happiness.
The Enduring Appeal of Andrzejki
Why has Andrzejki endured for nearly five centuries, evolving yet remaining recognizable? Perhaps because it addresses universal human longings: the desire to know what the future holds, the need for community and celebration during dark winter months, and the eternal fascination with love and partnership.
In our modern age of data and predictability, Andrzejki offers something refreshingly unknowable. The wax shapes are genuinely random, the interpretations genuinely subjective. This unpredictability, combined with the tradition’s playful spirit, creates space for imagination, hope, and laughter—qualities that transcend any single culture or era.
For the Bay Area’s Polish community, Andrzejki serves an additional purpose: maintaining living connections to ancestral traditions. When Polish-Americans pour wax through keys on November 29th, they’re performing the same ritual their great-grandmothers performed in villages across Poland. This continuity matters, creating threads of cultural memory that span continents and generations.
Whether you approach Andrzejki as a believer in divination, a cultural enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys unique parties, this Polish tradition offers something special: a night of mystery, friendship, and peering hopefully toward whatever the future may hold.
References
Join the Bay Area Polish community for upcoming Andrzejki celebrations, or host your own fortune-telling party to experience this enchanting tradition firsthand. Who knows what the wax shadows might reveal about your future?
Tagged polish-traditions, andrzejki, fortune-telling, november