June 21 is a Slavic holiday. Archive for the category ‘Slavic rituals and holidays’
Calendar of Slavic holidays and a list of pagan rites
Ancient pagan and Slavic traditional holidays, the main memorable dates and rituals, the significance of which is important for the entire Family, were on the calendar of a certain day or month for a reason. All the holidays of the Slavic peoples and traditions are closely connected with Nature and its rhythm of life. Wise ancestors understood that it is impossible to reverse it and it is pointless to rewrite old styles with new ones.
In our calendar of pagan holidays of the Slavs, we indicate the dates according to the new style for your convenience. If you want to celebrate them in the old way, just subtract thirteen days from the indicated date and month. We will be sincerely glad that you will be imbued with honesty and usefulness, reasonableness and grace of pagan holidays. Ancient Russia and Ancestors-Slavs, their traditions and help to revive and pass them on to your Descendants to strengthen the strength of the entire Family.
The natural calendar of the Slavs is based on four main points - the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes, winter and summer solstices. They are determined by the astrological position of the Sun relative to the earth:
shift in dates from 19 to 25 is possible
Calendar of Slavic holidays and Pagan rites
The very same annual Wheel - Kolo Svarog consists of twelve rays-months. By the power of the Gods and the Family, it is launched into a continuous rotation of salting and forms the Cycle of Nature.
The very love of the Slavs for their Earth and the Cycle of the elements and seasons reflect the ancient pagan names of each month. One capacious word reflects the essence of time and affectionate appeal to Nature, understanding of her difficult year-round work for the benefit of her children.
This is how our Ancestors called the months in which they celebrated the main Slavic holidays:
January - Prosinets
February - Lute
March - Berezen
April - pollen
May - Traven
June - Cherven
July - Lipen
August - Serpen
September - Veresen
October - Leaf fall
November - Breast
December - Studen
Winter Slavic holidays and rituals
Pagan and Slavic holidays in December
December 3
On this day, the Slavs remember and honor the giant hero Svyatogor, who brought great benefits to Russia in the fight against the Pechenegs. His exploits are described along with the heroism of Ilya Muromets in Slavic epics, he lived on the high Holy Mountains, and according to legend, his body was buried in Gulbishche, a boyar mound large sizes. On such a holiday, it is good to tell your Descendants about the giant Svyatogor and extend the Memory of his heritage, and tell about the Native Gods of the Slavs.
December 19-22 Karachun
Karachun is the second name of Chernobog, descending to earth on the days of the winter solstice, Kolovorot. Karachun is an evil underground spirit and has servants in the form of bears - snowstorms and wolves - snowstorms. It is frost and cold, shortening day and impenetrable night. However, along with this, Karachun is considered a fair God of death, who does not violate the earthly Orders just like that. To protect yourself from the wrath of Chernobog, it is enough to follow the Rules and wear Slavic amulets-amulets.
December 25 Kolyada, Sunny Christmas
Kolyada is the young Sun, the embodiment of the beginning of the New Year cycle. From that day on, the Big Winter Christmas time began and the Sun turned to spring. At this time, children and adults dressed up as fairy-tale characters and animals and, under the name of Kolyada, stepped into the huts of wealthy families. Under fervent songs and dances, they demanded treats from the laid table and wished the owners happiness and longevity. Offending carolers meant incurring the wrath of Kolyada himself, so on the eve of Sunny Christmas, the preparation of sweets and cooking kutya began.
December 31 Generous evening, Schedrets
On this day of the Great Winter Christmastide, they prepared for the New Year coming at midnight and, just like on Kolyada, they gathered and went out through the streets to play performances. Gather treats, praise the generous hosts and jokingly scold the stingy. Generous, good evening! - Shouted to every passerby in greeting. Hence the name of this winter Slavic holiday came from the time of the pagan faith.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in January
January 1st New Year, Day of Ilya Muromets, Avega Perun
On the first of January, out of habit, today we celebrate the New Year. However, the traditions of this modern spinner are pagan. The Slavs believed, decorating the fir tree with sweet pastries, cones and nuts in the forest, we can appease Veles and for one day he will become Santa Claus familiar to our children. Christmas trees decorated at home are nothing more than a remembrance and respect for our Ancestors, inviting them to a common family table. Also at this time, Ilya Muromets, an epic hero, one of the images of the just and mighty Perun, was lightly remembered.
January 6
Tur is the son of Veles and Makoshi, the patron of shepherds, guslars and buffoons, young men - future warriors and breadwinners of families. On this Slavic holiday, a ceremony of initiation into men was performed, and the main shepherd in the village was also chosen. This holiday closes the Veles Winter Christmas time and therefore everyone is in a hurry to tell fortunes for the last time what awaits them in the future, they set up a drunken table with a generous snack.
January 8
On this Slavic holiday, midwives and all the older women of the Family are honored. Generous gifts and glorifications are presented to them, and in return they sprinkle their children and once adopted babies with grain with a blessing and a wish for a generous Share and an Easy Fate. The symbol of the Family in Slavic amulets also helps to keep the connection between generations, to instill in the Descendants respect for their Ancestors.
January 12 Abduction Day
On this not a Slavic holiday, but a memorable day, Veles kidnapped Perun's wife, Dodola, or otherwise Diva, in retaliation for refusing a marriage proposal, and later Marena, the wife of Dazhdbog, who became Kashchei's wife and bore him many demonic daughters. Therefore, on the twelfth of January, they are wary of letting the girls go out alone and are working to strengthen personal protections: they make jewelry-amulets, embroider protective ornaments on women's shirts.
January 18 Intra
This is an ancient pagan holiday of the Slavs, on the day of which they honor the participant of the Military Triglav Intra. He, Volkh and Perun made up the Code of qualities necessary for a warrior. Intra symbolized Light and Darkness as a struggle of opposites and the need to choose the right, sometimes tough decision. Also, Intra, Indrik the Beast, is also the patron of wells, clouds, snakes, Navi God, therefore on such a night the Veduns spoke to protect all chimneys so that dark spirits in the form of snakes could not enter the house.
January 21 Prosinets
This Slavic holiday is dedicated to the glorification of Heavenly Svarga and the revival of the Sun, softening the cold. In ancient times, pagan Veduns remembered and thanked Kryshen, who gave people fire to melt the Great Ice and shed life-giving Surya from Heavenly Svarga - water, which on January 21 makes all springs healing and rejuvenating.
January 28
On this day, they praise the children of Veles - his heavenly warriors and thank God for such protection of the Family. They also do not forget about the Brownie, treat him to the most delicious in the house and ask him not to be offended by anything, sing songs and fairy tales to him, try to appease and entertain him. On this day, everything is a lot: from spirits to people, so you should not be surprised at the miracles happening and the banter of Father Veles over us. If you want, you can bring the trebs under the spruce or the made idol of the Native God right in the forest.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in February
February 2 Gromnitsa
On this winter Slavic holiday, you can hear amazing single peals of thunder - this is how Perun congratulates his wife Dodolya-Malanyitsa, Lightning, inviting us to praise the goddess and ask her for mercy - not to burn barns and yards in anger, but to work for the glory of the future harvest, causing rain. Also at such a time they looked at the weather and determined whether the year would be dry or not.
