Winter Solstice - interesting facts, signs and rituals. The celebration of the winter solstice among the Slavic peoples What holiday is on the winter solstice

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, taking ritual baths 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, in addition to 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 outdoors. 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, since the circle conserves energy.They also used rituals to establish a spiritual connection with their gods.

Coming in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21 (22), the day of the winter solstice is marked by the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Since ancient times, this event had a sacred and mystical meaning in cultures different peoples. Many traditions and rituals are associated with it, some of which have been safely preserved to this day.

scientific explanation

Every year on December 21 or 22, the winter solstice is marked by the fact that the Sun rises above the horizon to its lowest height. It is believed that from this moment comes astronomical winter. The night at the winter solstice is at its longest, the day at its shortest, and the midday shadow at its longest.

This time is usually called "solstice" or "solstice" because for several days preceding the phenomenon and following it, the sun practically "freezes" above the horizon at the same height every noon, almost without changing the declination. Then the light gradually, at first very slowly, begins to rise again. At this stage, daylight hours gradually begin to increase, until the onset of the second, summer solstice.

You should know that the solar year is not equal to the calendar year - it lasts 365.25 days. In this regard, the time of the solstice shifts every time. For four years, the difference between the calendars will be exactly one day, and in order to compensate for it, it is customary to add one day, February 29, in every fourth (leap) year.

The astronomical longitude of the sun on the day of the winter and summer solstices is 90 and 270 degrees, respectively.

Winter Solstice in the Ancient World

The winter solstice has held a special place in culture and belief since the Neolithic period. Ancient people, who deified the forces of nature, believed that on this day the Sun was born and the year began. The longest night was supposed to be the highest point of dominion in the world of death and the forces of Darkness. With the rising of the sun, a new life cycle began. Reviving with the onset of the day, the luminary again began to win back its power, awakening nature to life.

It was believed that on the day of the winter solstice, the barriers between the ghostly world and the kingdom of the living were erased, enabling people to communicate directly with spirits and gods.

In Persia, on this day, the birth of Mithra, the god of the Sun, was celebrated. According to tradition, he annually defeats winter and clears the way for the coming spring.

For pagan Europe, the winter solstice was marked by a twelve-day cycle of sacred festivities Yule, a symbol of the mystery of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life. In these few nights, according to legends, all the worlds intersect in a single place - Midgard (on our Earth). Gods, elves and trolls are found among ordinary mortals, communicate with them, and the souls of the dead leave the gloomy underworld for a while. According to beliefs, sorcerers from among the people are also able to leave a physical shell at this time, turning into werewolves or spirits.

The inhabitants of ancient China associated the day of the winter solstice with the increase in the male power of nature. In India, this holiday is also celebrated - it is called "Sankranti".

Maya views of the winter solstice

An extremely interesting fact is that the legendary megaliths - the observatories of the Mayan tribe - were extremely precisely "tuned" by their creators to the winter solstice. Similar discoveries were made when studying Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland, and the Egyptian pyramids.

According to the Mayan calendar, the winter solstice in 2012 was of particular importance. He was supposed to complete the current cycle of the existence of human civilization on earth, numbering five thousand two hundred years. Many scientists mistakenly interpreted this event as the coming end of the world. Now another hypothesis prevails: Mayan astronomers were able to calculate that on this day our Sun will cross the axis of the center of the galaxy. From this time, the countdown of the new galactic year was supposed to begin, which would last 26 thousand years according to the light calendar - exactly until the next such event. At the same time, the Maya did not at all consider that the phenomena they designated threatened humanity with death.

Winter Solstice in ancient Rus'

For our distant ancestors, the Slavs, this day has been revered as a holiday since ancient times. In pre-Christian Rus', the onset of the pagan New Year was celebrated during the winter solstice. He was associated with the birth of Dazhdbog - the son of the supreme blacksmith god Svarog - who gives people warmth and light.

