Michaelmas Day (Sept. 29th), Archangel Michael's name day, marked the end of the summer half-year that had started with St. George's Day. On this day a sheep used to be killed. That had given rise to the saying: "Every ram will have his Michaelmas". Beer was brewed and everybody enjoyed a rich feast. Besides the harvest festival and the completion of field work, additional occasion for celebration was also the termination of the contracts concluded with the farm-hands hired for the summer. It was customary to go to taverns and to the Michaelmas fair. Herdsboys would build Michaelmas bonfires together. In Tartu and Võru counties they would chase a white ram or goat three times round a stone to make snow fall soon. In the evening when cattle came home from the pasture, the animals were checked for any grass stalks in their mouths, which was an omen of shortage of food in the winter. It was believed that from Michaelmas onwards wolves had the right to kill domestic animals, therefore the latter were no longer left outside for the night. Moonshine and sunshine foretold that there was no shortage of fodder to fear. After Michaelmas social activities, which had become slack in the village during the period of intense field work following Midsummer Day, began to gain momentum again. Now started the high season for wedding parties, which lasted up to the beginning of January.
Soon after Michaelmas followed the "ghosts' visiting time", when the spirits of dead ancestors were believed to visit their former homes. The commonest reference to that time was: "before St. Martins' Day". All Souls' Day on November 2nd as memorial day for the dead was established by the Catholic Church and gained popularity in Estonia only later. Foggy, halcyon weather was expected during the ghosts' visiting time; in windy weather the spirits were believed to have no peace. It was obligatory to cultivate silence. In the evenings the ancestors' spirits were expected to return to their homes. To show them due respect, the sauna bath was heated and delicious dishes were cooked, which were left in the sauna bath or in some other out-of-the-way place. On finding that the food had been eaten, the spirits were believed to have been pleased with the offerings and to bring luck to the household. Thaw and frost during the ghosts' visiting time served as bases for forecasting the weather and the nature of next year's harvest.
The ghosts' visiting time ended on St. Martins' Day (Nov. 10th), the commemoration day of Bishop Martinus. This day marked both the end of the economic year and the beginning of winter. The swingling of flax was expected to have been completed and now sheep shearing began. Beer was brewed and special Martinmas sausages were made. The custom of serving Martinmas goose on this day was not introduced till 20th century. St. Martin's Day was primarily a festival for men, who liked to spend some time at taverns. In several localities Martinmas fairs were held. In comparison with the customs of other peoples, a special characteristic feature of the day in Estonia was young people and children going from farm to farm on the eve of St. Martin's Day, wearing masks and costumes and asking for alms. The Marts were males, hairy, black, and ghastly. Often they represented a family led by Father Mart.
In Estonia St. Catherine's Day (Nov. 25th), memorial day St. Catherine, is richer in traditions than it is in other countries thanks to the custom of young women and girls wearing masks and costumes going from farm to farm. This was regarded as a women's festival and that is why the Catherines were dressed in clean white clothes. They sang, danced, and rang bells. They asked for alms and in return blessed the master and the mistress and their household.