February 11 Great Veles Day
The Great Veles Day marks the middle of winter, a certain milestone. On this holiday, they praised the Father and performed game ceremonies of a comic battle between Marena and Veles, as a symbol of the imminent end of the cold, his retreat together with Mara. Also on this day, they put up protection for livestock and applied Veles chirs to all the gates in the courtyard, praised and brought the requirements of the Cattle God, asked for health to cows, pigs and other breadwinners of the family.
February 15
This is an ancient Slavic holiday of the meeting of Spring and Winter, the last winter colds and the first spring thaws. As a sign of respect for the Sun, pancakes were baked, and at noon they burned Yerzovka, a straw doll, releasing the spirit of Fire and the Sun to freedom. It is curious that all the numerous signs associated with this day are quite accurate. Therefore, we recommend observing the weather for the Candlemas and making plans based on what Nature predicted.
February 16 Pochinki
Pochinki is an important date that comes immediately after the pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs of the Presentation. From that day on, they began to repair carts, fences, barns, barns and agricultural implements. Prepare the cart in winter - it was from Pochinki that such a wise proverb came to us. You should also not forget about Domovoy, bring him treats and talk with harmony and peace in order to establish contact and receive support in working for the benefit of the economy.
February 18 Troyan Winter, the day of Stribog's grandchildren, commemoration of the fallen at Troyanov Val
This wonderful Slavic holiday is the Day of Remembrance of the fallen soldiers worthy of Svarog's grandchildren. In their honor, ceremonial reconstruction battles were performed and generous commemorations were brought, and the Descendants were told and clearly shown how much the soldiers who participated in the battle near Troyan Val did for the entire Russian Family.
Spring Slavic holidays and rituals
Pagan and Slavic holidays in March
March 1
On this day, they praise the goddess of Winter and Death Marena, who owns the Navi world and helps people after life to reach the Kalinov Bridge. On it you can go through the line of Yavi and Navi, the Smorodina River. On the night before this holiday, all the undead, forgotten and unburied souls of the dead awakened in Yavi. They could walk around the yards, trying to get attention and even move in alive. From that, at that time, people put on masks - animal masks, so that the evil spirits would not notice them and could not harm them. On the last Navi day, it is customary to honor their deceased Ancestors and prepare a memorial table, bring trebes and give Glory for the life lived and the Descendants of the Family given by them. You can treat your dead Relatives both at the graves, and by throwing shells from colored eggs on the water - if they left for another world a long time ago and it’s a pity, the grave is no longer there or it is very far away.
March 14
According to the ancient Slavic custom, the New Year fell on Maly Ovsen - the beginning of the awakening of NATURE and its readiness for agricultural work and fertility. Accordingly, March was previously the first month of the year, and not the third. Ovsen, who was born a little later and is considered the younger twin brother of Kolyada. It is he who conveys to people the knowledge of his brother and helps to translate them into practical experience. On this day, it is customary to rejoice in the new year and make plans for the future, start new business, glorify the awakening of Nature.
March 20-21 Komoyeditsy or Maslenitsa, Velikden
The pagan holiday Maslenitsa is not just a Slavic meeting of spring and funny farewell winters. This is the spring solstice, a turning point in the calendar and way of life. In the Orthodox holiday of Maslenitsa, the pagan Komoyeditsa has been preserved with almost all of its traditions: burning an effigy of winter - Madder, treating pancakes - Komami and eating them all week. The first solar pancakes were usually given as treb to the Bear, the personification of Veles. They were laid out on forest stumps, and then they went to burn ritual bonfires, in which they burned unnecessary junk and cleansed themselves and their families of unnecessary burdens. They began to celebrate Komoyeditsy a week before the day of the Equinox and continued to have fun for another week after it.
March 22 Magpies or Larks
This Slavic holiday is a continuation of the glorification of the spring equinox, and is called so because, according to custom, forty new species of birds begin to arrive from the winter hut, including the first larks. And even they were late this time, then each family baked their own rich larks, which were supposed to attract real ones. Usually, this was entrusted to children, who gladly ran to call for spring, and then enjoyed delicious pastries. In the form of a lark, wooden charms for the house were also made. They attracted happiness, health and good luck.
March 25 Opening of Svarga or Invocation of Spring
On the last, third call of spring with fragrant rye larks, games and round dances, the Opening of Heavenly Svarga takes place and Zhiva descends to earth. Finally, nature will wake up, come to life and begin to grow in the course of rivers and seedlings, young shoots and new tree branches. On this Slavic holiday, one can feel the Living breath of the Gods, who favorably relate to the living Descendants.
March 30
On this March day they praised Lada: the goddess of love and beauty, one of the two heavenly Rozhanitsa, the Mother of God. This Slavic holiday was accompanied by round dances and dances, as well as baking cranes from unleavened dough for home family amulets. The bright day of kindness and warmth made it possible to recharge and jewelry for girls or married women - earrings, pendants and bracelets with Ladins, symbolizing the harmony of female beauty, health and wisdom.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in April
April 1 Brownie Day or his awakening
This cheerful Slavic holiday was dedicated to Domovoy - the very spirit that protected your house, farmstead and bins. On the first of April, he woke up from hibernation, during which he did only important things - guarded your property, and began active work to bring comfort and prosperity to the family. So that he woke up faster and became more cheerful - they treated him with milk and other goodies, they began to joke and play with him and with each other - play and tell jokes, put on clothes inside out, and socks or shoes separately.
April 3
It was on this day that Vodyanoy woke up and ice drift and river flooding began. This Slavic holiday was dedicated to him: the fishermen carried generous gifts for the Vodyanoy in the hope that he would restore order in the water kingdom and thank those who treated him with a generous catch, would not break their nets, drive them into big fish, and will also punish the mermaids not to touch them and their loved ones. Some artels could bring a whole horse as a gift, but most often the requirements were limited to milk, butter or bread with eggs. Throwing them into the cold spring water, the Slavs hoped that the Water Spirit would wake up in a good and full mood.
April 14 Semargl Day
On this Slavic holiday, Semargl-Firebog melts the last snows, turning into a flaming winged wolf and flying through the fields. It is this God of the Sun and Fire that guards the crops and gives good harvests, and it is he who can burn down all living things. It is said that Svarog himself forged Semargl from a spark at his sacred forge. Every night he stands guard over the Order with a fiery sword, and only on the day of the autumn equinox comes to the Bathhouse so that they have children - Kupalo and Kostroma. Trebs of Firebog are brought by throwing them into the fire, amulets with Semargl are also activated in his flame asking God for protection.
