Before starting a conversation about the pagan holidays of our ancestors, it is probably worth understanding the very concept of “paganism”. Scientists are now trying not to give an unambiguous interpretation of this term. Previously, it was generally accepted that modern society owes the emergence of the concept of “paganism” to the New Testament. In which the word “Yazians” corresponded to the concept of “other peoples,” that is, those who had a religion different from Christian. Historians and philologists who study Slavic culture believe that the sacred meaning of this concept lies in the Old Slavic word “yazhichestvo”, which in modern language would sound like “paganism”, that is, respect for kinship, clan and blood ties. Our ancestors really treated family ties with special reverence, since they considered themselves part of everything that exists, and therefore were related to Mother Nature and all its manifestations.
Sun
The pantheon of gods was also based on the forces of nature, and pagan holidays served as an occasion to honor and show due respect to these forces. Like other ancient peoples, the Slavs deified the Sun, because the very process of survival depended on the luminary, so the main holidays were dedicated to its position in the sky and the changes associated with this position.
The ancient Slavs lived according to a solar calendar, which corresponded to the position of the Sun relative to other astronomical objects. The year was calculated not by the number of days, but by four main astronomical events associated with the Sun: the spring equinox, the summer equinox. Accordingly, the main pagan holidays were associated with natural changes occurring during the astronomical year.
Main Slavic holidays
The ancient Slavs began the new year with the vernal equinox. This great holiday of victory over winter was called Komoeditsa. The holiday dedicated to the summer solstice was called Kupaila Day. The autumn equinox was celebrated with the Veresen holiday. The main celebration in the winter was pagan. The four main holidays of our ancestors were dedicated to the hypostases of the Sun, which it changes depending on the time of the astronomical year. Deifying and endowing the luminary with human qualities, the Slavs believed that the Sun changes throughout the year, like a person during his life. True, unlike the latter, the deity, dying on the night before the winter solstice, is reborn in the morning.
Kolyada, or Yule Solstice
The beginning of astronomical winter, the great pagan solstice, dedicated to the rebirth of the Sun, which was identified with the baby born at dawn of the winter solstice (December 21). The celebrations lasted for two weeks, and the great Yule began at sunset on December 19th. All relatives gathered to celebrate the Nativity of the Sun; the wise men lit bonfires to scare away evil spirits and show the way to the guests gathering for the festive feast. On the eve of the birth of the renewed Sun, the forces of evil could be especially active, because between the death of the old Sun Svetovit and the birth of the new Kolyada there was a magical night of timelessness. It was believed that our ancestors could resist otherworldly forces by getting together for general fun.
That night, the Slavs lit ritual fires to help the Sun be born. They cleaned their homes and farmsteads, washed and put themselves in order. And in the fire they burned everything old and unnecessary, symbolically and literally getting rid of the burden of the past, in order to meet the reborn Sun in the morning cleansed and renewed. The still very weak winter sun was called Kolyada (an affectionate derivative of Kolo, that is, a circle) and they rejoiced that every day it would get stronger, and the day would begin to lengthen. The festivities continued according to our calendar until sunset on January 1st.
Magical night of Yule
The ancient Slavs, like modern people, considered the twelfth night of Yule (from December 31 to January 1) the most fabulous and magical and celebrated it with amusing disguises, songs and dances. Not only the tradition of having fun on this night, but also much more, has survived to this day. Modern children are happily waiting for the pagan god Santa Claus, whom the ancient Slavs called to visit in order to appease and thus protect their crops from freezing. In preparation for the New Year holidays, modern people decorate the Christmas tree with glowing garlands, attach Christmas wreaths to the door, and often add cookies and cakes in the form of logs to the sweet table, confidently believing that this is a Christmas Christian tradition. In fact, almost all the attributes are borrowed from the pagan Yule. During the winter period, pagan holidays also took place - Carol Christmastide and Honoring Women. They were accompanied by songs, dances, Christmas fortune-telling and feasts. Throughout all the celebrations, people praised the young Sun as a symbol of the onset of a better and renewed life.
Komoeditsa
The day of the vernal equinox was a holiday dedicated to the beginning of the New Year, the welcoming of spring and the victory over the winter cold. With the advent of Christianity, it was replaced and shifted in time to the beginning of the year according to the church calendar, now known as Maslenitsa. The pagan holiday Komoeditsa was celebrated for two weeks, one before the spring equinox, the other after. At this time, the Slavs celebrated the strengthened and gaining strength of the Sun. Having changed his childhood name Kolyada to Yarilo, the sun god was already strong enough to melt the snow and awaken nature from its winter sleep.
The meaning of the great holiday for our ancestors
During the celebration, our ancestors burned an effigy of winter, because it was often not only cold, but also hungry. With the onset of spring, the fear of the personification of cold death in winter went away. In order to appease spring and ensure its favor to the crops, pieces of pie were laid out on thawed areas of the fields as a treat for Mother Spring. At festive feasts, the Slavs could afford hearty food in order to gain strength for work during the warm season. Celebrating the pagan spring New Year holidays, they danced in circles, had fun and prepared a sacrificial dish for the festive table - pancakes, which in their shape and color resembled the spring sun. Since the Slavs lived in harmony with nature, they revered its flora and fauna. The bear was a highly respected and even deified animal, so on the holiday of the onset of spring, a sacrifice was made to it in the form of pancakes. The name Komoeditsa is also associated with the bear, our ancestors called it kom, hence the proverb “the first pancake is komam,” which means it is intended for bears.
Kupala, or Kupala
(June 21) glorifies the sun god - the mighty and full of strength Kupaila, who bestows fertility and a good harvest. This great day of the astronomical year heads the pagan summer holidays and is the beginning of summer according to the solar calendar. The Slavs rejoiced and had fun, because on this day they could take a break from hard work and glorify the Sun. People danced around the sacred fire, jumped over it, thus purifying themselves, and swam in the river, the water of which was especially healing on this day. The girls told fortunes about their betrothed and launched wreaths of fragrant herbs and summer flowers into the water. The birch tree was decorated with flowers and ribbons - the tree, due to its beautiful and lush decoration, was a symbol of fertility. On this day, all elements have special healing powers. Knowing what pagan holidays are associated with the magic of nature, the wise men prepared all kinds of herbs, flowers, roots, evening and morning dew for Kupala.
The magic of a magical night
Slavic magicians performed many rituals to gain the favor of Kupaila. On a magical night, they walked around the earing fields, chanting incantations against evil spirits and calling for a rich harvest. On Kupala, our ancestors wanted to find a magical fern flower that blooms only on this fabulous night, is capable of working miracles and helps to find treasure. Many folk tales are associated with the search for blooming ferns on Kupala, which means that pagan holidays brought something magical. Of course, we know that this ancient plant does not bloom. And the glow, mistaken by the lucky ones for a magical flowering, is caused by phosphorescent organisms, sometimes present on the leaves of the fern. But will this make the night and the search any less fascinating?
Veresen
A holiday dedicated to the autumnal equinox (September 21), the end of the harvest and the beginning of astronomical autumn. The festivities lasted two weeks, the first until the equinox (Indian Summer) - during this period they calculated the harvest and planned its consumption until the future. The second is after the autumn equinox. On these holidays, our ancestors honored the wise and aging sun Svetovit, thanked the deity for the generous harvest and performed rituals so that the next year would be fertile. Welcoming autumn and saying goodbye to summer, the Slavs lit bonfires and danced in circles, extinguished old fires in their homes and lit new ones. They decorated houses with sheaves of wheat and baked various pies from the harvest for the festive table. The celebration took place on a grand scale, and the tables were laden with food; people thus thanked Svetovit for his generosity.
Our days
With the advent of Christianity, the ancient traditions of our ancestors practically disappeared, because often the new religion was implanted not with a kind word, but with fire and sword. But still, the people's memory is strong, and the church was never able to destroy some traditions and holidays, so it simply agreed with them, replacing the meaning and name. What pagan holidays merged with Christian ones, undergoing changes, and often a shift in time? As it turns out, all the main ones: Kolyada - the birth of the Sun - (Catholic Christmas 4 days later), Komoeditsa - March 20-21 (Maslenitsa - cheese week, shifted in time to the beginning of the year due to Easter Lent), Kupaila - June 21 (Ivana Kupala, a Christian rite tied to the birthday of Ivan the Baptist). Veresen - September 21 (Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). So, despite the passing centuries and the change of religion, the original Slavic holidays, albeit in a modified form, continue to exist, and anyone who is not indifferent to the history of their people can revive them.
