Русский Мир

Svarog (Сварог) is the god of heaven, the father of light, and the progenitor (прародитель) of the tangible (реальный) world, who bound all things at the dawn of the universe’s creation.

People sent their pleas (мольбы) for a bountiful (обильный) harvest, an abundance of fruits, and successful crop seedlings. Svarog creates everything with his own hands, thus he values (ценит) manual labor and forms the material world. According to legends, he gave (даровал) people fire for cooking and heating during winter. Additionally, based on the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, he was also known as the God of Fire and Justice who taught various peoples how to use iron tools and military weapons. With the heat of the Fire of Justice, he would only strike (поразить) those who carelessly touched the elements or were impure in heart. Therefore, he often instructed (учил) people how to uphold the Truth, the Will, and the Light of Knowledge.

He established (установил) commandments and gave them to the people. The fire of knowledge and the potential for creative development represent (символизирует): warmth, life, and the fundamental basis in the universe.

He bestows patronage (покровительство) upon those who display character traits akin (похожие) to his: hardworking and fair. If you possess qualities similar to this God, and his sparks have ignited (зажглись) within your soul, then you are also like him.

He is married to Lada.

Lada (Лада) is the goddess of love, beauty, prosperity, well-being, and fertility, as well as the patroness of family unions, maintaining harmony and peace in the home. She represents (является) a life-giving force and embodies the Mother Goddess.

She has maintained (поддерживала) the entire universe in harmony and balance since the beginning of time. Everything that exists in the world is under her protection.

The image of the goddess Lada has endured (сохранился) to this day. People depict her as a young, radiant (сияющая), and simultaneously (одновременно) stern woman. Her hair is long, white, or yellow. The main attribute associated with this goddess is considered to be a swan, which embodies purity, loyalty, and love, as well as a birch, which is considered a purely feminine symbol.

By delving deeper (углубляясь) into specific aspects of God, we comprehend the forces of the universe that are hidden within each of us as unlimited potential. Thus, the goddess Lada is a harmonizing creative force that can be unlocked (раскрыть) within us through creativity. Harmony and beauty lie at the heart of all true, virtuous creation. Similarly, we create our own world – how harmonious our inner world is directly reflected externally (находит отражение) – and it depends solely on us. There is no need to lament (жаловаться) about a cruel fate or the injustice of the gods – we are responsible for what occurs to us. This is the primary lesson of the goddess Lada: the divine energy is concealed (скрыта) within us, which we can channel (направить) into creation.

Dazhbog (Дажбог or Даждьбог) is the god of the sun, who, it was said, was reborn each morning from the hands of Dawn (Twilight).

He traveled across the sky in his chariot, which was pulled (запряжён) by three horses: one of gold, one of silver, and one of diamonds. It was believed that he journeyed through the twelve kingdoms of the day before entering the underworld, where his absence signaled (означало) the arrival of night. People depicted (изображали) Dazhbog as a mature man dressed in animal skins and accompanied by a wolf. It was said that he could transform into a wolf at will. It was also believed that he was the progenitor of all Slavic clans. His life-giving warmth and light helped a rich harvest to come into being (появиться), the Mother Land to be fertile, and people in their homes and families to experience prosperity (процветание) and profit in all things. He bestowed (даровал) warmth and gentle rays upon the entire world, and with them, the earth came to life, bringing forth (принося) good fruits for people. He was the patron saint of fertility and farmers, whose lives were directly connected to the sun and the weather. Dazhbog truly gifted people with the help of light, which became the life-giving foundation (основа) for plant growth.

He is married to Morana.

Married to Morana

Morana (Морана, Мара, Морена) is the goddess of winter and death.

Mara, like Chernobog, existed beyond human notions (понятий) of good and evil. She performed her duties (исполняла), fulfilling the destiny to which her Family, the progenitor of all things, had fated her. Therefore, it would not be entirely accurate to call her the goddess of death, since Morena indeed interrupts human life in the real (Yav) world. Winds howl, blizzards rage, and the cold penetrates to the very bones. Morana does not spare anyone who crosses her path; they will fall asleep forever in her embrace. She cannot save those unfortunate people who are destined to perish in the snow and blizzards, since death is inexorable and impartial (беспристрастный) in its right, just as life is.