April 21 Navi Day or Commemoration of the Ancestors
On this day of spring Christmas time, the souls of the dead Ancestors descend to us to visit and hear about our life, joys and sorrows. Therefore, relatives are commemorated at the graves and feasts are brought: treats in memory of them. The older ones in the Family are commemorated by dropping the shells from colored eggs into the water, so that by Rusal Day they will be given to them as dear news from loved ones. As well as the first of April, on the day of Marena, on this Slavic holiday, going to the side of reality and the undead, restless, restless, offended dead souls. That is why many again put on masks to protect themselves from them.
April 22 Lelnik Krasnaya Gorka
On this amazing holiday and for a long time after it, they praised Lelya, the goddess of spring, youth and assistant in obtaining the future harvest. On a high hill, Krasnaya Gorka, they seated the youngest and beautiful girl, brought her all sorts of gifts: milk, bread, sweets and eggs, danced around her and rejoiced at the life that had awakened after the winter. Painted, painted eggs were distributed to relatives and friends, and also rushed to the already deceased Ancestors as a memorial. Such colored, painted eggs are generally part of the Slavic culture, some of them should have been reserved for the subsequent one after another spring holidays of the awakening of Nature and the glorification of Yarila, Zhiva, Dazhdbog.
April 23 Yarilo vernal
On this Slavic holiday, they go out into the street to meet and thank the patron saint of shepherds and the protector of livestock predators, Yarila, the spring Sun. From this period, the first spring weddings begin and symbolic fertilization is carried out - the Opening of the Yarila Earth and the release of the first dew, which was considered strong and was used during ritual skating of men on the ground to increase their health and heroic will. Yarilina dew was carefully collected and used for the future as living water for the treatment of many ailments.
April 30
On this last day of April and Krasnaya Gorka, the spring cold ends and people go to commemorate their ancestors, bringing them standard trebes: kutya, pancakes, oatmeal jelly and hand-written eggs. Also on this day, competitions are organized: skiing from a mountain of written eggs. The winner is the one whose egg rolls the farthest without breaking. Such rolling out of the earth with eggs symbolizes its future fertility. By midnight, all the celebrants prepare the beginning and collect a huge big fire on the same mountain to celebrate Zhivin's day.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in May
May 1 Zhivin day
Immediately at midnight on the first of May, the Slavic spring holiday begins in honor of Zhiva: the goddess of spring, fertility, the birth of life. The daughter of Lada and the wife of Dazhdbog, Zhivena gives life to all living things and fills the entire Family with this creative power. When a fire is lit in her honor, women and girls, who are patronized by the goddess, take brooms in their hands and perform a ritual dance-cleaning from evil spirits, jump through the Life-Creating Fire, clearing themselves of winter Navi sleep and haze. Alive is the movement of nature, the first shoots, the first streams, the first flowers and the first love.
May 6 Dazhdbog Day - Ovsen big
On this day they praise Dazhdbog, the Ancestor of the Slavs, the God of Fertility and the wife of Alive. It was on this day that he renounced Marena and made a choice in favor of his daughter Lada, thereby becoming, together with the Alive, in defense of Nature and its Fruits. On the sixth of May, people go out into the field and make the first ritual sowings, take cattle to fresh fields, and also begin the construction of new houses, and of course, they bring generous gifts to grandfather Dazhdbog and rejoice in the hot sun as a symbol of this spring and future abundant harvest.
May 10 Spring Makosh
This is the day of honoring Mother-raw-Earth and her patrons - Mokosh and Veles. On this day, it was forbidden to injure the earth: dig, harrow, or simply stick sharp objects into it - after all, it wakes up after a winter Navi sleep and is filled with life-giving juices. All sorcerers and simply honoring Nature brothers-Slavs went out on this day with generous gifts: beer and wine on the fields and poured full cups to Mother Earth, glorifying her and asking for a good harvest, lay down on her and listened to her affectionate parental whisper with advice and instructions.
May 22 Yarilo wet Troyan, Tribog day
On this day, there is a farewell to Yarila - the spring Sun and the three summer Gods of Svarog Triglav, strong in the Rule, Navi and Reveal: Svarog, Perun and Veles are famous. It is believed that Troyan gathered the strength of each of them and every day stands guard over Nature from the attack of Chernobog. On Troyan, boys were initiated into warriors, their ancestors were commemorated and amulets were made from the souls of the restless dead, including plowed entire villages with a protective, protective circle from the evil Navi forces, and women and girls were cleansed of the haze before wedding ceremonies and childbearing.
May 31
This very interesting Slavic holiday implies that we are all brothers and sisters of the same Genus. Therefore, those who wish to make a fuss - to become related, without having a direct consanguinity, on the last day of spring, such an opportunity is provided. You can also ask Zhiva for what you want - just tell your hopes and dreams to the cuckoo, she will bring them to the Goddess and forge her about you. Also on this ancient pagan celebration, the Slavs exchanged gifts-amulets with people dear and close to them in spirit.
Summer Slavic holidays and rituals
Pagan and Slavic holidays in June
June 1 Spirits day or the beginning of Mermaid week
Spirits day begins on the first day of summer and continues throughout the week, called Mermaid. From this day Marena releases the dead ancestors to stay in Yav, and their Descendants invite them to their homes, laying out birch branches in the corners, symbolizing Family ties. However, along with them, not dead, suicidal and drowned people are activated. Most often these are women and Mermaids. Water at this time most actively receives and conducts the energy of Rule, Silavi and Reveal. With it, you can recover, damage, or learn something. As a requirement, clothes and towels for mermaid children were brought to the banks of the rivers, and so that the spirits could not penetrate the body, they wore amulets with Odolen-grass.
June 20-21 Kupalo
This is the main summer pagan holiday among the Slavs - the Day of the Solstice, the Kolovorot. On this day, many rituals are performed - after all, the power of such a period is very great. The herbs collected on Kupalo are of great value. The ardent fire of the fire cleanses people, and the water washes away all sorrows and illnesses from them. Feast, games and round dances with rituals continue from dawn to dusk. This is a Slavic merry and cheerful holiday, the symbol of which for the whole year are amulets with Odolen-grass, Fern Flower and Kolo Goda.
June 22 Skipper Serpent Day or Serpent Day
Once on this day, Naviy the Serpent Skipper came to the Slavic lands, kidnapped the baby, and imprisoned him in a dark cellar, took away his sisters: I live, Lelya and Marena to his possessions. Subsequently, Veles, Khors and Stribog will be able to defeat Skipper in a difficult fight. However, from that day on, this time was considered dangerous - bloody, evil and bringing trouble. Many of our Ancestors claimed that real snake weddings begin on such a day and woe to those who step in the way of snakes crawling to the place of celebration. People put on the strongest Slavic amulets against the Navi Forces and tried to wait out the burst of energy together with their families and cattle in a safe place.