People believed that the formidable frost god Karachun, who became the prototype of the present Santa Claus, stops the Sun on this day. The rites performed on the longest night were designed to help the Sun overcome the cruel Karachun, personified the victory of Light over Darkness. At the same time, fearing to anger and offend the harsh god of winter, people cajoled him, not forgetting to present sacrificial food.

The birth of the god of fun Kolyada also fell on the day of the winter solstice. The holiday of the beginning of the first month of winter - Kolyadnya - was celebrated until January 6, traditionally calling these days "carols".

Rites and traditions

The celebration of the winter solstice in the traditions of different nations has much in common. The central place has always been given to the customs of commemoration, attempts to win the favor of the forces that visited the world on the darkest night.

Many of the rituals of antiquity have survived to this day. Eg, Christmas tree became the "heiress" of the decorated tree, symbolizing life - the main attribute of Yule. The tradition of giving gifts, carols and treats on holy days reflect the ceremonies of sacrifice. And New Year's lights and candles now represent bonfires, which were designed to both protect and help in communicating with spirits and mysterious forces.

The ancient Slavic calendar was based on the phenomena of the four seasonal incarnations of the pagan god of the sun - Kolyada - Yarilo - Kupail - Svetovit, tied to four astronomical solar events of the year:
- the 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, the young man Yarilo turns into a stronger sun,
- on the Day of the Summer Solstice, the husband of Kupail turns into a mighty sun,
- on the Day of the Autumn Equinox, it turns into an aging and weakening wise autumn sun-old man Svetovit, dying at sunset before the Night of the Winter Solstice, in order to be reborn in the morning as a renewed sun-baby Kolyada, again gaining its solar strength.

December 20 was the last day of autumn for the ancient Slavs, and on December 21, at the solstice - the day of the winter solstice, Kolyaden began - the first month of winter and the new year. On the same day, in accordance with natural rhythms, the Christmas of Kolyada, the hypostasis of one of the main Slavic gods Dazhdbog (Dazhbog, Dazhbog), who embodied the Sun, was celebrated. The celebration of Christmas time - Christmas and New Year, filled with fun, delicious food and magic rituals, stretched among the ancient Slavs for 21 days, helping to pass the dark cold winter. On Svyatki they prepared kolivo, or sochivo - porridge with honey and raisins, and socheviki - sweet pies with cottage cheese and jam. The huts were decorated with dolls of the god Veles (the Slavic prototype of the modern Father Frost) and the Snow Maiden, and burning wheels were rolled on the streets and bonfires were lit to help the emerging winter sun. Carolers went from house to house - young boys and girls who sang carols (ritual songs with wishes for well-being) and received refreshments as a reward. At the first midnight of Kolyada, the priests sacrificed a duck, a piglet and other animals to Kolyada; all this as a treat is present on the Christmas tables of the ancient (and modern!) Slavs. At Christmas time, they dressed up in new clothes and put the best treats on the tables for the family gathered together. It was believed, "as you meet the New Year, so you will spend it.

In the 16th century in Rus', an interesting ritual was associated with the winter solstice. The bell warden of the Moscow cathedral, who was responsible for the chiming of the clock, came to bow to the tsar. He reported that from now on the sun turned to summer, the day is added, and the night is reduced. For this good news, the king rewarded the headman with money.

The ancient Slavs celebrated the pagan New Year on the day of the winter solstice, it was associated with the deity Kolyada. The main attribute of the festival was a bonfire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, had to rise higher and higher. The ritual New Year's cake - a loaf - also resembled the sun in shape.

The main symbolism was the fire of a fire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, was to return. A lot of New Year's rituals were performed by children who portrayed the young year. Children walked around the yards and sang the so-called "carols" - magic spells for well-being in homes, carolers praised the sun, light, thunderstorm and the earth, which should give birth to a new crop. For this, they were generously given gifts. Many pagan rites of the New Year were preserved in the Christian period in Rus'.