Month names:
Lute - January
Komoed - February
Taen - March
Traven - April
Listen - May
Rosten - June
Stozhen - July
Serpin - August
Leaf fall - September
Mokreni - October
Jelly - November
Snezhen - December
January - Prosinets, Kryshen
First full moon holiday Khorsa - hearth and home
From January 6 to January 12, the spirit week is Mokoshi holidays - Friday, until January 6 - Mokoshi holiday (until Friday - Friday 12). Spirit dances and acceptance of new witches.
January 18-19 are brownie days. If the wind blows like a broom on this day, expect blizzards this coming Pancake Week.
January 20 - Veles, the cattle were cleaned (Veles week). If there is frost all week, then there will be frost even before the Stibozh holiday.
January 25 - Perun, Voron Voronovich gave Perun a drink of living water - brother's holiday. If the sun is bright on this day, then spring will be red.
February - Szechen, bokogrey.
February 5 is the day of Stribog the carminative.
They asked for the wind to pass.
February 3-8 - Veles days,
days of the last hunts, everything is preparing for motherhood, for spring birth, from 3 to 11 seven cool matinees.
The stars call for the appearance of cattle.
10 - 14 February -
the holidays of Moarena, Moarena was honored, but not allowed home, the heart was not cooled by anger and quarrels in the family, kindness and love were called into the family.
February 15 - 22 - meeting (Gromnitsa),
- holiday of the Meeting. We welcomed spring - Lada. Spring was called out. They poured love from their hearts into God's light. And the more love people give into the world, the faster and more friendly spring will come. The faster Lada will drive Moarena away. Everyone in the villages walked around cheerfully, everyone congratulated each other and smiled. The gloomy ones were pelted with snowballs.
“And today we have a Meeting, a Meeting,
Winter met with Spring, met,
Spring pushed Winter, pushed it,
And the little knife twirled, twirled,
Winter has gone to cry, cry,
Spring has begun to gallop, gallop!”
There is snow at the beginning of the season and there will be rain all spring.
First Friday. On the same day, Peruno's admirers celebrate Gromnitsa. Perun Svarogovich (Svarozhich) is revered. Gromnitsa - Perun's candle. They surrounded houses, barns, and stables with this candle, then lit it all year long during a thunderstorm, when someone in the house died or was born. Christians replaced this holiday with “The Presentation of the Lord” (1st Thursday among the Perunists).
February 25-Khorsa,
holiday of merchants - daredevils.
February 28 is Veles Day.
If the day is warm, rye will grow; if it’s a starry night, there will be a harvest for peas and berries.
March - Thrush, no water in March, no grass in April.
March 1 is the holiday of Stribog, I flew to rest
If the full moon falls on the day of Stribog, there will be a harvest of milk mushrooms and cucumbers. If the month is new, there will be a hailstorm of summer. If the north wind blows - Winter Road, then the summer will be cold. If the Shelomnik wind is southwestern, then the summer is wet. If the midday wind is south, then the summer is warm.
March 9 - Svarog Day -
Since the rooks have arrived, a friendly spring is coming. Celebrate 40 matinees on Svarog Day.
March 19-24 - Lada, lasted 7 days.
Awakening of the earth. They chose the most beautiful girl - Dodola, dressed her up with green branches and doused her with water, 2nd Friday (in the south, near Kiev). Awakening of the earth. Lighting of the temple.
March 25 - Yarilin's day -
If it rains on this day, expect a rich birth. Thunderstorm - for nuts and mushrooms.
The first full moon after the feast of Lada - the feast of Veles
The spring equinox is a holiday of the goddess Swa, a holiday of time. Holiday Rodogosh.
April - Berezen, the earth is crumbling.
April 1 is water day,
If there is a flood and ice drift, there is a lot of grass, early haymaking.
April 1st - brownie weddings!
April 3 - April 12 Svarog,
Since it’s warm, get the bees out of the alder forest.
April 16 is Dazhdbog Day,
sow cabbage for seedlings so that it is as round as the sun.
April 22 - Lyalnik (Lala holiday), (Lyalnik). “Red Hill” is celebrated for a whole week, round dances are held, and the birth of life on Earth is welcomed (3rd Friday). In the same week they celebrate the days of all the gods, make amulets for livestock, and charm weapons. The birds are released from their cages, the larks are called.
“Hey, you are small birds,
Larks,
Yellow-marbles,
You are flying to us,
Bring it to us
Welcome flyer,
Bring Leleka,
You call Yarilka,
Fly larks,
Carry summer on your wings."
They lead round dances, a symbol of the solar movement, place amulets on cattle, and place those who have been de-legged. The first Sunday of April 22 was the holiday of Rodunitsa, now it is specifically tied to May 1.
23 is the day of Veles.
If Veles's day is with warmth and water, then winter is with goodness (with food). Rain and warmth - belly and goodness for the cattle. If it's frosty, it's dewy. A clear morning means early sowing, a clear evening with a bad day means late sowing.
April 25 - 30 Lelya went for a walk on the ground!
May - Bloom.
May 1 - Rodunitsy, Rozhenits.
12 fires were lit. Memorial day for the spirits of ancestors. We remembered their Favorite songs, jokes, ate, drank, told funny Stories, and organized competitions (4th Friday). On the same day the holiday of Perun was celebrated. When the weather is nice, harvesting bread is good. Once upon a time, on this very day there was a holiday of the willow, they broke it, beat the boys they met with it, fevers, sores, failures, bad lives were driven away from people. It was necessary to beat the willow twig from the leaves. But in fact, the girls looked to see which of the couples was behaving, whether they were laughing, whether they were angry. Although you couldn’t yell, you had to show your youth. He won't disgrace himself in front of the girls. Otherwise, shame cannot be avoided for the whole year; people will make fun of it.
“The willow whip,
Beat me to tears.
Be healthy,
Be lucky
Be happy,
Be beautiful
Fast as a vine
Grow, don't break,
Worship your mother and father!”
Once upon a time, a white bull was slaughtered on this holiday. The cattle were released into the field. Tops of rye (winter crops) began to appear in the fields. The constellation of the Pleiades, Stozhary, rose.
They exhibit a hive of bees.
May 5th - Khorsa, brownie day,
they cleaned huts and yards, burned all the garbage in the fire.
May 5 - 11 - Yarila holiday,
They called out to Yarila and placed the cups. Grooms' Festival.
May 7 is the holiday of the Morning Dawn of Zarnitsa - the Red Mare. Horse Festival.
May 9 is the day of the snake Skoropeya - the copperhead,
The snakes woke up and crawled out to bask in the spring sun. The first full moon from the snake day of the night of Veles, mermaids and goblin woke up, the week of the forest. If it is foggy on this day, it will be wet all summer. And the sunrise is copper, crimson - the copperhead snake will send a thunderous summer.
May 10 is Dazhdbog Day.
Dazhdbog rejected Moarena and became engaged to Dennitsa. They read for love, they tie it to their own doorstep.
May 14 is Stribog Day,
The seas have passed, the winds are cold and bitter.
May 16 - Lyalnik,
A holiday was organized for children and small animals. Lyalka came and brought warmth.
May 20-Veles,
They hung bells around the cattle's necks. If the top of an oak tree has a edge, you will measure the oats with a tub.
May 29 - holiday of Perun, Mokoshi
they asked for water, but no hail. When the rain came, they showed him the scythes, and sharpened the scythes and sickles.
May 30 is the day of Veles and Stribog,
They began to build baths and huts.
June - Izyuk, Cross, Solstice.
June 4 - Yarily,
They greeted Yarila and asked for a warm summer and a harvest. We met the sun in the fields. If the sun rose bright in the morning, rye and pearl barley would be good in the fields. If it broke through the clouds, with a gloomy and rainy day, then only the hemp was a freak.
June 5 is Stribog Day,
If the Midday wind (south) - for the spring harvest, if Poberezhnik (northwestern) - for damp autumn, if Voskhodnik (eastern) - for pestilence.