June 23 Agrafena Bathing suit
This pagan ancient Slavic holiday opened the bathing season. Healing bath brooms began to be prepared in each house and a ritual heating of baths was carried out for cleaning relatives - steaming, and subsequent charging - restoring health by dipping into open water. On the day of Agrafena Kupalnitsa, as at other Christmas holidays, girls of all ages went with praises and petitions to present gifts: Slavic outerwear, shirts with embroidery, silver jewelry with protective symbols.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in July
July 12 Veles Sheaf Day
From the Veles day, the heat begins to rise and hay is mowing for livestock, the first sheaves absorbing the fertile spirit of the fields are tied up. Therefore, demands and glorifications are brought to Veles, as the patron of agriculture and cattle breeding. Also on this day, Alatyr was also called, and Veles was asked to move it for a while and let the souls of their ancestors go to Nav and find their peace there. On this Slavic summer holiday, Veles's chirs were applied to his idols, as well as personal and home amulets-amulets. Also on this day, the election of a victim to Perun is made - domestic animals for burning in the Sacred Fire.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in August
August 3 Perunov day
This ancient pagan Slavic holiday was dedicated to honoring and glorifying the Supreme God of fire and thunder, Perun. On such a date, all men consecrated their weapons so that they would serve faithfully to the owner, be sharp, and also cause rain after a long drought to save the fields and harvest. Sacrifices were made to Perun and simply generous requests to the altar with an idol and chir: pastries, bread, wine, kvass. Worn with the blessing of God, the ax of Perun or another Slavic talisman guarded the owner in a foreign land and in difficult situations.
August 15
Pozhinki, pozhinki or squeezing is a pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs with the glorification of Veles and the cutting of the last fruitful sheaves of grain. In each field, they left the last bunch of wheat and tied it in the beard of Veles, as a sign of respect and understanding of all that great gift of agriculture given to them. Also at this time, they began to consecrate the collected honey, apples and grain on the Great Fire, bring them to the requirements along with bread and porridge to the Native Gods.
August 21 Stribog Day
This is a Slavic holiday in honor of Stribog, the lord of the wind and God who controls tornadoes and natural disasters. On this day, they bring trebes to assure their respect: shreds, grain or bread and ask for indulgence - a good harvest next year and whole roofs over their heads. Stribog is the brother of Perun and holds seventy-seven winds in his fist, living on the Buyan Island. That is why the ancestors believe - he can convey a request or desire to the Native Gods and punish the offenders, wherever they are.
Autumn Slavic holidays and rituals
Pagan and Slavic holidays in September
September 2 Memorial Day of Prince Oleg
Prince Oleg of Russia did a lot for his people: he concluded an agreement with Byzantium and established trade routes with duty-free sales, united the scattered Slavic Clans into a single - Kievan Rus, gave a worthy upbringing to Rurik's son Igor, and nailed his shield as a symbol of victory to the gates of Constantinople. Prophetic Oleg died through the fault of his horse, as the wise Priests predicted. No matter how hard he tried to change the course of fate, it was impossible.
September 8
This Slavic holiday is dedicated to the family and its well-being. On such a bright day, Rozhanitsy is glorified: Lelya and Lada and all the Rod produced by them. After bringing the requirements to the Native Goddesses, ritual games and ritual funerals of flies begin, symbolizing the imminent numbness of all insects and falling into hibernation until spring. In addition to a feast for the whole house, loved ones exchanged gifts and amulets with Slavic symbols: Ladinets, Rozhanitsa, Rod and Rodimych, and also solemnly hung and placed the faces and idols of the Gods on the Altar.
September 14 First Osenins, Day of the Fiery Wolf
On this day, farmers began to celebrate the First Osenins - Harvest Day and thank Mother Earth for it. It is also worth remembering the honoring of the Fiery Volkh - the son of Indrik the Beast and Mother Earth, the husband of Lelya, whose love withstood all obstacles and circumstances, and the wise, brave and pure image of the Volkh is clearly reflected in Slavic fairy tales in the main character Finist the Clear Falcon.
September 21 Svarog Day
On this September day, the Slavs celebrated the holiday of Svarog and praised him for descending and teaching people crafts along with Veles, giving the sacred Ax and Forge. Thus, the Russian Rod could survive and do business in the autumn and winter. On this day, it is customary to slaughter chickens fattened over the summer, and give the first of the farmstead to Svarog as a requirement. Autumn brides and weddings also began from this day, and the brothers gathered a huge number of young guys in the girls' huts. On this day, the closing of Svarga and the departure of the goddess Zhiva into it until spring also took place.
September 22 Holiday Lada
Lada, as the Mother of God and the giver family well-being, the patroness of all living things, deserved a holiday among the Slavs for her own glory. At this time, they thanked her for the harvest and prosperity, as well as for sending a soul mate and creating a new family, they played weddings with ritual wedding rings, and also gave their grown-up daughters protective jewelry with Ladins as a talisman for beauty and harmonization of women's fate.
September 22-23 Radogoshch or Autumn Equinox
On this day, the results were summed up and the harvested crop and stocks made were considered. People praised the main God of the Family and Rozhanitsa and brought them generous requests in gratitude for their patronage and help. In some territorial areas, the Slavs began to celebrate the Autumn Equinox from the closing of Svarga, the Feast of the Heavenly Smith or the Rich Man - on September 21, and all this time they were generous feasts until September 23 - the astrological peak of the event.
September 27 Rodogoshch or otherwise - Tausen
On this autumn Slavic holiday, according to ancient pagan traditions, a feast was arranged by the mountain - yes, this is how the festive food was laid on the table, and a huge pie was placed in its center with wishes for a generous harvest next year. Letting the generous Nature and the spring-summer Gods and Goddesses go to rest, people began festive fortune-telling and ideas about the hero and the underworld, symbolizing a quick meeting with the awakened earth and its fruits.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in October
October 14 Intercession, with the introduction of Christianity, this holiday was celebrated in honor of Holy Mother of God and her wonderful pay.
In folk tradition, on this day, the meeting of Autumn with Winter was celebrated, and this holiday has very deep roots. The very name of folk beliefs was associated with the first hoarfrost, which "covered" the earth, indicating the proximity of winter cold, although the exact name of the holiday has not been preserved. The Day of the Intercession coincided with the complete completion of field work and serious preparations for winter.
October 30 Goddess Mokosh Day
On an autumn day, they praised Makosh, the one that spins human destinies, patronizes families and children in it, gives a happy bright hearth and helps to learn women's crafts: weaving, spinning, sewing, embroidery. Trebs were brought to her under idols on the Altar or in the fields and in the rivers: sweet buns, red wine, coins and wheat as a symbol of prosperity. Also on this day, pre-embroidered amulets for the home, chirs and Slavic amulets-decorations were activated.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in November
November 25 Marena Day
In the last days of autumn, Marena finally kicks out Yarila and covers Yav with her veil of cold, snow and ice. This pagan holiday of the Slavs does not contain joy. People reconcile themselves to the fact and in the beginning put modest demands on the Goddess, but they still try to show Mara their fearlessness and readiness to survive even in the most severe winter. Also on this date, they are attentive to the spirits of the dead Ancestors, their whisper in the last remaining leaves and try to bring a remembrance, appease the Navi Forces.
