At night from October 31 to November 1 an ancient pagan holiday is celebrated, Veles night, which is now best known as Halloween. What is Halloween really? After all, our Slavic ancestors also celebrated it, calling it "Veles night". It is no secret that people used to live in harmony with nature, so their holidays were associated with the lunar and solar cycles, the change of seasons, harvesting and other phenomena. And now those who respect ancient traditions and want to receive support from the Forces of Nature use these days for rituals: after all, it is at these moments that powerful surges of energy are observed, a “direct channel” with the other world opens. There are four such major holidays based on the cult of fire and sun. They are celebrated on the nights of October 31 (Halloween, Samhain), February 2 (Candlemas), April 30 (Beltane), August 1 - (Lammas). Of these, Beltane and Hallowen are the most important. Thus, Hallowen is considered the first day of the year among many peoples. According to the legends of the ancient Celts, this day marked the arrival of the pagan prince of darkness Samhain on Earth, who took the sun god prisoner and kept him in prison for a long winter. On the eve of the Celtic New Year, darkness triumphed over light, winter over summer, death over life. The Celts believed that it was on the night of October 31 to November 1 that the prince of darkness Samhain opened the doors between the real and the supernatural worlds. Our ancestors, the Slavs, celebrated Veles' night at this time. This is a night of great power, when the boundaries between the worlds are thinning, when the spirits of our ancestors and those who will live after us appear as an integral whole, together with a dying and renewing world, with the elements and their power. First of all, this is a family holiday. It was believed that on the Veles night the spirits of the ancestors return to their descendants in order to teach them lessons and bless the whole family. Before dark, they lit a Fire, jumping through which, as well as walking with bare feet on hot coals, was a rite of cleansing and liberation from evil forces. That is why the celebration of Veles' night for the Slavs was of particular importance. People remembered their dead relatives, asked them to support Rod. It is believed that on this night the other world (Nav) and Reality become one whole. That is why they burn candles and bonfires and put on scary outfits - to scare away the souls of enemies and other dark forces: after all, not only deceased loved ones and loved ones, but also ill-wishers can visit you. On the same night, the easiest way is to go down into the dungeons of your subconscious and gain the Power. Try to enjoy every taste, every smell, and every sensation. Feel that you are alive. Do not extinguish the fire on your altar all night. Let the candles burn, driving away evil from your home. On this night, something should be given to everyone who asks. In addition, you need to take out and throw away all the trash and old, unnecessary things. The Night of Spirits is the night of mummers and masks. This is a great time for all kinds of fortune-telling and getting advice from the spirits of the ancestors and from the Gods. On this day, you need to prepare the food that the deceased loved most, to whom you want to turn for advice and help. For their showers, separate appliances are placed on the table in places of honor.
Happy holiday to everyone, dear members of the forum!
One of the most ancient holidays on our planet is the holiday Halloween, which is celebrated annually October 31... This holiday miraculously intertwines the tradition of the ancient Celts of praising evil spirits and Catholic Christians - worship of saints.
The holiday of Halloween has arisen many millennia ago, it originates from the festival of the Celtic peoples of Samhain, Pomona Day among the Romans and All Saints Day among Christians. Several centuries ago, the indigenous people of England and the north of France were the Celtic tribes. They had a pagan religion, the supreme deity of which was the sun god. Full year divided them into two stages - summer and winter. In winter, the sun god was held captive by Saimahen, who was considered the prince of darkness and the lord of the dead.
The festival dedicated to Samhain was celebrated on the first of November, this day was considered the beginning of winter. It was at this time that winter replaced summer, night came to replace day, and death replaced life. On the night of November 1, the barriers between the mundane and the magical worlds disappeared, and the gates opened between them. It is today that the hopes of the dead and their unfulfilled plans rush to our land, to their native cities and homes. The souls of once deceased people could incarnate in the bodies of various animals, while the most evil of them possessed cats. All evil spirits come to the ground tonight, and do not be surprised if you go out into the street at a late hour if you meet a witch.
While the souls of the dead were visiting their homes and implementing unfulfilled plans, druids (nature spirits) performed rituals in oak groves. They made sacrifices to dangerous spirits, asked for their mercy. The next morning, a coal from the Druid fire was already in every Celtic hut. It was believed that such a coal would warm the house all winter and protect the household from evil spirits. At the fires of the druids that night, the girls wondered about their betrothed.
A new era began with the conquest of the territories of the Celtic tribes by the Roman troops. They brought their own personality to their holiday. So, on October 31, they celebrated the day of the goddess of all plants - Pomons .
In the ninth century, Christianity spread throughout England, and the traditions of the holidays were finally mixed. They were complemented by the traditions of the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day. In later times, the holiday began to be called Halloween .
Today, this ancient pagan holiday is traditionally celebrated on the night from October 31 to November 1
... The traditions of its celebration are unusual and exciting. On this day, everyone can feel like a real bloodthirsty vampire or an evil witch, dressed up in a thematic costume of evil spirits. Masquerades, concerts, large celebrations and night festivities are organized. Of course, everyone who knows about Halloween associates it with pumpkin... Traditionally, a candlestick made from this vegetable is a symbol of the holiday. The pulp is removed from the pumpkin, a smiling face is cut out, a candle is placed inside. This vegetable is a symbol of the end of the harvest, as well as a dangerous spirit. And the fire scares him away. This is how the beliefs of ancient ancestors are unusually intertwined in this subject.
The history of Halloween dates back millennia, starting with the Celtic festival of Samhain, followed by the Roman Pomona Day and complementing and competing with the Christian All Saints Day.