The first full moon from Yarilin's day was Sivka, now the specific date has become.
June 11 - Perun, birth of Perun.
Celebration of death and rebirth.
June 15 - mermaids (witch's week), Rusalya week, Swirl -
they wove wreaths from birch branches, and wove their destiny with them. They lead round dances, and on the last day of the week the mermaids go to the graveyard and sweep flowers over the graves of loved ones. Sun for winter, summer for heat.
June 19-24 - Mokoshi week,
Includes the holiday of Kupalo - the summer solstice. June 24 is the snake day, in honor of the fact that Perun defeated the Scepter, pierced him with a spear and bathed him in the seven sacred waters. On this day they poured water on each other (6th Friday). But in general, these days everyone celebrates all the gods. The first full moon from the Kupava holiday is the Day of the Quiet Sun. We must meet the Sun and draw strength from the first rays. Cone of power. (Horn of power) Before Kupala Day, children ask the god of rain, but after that there is no need.
June 27 - Perun's day,
If it rains, it will rain for seven weeks. And Zarnitsa will light the bread.
July - Cherven, Pollen.
July 4 - Great Veles holiday, Veles's birthday
(milk ripeness of grain). The blueberry (blueberry) is ripe, the rye is sickly.
July 5 - Perynya,
They asked not to rain, they took off the hard times, and used them for the harvest.
July 6, 7 - Rainbow Holiday,
they collected dew in the meadows, made them look beautiful, and helped the children get along from fears and troubles. They put gratitude.
July 6 -15 - Mokoshi Rodunits (dew was collected from the meadows).
Great dew, since it is very wet on them, suffers badly.
July 12 is the holiday of Veles. Veles Foot Day. The grass in the meadows is mowed. Honoring Veles.
July 14, victory over the serpent Indrik.
Forgiveness to all people for unnecessary insults. A memorial for the departed and fallen warriors. I am reaping the beginning.
July 15 - Yarila's holiday.
Widow's Day - to get married again. The mornings are cold.
July 20 - Perun, chief.
Sacrifice, veneration of all those who died for the Russian Land, celebration of future and past victories of the Russians. 8 fires are burned all night. Summer before lunch, autumn in the evening.
July 24 is the day of Simargl, Roda.
If the morning is cold and rainy, winter is cold and frozen. They asked for it to pass and not be hit by frost or hail.
August - Zarev
August 3 - Stribozhiy Day, Day of Stribog Vetrogon.
Whirlwinds for a cool winter.
August 1-7 - Veles and Yarilin week,
mushroom picker - berry picker, grain picker and offspring. Winter sowing begins. The first full moon from Veles Day, the Khorsa holiday, is now timed to August 5th.
August 5-Khors,
Huts are cleaned, envious ghosts are driven out, stoves and huts are celebrated.
August 19 - Veles Day,
the end of the harvest, Veles's beard was curled. The little ones are the little ones. Horse holiday.
The star Spica was rising in the sky.
August 28 - Mokoshi, Rodunits and Lada.
Honey was collected from beehives. Once the lingonberries are ripe, the oats are ready.
September - Autumn, a lot of acorns for a warm winter.
The first full moon was his holiday. Now they made it September 1 and renamed the autumn holiday to Semin Day. First meeting of autumn.
September 9-Mokoshi,
They sprinkled grain on their heads, burned 7 bonfires, the harvest festival (9th Friday). Summer is over.
September 15 is the feast of Svyatogor the hero.
Cabbage evenings.
September 16 - Lelya,
They celebrated a holiday for the children, the cattle that were born in the spring were looked at who would be kept for the family, and who would be put under the knife or for sale. Sheep were sheared. If the cranes and storks fly, then frost will fall on the cover, but if not, then later.
September 20 - Night of Good Spirits,
they went to sacred groves, to churchyards, appeased the spirits, asked for advice.
September 23 - Divas (Divons), - autumnal equinox.
The first Sunday after the autumn equinox is the holiday of Dazhdbog (saying goodbye). The first full moon after the autumn equinox is the night of Viya.
September 24 is the day of Veles fieldfare,
We started making mash, beer, and honey. Determine the bees for the winter. The ants began to lock the huts.
October - Breast.
If a leaf falls from a birch tree cleanly, expect an easy year, but if it doesn’t fall cleanly, it will be a bad winter. The willow is covered with frost early - a long spring is expected.
October 4 - Veles and the goblin.
Leshes, water creatures, and mermaids hibernate. The Vokhodnik (eastern) wind is blowing - the winter will be cold. Hunters' Festival.
With the appearance of the star Arcturus in the sky, the holiday of the Rodunits was celebrated. All their ancestors were remembered and thanked for the year.
The first full moon after the appearance of the star Arcturus - the festival of Dawn, is now dedicated to a specific date.
October 14 - Morning Dawn,
I started sewing a veil for my brother, and sewed the grooms to their hem. The powder settled on the dirt on the roads.
October 28-31 - Mokosha days,
Festival of living fire. The whole week of Mokosha (10th Friday). A holiday of good luck and good fate. And also the night of all the spirits of the Earth (the main holiday is the witch holiday!).
October 31-2 is the night of the elements and Grandfather's night,
holiday of fire, water, wind, earth. Rising of the star Antares, 7 days of the holiday of Moarena and her 12 daughters,
They revered them and commemorated them in the swamps and forests.
The first full moon from the rising of the star Antares, the holiday of Svarozhich, the holiday of the cup, and abundance.
November - Breast
November 3-9 - Mokoshina week.
If the ice has frozen the river, then the winter is fierce, and the spring is friendly.
November 10th is the day of the brownie,
The yard is freezing, but the house is keeping the stove. Kiln Festival.
The first full moon from Brownie Day is the night of Viy and the snake Skoropeya. If the rain has passed, then wait for the thaw until the Rodion holidays.
15 -11 - November day of Svarog,
threw God's things to the ground.
November 28-Mokoshi spinners.
December - Jelly
December 5-Khorsa,
holiday of the merchant, and at home. The frost is cracking, take care of the cattle.
December 10 - Striboga carminative.
If the winds cover the trail, there will be no road.
December 11 is the holiday of grandfather Karachun.
They baked kulebyaki pies, treated everyone (the more layers in the kulebyaki with different fillings, the better), and paid tributes to the dead.
December 12 is Dazhdbog holiday.
Sun for summer, winter for frost. Pancakes and pancakes were baked, chickens and roosters were beaten.
December 20 - 24 - holidays of Yarila (Yaruna)
The week before Kolyada is the week of Veles and Viy.
December 25-Dazhdbog.
A clear day for the harvest, a starry sky for a large crop of livestock.
December 26 - Mokoshi holiday (Friday 11), Rod holiday (Monday 1).
If the paths are black to the buckwheat harvest.
The holiday of Perun - the brother's cup. On the first full moon from Kolyada, Perunov Ovsen is celebrated. Peruno's admirers pour barley, oats, buckwheat into the corners of houses:
“Perun walks on Ovsen - day,
Carrying grain around the huts is not lazy,
Wherever it flutters, life grows.
In the field there is a nucleus, in the house there is goodness.”
Zo December-Lelya
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Slavic holidays are interesting when you need to understand how our ancestors celebrated important dates, significant events, at what time they held rituals and folk celebrations. We all want to touch the past as closely as possible. Holidays have always been considered one of the most significant and important cyclical elements of tradition. In other words, they were repeated 50 times in a person’s life, and he passed on the knowledge and understanding of the holiday to his relatives, his children and grandchildren. In science, this phenomenon is called a rudiment - a strong tradition from the past, which, despite everything, exists to this day. For example, no matter how the holidays, Kupala, or Krasnaya Gorka, or Caroling, are distorted, we know about them even in the early stages of immersion in our native faith. This, friends, is the tradition that could not be erased, destroyed, replaced, or distorted. Although no, they still managed to distort it a little with the confusion of dates, the prescription of the names of Saints instead of Gods, etc., but we did not receive complete formatting of the Slavic holidays even after a thousand years. In this article we will briefly talk about the holidays in each month. Such information will be useful in familiarizing and understanding the essence of the Slavic calendar. First of all, the calendar was, of course, solar, not lunar. Since the most iconic festivals of the Slavs always fell on the weeks of the solstice and equinox. |
Holidays are needed today among the Slavic Rodnovers:
- - In order to get live communication with like-minded people.