People fear and dislike Morana, calling her dark and evil, and burn her effigy (чучело) in the spring, driving her away like an uninvited guest. Many people fail to realize that the snow is a blanket that, like a loving mother, wraps the land of Mara; winds and blizzards are lullabies that she sings so that forests, mountains, and all living things sleep soundly and serenely. In place of a hunter frozen in the forest, two robust (крепкий) children will be born in the villages in the spring. Winter is inevitably (неизбежно) followed by spring, that is, rebirth, dawn, and ascent.

Perun (Перун) is the god of thunder, associated with mountains, oaks, and eagles.

The pagan god Perun was born on that tumultuous (бурный) day when thunderclaps shook the earth and terrifying lightning pierced the firmament (небосвод).

These forces of nature became the perfect lullaby for the baby: he slept soundly only during a thunderstorm and caused no unnecessary trouble.

Given that Perun was a thunderer (громовержец), he was able to unleash (вызывать) severe thunderstorms. God did not simply hurl (метать) lightning bolts for his own amusement; with them, he punished people who angered him. Usually, the undesirables were burned alive on the spot. Those who managed to survive were considered almost saints. These fortunate individuals were called “marked by Perun” because, after the incident, they often discovered latent (скрытые) magical powers, healing skills, and psychic abilities.

Perun ruled the Earth and all its inhabitants. He governed from the sky and was often symbolized by an eagle perched atop the highest branch of a sacred tree, from which he observed his world.

Perun is a formidable (грозный) god and, at the same time, a merciful one, bringing grace to the earth in the form of rains that fertilize our land. Consequently (следовательно), he is also regarded as a god of fertility, as he imbues (наполняет) with grace the rain in the spring.

He is married to Dodola.

Dodola (Додола) is the Goddess of thunderstorms.

She is notably different from typical female depictions (изображений). Dodola was associated with thunderstorms and rains, and she was portrayed (представлена) as a resolute warrior.

However, such a beauty was a match for her husband – Perun himself. The young goddess took a liking (понравился) to Perun at first sight, and he, without further ado (суеты), proposed marriage. A faithful helper and support to her husband, she patronized young girls, helping them find their betrothed (суженый) and achieve marital happiness.

Slavs turned to Diva-Dodola with requests for rain. According to tradition, only her priestesses, young girls, could appeal (обращаться) to the Slavic Goddess of Thunderstorms. They danced in white robes, offered the Goddess gifts, and the Goddess Diva-Dodola always answered their requests.

It might seem to us that the veneration (почитание) of Dodola is a relic of the past (устарело), but even today, we adhere to many ancient rituals known to our ancestors. In addition, handmade candles, shaped like a scythe, are becoming popular these days. The ancient Slavs used them during the celebrations dedicated to Dodola.

Veles (Велес) is one of the principal (главных) Slavic gods, associated with the underworld. He is connected (связан) to cattle, trade, and druidic magic

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He can also be envisioned as (представляется) a colossal serpent that wraps around the roots of the world tree, where he ruled the land of the dead. His adversary (противник) is the thunder god Perun, and the battles between these two deities constitute one of the most significant (значимые) myths of Slavic mythology.

Veles is among the most powerful, enigmatic (загадочный), and ambiguous gods of the Slavic pantheon – the Ruler of Three Worlds, both a Dark God and a champion (борец) against Darkness, great yet simple at the same time. Among the Slavic Gods, he is simultaneously both an insider and an outsider (свой и чужой).

He is the patron saint of sorcerers and magicians who served him. Perhaps due to this involvement with the unknown, “dark” aspects of existence, Veles was subsequently perceived with ambivalence (двояко). Despite this, initially, God was viewed as a luminous (светлое) embodiment of the creator and a guardian of order. Legends say that the power of Veles could awaken a person’s will, prompting (побудить) them to make the right decision, providing the necessary determination backed by awareness (wisdom).