Centuries ago, the lands of modern Britain and northern France were inhabited by Celtic tribes. They were pagans and worshiped the sun god as the supreme god. The Celts divided the year into two parts - winter and summer. Throughout the winter, the sun god was held captive by Samhain, the lord of the dead and the prince of darkness. Symbolically, Samhain is a kind of gateway to winter. They tend to perceive winter with hostility, because it seems that all living things are dying. However, the arrival of death, according to the Celts' definition, is the arrival of life. The white desert, where according to legend Samhain lives, is extraordinarily beautiful. She is freed from everything superfluous, superficial. The time of Samhain is a time to throw off the burden of worries and vanities that have accumulated over the summer and have lost their meaning, following the example of trees that are freed from leaves that have outlived their life. After all, if the trees do not throw them off, the dead leaves will not give them the opportunity to come to life again in the spring. Legend has it that on this night Samhain opens the gates to the past and the future. Two elements become available in the present. This is the time when a person is not limited by the cell of his time and can realize his place in the web of eternity. However, the transition to another space or time is usually painful. The gate is well guarded. Witches and demons - the heroes of today's Halloween - are the shadows of the gatekeepers.
The Samhain Festival, which was celebrated on November 1st, is the time when winter began. At this time, summer gave way to winter, day to night, life to death, and all barriers between the material and supernatural worlds were removed, the gates between them were opened for one night (according to the ancient belief, on this New Year's Celtic night, the door to the underworld and the inhabitants of hell will open will penetrate to the ground). At this time, all the unfulfilled hopes and plans of the dead returned to earth again, and their souls descended to their homes. The souls of the dead could take on different guises, evil spirits moved into animals, and the most dangerous ones - into cats. If you believe the legends on this day, all the evil spirits descend to the ground.
At the beginning of our era, the Romans conquered Celtic territory, bringing with them their traditions and festivals. On the night of 31 October to 1 November, they celebrated the Day of Pomona, the goddess of plants. Its symbol was the apple, and hence the modern Halloween tradition of playing with apples.
In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV approved November 1 as the Day of All Saints, on which it was supposed to glorify the saints and martyrs. The Catholic Day of All Saints - All Hallows Even, or All Hallows Eve, later became known as Hallowe’en, and, in the end, - Halloween. Although the church fought for a long time with the custom of frightening and appeasing evil spirits on this day and therefore "appointed" November 1 as Hallows Eve, the pagan holiday not only survived, but also inseparably merged in the popular consciousness with the church holiday, receiving the name Halloween ...
Halloween, so popular in America, was introduced there by the first Irish immigrants. On this day, people dressed up in costumes of witches and devils "representatives" of other evil spirits, frightened and played tricks on each other, carried with them hollow pumpkins with a cut grin and a candle inside, symbolizing restless sinful souls. Halloween attributes are entirely pagan-satanic: night time, bats, cats, spiders, pomelo, skeletons, evil spirits, vampires, ghosts, goblins, scary stories as memories of the deeds of evil spirits.
However, at the end of the 19th century, they tried to end the mystical bias of Halloween by turning it into a public holiday. City officials were ordered to host parties with games and treats, and newspapers urged parents to "scare the kids less." Therefore, many superstitious features of Halloween have disappeared into history. It is a pity that, filling this holiday with entertainment, they forget the ancient meaning of Halloween. Halloween is an attempt to understand the connection between our worlds and the other worlds. Halloween is a passage, a gateway from one world to another. This gate, like any other, is paradoxical. Being between two worlds, they belong at the same time to both of them - and to neither of them.
Ancient pagan and Slavic traditional holidays, the main memorable dates and rituals, the meaning of which is important for the entire Family, were in the calendar a certain number or a month for a reason. All holidays of the Slavic peoples and traditions are closely related to 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 for your convenience in a new style. If you want to celebrate them in the old way, just subtract thirteen days from the specified date and month. We will be sincerely glad that you will be imbued with honesty and usefulness, rationality and grace of the pagan holidays of Ancient Russia and the Slavic Ancestors, their traditions and will help to revive and pass them on to your Descendants to strengthen the strength of the entire Family. For those wishing to enter a new rhythm with protective amulets, go to our catalog -.
The natural calendar of the Slavs is based on four main points - the days of autumn and vernal equinox, winter and summer solstice. They are determined by the astrological position of the Sun relative to the earth: possible shift in dates from 19 to 25
| Summer (year) | ||||
| 2016 | December 22,23,24 (25-Kolyada) | 19 march | 21st of June | September 25 |
| 2017 | 18th of March | 21st of June | September 25 | |
| 2018 | December 20, 21, 22 (23 - Kolyada) | 19 march | June, 22 | September 25 |
| 2019 | December 22, 23, 24 (25 - Kolyada) | 21 March | 21st of June | 23 September |
| 2020 | December 21, 22, 23 (24 - Kolyada) | 20th of March | 21st of June | September 22nd |
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 the saline and forms the Circular Gate of Nature.
The very love of the Slavs for their Earth and the Cycle of the Elements and the Seasons is reflected in 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 - Jelly
Winter Slavic holidays and ceremonies
Pagan and Slavic holidays in December
3 December Memorial Day for the hero Svyatogor
On this day, the Slavs remember and venerate the giant giant Svyatogor, who brought Russia great benefit in the fight against the Pechenegs. His exploits are described on a par 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 Gulbische, a large boyar mound. On such a holiday, it is good to tell your Descendants about the giant Svyatogor and prolong the Memory of his heritage, tell about the Native Gods of the Slavs.