There are enough holidays in Slavic culture. But among all this multitude there are those that are most important. We in no way want to belittle the significance of certain holidays of the ancient Slavs ... But any sane person realizes that everything has a basis. So it is with you and me. Slavs associated the main holidays with four astrological points: Autumn equinox (Radogoshch?), Spring equinox (Komoeditsa / Maslenitsa), Winter solstice (Kolyada), Summer solstice (Kupalo). These are the main pagan holidays of the Slavs that have survived to this day. They make it possible to trace the connection of holidays with the four seasons: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer. Each dot (holiday) marks the beginning of a new season. Of course, the modern calendar does not give us a guaranteed coincidence of the transition, but you cannot deceive nature.
Winter solstice(December 25) - associated with the birth of the Sun. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. Slavs celebrated on this day Kolyada.
Kolyada - the god of the young Sun. In honor of Kolyada, the Slavs held a holiday on this day. They sang songs, praised the Gods, in particular Kolyada for turning the Sun towards spring. People rejoiced that despite the frosts, the day would now begin to increase, the sun in the sky would shine longer and brighter.
During Christianization, Christmas was timed to this day. Gradually, the Christian holiday grew into a pagan one. The winter solstice has long been regarded as the time of the birth of the gods.
The vernal equinox(20th of March) - seeing off winter. It was believed that on this day the gates of Iria were opened, and the ancestors could come to the world of Reveal (our world). The birds that arrive at the spring equinox symbolize this arrival. The strength of connection with the Rod at this time is as strong as possible.
Summer solstice(July 6 - 7) - the beginning of astronomical summer. The longest day and shortest night of the year. Slavs celebrated. From Kupala, the day begins to decrease, and the night to increase.
The ancient Slavs celebrated this holiday by lighting Kupala bonfires, round dances, jumping over bonfires, performing ritual bathing in rivers and springs, girls weaving wreaths and letting them float on the water. It was from this day that they began to bathe in the rivers.
(22 - 23 September) - beginning of autumn. On this day, the gates of Iriy are closed. The Earth falls asleep and the connection with the Family "fades out". The holiday of the Slavs during this period is associated with the harvest.
Ovsen, Tausen, Usen, Avsen are epithets of the sun (depending on the dialect of the area, they were pronounced differently). These are the ancient Slavic names of the holiday in honor of the Sun.
The sun is the source of light, warmth and fertility. The ancient Slavs celebrated this holiday by lighting bonfires and autumn round dances - they said goodbye to summer and met autumn. They had fun, baked big pies, so that next year they could reap a good harvest.
On this day, the fire in the huts was renewed - the old one was extinguished, and the new one was lit. Large sheaves were placed in the house. They wished each other that the next year would also be fruitful.
Of course, apart from the main solar holidays there are other holidays. For example, dedicated to the Slavic gods - Perun, Veles and others. But our primary task was to convey our ancestors' understanding of the world through certain holidays.
Answering the question " what holidays did the ancient Slavs have", I would like to note that the festivities were always held in the open air. People gathered in nature: in the forest, in the meadow, on hills, hills, hills. They had fun, sang and danced round dances. In folk dances, people walk a lot in a circle, the circle conserves energy.They also used rituals to establish a spiritual connection with their gods.
Almost all holidays have pagan Slavic roots. In our article, we will talk about both pagan holidays, which are celebrated throughout Russia, and Orthodox ones.
The latter are most often celebrated not only here, but also in Europe. In Slavic culture, there are four main holidays, according to which days and weeks are counted.
Let's consider them below in more detail.
First of all, let's deal with the concept of paganism. Scientists do not give an unambiguous interpretation of this word. It used to be believed that paganism appeared thanks to the New Testament. In Church Slavonic, this word meant other peoples, i.e. those who had a religion other than the Christian one.
Philologists who study pagan holidays and Slavic culture believe that the meaning of this concept is hidden in the word "paganism" - respect for clan, kinship and blood ties.
In the distant past, our ancestors revered family ties, they considered themselves to be a single whole, completely existent, and were related to mother nature herself.
pagan holidays
The concept of the Sun in pagan culture
All Slavic pagan holidays were reduced to one goal - honoring respect for the forces of nature and the earth.
The Slavic people deified the Sun, because the very process of life depended on its light. The main festivities and celebrations related to the position of the sun in the sky and its changes in position.
Solstice holidays among the pagan population
It's no secret that the holidays of the Slavs were held using the solar calendar. It showed the position of the Sun relative to other astrological bodies.
The calculation of the year was not by days and weeks, but by four astronomical main events:
And the main pagan holidays were directly related to these natural changes.
Types of Slavic holidays
- In ancient times, the Slavic calendar of holidays began with spring equinox. This holiday identified the victory over the winter season, and was called Komoyeditsa.
- Summer Solstice- a holiday called Kupail Day.
- Spring was a holiday autumn equinox.
- Kolyada The holiday was celebrated at the time of the winter solstice.
As a result, the four main pagan holidays in Russia were carried out by the Sun and its changes during the astronomical year.
The Slavic people sincerely believed that the sun, like a person, changes throughout the year.
The deity, which died on the night before the winter solstice, was reborn again in the morning.
Holiday Kolyada or Solstice
December 21 was considered the beginning of the astronomical winter, and was dedicated to the rebirth of the Sun. The Slavic people identified this holiday with a baby who was born at the dawn of the winter solstice.
Fun and celebration lasted two weeks, and it all began at sunset on December 19th. All relatives, friends and acquaintances came to celebrate the Christmas of the sun. To scare away evil spirits and evil spirits, the Magi lit fires.
Evil forces on the eve of the birth of the Sun were most active, due to the death of the old Svetovit and the birth of Kolyada. The Slavs believed that on the magical night of timelessness, the ancestors helped to resist the evil forces, gathering together for a common celebration.
In order to help the Sun to be born, the Slavs kindled ritual bonfires at night. They cleaned the house and the yard, washed and washed. Old things were thrown into the fire to get rid of the past, and in the morning to meet the Sun clean and renewed.
The winter sun was called Kolyada. The Slavs rejoiced that every day now the sunny day will increase, and the Sun itself will grow stronger. A cheerful pagan holiday was celebrated on this day until sunset on January 1.
Yule night
The Slavs considered the twelfth night of Yule to be magical and fabulous, that is, from December 31 to January 1. It was customary to celebrate her with funny disguises, dances and songs.
Currently, we are also celebrating this night, and the children are looking forward to the arrival of the pagan god in the person of Santa Claus.
The ancient Slavs invited this god to appease him and protect all crops from freezing.