- - To obtain a positive ritual experience.
- - To familiarize yourself with your ancestors and their traditions.
Therefore, many who come to the Slavic Rodnoverie first try to study the holidays, and... This is completely normal and natural. To facilitate understanding and simpler inclusion of the Slavic faith in the information field, this article was created.
The Slavic calendar has 12 months, which bear their own names. These names are still retained by the Eastern Slavs. In the language of Belarusians and Ukrainians, for example. Russians have only vague memories; we no longer remember what berezozol is.
I don’t see the point in writing about the calendar system exhaustively, since it already exists.
The article will also contain references to Folk Signs for each month. This is very important for understanding the names of the months and for knowing their essence.
We will talk about the holidays, of course, from the spring equinox, when the new summer was celebrated.
Slavic holidays on Berezozol (March)
March 23 - Komoedintsy(22-24-25) - Maslenitsa is the meeting of spring. More. The vernal equinox. Special ritual comas are formed and various ritual activities take place in order to awaken the bear and welcome spring.March 24 - Day of the Awakening of the Bear (Veles)- continuation of Maslenitsa. This is a set of celebrations associated with the comedienne. The essence of the holiday is the awakening of the bear. This is played out by dressing up an adult, portly man in skins. And the goal of the entire community is to push away the “bear,” thereby awakening it.
March 25 - Invocation of spring. At this time, they tell fortunes, communicate through a candle, read hymns and spells. It is active in the Slavic vein.
March 27 - Krasnaya Gorka(Slavic New Year, spring equinox). The Liberation of Dazhbog the Living is celebrated. An effigy of Marena is burned, hymns are read to Yarila and Zhiva. Painted eggs are rolled down the mountain, so people can tell fortunes. From this day on, it is considered that the New Summer has come into force. People call the month caddisfly, pollen. The name pollen is still enshrined in East Slavic languages. The Slavs liked to name months according to characteristic features. So, in April, streams flow, everything finally awakens from winter and the first green grass appears. Nature begins to recover from deep winter sleep. And even the first snowdrops appear.
Slavic holidays on Tsveten (April)
April 1 - Domovoy's birthday. On April 1st they don’t trust anyone. The brownie always hides everything, doesn’t he? Hide something for the brownie and ask him to find it. Play a prank on your family and friends. for order in the house.April 3 - Vodopol, Water Day. Vodyanoy wakes up from hibernation. He needs to be appeased. This is especially true for all those whose lives are in one way or another connected with fishing in water bodies. More details about the holiday.
April 14 - Semargl Day. Semargl (Simargl) - Fire God. On this day we remember the Oldest Slavic god Semargl. We give him praise, thank him for protecting the crops and ask him not to go too wild with the elements. You can read about God Semargl.
April 21 - Lelnik. The semantics of the holiday is connected with the fact that St. George’s Day was the day of the first cattle pasture in the field. All shepherds and livestock owners need to know that, according to tradition, only on this day is it necessary to let livestock go out to pasture for the first time after winter. You must definitely thank the fields and meadows for the abundance of grass, and ask him to look after the livestock.
April 23 - Yarilo Veshny Read more about the holiday. On this day, an important ritual is performed - the Unlocking of the Earth, or in other words - the Origin. This holiday logically continues the motives of the Lelnik Holiday, with the only difference that young people come out into the circle to conspire and thank Yarila, Khorsa, Lelya. On this day, horses are praised, as the solar deities protect them.
April 30 Rodonitsa. On the thirtieth of April the last spring cold ends. On this day, ancestors and departed relatives are remembered. It is necessary to take the demands to the burial site. Usually these are pancakes, millet, bread, eggs. After the funeral feast, ostentatious fights and other displays of valiant prowess are organized on Rodonitsa. More details about this holiday have been written. Traditionally, this month is called Grass or Pollen, due to the characteristic greenery of nature. This name has been preserved in the Ukrainian and Belarusian linguistic and lexical traditions.
Slavic holidays on Traven (May)
May 2 - Shooting Day. On this day the first shoots appear. This is a blessed holiday - the Slavs revered summer for its life-affirming power.May 6 - Dazhbog Day. You can read about this god. On this day the solar cycle changed, and Kolyada passed the solar baton to Dazhdbog - the summer and giving sun. He gives a harvest. On this day they honor the birth of the summer sun.
May 10 - Earth Day(). On this day no earthworks can be carried out. You must definitely thank Mother Earth for her strength and ask for a bountiful harvest.
May 20-30 - Grudye Rosnoe(Rod week). On these days, it is customary to gather the entire clan. Communicate, remember departed relatives. Discuss family events for the coming summer.
May 21 - Olena-Lennichi(they performed a ritual to make the linen taller) This ritual was performed only by women. We remembered Makosh.
May 22 - Yarilin's day. Christmas of Yarila at Lake Svetloyar from Diva and Veles. Yarila fights the stern Lamia and frees Yarina. On this day, tales are told about the exploits of Yarila, legends of the Rus are read to children. In Ukrainian, the month was called Cherven, because of the flowering of roses and peonies. Red color predominated in nature. In some villages, the month was called “izok” in honor of the greatest activity of grasshoppers (they were called that by the common people).
Slavic holidays on Cherven (June)
June 15 is Striglav Day. Triglav Day. This is the combined essence of several Slavic gods. Usually triglavs are placed with Caps on a community temple. On this day, you must definitely go and say hello to the community triglav, and through the ritual, enlist his support in future endeavors.June 15-20 - Green Christmastide- Trinity - Spiritual Day. Perfume is especially strong before Mermaid Week. The line between the manifest and the natural worlds is erased. Therefore, you need to realize what perfumes bothered you this summer. You need to ask them to go home and not disturb you anymore. From now until the end of the month the most accurate predictions are made. Therefore, the girls sat down to tell fortunes.
June 19-24 - Mermaid Week. The most wonderful time of the year. Communities gather to celebrate Kupala. Various festivals take place. The sun gives us the most light of the year. It's time for the sun, and this means the most important days of the year for Rodnover. People don't sleep at night. According to Slavic tradition, couples get married at this time.
June 21/22 - Kupala and Kostroma. Information about the god Kupalo. This is the summer solstice holiday. A riot of fire and water. The longest round dances on this day. Mass celebrations, games and fun. The girls tell fortunes with wreaths, letting them float freely along the river. Day of magic, sacraments and rituals. Slavic spiritual energy is strongest on this day. Read more about the holiday. In the Ukrainian language, this month is called “Lipnem”; it received this name because of the flowering linden tree and was fixed under it in many Slavic languages. For example, another sound is “lipets”.
Slavic holidays on Lipen (July)
July 3 - Memorial Day of Prince Svetoslav. Day of glorification of the greatest Slav - Prince Svetoslav (957-972). This ancestor freed us from the Jewish Kaganate. He was the last true son of the native gods! His name will be remembered forever!July 12 - Choice of Perun's needs. It is not without reason that Perun is considered to be part of the Slavic pantheon of the Eastern Slavs. The choice of food is important to him, since this holiday is the second most important for the summer. And so the requirement was chosen two weeks before the holiday of Perun. The choice of requirement was determined through a meeting of the male part of each specific community.
July 14 - Stribog Day- . On this day, they bring the need to the wind - they scatter pieces of bread, millet or grain on all four sides around the house. Then flour is thrown into the wind from a high place. On this day, it is especially forbidden to “throw words to the wind,” but you need to find a place where there is the greatest echo and read praises to the god Stribog.
July 27 - Chura holiday. This is a home holiday. It is customary to communicate with household idols. I need to bring them milk. You cannot be away from home on this day, since it is at this time that there is a connection between past generations and future ones. The absence of the owner of the clan on this day can have a detrimental effect on his entire family. The month was called the sickle because of the sickle, which in ancient times was used to collect most of the harvest; this, so to speak, is a symbol of agricultural work. Also, the month is also popularly called “Zhniven” and “Soberikha” - this is all in continuation of our thought about the harvest.