December 19-25 Karachun
Karachun is the middle name of Chernobog, who descends to earth on the days of the winter solstice, Kolovorot (lasts 3 days from December 19 to 25). Karachun is an evil underground spirits and has servants in the form of bears - blizzards and wolves - blizzards. It is frost and cold, a shortening day and a pitch-black night. However, along with this, Karachun is considered a just God of death, who does not violate earthly Orders just like that. To protect yourself from the wrath of Chernobog, it is enough to observe the Rules and wear Slavic amulets-amulets.
At the end of Karachun, the Holiday comes - Kolyada, Sunny Christmas
Kolyada is a young Sun, the embodiment of the beginning of the New Year's cycle. From that day, the Great Winter Christmastide and the turn of the Sun into spring began. At this time, children and adults dressed up as fairy-tale characters and animals and, under the name of Kolyada, strolled into the huts of wealthy families. To perky songs and dances, they demanded treats from the set table and wished the owners happiness and longevity. To offend the carolers meant to incur the wrath of Kolyada himself, therefore, on the eve of Sunny Christmas, the preparation of sweets and the cooking of kutya began.
December 31 Generous evening, Generous
On this day of Big Winter Christmastide, they were preparing for the New Year coming at midnight and, just like on Kolyada, they gathered and went out through the streets to play performances. Collect treats, praise and generous owners and jokingly scold misers. Generous, good evening! - shouted every passer-by in greeting. Hence the name of this winter Slavic holiday came from the times of the pagan faith.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in January
January 6 Turitsy
Tur is the son of Veles and Makosha, the patron saint of shepherds, guslars and buffoons, young men - future warriors and breadwinners of families. On this Slavic holiday, a rite of initiation into men was performed, and the main shepherd in the village was also chosen. This holiday closes the Velesovs Winter Christmastide and therefore everyone is in a hurry to tell fortunes for the last time, what awaits them in the future, they set a rich table.
January 8 Babi porridge
On this Slavic holiday, midwives and all older women of the Family are honored. They are presented with generous gifts and praises, and in return they sprinkle grain on their children and once adopted babies with blessing and a wish for a generous Share and Easy Destiny. The symbol of the Family in Slavic amulets also helps to preserve the connection between generations, instill in the Descendants respect for their Ancestors.
12 January Kidnapping Day
On this not a Slavic holiday, but a memorable day, Veles kidnapped Perun's wife, Dodola or otherwise Diva, in revenge for refusing to offer a hand and heart, and later Marena, the wife of Dazhdbog, who became Kashchei's wife and bore him many demonic daughters. Therefore, on January 12, they are wary of letting girls go for a walk alone and are working on strengthening personal protection: they make jewelry-amulets, embroider 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 Warrior Triglav Intru. 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 the patron saint of wells, clouds, snakes, Navi God, therefore on such a night the Vedunas spoke to protect all the chimneys so that dark spirits in the form of snakes could not enter the house.
January 19 Vodosvet
You can see that the customs of this holiday are very reminiscent of the Christian holiday of Epiphany. However, the Christians changed the name of the pagan holiday "Vodosvet" to "Baptism of the Lord", and the essence and traditions remained the same, although this is not a Christian holiday and even Catholics do not celebrate January 19.
On this day, the Slavs celebrated the pagan holiday Vodosvet. It was believed that on this day, the water became light and turned into healing. Traditionally, they swam in the ice-hole that day. If it was not possible to plunge, then they poured water over them in a warm place. After everyone had bathed, guests gathered and wished each other health until the next Water Light.
It was believed that such bathing charges a person with health for the whole year. The Slavs believed that on this day the Sun, the Earth, and also the center of the Galaxy are located in such a way that the water is structured and a channel of communication between people and the center of the Galaxy opens, a kind of connection with space. That is why water, and what is made of water, was considered a good conductor. Water is able to "remember" both negative and positive information. And naturally it can either restore a person or, on the contrary, destroy it.
Our ancestors believed in the healing properties of water and understood that human health depends on the quality of water.
January 21 Prosinets
This Slavic holiday is dedicated to the glorification of Heavenly Svarga and the revival of the Sun, the mitigation of cold weather. In ancient times, the pagan Vedunas remembered and thanked Kryshen, who gave people fire to melt the Great Ice and shed life-giving Surya from the Heavenly Svarga, which on January 21 makes all springs healing and rejuvenating.
28 January Brownie treat day - Velesichi, Kudesy
On this day, they glorify the children of Veles - his heavenly warriors and thank God for such protection of the Family. They also do not forget about the Brownie, they 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. On this day, everyone is crazy: from spirits to people, so you should not be surprised by the miracles that are happening and the banter of Father Veles over us. If you want, you can bring treasures under the spruce or a made idol of the Native God right in the forest.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in February
February 2 Gromnitsa
On this winter Slavic holiday, one can hear amazing single peals of thunder - this is how Perun congratulates his wife Dodol-Malanitsa, Lightning, inviting us to praise the goddess and ask her for mercy - not to burn barns and courtyards in anger, but to work for the glory of the future harvest, causing rains. 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
Great Veles day marks the middle of winter, a certain milestone. On this holiday, Father was glorified and the game rites of the comic battle between Marena and Veles were performed, as a symbol of the imminent end of the cold, his retreat together with Mara. Also on this day, they set up protection for livestock and put Veles' boils on all the gates in the courtyard, glorified and brought sacraments to Scottish God, asked for health to cows, pigs and other breadwinners of the family.
February 15 Presentation
This is an ancient Slavic holiday of the meeting of Spring and Winter, the last winter cold weather and the first spring thaws. As a sign of respect for the Sun, the necessary pancakes were baked, and at noon they burned Erzovka, a doll made of straw, 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 Meeting and making plans based on the predicted by Nature.