Preparing the house for an ancient pagan holiday, we usually decorate the Christmas tree and the apartment, put sweets on the table in the form of logs or logs, as Christian tradition suggests. All these festive decorations are borrowed from the god Yule.
In winter, they also celebrated Honoring Women and Christmas Christmas. All these celebrations were accompanied by dances, songs, festivities and fortune-telling. The Slavs glorified the young Sun during all these holidays.
Holiday Komoyeditsa
March 20-21 is considered the day of the spring equinox. Spring pagan holiday - seeing off winter, the beginning of a new year, the meeting of spring and the departure of cold weather.
As soon as Christian culture appeared, this holiday was shifted in time according to the church calendar to the beginning of the year. IN modern world We all know this holiday as Maslenitsa. The pagan holiday was usually celebrated for 1.5 or 2 weeks.
The Slavs glorified the growing strength and strength of the Sun. And replacing his first childhood name Kolyada with the adult name Yarilo, the sun god became strong and could melt the snow and wake nature from hibernation.
Celebration of Kupala pagan holiday
June 21 is the summer solstice. At the festival, the Slavs glorified the pagan god Kupaila, who gave an excellent harvest and fertility.
According to the solar calendar, the beginning of summer came precisely from this day. The Slavs rejoiced at the fun and rested from hard work. Girls during this period could guess at the narrowed ones and put wreaths on the water.
A tree decorated with ribbons and various festive attributes was a symbol of fertility. On this holiday, all the elements of nature have healing power.
The Magi, knowing what healing properties this holiday gives, collected roots, herbs, flowers, morning and evening dew in the forest.
Meanings of Orthodox and pagan holidays
Celebrating and having fun, our great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers burned an effigy of winter. Spring was coming, and the fear of a cold death in winter was receding.
In order to win over spring, on the thawed patches in the field of treats, sweets and pies for Mother Spring. At the festive feast, Slavic men ate only nutritious food.
This was necessary in order to gain strength before the summer. The Slavs, celebrating national pagan holidays, danced round dances, prepared delicious dishes, for example, pancakes, which resembled the spring sun.
Since the Slavs lived in harmony with mother nature, they also glorified her flora and fauna. The bear was a respected and deified beast. It was to him at the beginning of the celebration that the ancient Slavs brought pancakes.
komoeditsa is a name associated with the bear, as the ancestors called it "kom". There is such a proverb: “The first pancake is coma”, that is, it is intended for a bear.
Magical pagan holidays and rituals
For the positive location of Kupaila, the Magi performed many rituals. On the night of fun, they went around the field in a circle, reading conspiracies from evil spirits, people and animals.
There is an old legend that all people gather in the forest on Kupala in search of a flower. He is able to work miracles, heal and point to the treasure. But this ancient plant cannot bloom.
And the lucky ones who see a suspicious glow in the garden are justified by the phosphorescent organism present on the leaves of the fern. But, despite this, young people still go to look for a magic flower.
Veresen holiday
September 21 is the autumnal equinox. Denotes the harvest and the beginning of autumn. They celebrated the holiday for two weeks.
The first time they celebrated two weeks before the equinox, in Indian Summer, they counted the harvest, planned expenses.
The second time was celebrated after the autumnal equinox. On such days, the Slavs honored the aging and wise Sun. They burned bonfires, danced round dances, kindled a new fire to replace the old one.
The house was decorated with bouquets of wheat, pies were baked from the harvest. This holiday has always been celebrated on a large scale, and all the tables were simply bursting with a variety of dishes.
Pagan holidays in Russia
When Christianity came, many traditions of the Slavs disappeared. But, thanks to the people's memory and some traditions, it was possible to recreate some elements of the celebration.
But, despite the past tense, Slavic holidays continue to be celebrated, albeit in a distorted form. If you care about the history of your people, you can easily recreate these holidays.
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Month names:
Lute - January
Komoyed - February
Taen - March
Traven - April
Listen - May
Rosten - June
Stozhen - July
Serpen - August
Leaf fall - September
Mokren - October
Studen - November
Snezhen - December
January - Prosinets, Roof
The first full moon is the holiday of Khorsa - the hearth
From January 6 to January 12, the week of the spirit Mokosh holidays - Friday, Until January 6 - Mokosh holiday (until Friday - Friday 12). Dances of the spirit and acceptance of new witches.
January 18-19 - brownie days. If on this day the wind sweeps with a broom, wait for blizzards at Maslen.
January 20 - Veles, they cleaned the cattle (Veles week). If there are frosts all week, then there will be frost even before the Feast of God.
January 25 - Perun, Voron Voronovich watered Perun with living water - brother's holiday. If the sun is bright on this day, then the spring will be red.
February - Sechen, bokogrey.
February 5 - the day of Stribog the windmill.
They asked for the wind to end.
February 3-8 - Veles days,
the days of the last hunts, everything is being prepared for motherhood, for the birth of spring, from 3 to 11 seven cool matinees.
The stars are calling for the birth of cattle.
February 10 - 14 -
the holidays of Moarena, Moarena was honored, but they were not allowed to go home, the heart was not cooled by anger and quarrels in the family, kindness and love were called to the family.
February 15 - 22-meeting (Gromnitsa),
- Feast of the Meeting. Spring - Lada - met. Spring was called. They poured love from their hearts into God's light. And the more love people give to the world, the faster and more friendly spring will come. The faster Lada will drive Moarena away. Everyone in the villages walked cheerfully, everyone congratulated each other and smiled. Gloomy snowballs were thrown.
“And today we have a meeting, a meeting,
Winter meets Spring, meets
Spring shoved Winter, shoved,
And the knife swirled, swirled,
Winter went cry, cry,
Spring has gone galloping, galloping!”
There is snow on the way - it rains all spring.
First Friday. On the same day, Perun's admirers celebrate the Tomb. They revere Perun Svarogovich (Svarozhich). Gromnitsa is the candle of Perun. Houses, barns, barns were surrounded with this candle, then all year they lit it in a thunderstorm, when someone in the house died or was born. Christians replaced this holiday with the "Meeting of the Lord" (1st Thursday among the Perunists).
February 25-Khorsa,
holiday merchants - daring.
February 28 - Veles day.
Wake the day warm - rye will be born, starry night - the harvest for peas and berries.
March - Protalnik, no water in March, no grass in April.
March 1 - the holiday of Stribog, flew to rest
If the full moon fell on the day of Stribog, there will be a harvest for milk mushrooms and cucumbers. If a month is a newcomer to be a summer hail. If the north wind blows - Zimnik, then the summer will be cold. If the Shelomnik wind is southwestern, then the summer is wet. If the afternoon wind is south, then the summer is warm.
March 9 - Svarozhy day -
since the rooks have arrived, a friendly spring is coming. Meet 40 matinees on Svarog Day.
March 19-24 - Frets, Went 7 days.
Earth awakening. 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). Earth awakening. Chapel lighting.