The days of Christmas time were considered magical. People guessed for the future, trying to predict the harvest, wars, weddings... They commemorated their dead relatives, left refreshments for them and kindled bonfires. They dressed (dressed up) in the skins of real and mythical animals, evil spirits, and also tried on the clothes (and roles) of other people and people of the opposite sex. At that time, the dark forces were endowed with special power, which, according to legend, came especially close to the world of the living.

About the Navi forces, very strong on the longest night of the year, about Karachun

Recall that despite the birth of a new sun, the world at this time is largely ruled by the Navi forces, so the predecessor of Santa Claus was Karachun.

He "Shorts" the outgoing year. It is closely connected with the celebration of the Winter Solstice and Kolyada. The days of the Solstice have come, and with them one of the most amazing holidays - Karachun, the shortest day and the longest night. Gradually, in the minds of the people, Karachun became close to Frost, who fetters the earth with cold, as if plunging it into a mortal sleep. But Frost is simply the lord of the winter cold and a more harmless image than the harsh Karachun. It was Frost who became the hero folk tales, turning into Morozko, Moroz Ivanovich, Moroz Red Nose, and then our beloved Santa Claus appeared, in whose character the features of the fierce great-grandfather Karachun were significantly softened.

Winter fairy tale “Karachun”

When Winter came, the days started getting shorter and the nights got longer and longer. The evil spirit Karachun sent his assistants to the earth to find out: when Winter enters in full force, so that he can get out of the underworld and roam freely.

The connecting rod Bear went first, he turned into a snowstorm and let's wander through the forests, lift snow and break trees. Well, when he returned, he said that it was still too early. The sun is still too bright and yet warm, and the nights are too short. Karachun waited and waited and sent the Wolf in the second turn. The Wolf Blizzard turned around, rushed howling through the fields and forests, and when he returned, he said that everything had not changed much. That the days are still too long and the sun is too warm. Must wait. And endured Karachun until the longest night. He waited, flew out of his shelter, breathed a severe frost and went to work. All night long he rushed about in a zealous frenzy through forests and fields, felled centuries-old fir trees, covered roads with snowdrifts, stained all living things that came across on the way, but he couldn’t get to people ... They are in their huts, like in a fortress: with a warm stove - That! In the morning, with the first rays of the sun, Karachun hurried home. And he sits in his dungeon, waiting for the next, the longest and darkest night.

And in the morning I wake up people, they see: The sun looks out at them, Frost sparkles outside the window, snow covered the roofs overnight!

“Here comes Karachun Zima! The sun turned to Summer, and Winter turned to Frost, ”the people say.

Afterword

The days around the winter solstice are the most better days in a year when you can really change your destiny. That is, to be reborn in the same way as the Sun, to discard all unnecessary and give rise to a new one.

Three days before December 21 and three after - this is an energetically charged time. Strong streams of energy descend on the Earth.

Therefore, in the days preceding the winter solstice, it is favorable to get rid of everything unnecessary. This can be done mentally, but it is better to write on paper everything you want to get rid of and burn it. It is also beneficial before this day to cleanse your home, yourself, find time to cleanse your thoughts. Wish happiness to your loved ones, relatives, friends - this is the easiest thing to do these days.

After that, it is very favorable to make plans for the whole year (preferably write in a notebook), make wishes, use intention, conduct meditations for yourself and for the whole Earth.

And on December 22 in the morning, try to meet the sunrise and congratulate him on his birth, thank him for everything that it gives us.

Above the horizon at noon is the minimum or maximum. There are two solstices in a year - winter and summer. On the winter solstice, the sun rises to its lowest point on the horizon.

In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, which is when the shortest day and longest night occur. The moment of the solstice shifts every year, since the duration of the solar year does not coincide with calendar time.

This cult in Asia Minor was called the cult of Attis (Attis), in Syria - the cult of Adonis (Adonis), in the lands of Romea - the cult of Dionysius (Dionysius), etc. with Dionysus in different time Mitra, Amon, Serapis, Liber were also identified.

In all these cults, the god-man was born on the same day - December 25th. Then he died and later resurrected.