February 16 Pochinki
Pochinki is an important date immediately after the pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs of Presentation. From that day on, they began to repair carts, fences, barns, barns and agricultural implements. Prepare the cart in winter - it was from Pochinok that such a wise proverb came to us. You should also not forget about the Brownie, bring him treats and talk to the world in order to establish contact and receive support in working for the benefit of the farm.
February 18 Troyan Winter, Day of Stribozh'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, ritual reconstruction battles were performed and generous commemorations were brought, and the Descendants were told and clearly shown how much the warriors who participated in the battle at Troyanov Val did for the entire Russian Clan.
Spring Slavic holidays and ceremonies
Pagan and Slavic holidays in March
March 1 Day Madder, Vyunitsa, Naviy day
On this day, the goddess of Winter and Death, Marena, who owns the Naval world and helps people after life to reach Kalinov Most, is glorified. On it you can go through the line of Yavi and Navi, the Currant River. On the night before this holiday, all the undying, forgotten and unburied souls of the dead awakened in Yavi. They could walk around the courtyards, trying to get attention and even move into the living. From 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 services and give Glory for the life they have lived and the Descendants of the Family given by them. You can treat your dead Relatives both at the graves and by letting the shells of colored eggs go through the water - if they left for another world a long time ago, and the grave is gone, the grave is no longer left, or it is very far away.
March 14 Small Oat
According to ancient Slavic custom, Maly Ovsen accounted for New Year- 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. Oat, which was born a little later and is considered the younger twin brother of Kolyada. It is he who brings the knowledge of his brother to people 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 19-25 Komoeditsy or Maslenitsa, Great Day
The pagan Maslenitsa holiday is not just a Slavic meeting of spring and a cheerful farewell to winter. This is the day of the spring solstice, a turning point in the calendar and the way of life. In the Orthodox holiday of Maslenitsa, the pagan Komoeditsa survived with almost all of its traditions: burning a stuffed winter - Marena, treating pancakes - Komami and eating them all week. The first sun pancakes were usually given as a demand to the Bear, the personification of Veles. They were laid out on forest stumps, and then they went to burn ceremonial fires in which they burned unnecessary old stuff and cleansed themselves and their family of unnecessary burdens. They began to celebrate Komoeditsa a week before the Equinox and continued to celebrate for a 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 from the winter quarters, including the first larks, begin to arrive. And even they were late this time, each family baked their own larks, which were supposed to attract the real ones. Usually it was entrusted to do the children, who happily ran to call out the spring, and then feasted on delicious pastries. Wooden amulets for the house were also made in the form of a lark. They attracted happiness, health, and good fortune.
March 25 the opening of Svarga or the invocation of spring
At the last, third invocation of spring with fragrant rye larks, games and round dances, the Celestial Svarga is Opened and Alive descends to earth. Finally, nature will wake up, revive and begin to grow in the course of rivers and seedlings, young shoots and new branches of trees. On this Slavic holiday, you can feel the Living breath of the Gods, who are favorable to the real Descendants.
March 30 Ladodenie
On this March day, Lada was glorified: the goddess of love and beauty, one of the two heavenly Rozhanits, the Mother of God. This Slavic holiday was accompanied by round dances and dances, as well as baking cranes from unleavened dough for family family amulets. A bright day of kindness and warmth made it possible to charge 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 Day of the Brownie or his awakening
This cheerful Slavic holiday was dedicated to Domovoy - the very spirit that guarded your home, courtyard and bins. On April 1, he woke up from hibernation, during which he did only important things - he guarded your property, and began active work to create comfort and bring prosperity to the family. So that he woke up faster and became more cheerful - he was treated to milk and other goodies, they began to joke and play with him and with each other - act out and tell jokes, put on inside out, and separate socks or shoes.
April 3 Vodopol Water Day
It was on this day that Vodyanoy woke up and the ice drift and flooding of rivers began. This Slavic holiday was dedicated to him: fishermen brought generous gifts for the Water One in the hope that he would put things in order in the water kingdom and thank the guests with a generous catch, not break their nets, drive large fish into them, and also punish the mermaids not to touch them and their loved ones. Some artels could donate a whole horse, 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 well-fed mood.
April 14 Semargl day
On this Slavic holiday, Semargl-Ognebog drowns the last snow, 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 all living things to the ground. They say that Semargla was forged from a spark by Svarog himself at his sacred forge. Every night he stands guard over Order with a fiery sword, and only on the day of the autumnal equinox does he come to the Bathing Lady so that they have children - Kupalo and Kostroma. Requirements are brought to the Firebog by throwing them into the fire, charms with Semargl are also activated in his flame with a request from God for protection.
April 21 Naviy day or Commemoration of the ancestors
On this day of spring Christmas, the souls of deceased Ancestors come down to us to visit and hear about our life, joys and sorrows. Therefore, the commemoration of relatives at the graves and the offering of a funeral feast is carried out: treats in memory of them. The older ones in the Roda are commemorated by dropping the shells of colored eggs into the water, so that by Rusal day they would be passed on to them as dear news from loved ones. As well as the first of April, on the day of Marena, on this Slavic holiday, the restless, restless, restless, offended deceased souls go out to the Reality side on this Slavic holiday. That is why many people again use disguises to protect themselves from them.