Slavic holidays on Serpen (August)
August 2 - Perunnitsa. . On this bright day in early August, men celebrate Perun's Day. The community squad pays tribute to the Slavic god Perun. Sent by burning a wooden sword as required by Perun. Military initiations are carried out in the community. Mandatory competitions for men to symbolize valor, bravery and preparation for military affairs.August 7 - Harvest Festival - Bread. The last sheaf “For the hair of the beard” - that’s what the ancestors said. From August 7th until the end of the month, the harvest festival begins, the most valuable thing that nature has given to people. This cycle of holidays ends on September 21, when the autumn Grandfathers are celebrated - the holiday is the result of the seasonal harvest.
August 8 - Beginning of the harvest – This is more of a recommendation for when to start harvesting fields. More agricultural recommendations.
August 14 - 1st Spas - "Honey" - Honey Festival. On this day, villages and communities held festivals of honey and honey products. More of a festival day.
August 19 - 2nd Spas - "Yablochny" - Apple Harvest Festival. On this day, villages and communities held festivals of apples and apple products. More of a festival day.
August 28 - Spozhinki- Completion of harvesting bread. Agricultural recommendations, until what date it is necessary to remove wheat from the fields.
August 29 - 3rd Spas - "Bread" - Bread Harvest Festival. On this day, villages and communities held baking festivals. Various culinary competitions in bakery pastries were organized. More of a festival day. In Slavic folk tradition, the month is called Veresen in honor of the flowering of the legendary heather. In the common people, in the villages, this month could be called “Leaffall”, “Hmuren”, “Golden Flower”. This is due to the fact that September is the first month of autumn. Where there are already yellow trees, and the weather can often be gloomy. Hence the metaphorical names among the common people.
Slavic holidays on Veresn (September)
September 8 - 9 - Meal in honor of Lada and Lelya. On this day, Mother and Daughter, the life-affirming principle, were revered. This is a community meal in which the female half of the community treats everyone with various dishes. During the meal, they praise the Goddesses, from whom the entire human race comes.September 9 - Harvest Festival- Autumn - thanksgiving to Mother Earth. This holiday is for farmers who have harvested almost the entire harvest. And it was given by Mother Cheese Earth. It is necessary to give the largest fruits and vegetables that are available from the harvest to the Earth, burying them with honor and gratitude.
September 11 - Rod and Rozhanitsy.- these are cult characters for Slavic mythology. This is the essence that gives rise to life, the divine essence. On this day we thanked Father Rod. They thanked Rod the All-Father for this world that he created, for life and the Slavic tribe, for their native way of thinking and natural way of life.
September 21 – 22 - Autumn Didy. Day of Svarog. Other name - . Autumn equinox. The beginning of the hunting season - Meeting of Dazhbog and Madder - Small oatmeal. The main holiday of autumn, which carries one essence. The Slavs praised nature for the harvest it gave them. This is the biggest harvest festival! And this day marks the end of summer. In Ukrainian this month is called “Zhovten”, which most likely means “yellow”. We understand that nature has turned yellow and the leaves have fallen. That’s why it is also called “Leaf Fall”. October is also called “dirty”. This month is considered rainy and dull.
Slavic holidays on Listopad (October)
October 2 - "Pokrov"- Meeting Autumn with Winter. The brownie goes to bed, according to legend. And according to natural concepts, cover refers to the cover of snow. But winter has not yet come, it has only covered autumn.October 17 – Leshy goes to his winter quarters. October is a very windy month. Nature even goes wild sometimes. So know, this goes into winter. And nature accompanies him this way. On this day it is not recommended to be in forests and fields, as you may fall out of favor with the Leshem.
October 26 is Parents' Day. Christians celebrate it at a completely different time, but the Slavs, in tradition, gather on this day to remember their ancestors. These days, the younger ones in the family are told who their great-grandfathers were. A family tree is being compiled. The burial places of relatives are visited.
October 27 - This day was dedicated to Mokosh. Makosh is the patron of all pregnant women. She also helps with needlework, fortune telling and household chores. More details about Mokosh Day in. The etymology of the word “Gruden” is complex and the most that can be found is a synonym for frozen earth. Etymological dictionaries do not provide more information.
Slavic holidays for the month of Gruden (November)
November 7/8 - Radogoshch. Virgo of the night. Funeral service for deceased ancestors. Honoring the deeds of ancestors, battles and victories according to "". Apparently, this refers to the funeral customs of the Slavs. A holiday of remembrance of ancestors who passed away recently, in contrast to Parents' Day. In other words, a wake. And the holiday is translated as Welcome to the guests.November 15 - Svarozhki. Day of Svarog and Semargl. Day of veneration of the great god Svarog and all craftsmen. This is a holiday for artisans, blacksmiths, builders, and creative people. It was impossible to work these days. Praises and demands were raised. The name of the month comes from the Roman word for "ten", and it used to be the tenth month of the year, before Caesar's reform. People call it Studen, for the cold season.
Slavic holidays on Studen (December)
December 9 is the day of Dazhbog and Marena. On this day they sculpted the Snowman and the Snow Maiden. They commemorated the union of Dazhdbog and Marena, from which Life (Spring) was born. This is already a snow holiday, a tribute to winter, but with great hope for summer.December 20/21 - Big autumn. Christmas Carols. Winter solstice. From this time begins the birth of Bozhich Kolyada and the birth of a new sun. Like all solar cycles, this is a galaxy of celebrations that last a whole week.
December 23 – Shchedrets. This is a fun holiday of dressing up, various fairs, competitions and exchange of treats. This is a family and even community holiday that marked the birth of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. More details about the holiday.
from December 25 – Turitsy(three days after the winter solstice) until January 6. The final and most important day of Kolyad is called Turitsy. The noisiest and most fun festivities were held on this day. The violent ardent power of the bull (tur) is embodied in the spirit of this holiday. On the night of Turitsa they wondered about the future. Water and melted snow collected on this day retain their magical properties all year round.
December 29 – Kolyada. On this day of the Slavs, the sun was born with hymns -.
December 26 – Korochun. This is a holiday of frost, winter, the power of frost and icy power. This is the greatness of winter and its peak. Read more about the holiday. January is not the first month of the year according to Slavic tradition, but today, whatever one may say, it turns out that this is the beginning of the calendar year. It is marked by the heaviest frosts and, in some areas, blue skies appear after frosts. Hence the name of the month among the people – Prosinets. The month is also called section.
Slavic holidays in Szechenyi (January)
January 3 is Ilya Muromets Day. Ilya Muromets was from the village of Karacharova, near Murom. People have always remembered the legends about Ilya Muromets. On this day it is pleasant to remember his exploits. This date does not imply any rituals.January 8 - Babi porridge. On this day it is customary to honor midwives. Since previously there were no maternity wards, and mortality during childbirth was common, the people considered midwives as healers who lead new life to the light. They were always honored and respected. On this day people came to them with gifts and thanked them for their work.
January 12 - Kidnapping Day. On that day, they remember how, in the era of Kupala, Veles kidnapped Diva-Dodola, the wife of Perun. And earlier Koschey kidnapped Marena. These days people remember legends and honor the Alatyr stone.
January 21 - Prosinets. Prosinets is celebrated with the blessing of water. The water was illuminated and treated for the rest of the year. On this holiday they praised the sun, which “Shined”. This means that the sun is becoming brighter and things are gradually moving towards summer. At this time, wood is harvested for summer buildings, since it is at this time that there is the least sap in the trees, the tree does not grow and it cracks and turns black less. And since cutting down forest is sacred, it is part of the ritual actions these days. In the villages, February was called the month of blizzards. This is a very snowy month. And although it is the last month of winter, it is not for nothing that people called it “lute”. Because there are severe snowstorms and frosts.
Slavic holidays in Lyuten (February)
February 15 - Wednesday. The day of the meeting of Winter with Spring, Madder with Dazhbog. Winter is strong, but stronger is the love of Dazhdbog and Madder. It is this love, like light, that brings warmth in the most severe month of winter. People are starting to prepare for Spring and New Summer!February 18 - Cow Death. A gloomy holiday of Madder-winter's mischief. It is believed that on this day it is necessary to feed the cattle well, since somewhere in the forest and nearby there is an evil spirit wandering - cow death, and if the cow is hungry, he takes it away. At this time, the animal feed that was stored in the summer is already running out and it is believed that the livestock is weakened and there may be a death. We need to appease Marena, feed the cattle and thank the wolf so that he will avoid the house.