December 25 - the date tied to the winter solstice, the day becomes longer than the night - a new sun is born. For example, for residents of the village of Polyarnye Zori, which is located on the Kola Peninsula at a latitude of 67.2 degrees north latitude, in December the Sun seems to die for three days, and then, as it were, resurrects.

God Mithra was called that - the Invincible Sun. And in Ossetia they still celebrate their New Year on December 25, ArtHuron, which means Fire Solntsevich.

The Christian religion is a parody of sun worship. They have replaced the sun with a man named Christos and worship him as they used to worship the sun.

Thomas Paine, writer, philosopher (1737-1809)

Ancient pagan and Slavic traditional holidays, the main memorable dates and rituals, the meaning of which is important for the entire Family, were on the calendar of a certain date 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 Rus' and Ancestors-Slavs, their traditions and help to revive and pass them on to your Descendants to strengthen the strength of the entire Family. For those who want to enter a new rhythm with the protection of amulets, go to our catalog -.

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

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 Rus' 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 19-25 Karachun

Karachun is the second name of Chernobog, descending to earth on the days of the winter solstice, Kolovorot (lasts 3 days between December 19 and 25). 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.

At the end of Karachun, the Holiday comes - 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 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 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 a rich table.

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 19

It can be seen that the customs of this holiday are very reminiscent of the Christian holiday of Epiphany. However, Christians replaced the name of the pagan holiday "Water Light" with "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 19th.

On this day, the Slavs celebrated the pagan holiday Vodosvet. It was believed that actually on this day, the water became bright and turned into healing. According to tradition, on this day they bathed in the hole. If it was not possible to plunge, then they poured water in a warm place. After everyone bathed, the guests gathered and wished each other good health until the next Vodosvet.

It was believed that such bathing charges a person with health for the whole year. The Slavs believed that on this day the Sun, Earth, and also the center of the Galaxy are located in such a way that water is structured and a channel of communication opens between people and the center of the Galaxy, a kind of connection with space. That is why water and what consists of water was considered a good conductor. Water is able to "remember" both negative and positive information. And of course, it can either restore a person, or, on the contrary, destroy him.

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, softening the cold. In ancient times, the 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 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 at Troyan Val did for the entire Russian Family.

February 28 Great Veles Day

Our ancestors celebrated the Great Veles Day exactly on February 28, and in a leap year on February 29.

Today you can find information that Veles Day is celebrated on February 11, without explaining this fact and where it came from to celebrate on the 11th. However, we are leaning strictly towards February 28 or 29. On this holiday, they praised the Great God Veles, brought trebs, performed rituals and game fun, as a symbol of the imminent end of the cold, his retreat along with Mara.

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 19-25 Komoyeditsy or Maslenitsa, Velikden

The pagan holiday Maslenitsa is not just a Slavic meeting of spring and a cheerful farewell to winter. This is the spring solstice, a turning point in the calendar and way of life. IN Orthodox holiday Shrovetide 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 harmony 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 them on 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 Water Man in the hope that he would restore order in the water kingdom and thank those who treated him with a generous catch, would not tear their nets, drive large fish into them, and 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 and symbolic fertilization is carried out - Opening the Yarila Earth and releasing 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 to 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 were brought to the banks of the rivers for mermaid children, and so that the spirits could not penetrate the body, they wore amulets with.

June 19-25 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 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, jewelry made of silver 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 trebs are brought in the Holy Fire.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in August

August 2 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. Put on with the blessing of God 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 form of Veles's beard, 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 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 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, close people 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 of 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 19-25 Radogoshch, Tausen, Ovsen or Autumn Equinox (New Year)

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 with the closing of Svarga, the Feast of the Heavenly Smith or the Rich Man, and all this time they were lavish feasts.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in October

On October 14, Intercession, with the introduction of Christianity, this holiday was celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her miraculous payment.

IN folk tradition on this day, the meeting of Autumn with Winter was celebrated, and this holiday has very deep roots. The name itself folk beliefs 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 last days In 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.

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