April 22 Lelnik Krasnaya Gorka
On this amazing holiday and for a long time after it, Lelia, the goddess of spring, youth and an assistant in obtaining the future harvest, was glorified. On a high hill, Krasnaya Gorka, the youngest and beautiful girl, brought her all kinds of gifts: milk, bread, sweets and eggs, led round dances around her and rejoiced at the life that had awakened after the winter. Painted, painted eggs were handed out to relatives and friends, and were also carried to the already deceased Ancestors as a commemoration. Such colored, painted eggs are generally part of 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 verhniy
On this Slavic holiday, they go out into the street to meet and thank the patron saint of shepherds and the protector from predators of livestock, Yarila-spring Sun. From this period, the first spring weddings begin and symbolic fertilization is performed - the opening of the Yarilo Earth and the release of the first dew, which was considered strong and was used in the ritual skating of men on the ground to increase their health and heroic will. Yarilina dew was carefully collected and used for future use as living water for the treatment of many ailments.
April 30 Rodonitsa
On this last day of April and Krasnaya Gorka, the spring cold ends and people go to commemorate their ancestors, bringing them standard services: kutya, pancakes, oatmeal jelly and written eggs. Also on this day, competitions are organized: skiing from a mountain of written eggs. The winner is the participant whose egg rolls farthest and does not break. Such rolling out of the earth with eggs symbolizes its future fertility. By midnight, all the celebrants prepare the ceremony and assemble a huge large bonfire 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 in honor of Alive: the goddess of spring, fertility, birth of life. The daughter of Lada and the wife of Dazhdbog, Zhivena gives life to all living things and fills the entire Rod with this creative force. When a fire is lighted 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 over the Living-Creating Fire, clearing themselves from winter sleep and darkness. Alive is the movement of nature, the first shoots, the first streams, the first flowers and the first love.
May 6 Dazhdbog Day - Big Oat
On this day, they glorify Dazhdbog, the Ancestor of the Slavs, God of Fertility and spouse Alive. It was on this day that he renounced Marena and made a choice in favor of the daughter of Lada, thereby becoming, together with Zhivaya, to protect Nature and its Fruits. On May 6, people go out into the field and make the first ritual sowing, bring livestock to fresh fields, and also begin the construction of new houses, and of course - bring generous demands to grandfather Dazhdbog and rejoice in the hot sun as a symbol of real spring and the future bountiful harvest.
May 10 Veshnee Mokoshie
This is the day of honoring Mother-Raw-Earth and her patrons - Mokos and Veles. On this day, it was forbidden to injure the ground: to dig, harrow or simply stick sharp objects into it - after all, it wakes up after a winter's sleep and is filled with life-giving juices. All the wizards and brothers-Slavs who simply honor Nature, went out on this day with generous gifts to the fields and poured out 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, Tribogov day
On this day, farewell to Yarila, the spring Sun, takes place and the three summer Gods of Svarog Triglav, strong in Prav, Navi and Yavi, are famous: Svarog, Perun and Veles. It is believed that Troyan has collected the strength of each of them and daily stands guard of Nature from the attack of Chernobog. On Troyan, boys were initiated into warriors, their ancestors were remembered and amulets were made from the souls of restless dead, including they plowed entire villages with a protective, protective circle from Nav's evil forces, and women and girls were cleared of the hassle before wedding ceremonies and childbirth.
May 31 Feast of the Cuckoo or Kumlenie
This very interesting Slavic holiday implies that we are all brothers and sisters of the same Clan. Therefore, on the last day of spring, such an opportunity is given to those who wish to contemplate - to become related without having a direct blood relationship. You can also ask Zhiva what you want - just tell your hopes and dreams to the cuckoo, she will convey them to the Goddess and prod her about you. Also, on this ancient pagan pradnik, the Slavs exchanged gifts-amulets with dear and close-minded people.
Summer Slavic holidays and ceremonies
Pagan and Slavic holidays in June
June 1 Spirits day or the beginning of the Rusalya week
Spirits day begins on the first day of summer and lasts the whole week, called Rusalya. From that day on, Marena lets out dead ancestors to visit Yav, and their Descendants invite them to their homes, laying out birch branches in the corners, symbolizing Family ties. However, together with them, not reposed, suicidal and drowned people are activated. Most often these are women and mermaids. Water at this time most actively accepts and conducts the energy of Pravi, Silavi and Yavi. With the help of it, you can recover, spoil damage, or find out something. As demands on the banks of the rivers, they brought clothes for mermaid children, and so that the spirits could not penetrate the body, they wore amulets with.
June 19-22 Kupalo
This is the main summer pagan holiday among the Slavs - the Day of the Solstice, Kolovorot. On this day, many rituals are performed - after all, the power of such a period is very great. The herbs collected at Kupalo are of great value. The burning fire of the fire purifies people, and the water washes away all sorrows and diseases from them. Feast, games and round dances with rituals continue from dawn to dawn. This is a Slavic cheerful and cheerful holiday, the symbol of which remains for the whole year amulets with Odolen-grass, Fern Flower and Kolo of the Year.
June 23 Agrafena Kupalnitsa
This pagan ancient Slavic holiday opened the swimming 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 when dipping into open reservoirs. On the day of Agrafena Kupalnitsa, as on other Christmastide, girls of all ages went with praises and petitions to present gifts: Slavic outerwear, silver jewelry with protective symbols.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in July
July 12 Veles Sheaf Day
From the Veles day, the heat begins to arrive and hay is mowed for livestock, the first sheaves are tied, absorbing the fertile spirit of the fields. Therefore, demands and glories are brought to Veles, as the patron saint of agriculture and cattle breeding. Also on this day, Alatyr was called, and Veles was asked to move him for a while and let the souls of their ancestors go to Nav and find their peace there. Chira Veles in this Slavic summer holiday were applied to his idols, as well as personal and home amulets, amulets. Also on this day, treasures are offered in the Sacred Fire.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in August
August 2 Perunov day
This ancient pagan Slavic holiday was dedicated to the celebration and glorification of the Highest 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 the harvest. Sacrifices were brought to Perun and simply generous demands to the altar with an idol and a boil: pastries, bread, wine, kvass. Put on with the blessing of God or another Slavic talisman, they guarded the owner in a foreign land and in difficult situations.