March 25 - Yarilin day -
if it rains this day - expect a rich face. Thunderstorm - to nuts and mushrooms.
The first full moon after the holiday of Lada is the holiday of Veles
The spring equinox is the festival of the goddess Swa, the festival of time. Feast of Rodogos.
April - Berezen, the earth is dying.
April 1 - water day,
if the flood, yes ice drift - a lot of grass, early haymaking.
April 1 - brownie weddings!
April 3 - April 12 Svarog,
if the temperature rises, get the bees out of the alder.
April 16 - Dazhdbog Day,
this cabbage for seedlings, so that it is round like the sun.
April 22-Lyalnik (Lyali holiday), (Lyalnik). For a whole week, the “Red Hill” is celebrated, dances are danced, the birth of life on Earth is welcomed (3rd Friday). In the same week, the days of all the gods are celebrated, amulets are made for cattle, and weapons are spoken. The birds are released from the cages, the larks are called.
"Hey, you little birds,
larks,
yellowworms,
You fly to us
You bring to us
Good flyer,
You bring Leleka,
You call Yarilka,
Fly larks,
Carry the summer on your wings."
They lead round dances, a symbol of solar movement, put amulets on cattle, put those who have been decapitated. The first Sunday of April 22 was the Rodunits holiday, now it is specifically tied to May 1.
23 - Veles day.
If Veles is a day with warmth and water, then winter is with good (with food). Rain, but heat - livestock and good. Kohl frost - dew cart. Clear morning - early sowing, clear evening with a bad day - 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 of the spirits of ancestors. They remembered their Favorite songs, jokes, ate, drank, told funny stories, arranged competitions (4th Friday). On the same day, the holiday of Perun was celebrated. If it's nicer, the harvesting of bread is nicer. Once upon a time on this day there was a willow holiday, they broke it, they beat the guys they met - the lads, fevers, sores, failures, drove the bad life from people. It was necessary to beat the willow twig from the leaves. But in fact, the girls watched which of the guys how they behave at the same time, whether they laugh, whether they get angry. Although it was impossible to yell, it was necessary to show their youth. Don't be embarrassed in front of the girls. Otherwise, shame cannot be avoided for a whole year, they will make fun.
"Willow whip,
Bay to tears.
Be healthy,
Be lucky
Be happy,
Be beautiful
Fast as a vine
Grow do not break
Worship your mother and father!"
Once upon a time, a white-colored bull was slaughtered on this Feast. The cattle were released into the field. On the fields began, appears, tops of rye (winter crops). The constellation of the Pleiades, Stozhary, rose.
Set up a hive of bees.
May 5-Khorsa, brownie day,
they cleaned huts and yards, burned all the garbage in the fire.
May 5 - 11 - Yarila holiday,
Yarila was called out, the bowls were placed. Holiday of grooms.
May 7 - the holiday of the Dawn of the Zarnitsa - the Red Mare. Horse Festival.
May 9 - the day of the snake Skoropea - sucker,
snakes woke up and crawled out to bask under the spring sun. The first full moon from the serpentine 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 copper snake will send a thunderous summer.
May 10 - Dazhdbog Day.
Dazhdbog rejected Moarena and became engaged to Dennitsa. They read for love, they bind to their native threshold.
May 14 - Stribog Day,
the siver passed, the winds were cold, like chikhonny.
May 16 - Lyalnik,
children, small animals arranged a holiday. Lyalka came, brought warmth.
May 20-Veles,
They hung bells around their necks. If the crown of the oak is with an edge, you will measure the oats with a tub.
May 29 - holiday of Perun, Mokosh
they asked for water, but no hail. When it rained, they showed him the scythes, and sharpened the scythes and sickles.
May 30 - the day of Veles and Stribog,
baths, huts began to be installed.
June - Izyuk, Baptist, Solstice.
June 4 - Yarila,
They met Yarila, asked for a warm summer, a harvest. The sun was met in the fields. If the sun rose brightly in the morning, rye and barley will be good in the fields. If it made its way through the clouds, with a gloomy and rainy day, then only hemp is a freak.
June 5 - Stribog Day,
if Midday wind (southern) - to the harvest of spring crops, if Poberezhnik (northwestern) - to damp autumn, if Voskhodnik (eastern) - to fads.
The first full moon from Yarilin's day was Svyvka, now the specific date has become.
June 11 - Perun, the birth of Perun.
Festival of death and rebirth.
June 15 - mermaids (Vedim's week), Rusal's week, Svyvka -
weaved wreaths from birch branches, weaved our fate together with them. Round dances are led, on the last day of the mermaids of the week they go to the churchyard and cover the graves of loved ones with flowers. Sun for winter, summer for heat.
June 19-24 - Mokosh week,
It also includes the Kupalo holiday - the summer solstice. June 24 - snake day, in honor of the fact that Perun defeated the Scepter, pierced him with a spear and bathed in seven sacred waters. On this day they doused each other with water (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. It is necessary to meet the Sun, to draw strength from the first rays. The cone of power. (Horn of power) Before Kupalov's day, ask the children from the god of rain, but after that it is not necessary.
June 27 - Perunov day,
if it rains, it will pour for seven weeks. And Zarnitsa will break bread.
July - Cherven, Poleten.
July 4 - Great Veles holiday, Veles' birthday
(milk ripeness of the grain). Bilberry (bilberry) ripened, sickle rye.
5 - July Perynya,
they asked not to pour rain, they removed the dashing, they did it for the harvest.
July 6, 7 - Radunya holiday,
they collected dew in the meadows, brought beauty, children got along from frights, flashes. Gratitude was given.
July 6-15 - Mokoshi Rodunits (dew was collected in the meadows).
Great dews, if they are hefty wet, the suffering is bad.
July 12 - Veles holiday. Veles foot day. Grass in the meadows mowing. Honoring Veles.
July 14, victory over the serpent Indrik.
Forgiveness to all people of vain insults. Commemoration for the departed and dead warriors. I live the beginning.
July 15 - Yarila's Holiday.
Widow's holiday - to get married again. Mornings are cold.
July 20 - Perun, chief.
Sacrifices, veneration of all those who died for the Russian Land, a celebration of future and past victories of the Russians. All night burning 8 fires. Summer in the afternoon, autumn in the evening.
July 24 is the day of Simargl, Rod.
If the morning is cold and rainy, the winter is cold and cold. They asked that it would blow over and the frost would not hit, the hail would not beat.
August - Zarev
August 3 - Stribog Day, Stribog Vetrogon Day.
Whirlwinds for a cool winter.
August 1-7 - Veles and Yarilin week,
mushroom picker - berry picker, grain and offspring. Start of winter sowing. The first full moon from Veles day, Khors holiday, is now timed to August 5th.
August 5-Khors,
The huts are cleaned, the envious spectators are driven out, the feast of the stove and the hut.