Veles Day is celebrated on February 24. Winter is finally raging with particular force and the Slavs ask Veles to knock off the horns of winter and deal a crushing blow to the irrepressible cold. It’s cold outside, but people honor Veles, gather at the temple, bring him prayers, and organize games in his honor. Read more about the holiday.
February 29 - Kashchei Day- Once every four years. He and Glory to the Gods. It is believed that such Summers are extremely difficult for the people, especially difficult for the elderly at this time. For many, this day, which happens only once every 4 years, is especially difficult...
Berezozol (March)
Continuation (Holidays until New Summer)
March 1 - Navy Day, "Madder's Day". The last holiday in praise of the Dark Gods and Queen Navi Marena. This is more of a holiday on the eve of the New Summer, personifying hopes for the speedy arrival of the god Yarila.March 14 - Small oats– Slavic New Year. It was celebrated until 1699. This only once again confirms that the celebration of the new Summer on March 21 was characteristic and conditioned in the memory of the people.
Introduction
The history of the ancient Rus begins in the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e., when the proto-Slavs formed three “kingdoms” in the Middle Dnieper region and created their own culture, their own epic, their own pagan rituals, which was in many ways similar, but in many ways different from the Scythian one. Mid-1st millennium AD e. was a turning point for all Slavic tribes of Central and especially Eastern Europe. The time of great settlement of the Slavs came after the invasion of the Huns, after the departure of the Goths to the west. It is most likely that the Slavs occupied in the first half of the 1st millennium AD. lands from the upper and middle Vistula to the middle Dnieper. (according to B.A. Rybakov)
The settlement of the Slavs took place in three main directions:
- to the south, to the Balkan Peninsula;
- to the west, to the Middle Danube and the region between the Oder and Elbe;
- to the east and north along the East European Plain.
Accordingly, as a result of settlement, three branches of the Slavs were formed: southern, western and eastern Slavs. Eastern Slavs by the 8th – 9th centuries. reached the Neva and Lake Ladoga in the north, and the middle Oka and upper Don in the east, gradually assimilating part of the local Baltic, Finno-Ugric, Iranian-speaking population.
The Slavic-Russian part of the vast pan-human pagan massif cannot be understood as a separate, independent and inherent only to the Slavs, a variant of primitive religious ideas. The identification of Slavic-Russian occurs only on an ethnogeographical, local principle. The chronological framework for considering materials on paganism cannot be limited to a predetermined era: the roots of many phenomena go back to the Stone Age, and their vestiges can survive until the 19th century. In Slavic paganism much of what should be attributed to the general Indo-European unity was deposited; Some of the earlier hunting ideas have also been preserved.
How the pagan Slavs imagined the world.
Scientists write that it seemed to them like a large egg. And among related and neighboring peoples there are even legends about how this egg was laid by a “cosmic” bird. The Slavs have preserved echoes of the legends about the Great Mother - the parent of Earth and Sky, the foremother of Gods and people. Scientists believe that the name of the Great Mother was Zhiva, or Zhivana. In the middle of the Slavic Universe, like a yolk, is the Earth itself. The upper part of the “yolk” is our living world, the world of people. The lower, “underside” side is the Lower World, the World of the Dead, the Night Country. When it's day there, it's night here. To get there, you need to cross the Ocean-Sea that surrounds the Earth. Or dig a well through, and the stone will fall into this well for twelve days and nights.
There are nine different heavens around the Earth. Each of the nine heavens of Slavic mythology has its own purpose: one for the Sun and stars, another for the Moon, another for clouds and winds. Our ancestors considered the seventh to be the “firmament,” the transparent bottom of the heavenly Ocean. There are stored reserves of living water, an inexhaustible source of rain. The Slavs believed that you can get to any sky by climbing the World Tree, which connects the Lower World, the Earth and all nine heavens.
Where the top of the World Tree is, there is an island, and on that island live the ancestors of all birds and animals: the “elder” deer, the “elder” wolf, and so on. The Slavs believed that migratory birds fly to the heavenly island in the fall. The souls of animals caught by hunters ascend there. The hunter had to thank the beast for allowing him to take his skin and meat. Then the “elders” will soon release the beast back to Earth, allow it to be born again, so that fish and game will not be transferred. The Slavs called the wonderful island in seventh heaven “irium” or “virium”. Iriy was also called Buyan Island.
Gods
The ancient Slavs considered the Earth and the Sky to be two living beings, moreover, a married couple, whose love gave birth to all life in the world. The God of Heaven, the Father of all things, was called Svarog. The earth was the mother. She witnessed the solemn vows; at the same time, they touched it with the palm of their hand, or they took out a piece of turf and placed it on their head, mystically making a lie impossible: it was believed that the Earth would not bear a deceiver. Some scientists believe that her name is Makosh. Makosh- Universal Mother, Mistress of Life, Giver of Harvest. The ancient Slavs considered the Sun, Lightning and Fire to be siblings, sons of Heaven and Earth.
The Sun God is called May God bless you(or Dazhbog). It was believed that Dazhdbog rides across the sky in a wonderful chariot drawn by four white golden-maned horses with golden wings. And sunlight comes from the fiery shield that Dazhdbog carries with him. At night, Dazhdbog measures the lower sky from west to east, shining on the Lower World, and during the day on our world. The Morning and Evening Dawns were considered sister and brother, and the Morning Dawn was the wife of the Sun. Every year, during the great holiday of the summer solstice (Midsummer's Day), their marriage was solemnly celebrated. Since time immemorial, the sacred sign of the Sun has been the cross. Sometimes the Solar Cross was circled, and sometimes it was drawn rolling, like the wheel of a solar chariot (swastika). It was distributed from India to Ireland. It is often found on ancient Russian jewelry.
Perun- Slavic God of Thunder, God of thunder and lightning. They imagined him as a middle-aged, angry husband with a red, swirling beard and hair like a thundercloud - black and silver. Perun was the most important God in the pagan pantheon of Kievan Rus and, probably, the eldest son of Svarog. Perun was considered by our ancestors to be the founder of the moral law and the very first defender of Truth. Perun's weapons were initially stones, later - stone axes and finally - a golden ax. An ax was used to hit the bench on which someone had died: it was believed that by doing so Death would be “cut down” and expelled. The ax was thrown crosswise over the cattle so that they would not get sick and would reproduce well. With an ax they drew the Solar Cross over the patient, calling on two brothers-Gods for help at once. And symbolic images of the Sun and Thunder were often engraved on the blades of axes. An ax planted in the door frame was an insurmountable obstacle to the evil spirits. Another symbol of Perun is a thunder sign, similar to a wheel with six spokes. When the Slavs had princes and fighting squads, Perun began to be considered the patron saint of warriors. An animal was dedicated to Perun - a wild aurochs, a huge, mighty forest bull. Perun has his own tree - oak, and he also has a favorite flower, which in Bulgaria is still called “perunika”. Perun's sanctuaries were built in the open air. They were shaped like a flower. The “petals” were pits in which unquenchable sacred fires burned. A sculpture of God was placed in the middle. An altar was placed in front of the image of God, usually in the form of a stone ring. Human sacrifice was an extraordinary, exceptional act - life at all times was considered a sacred gift of the Gods.
The third brother of the Sun and Lightning, the third son of Heaven and Earth for the ancient Slavs was Fire. Evil spirits did not dare to approach Fire; it was able to cleanse anything defiled. Fire was a witness to vows, and this is where the custom of jumping in pairs over fires comes from: it was believed that if a guy and a girl were able to fly over the flames without releasing their hands, their love was destined to live a long life. Fire produced by friction was considered “pure”, not in contact with any defilement. The coming of the new year was celebrated every time by lighting such a fire. At the same time, it was believed that all the sins of the past remained in the past year along with the extinguished old Fire.