August 15 Spozhinki
Spozhinki, pozhinki or crimping is a pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs with the glorification of Veles and the cutting of the last yielding sheaves of grain. In each field, they left the last bundle of wheat and tied it in the shape of Veles's beard, as a sign of respect and understanding of all that great gift of agriculture presented to him. Also, at this time, they began to consecrate the collected honey, apples and grain on the Great Fire, bring them in demand along with bread and porridge to the Native Gods.
August 21 Stribog's Day
This is a Slavic holiday in honor of Stribog, the lord of the wind and the ruler of tornadoes and natural disasters, God. On this day, they bring demands 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 Perun's brother 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 ceremonies
Pagan and Slavic holidays in September
2 September Memorial Day of Prince Oleg
Prince Russian Oleg 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 the United - Kievan Rus, gave a worthy upbringing to Rurik's son Igor, and nailed his shield as a symbol of victory on the gates of Constantinople. Prophetic Oleg died through the fault of his horse, as the wise Priests predicted. No matter how he tried to change the course of fate, it was impossible.
September 8 Rod and Woman in Childbirth
This Slavic holiday is dedicated to the family and its well-being. On such a bright day, Glorify Rozhanits: Lelia and Lada and all the Rod they produced. After bringing the treasures to the Native Goddesses, ritual games and ritual burial of flies begin, symbolizing the imminent numbness of all insects and hibernation until spring. In addition to a feast for the whole house, close people exchanged gifts and amulets with Slavic symbols: Ladinets, Rozhanitsa, Rod and Rodimych, and also solemnly hung and put the faces and idols of the Gods on the Altar.
September 14 First Autumn, Day of the Fire Magus
On this day, farmers began to celebrate the First Autumn - Harvest Day and thank Mother Earth for it. It is also worth remembering the celebration 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 Volkh is clearly reflected in Slavic tales in the protagonist Finista Yasniy Sokol.
September 21 Day of Svarog
On this September day, the Slavs celebrated the holiday of Svarog and glorified him for condescending and teaching people crafts together with Veles, giving the sacred Ax and Forge. Thus, the Russian Rod could survive and get down to business in the autumn and winter times. On this day, it is customary to slaughter the chickens fattened over the summer, and give the first one from the courtyard to Svarog as a demand. Autumn bride shows and weddings also began from that day, and the brothers gathered a huge number of young guys in the girls' huts. On this day, the closure of Svarga also took place and the goddess Zhiva went into it until the spring.
September 22 Lada Holiday
Lada, as the Mother of God and the giver of family well-being, the patroness of all living things, has earned a holiday among the Slavs for her glory. At this time, she was thanked for the harvest and prosperity, as well as for sending her soul mate and creating new family playing weddings with ceremonial 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 19-25 Radogosh, Tausen, Oat or Autumn Equinox (New Years)
On this day, the results were summed up and the harvested crop and the stocks made were considered. People praised the main God Rod and Rozhanitsy and brought them generous demands in gratitude for their protection and help. In some territorial areas, the Slavs began to celebrate Autumn equinox since the closing of Svarga, the Feast of the Heavenly Blacksmith or the Rich Man, and all this time lavish feasts were held.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in October
October 14 Intercession, with the introduction of Christianity, this holiday was celebrated in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos and her miraculous payment.
V folk tradition on this day, the meeting of Autumn and Winter was celebrated, and this holiday is deeply rooted. The very name of folk beliefs was associated with the first frost, 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 end of field work and serious preparations for winter.
October 30 Goddess Makosha Day
On an autumn day, Makosh was glorified, 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. Requests were brought to her to the idols on the Altar or to the fields and rivers: sweet buns, red wine, coins and wheat as a symbol of prosperity. Also on this day, pre-embroidered amulets for the house, boils and Slavic amulets-decorations were activated.
Pagan and Slavic holidays in November
November 25 Madarena Day
In the last days of autumn, Marena finally kicks out Yarila and covers Yav with her blanket of cold, snow and ice. Do not contain joy in this pagan holiday of the Slavs. People come to terms with the fact and in the beginning they put modest demands on the Goddess, but they still try to show Mara their fearlessness and readiness to survive even in the most fierce winter. Also on this date, they are attentive to the spirits of the deceased Ancestors, their whispering in the last remaining leaves, and they try to bring a commemoration, to appease the Navi Force.
Views: 16 148
WHAT HALLOWEEN IS OF course, IMPOSED TO US, THE SLAVS, A HOLIDAY, AS I WRITTEN ABOVE, THIS HOLIDAY RELATES TO THE CELTICS, AND WHY DO WE HAVE TO THIS HOLIDAY - WHAT IS THE QUESTION? I BELIEVE THIS: OF COURSE, THE ESSENCE OF THE HOLIDAY DOESN'T CHANGE FROM HOW TO CALL IT AND IN WHAT LANGUAGE. JUST BECAUSE MANY HAVE BEEN HAPPENED TO CALL THIS HOLIDAY BY THE FOREIGN WORD HALLOWEEN. I VERY RESPECT THE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF THE CELTS, IT'S EVERYTHING CLOSE TO US, AS IN ESSENCE THE CELTS ARE THE SAME LANGUAGES. BUT IT'S ABOUT THAT WE, SLAVS, FORGET ABOUT THAT IN THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 31 ON NOVEMBER 1, THE OLD SLAVIC HOLIDAY WAS ALWAYS CELEBRATED
Dear friends! By popular demand, my article about the sacred holiday Halloween / Samhain / Veles night is now presented here!