August 19 - Veles day,
the end of the harvest, Veles's beard was curled. Ospozhinki - obzhinki. Horse holiday.
Spica's star was rising in the sky.
August 28 - Mokoshi, Rodunits and Lada.
Honey was collected from beehives. If the cranberries are ripe, the oats are ripe.
September - Ovsen, a lot of acorns for a warm winter.
The first full moon was his feast. Now they made September 1 and renamed the oatmeal holiday into Semin's day. The first meeting of autumn.
September 9-Mokoshi,
They showered their heads with grain, burned 7 bonfires, the harvest festival (9th Friday). Fly end.
September 15 - the holiday of Svyatogor the hero.
Cabbage evenings.
September 16 - Lely,
children were celebrating a holiday, that cattle that was born in the spring was looked through, who would be left for generations, and who should be put under the knife or for sale. Sheep were sheared. If cranes and storks have flown, then frost will fall on the cover, and if not, then later.
September 20 - Night of good spirits,
they went to sacred groves, to churchyards, coaxed the spirits, asked for advice.
September 23 - Divos (Divons), - the autumnal equinox.
The first Sunday after the autumn equinox is the holiday of Dazhdbog (they said goodbye). The first full moon after the autumnal equinox is the night of Wii.
September 24 - the day of Veles fieldfare hop,
they started mash, beer, boil honey. Determine the bees for the winter. The ants began to close the huts.
October - Breast.
If a leaf from a birch has fallen cleanly, wait for an easy year, and if it is not clean, there will be a bad winter. The willow was covered with frost early - a long spring is expected.
October 4 - Veles and goblin.
Goblin, water, mermaids fall into hibernation. Wind Voskhodnik (Eastern) is blowing - the winter will be cold. Hunter's Day.
With the advent of the star Arcturus, the holiday of the Rodunits was celebrated in the sky, All their ancestors were remembered, thanked for the year.
The first full moon after the appearance of the star Arcturus is the Feast of the Dawn, now timed to coincide with a specific date.
October 14 - Morning Dawn,
she began to sew a veil for her brother, they sewed suitors to their hem. The powder lay down in the dirt on the roads.
October 28-31 - days of Mokosh,
Feast of Live Fire. The whole week of Mokosh (10th Friday). A holiday of good luck and good fortune. And also the night of all the spirits of the Earth ( main holiday- witchy!).
October 31-2 - the night of the elements and grandfather's nights,
holiday of fire, water, wind, earth. Rising of the star Antares, 7 days of the feast of Moarena and her 12 daughters,
They revered, they put a commemoration in the swamp and in the forests.
The first full moon from the rising of the star Antares, the feast of the Svarozhichs, the feast of the bowl, and abundance.
November - Breast
November 3-9 - Mokoshina week.
If the ice of the river has shackled, then the winter is fierce, and the spring is friendly.
November 10 - the day of the brownie,
The yard is frosty, the house keeps the stove. Furnace Festival.
The first full moon from Brownie Day is the night of Viy and the snake Skoropei. If the rain has passed, then wait for the thaw until the holidays of the Family.
November 15 -11 - Svarog day,
threw God's things on the ground.
November 28-Mokoshi spin.
December - Studen
December 5-Khorsa,
merchant's holiday, and at home. Frosts are cracking, take care of the cattle.
December 10 - Stribog the windmill.
If the winds cover the trail - there will be no road.
December 11 is the holiday of grandfather Karachun.
Kulebyaki baked pies, treated everyone (the more layers with different fillings in the kulebyaki, the better), they put a commemoration of the dead.
December 12 - Dazhdbog holiday.
Sun for summer, winter for frost. Fritters and pancakes were baked, chickens and roosters were beaten.
December 20 - 24 - Yarila (Yaruna) holidays
The week before Kolyada is the week of Veles and Viy.
December 25 - Dazhdboga.
A clear day for the harvest, the sky is starry for a large offspring of livestock.
December 26 - Mokosh holiday (Friday 11), Rod holiday (Monday 1).
If the paths are black to the harvest of buckwheat.
Feast of Perun - brother's cups. On the first full moon from Kolyada, Perunov Ovsen is celebrated. Admirers of Perun pour barley, oats, buckwheat into the corners of houses:
“Perun walks on Ovsen - day,
It's not too lazy to carry grain around the huts,
Where he waves, life grows.
In the field, the core - in the house is good.
zo december-lely
The richest source for studying the pagan beliefs of our ancestors is simply folk holidays and rituals, beliefs and traditions connected with them.
Summers (years) among the Slavs were divided into three seasons: Spring, Autumn and Winter. The later calendar gets the usual binding for us to the four astronomical solar events of the year:
- weak winter Sun-baby Kolyada- is born renewed in the morning after the Night of the Winter Solstice,
- on the Day of the Spring Equinox turns into a stronger sun-young Yarilo,
- on the Day of the Summer Solstice turns into a mighty the sun-husband of Kupail,
- on the Day of the Autumnal Equinox turns into an aging and weakening wise autumn sun-old man Svetovit.
Some of the holidays do not have a fixed time, others go on strictly defined days. This diversity comes from the fact that almost all folk holidays coincide with church holidays and are consistent with their schedule. Whether this was the case even before the introduction of Christianity is not known; it is probable that all had a certain time, and that the mobility of some occurred as a result of the destruction of pagan celebrations and their replacement by Christian ones, which is why the former lost their independence and merged with the latter.
Main winter folk holidays: , (Saturdays) and . Main summer holidays: kupala, semik and trinity day (green Christmas time). Considering these two groups of holidays, it is impossible not to notice a certain correspondence between them. There are even analogies and similarities between individual celebrations. This similarity involuntarily leads to the idea that in the distribution of holidays - winter and summer - some general law must be hidden, they must be connected with some permanent important changes in nature and correspond to them. Indeed, it is easy to see that popular holidays are grouped in winter around the entry of the sun into the sign of Capricorn, and in summer around its entry into the sign of Cancer. The turning of the sun for summer or winter are the centers around which the pagan liturgical calendar of our ancestors revolved. Knowing this and comparing the time of the celebrations with the nature of the celebrations, one can form an approximate idea of the main features of ancient Slavic paganism. His starting point was the life and death of nature. The revival, activity and development of the forces of nature were life; their mortification, lulling - death. These two principles, hostile, eternally fighting among themselves, ruled the world and divided everything that exists into two hostile kingdoms, so that all phenomena, forces and objects of visible nature were attributed to one or the other. per day day And night, In human life - wakefulness And dream, life And death, in the life of nature - Spring, summer, autumn and winter constantly represented these hostile principles and their struggle.
Anna Vinogradova. Crossing ford.
Christian departure church holidays, which coincided in time with the ancient, pre-Christian ones, changed the rites of the latter so much, merged and mixed with them so much that it is almost impossible to draw a line between them and indicate what belongs to the old and what to the new.
An off-season form of youth leisure in autumn-winter times was