There were Gods who were especially “responsible” for the prosperity and offspring of all living things in nature, as well as for the multiplication of the human race, for marriage and love between people. This - Rod and Rozhanitsy. Some argue that this is a small “family” Deity like the Brownie. Others consider Rod one of the most important, supreme Gods who took part in the creation of the Universe: he sends the souls of people from heaven to Earth when children are born. There were two women in labor: Mother and Daughter. Woman in labor-Mother The Slavs associated it with the period of summer fertility, when the harvest ripens, becomes heavier, and becomes full. The ancient Slavs gave her a name Lada. Goddess by name Lelya- daughter of Lada, younger Rozhanitsa. Lelya - Goddess of trembling spring sprouts, first flowers, young femininity. Lelya takes care of the barely hatched seedlings - the future harvest. Lelya-Vesna was solemnly “called out” - they invited her to visit, they went out to meet her with gifts and refreshments. The deities identical to the Rod were schur, grandfather, great-grandfather, ancestor. The word “shchur” also had the form “chur” - by this name the deity who protects the clan and home is known. This deity was invoked in times of danger; hence the exclamation: “Forget me!”
God Yarilo was responsible for things related to the idea of fertility, reproduction, physical love. He was in charge of the side of love, which poets call “ebullient passion.” Yarila was imagined as a young man, an ardent, loving groom.
In Slavic pagan mythology, the “bestial God” Volos (or Veles) is known, clearly contrasted with Perun. Hair- hairy - shaggy - shaggy. The Hair Serpent somehow combines hairiness and scales in its appearance, flies on membranous wings, and can breathe fire. Another name for Hair is Smoke or Tsmok. the appearance of the Serpent is “composed” by the human imagination from parts taken from various animals. The serpent was the eternal enemy of the thunderer Perun. The pagan Slavs worshiped both divine opponents - Perun and the Serpent. Only the sanctuaries of Perun were built, as already mentioned, in high places, and the sanctuaries of Volos - in the lowlands. There is also a connection between Volos-Veles and music and poetry.
Goddess by name Moran(Morena, Marana) was known both in the West and in the Slavic East. She is associated with darkness, frost and death. Her name is related to such words as “pestilence”, “darkness”, “haze”, “haze”. The straw effigy, which is still burned during the pagan Maslenitsa holiday, at the time of the spring equinox, belongs to the Goddess of Death and Cold.
Brownies. Spirits and evil spirits.
There were separate Gods who were in charge of the boundaries. The brownie is the soul of the hut, the patron of the building and the people living in it. According to some ideas, the Brownie arose from the soul of a sacrificial animal. According to other legends, the Brownie was born from the souls of trees cut down and used for construction. According to popular beliefs, Brownies had both wives and children. By nature, Domovoy is an ideal housewife, an eternal busybody, often grumpy, but deep down he is caring and kind. People tried to maintain good relations with Domovoy and leave some food. And then Domovoy paid good for good. He tried to warn about misfortunes and helped with housework. Helpers were relied upon for the brownie. Their work, in some places, is not considered independent, while in others the works of each household spirit are distinguished separately. To the brownie-domozhil given to help: yard, bannik, ovinnik (bean man) and shishimora-kikimora; the goblin is helped by the “field”, the merman is helped by “ichetiki and shishigi” along with the mermaids.
Kikimoras belong exclusively to Great Russia, although the root of this word indicates its ancient and common Slavic origin. If you add the word “kika” to the independent word “pestilence”, in the meaning of a bird’s cry, you get a yard spirit, which is considered evil and harmful to poultry. In general, kikimoras are not numerous and are not particularly dangerous spirits from evil spirits. People consider the kikimora either to be the brownie himself or his wife, and in Siberia there is also a forest kikimora - the lecha. In the Vologda forests, the kikimora also has good properties. She even patronizes skillful and diligent housewives: she lulls little children to sleep at night, invisibly washes the pots and provides housekeeping services. On the contrary, kikimora hates lazy women.
"Leshy"literally means "forest". Leshy's appearance is changeable. He either appeared as a giant taller than the tallest trees, or shrank, hiding behind a low bush. Leshys have wives - leshachikhas, or foxes. There are children - little lechat. In the forest, the goblin is a full-fledged and unlimited master: all animals and birds are under his jurisdiction and obey him unrequitedly. Hares are especially subordinate to him. A real goblin is mute, but vocal; knows how to sing without words and cheers himself up by clapping his hands.
Regarding the kind, but mischievous disposition, field worker has much in common with the brownie, but in terms of the nature of the pranks themselves, he resembles a goblin: he also leads him off the road, into a swamp, and especially makes fun of drunken plowmen. The children of the field workers are “mezhevchiki” and “meadowmen”.
Water, a mythical inhabitant of rivers, lakes and streams, often appears in legends as a creature hostile to humans. The merman in the legends looks more dangerous than the Leshy. Sometimes Vodyanoy was imagined as a naked, flabby old man, goggle-eyed and “pinniped.” In other cases, he was quite similar to a person and differed only in that water was constantly flowing from the left hem of his clothes. According to another version, mermen change when the moon changes: when they are young they themselves are young, but when they are old they turn into old people. Vodyanoy is in an irreconcilably hostile relationship with his grandfather, the brownie. They marry drowned women, and even more willingly those girls who are cursed by their parents.
The souls of the dead, i.e. mermaids- representatives of the kingdom of death, darkness and cold, therefore, with the onset of spring, although they come to life, they live in the dark depths of the earth’s waters, still cold in spring. Since Trinity Day, mermaids leave the waters and live in the trees in forests. Mermaids are not so much good as they are harmful. pale-faced, with green eyes and the same hair, always naked and always ready to lure people to themselves only to be tickled to death and drowned without any particular guilt.
The belief that the hosts of evil spirits are innumerable is deeply rooted in the popular consciousness. More than forty names of the devil, counted by V.I. Dahl, as well as spirits. Most of all, they inhabit slums, dense forests and inaccessible swamps, where no human has ever set foot. The devils arrange all sorts of intrigues against people and fulfill their main purpose, which consists of various temptations. To facilitate its activities in all its directions, the devilish force is gifted with the ability of transformations.
Pagan holidays and rituals
Slavic pagan holidays are closely connected with nature, with changes in it. At the end of December, when the days begin to arrive, the Slavs celebrated the holiday Kolyada, which later coincided with Christmas. On this day, mummers walked around the courtyards with songs and jokes, collecting alms (probably for a collective sacrifice) and praising the deity. In addition, the plow handle was placed on the table to prevent mice and moles from spoiling the fields.
Kudesami was the day on which it was necessary to put up gifts for the brownie. If this is not done, the brownie turns from kind to dashing. To humble the brownie, they left a pot of porridge after dinner, covering it with hot coals. Since then he has been quiet all year round.
In spring there was a festival of mermaids, or mermaid week. The word “mermaid” comes from the word “blond” (light, clear).
A ceremony was held at the beginning of March chants of Spring. From this day on, they began to sing spring ritual songs dedicated to the goddess Lela, the patroness of lovers.
Holiday Rozhanits celebrated in the spring - April 22-23. On this day, sacrifices were made with vegetable and dairy products, which were solemnly, with prayers, eaten at a sacred feast, and then bonfires were burned all night long: a huge one, in honor of Lada, and around it twelve smaller ones - according to the number of months of the year. According to tradition, it was a women's and girls' holiday. Guys, men looked at him from afar.
On the tenth of May we coped " name day of the Earth": on this day she could not be disturbed - plowing, digging.
June 24 (July 7, new style) - the day of the summer solstice - was celebrated Ivana Kupala, who was the deity of abundance, of earthly fruits. On this day, herbs were collected, which were credited with miraculous powers; bathed in the river and believed that it healed ailments; they burned fires and jumped over them, which symbolized purification. They sacrificed a white rooster - a bird that greets the dawn, pleasing to the Sun. The night of Kupala, according to popular belief, was full of magical phenomena. On this day, an effigy of Mary was drowned in water - a symbol of cold and death. In ancient times, the Kupala holiday most likely coincided with the Yarila holiday; in some areas their names coincide. On this day, it is believed, the “kidnapping of the girls” also took place.
The ancient Slavs believed: birth, like death, violates the invisible border between the worlds of the dead and the living. There was no need for such a dangerous thing to happen near human habitation. Among many peoples, the woman in labor retired to the forest or tundra so as not to harm anyone. And the Slavs usually gave birth not in the house, but in another room, most often in a well-heated bathhouse. And to make it easier for the mother’s body to open up and release the child, the woman’s hair was unbraided, and in the hut the doors and chests were opened, the knots were untied, and the locks were opened. If it was a boy, the umbilical cord was cut on an ax or arrow so that he would grow up to be a hunter and a craftsman. If a girl is on a spindle, so that she grows up as a needlewoman. The navel was tied with linen thread woven with the hair of the mother and father.