V recent times very often, you must admit, in our language a word of obviously foreign origin began to "flicker" - "Halloween"... Many people are seriously carried away by this topic and try in every possible way to "outstrip" each other in costumes and entourage, which they create especially for this night! Did you know that the holiday itself Halloween personally to us, the Slavs, it has nothing to do, because we have our own, native analog this holiday. But, as they say - first things first!
As always, I propose to initially delve into the World of History and figure out where the very name of this holiday came from, what does it carry, what is the purpose of this holiday in general? ...
So, a holiday in itself Halloween has pronounced Scottish roots, therefore it is advisable to associate it with the Celts and their culture.
Interestingly, the prototype Halloween, most likely, was born only with the advent of the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain, a description of which appears in Old Irish literature since the 10th century. The name of this holiday comes from the Old Irish word Samhain, which meant "the end of summer" and later became the Irish name for the month of November (!).
It is traditionally believed that perception Samhain as a dark pagan holiday associated with the dead, owes its appearance to Christian monks of the 10th – 11th centuries, who wrote about it about two centuries after the adoption of All Saints' Day and about four hundred years after the adoption of Christianity by Ireland. At the same time, already in the 8th century, All Saints Day began to gradually replace Samhain; thanks to the interpenetration of Celtic traditions and Catholic rites, the first rudiments of the future Halloween are beginning to form.
Don't you find it interesting that Christian origins are again so subtly intertwined with pagan origins? ...
Like Samhain, Halloween is traditionally celebrated on the night of October 31 to November 1. In Scotland and Ireland, Samhain was called Oidhche Samhna and Oíche Samhna (in Scottish and Irish respectively), and modern Gaelic speakers still refer to Halloween as Oíche / Oidhche Samhna. Until now, in the north of Scotland and Ireland, it is customary to carry out rituals to calm the dead and tell the legend of the ancestors at night on October 31st.
I want to note that the Scots and Irish generally believed that it was on this day that the Spirits of their deceased relatives returned to earth, and they believed that on this day one could freely communicate with the Spirits, perform certain rituals, etc. This wonderful holiday is fraught with interesting things!
Most average people perceive Halloween as a fun party. with entertainment, the obligatory attribute of which is "Jack's lamp" (a pumpkin cut out in the form of a head with illumination inside - of course, candles are used). Do you know where it came from? Back in the 16th century, there was a t radiation gizing - begging for sweets night of October 31. Children and adults alike put on fabric masks and walked from door to door, demanding food from the owners and a little shawl. The custom of wearing role-playing costumes and carrying the "Jack's lamp" with you during gizing appeared only at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and in exchange for money or food, it was initially necessary to offer various entertainment.
On this day and today there is a tradition dress up in carnival, role-playing costumes. Most often these are costumes that mimic the images of Witches, Vampires, heroes from horror films, etc. fancy dress on Halloween was recorded in 1895 in Scotland, when masked children went from house to house and received cakes, fruits and money. There is no mention of such traditions in the USA, Ireland or England before 1900. In Scotland, children who, dressed in carnival costumes depicting different monsters or other characters, go from house to house and beg for sweets, they are called guisers, and the custom itself is Guising ("gizing", from the English guise - wearing a mask, dress, comic dressing). How interesting!
I want to tell you where the tradition of making "Jack's lamps" and what purpose they carry. It is traditionally believed that that pumpkins-lanterns on Halloween day help Souls find their way to Purgatory.
For the first time "Jack's lamps" appeared in the UK, but initially they used rutabagas or turnips to make them. It was believed that such a fruit, left on All Saints Day near the house, would drive away evil spirits from him.
There is a very interesting and beautiful legend about the origin of the tradition of "Jack's lamps".
This is an ancient Irish legend about the miser Jack, who managed to deceive the Devil himself twice and for this he received a promise from him not to encroach on his body.
Money Hungry Blacksmith-Drinker Jack Lentern n once proposed to the Lord of the Underworld have a couple of glasses with him at the inn. When it came time to pay, the enterprising Irishman asked the Devil to turn with a coin. After which Jack, without further ado, quickly put it into his pocket, where just a silver cross lay. The devil was trapped - "in Christ's bosom." And no matter how hard he tried, he could not take his original appearance.
Finally, The devil got his freedom promising in return for a year not to intrigue Jack, and after his death not to claim his soul.
The second time, the cunning blacksmith circled the gullible Satan, asking him to climb a tree for fruit. As soon as the Unclean One perched on the spreading crown, Jack scribbled a cross on the trunk... So, he bargained for himself another ten years of carefree life.
Jack could not take advantage of the privileges of a drunkard, because he soon died. After the death of the sinner, they were not allowed into paradise. Neither God nor the Devil needed Jack. The restless Irishman, in anticipation of the Day of Judgment, was forced to wander the Earth, illuminating his path with a piece of coal, which the Evil One finally threw him. Jack put the smoldering light in the empty pumpkin and set off on his journey. Hence the name of the lantern- Jack-o-lantern, short for Jack of the Lantern.
It is very interesting that this holiday has always been associated with Unholy Strength, with Witches and Witchcraft. Indeed, on this day, the line that separates the World of the Living and the World of the Dead is very thin, therefore Magicians and Occultists have always used this. Interesting that Halloween also often called "Witch's new year"... Interesting, isn't it? And there is an explanation for this, since this day (the night from October 31 to November 1) was considered the beginning of a new calendar cycle according to the Celtic pagan calendar (!), And not only ours ancestors of the Slavs they also revered the dead on this Day, which you can read about at the very end of the article.
