Note 692 — Chapter VI · LUNAR CALENDARS AND THE WEEK

In Thessaly and Macedonia Saturday (σάββατον) is considered inauspicious for beginning any undertaking. This taboo on the day has been considered as perhaps a reminiscence of the Jewish Sabbath (Sir Rennell Rodd, The Customs and Lore of Modern Greece, London, 1892, p. 159). According to Mr. G. F. Abbott, the Macedonians believe it unlucky to finish any work on a Saturday; the end of the week being associated in some way with the end of the owner’s life. “People born on a Saturday (hence called Σαββατιανοί or Sabbatarians) are believed to enjoy the doubtful privilege of seeing ghosts and phantasms, and of possessing great influence over vampires” (Macedonian Folklore, Cambridge, 1903, pp. 191, 221).