The cult of dead ancestors was extremely widespread among the Slavs. A funeral feast is performed over the deceased. After it, a large bonfire is built, the dead man is placed on it and burned. By funeral feast we mean competitions in memory of the deceased and memorial events in general; the feast also included drinking mead. After this, having collected the bones, they put them in a small vessel and placed them on a pole near the road. There was a custom of crying over the grave of the deceased. To remove the dead man, they dismantled the wall in the house. This was done so that the deceased, carried out in an unusual way, would not be able to return and would not disturb the living. Sleighs were used in funerals as the most honorable, calm and respectable form of transport and had some sacred meaning. There is also a common ritual food for all Eastern Slavs at funerals - kutia, pancakes and jelly. Almost all East Slavic holidays are associated with the cult of deceased ancestors, who were remembered at milestone moments of the year. On the days of remembrance of the dead, a bathhouse was heated for them, bonfires were lit, and food was left for them on the festive table. The purpose of all these actions was to appease the deceased ancestors, who could bless the family, or could cause harm. The belief in “hostage dead” was very widespread among the Slavs. It was believed that people who did not die a natural death do not calm down after death and are capable of harming the living, so they were superstitiously feared and revered during general commemorations.
The Slavs, who revered water, were sure that the most unbreakable oaths - including oaths of love - are made near water, it is their witness. They sometimes tested it with water in court: the plaintiff and the defendant were asked to enter the water seven steps, while the culprit, finding himself in the face of a fair and wise river, was supposed to be embarrassed and thereby give himself away.
In the forest, special, “revered” trees stood out, usually of exorbitant height or thickness, covered in local legends. Traditions could, for example, say that in fact this is not an oak or a century-old pine tree at all, but a righteous man who once lived long ago and was awarded a posthumous reward for his blameless life - transformation into a noble tree. Such a tree was considered the guardian and assistant of the human settlement; it “did not allow” enemies to approach it - passing by, they would inevitably go blind or lose their way. Some tree species, due to their bioenergetic characteristics, are “friendly” to humans and “feed” them with energy. If you press your palms and the back of your head against such a tree, you feel a surge of strength, bad mood and physical weakness recede. These trees were revered in pagan times: oak, birch, pine, and in Ukraine - chestnut. And other species (since ancient times “rotten”), on the contrary, worsen our well-being and health - aspen, poplar. However, “bad” trees sometimes help, “along with “dark” energy, they relieve us of excessive tension, cramps, and headaches.
East Slavic pagan sanctuaries. They were usually located on the top of a hill or in a large clearing in a forested swampy area and were a flat, rounded area, sometimes with a slightly raised middle or, conversely, with a funnel-shaped depression in the center. The site was surrounded by one or two ditches and low ramparts. Sometimes the inner rampart was fenced with a palisade. In the center there was a wooden pillar (idol), and next to it was an altar. The places where idols were worshiped were called “temples” (from the Old Slavonic “kap” - image, idol), and those where sacrifices (requirements) were made were called “treasures”. Wooden statues were common among the Slavs. Wooden idols of the Eastern Slavs are pillars, in the upper part of which human heads were carved.
Conclusion
The question of the religion of our ancestors is not an unambiguous and controversial issue. Many scientists do not come to a common opinion and there are disagreements in the interpretation of rituals in the names and purposes of Gods and Spirits. I tried to give a brief description of paganism among the Eastern Slavs, relying on authoritative authors in this area.
Paganism has left an indelible mark on the consciousness of peoples, in particular the Russian people. Christianity, which came later, did not eradicate the previous faith, but layered on it, forming rich soil for religious development. Pagan holidays merged with Orthodox ones, rituals were transformed. In our lives even now we find a response from the religion of our ancestors, but we do not give it any importance, we do not even think about it. But this is a most interesting and not fully understood page of the Slavic people.
References:
· B.A. Rybakov “Paganism of Ancient Rus'”
· S.V. Maksimov “The Unclean, Unknown and Godly Power”
· Dictionary of Russian pagan gods
St. Petersburg State Conservatory named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov
Abstract on the topic
Related information.
Cherven(June):
✅ 04/06 is celebrated as Yarilo Mokry. At the beginning of June, nature delights the eye with a riot of colors. Yarilo opens the sky, and the green grasses are filled with magical power. Spring leaves, Summer comes. Before sunrise, they wash themselves with healing dew, go around the fields with bread, illuminate houses and gates. On this day, Yarilo-Sun shows its strength. After Yarila, hot weather usually sets in for seven days. That's why this holiday is also called
✅ 19/06 From June 19 to 24, Rusal Days take place, during which an important cycle of rituals takes place associated with the “seeing off of mermaids”, “egg ritual”, “mermaid ritual”. Mermaid days take place after Semik (Yarilin Day)
✅ 24/06 the great holiday “God Kupala” is celebrated dedicated to the day of the summer solstice (solstice). The start date of the festival can also be June 21 and 22. The holiday of the Sun and Water, which gives rise to all living things, is the time when Mother Nature’s powers flourish.
✅ 25/06 Day of Friendship, Unity of the Slavs
✅ Summer Svarozhye is celebrated on June 29 (). On this day, the Heavenly (Svarog) Fire and the Sun are celebrated, usually occurring at the very height of the summer heat... This is one of those rituals and celebrations that in the bustle and fleetingness of everyday life often passes us by
Lipen(July):
✅ 03/07 Memorial Day of Prince Svyatoslav Day of glorification of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich (circa 942-972). On this day, it was customary for the Slavs to hold ritual fights, military initiations and glorify Perun. In 964-66, Svyatoslav undertook the first independent major campaign: the liberation of the Vyatichi from the power of the Khazars and their subordination to Kyiv
✅ 05/07 marks the Name Day of the Month- a holiday dedicated to honoring the clear Moon and its highest patrons - Veles the Horned and Mary Moon-Faced.
✅12/07 is the Day of the Sheaf of Veles. The days are killing, and the heat is coming. From this day on they begin to mow and harvest hay.
✅ 20/07 marks the great military holiday -; the great holy day of all warriors-defenders of the native land, as well as all honest radar-plowmen. According to popular beliefs, rain on this day washes away evil spells - “dashing ghosts” (evil eye and damage) and many diseases
✅ 27/07 celebrates the holiday of Chura (Polykopny)- God of protection, protection of property, guardian of tribal customs, patron of borders, home. The Slavs remember their ancestors, so that they would take care of our bread, preserve not only our sheaves, but also our Rus' and the centuries-old great culture. On this day, milk is brought to Churu, a hole is dug at the boundary stone and milk is poured into it. On this Chura holiday, you cannot work away from home. The owner must be in his yard, thereby honoring Chur
✅ 19/07 is celebrated Summer Makoshe (Summer Mokridy)— Holy Day of Mokosh-Mokrina. At the time of dual faith in Rus', Makrinin (Mokrinin) day was celebrated on this day. People noted: “If Mokrida is wet, then autumn is too, Mokrida is dry - and autumn is dry”, “If it is wet on Mokrida, then there is inclement suffering”, “A bucket on Mokrida - autumn is dry”, “If it rains on Mokrida - all autumn If it’s rainy and there won’t be any nuts, everyone will get wet.” Summer Mokrid Day is also considered important for the next year: “If it rains on Mokrid, rye will grow next year.”
✅ 28/07 Eternal memory those who died at the hands of Christian invaders - REMEMBER WE MOURN
Serpen(August):
✅ 25/12 from December 25 to January 6 are celebrated Big- twelve holy days symbolizing the twelve months of the year (six light ones - the light half of the year, and the other six dark ones - the dark half of the year), starting from the eve of Kolyada (Kolyada itself is not included in the number of holy days) and until Turitsa (Vodokres)
✅31/12 is celebrated (Generous Evening)- the last day of Christmastide, which is famous for its generous gifts and festive feast. At the time of dual faith in Rus', Christmastide was divided into two parts: lasting from Kolyada to Shchedrets, and Terrible (Vorozhnye) evenings, lasting to Turits. Yuletide evenings (especially Scary ones) were considered by the people to be a time when desperation was rampant