Do not forget that Halloween is also a harvest festival. Harvest has always been associated at all times with prosperity, wealth and prosperity. Halloween fun and festivities have always been accompanied by the traditional "apple dance". According to pagan belief, if a witch sinks her teeth into an apple, then part of her soul remains in it... Then this apple should be eaten as a symbol of health and longevity. If you bury an apple in the yard, hunger and poverty will not come to your doorstep during the long winter. Interesting, isn't it? ...
Also, on Halloween night Jack's lamps are used precisely as a kind of "portal", which allows all Spirits to come again to the World of the Living for one night. Pumpkin-lanterns showed the way to the Spirits, it was believed that the more such lanterns there are at the holiday, the more Spirits will visit it.
It is also interesting that Wicca associates Halloween with Samhain and celebrate it as the sacred day of the year. Among the Wiccans, Samhain and Halloween are considered one holiday, they call it "sow-en". This approach is based on the cult of the "god Samhain" (or "Sam Aina"), which the Wiccans, following a number of 19th century folklorists, believed Celtic God of Death... At the same time, some Christian fundamentalists considered the word Samhain to be derived from the name of Satan. Both of these points of view are refuted by the modern scientific community, since in fact the word "Samhain" literally translates from Old Irish as "November" and the same meaning of the word has survived in modern language. So that's it!
Now it becomes very clear why this holiday has always been associated with Witchcraft, Witches, etc. Celebration of Death, Celebration of Renewal- these are the sacred meanings that Halloween holds ...
By the way, I want to note that most of the time, Christian believers perceive the holiday neutrally because of its frank humor and pretense. The Roman Catholic Church does not consider the holiday to be religious, but recognizes its connection with Christianity, and therefore allows it to be celebrated in any parish schools.
I also want to tell you about interesting fortune-telling traditions on this day... For example, you can find references to fortune telling with the peel: Scottish girls cut the peel from the apples, trying to make it as long as possible, and threw it over their shoulder. It was believed that the fallen peel took the form of the first letter of the surname of the betrothed. Another custom was based on the well-known belief about Bloody Mary which has become a popular urban legend and popular alcoholic cocktail these days. This fortune-telling consisted in the fact that young girls had to climb the stairs with their backs forward in a dark house and hold a candle in front of a mirror. After that, the face of the future husband was supposedly supposed to appear in the mirror, but the girl could see the skull in the mirror, which meant that she would die without getting married.
Halloween in fact, this is an unusual day. It is not for nothing that it is believed that "... on the night of Samhain, the hills of the hidden people open, meeting with which gives great opportunities for both good and evil deeds ..." Therefore, this day is so loved by all Witches and Sorcerers. On this day, you can really feel all the subtlety of the edge that separates our World of the Living from the World of the Dead ...
And now, finally, I want to say that Halloween is, of course, a holiday imposed on us, the Slavs, as I wrote above, this holiday belongs to the Celts, and what do we have to do with this holiday - that's the question? I think so: of course, the essence of the holiday does not change from how to name it and in what language. That is why many are used to calling this holiday with the foreign word Halloween. I really respect the culture and traditions of the Celts, after all, it is close to us, since in fact the Celts are the same pagans. But I am offended that we, the Slavs, forget that it was on the night of October 31 to November 1 that an old Slavic holiday was always celebrated - Great Velesova (Marina) night, which has always been associated with Mara - the Goddess of Death among the Slavs and Veles- "separator" Navi and Yavi. This holiday for the Slavs has always had a special meaning, because it was on this day that direct "communication" with the Spirits of the dead took place, there was a "unity of the elements", the renewal of everything. You just need to remember your roots and be friends with the traditions of other cultures! :)
According to Slavic tradition, Veles night also called the "magic night", as The gates of Navi until the "first cocks" are wide open in Java. It was believed that this Great Night Spirits ancestors returned to their descendants to teach them their lessons and bless the entire ROD. In order to be cleansed on this night and "renewed", made fires, through which they not only jumped, but also walked over the coals, in order to finally "expel" from themselves all the negative that had accumulated. In addition, there is an old Slavic tradition, according to which each person had to make a personal mask from birch bark for himself, which would cover his face during the celebration. Veles Night... The mask was made of a "totem character" - it was believed that a person must himself find that image of an animal / bird / reptile that would most specifically characterize him (for example, a wolf, an owl, a fox ...). This mask was removed exactly at midnight and burned at the stake, thus - the person burned everything that prevented him from living in the past year.
Also at night at this time was exhibited outside the window a plate with "treats" for the Spirits. A candle was usually placed on the windowsill, which was supposed to burn all night, playing the role of a "beacon" for those Spirits who would like to come to you and help you that night. Dry bouquets of herbs, apples, pumpkins and other fruits of the harvest were often placed next to the candle. In principle, our tradition here is quite similar to the tradition of the Celts with Jack's lamp.
On this night, it was customary among the Slavs to talk only about dead people - relatives, friends, acquaintances. It was believed that this day should be completely dedicated to the memory of the departed... Before the festive dinner, the owner of the house always invited all the Spirits who would like to join to dinner, for this they opened all the doors and windows in the house so that the Spirits could freely enter. At the end of the dinner, the owner had to "say goodbye" to the Spirits, letting them go until the next holiday Veles Night.
UPDATE:
See interesting rituals for Veles's Night / Halloween:
Yours sincerely, Julianna Koldovko.