He is married to Mokosh.

Mokosh (Мокошь/Макошь) is one of the most ambiguous goddesses of the Slavic pantheon, who presides over fate (покровительствующая судьбе).

As the wife of the god Veles, she was the overseer (надзирательница) of the transition of souls from the real world to the otherworld. When a person’s life ends, the soul departs from the mortal body and arrives at the “Veles pasture.”

Veles and Mokosh greet the souls and conduct a just trial (справедливый суд) of their ancestors, where they determine a new destiny based on past deeds so that in the future life, the soul will learn its lessons.

She fostered (способствовала) family well-being, the birth of children, and all typical female occupations, particularly spinning and weaving, which for many centuries have been the primary responsibilities (обязанности) of women.

In ancient times, she was revered (почитали) by those who had to sew clothes for all family members themselves. First, they would process flax, then make yarn from it, spin threads from this yarn, and weave cloth from the threads on a homemade loom. And finally, they would sew clothes from this fabric. Women would gather at spinning wheels on long winter evenings to spin more threads because families used to be large, and a lot of fabrics were needed. Therefore, only women worshipped Mokosh and asked her for aid (помощь) in their difficult household chores. Of the days of the week, Friday was dedicated to Mokosh – on this day, women did not spin or wash so as not to offend their patroness.

Stribog (Стрибог) is the ruler of the winds, who was brought into existence (был рожден) by Svarog from a spark of light caused by a hammer blow on Alatyr (Алатырь).

Stribog dwells (обитает) in the world of Prav (Правь), where he opposes all evil and its associates.

He is an adversary (противник) of intruders and violations of laws. The symbol of Stribog is a bow and arrow.

He does not always exhibit (проявляет) only his bright side. In ancient times, seafarers and merchants who had to travel long distances by sea particularly revered (чтили) Stribog because they were aware of his destructive capacities (способности). This god could instigate (вызывать) storms, raise waves in the ocean, create blizzards, bend and break trees, and spread fire.

The god Stribog was also worshipped by the Magi. This was due to the fact that, in the view of the ancient Slavs, the wind was a conductor of spiritual energy.

The Magi revered Stribog as the guardian of the balance of natural forces since his winds could also shed rain, bringing life-giving moisture to the earth, but they could also, when raging (свирепствуя), demolish everything in their path. Stribog seemed to be the embodiment (воплощение) of the unity between wisdom and emotion.

He is married to Nemiza.

Nemiza (Немиза) is the Goddess of the air and winds.

Her head is adorned (увенчана) with rays and wings, and a bird in flight is depicted on her chest. Light as a feather, she herself sometimes transforms (превращается) into a feather, resting in the air.

When, in the heat of the day, a slight coolness suddenly touches the forehead, it is Nemiza who is bestowing her favor, lazily flapping her wing. She is not quarrelsome and allows the winds to frolic without interfering in their affairs. However, if they quarrel excessively (слишком) and spin a frenzied (бешеный) carousel, she will intervene and restore order.

There is no other lore (сведений) regarding this deity.

Yarilo (Ярило) is the primary god of vegetation, fertility, and spring, and was also associated with war and harvest. It is believed that he is the lost son of Perun. It is said that Yarilo was stolen from his father and taken to the world of the dead, where he was adopted and raised by Veles, an enemy of Perun. Yarilo and his sister Morana are associated with the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Chur (Чур) is the guardian god of Slavic clans.

According to beliefs, Chur watches over (наблюдает) kind people and is closer to humans than other gods, enabling (позволяя) him to notice danger in time and inform other gods. Thus, through the intervention (вмешательство) of Chur and Veles, a system of divination (гадания) emerged, which aids in looking into the future to protect oneself from trouble.

He is sometimes associated with the spirits of the Ancestors. The word “chur” is also heard in the word “ancestor”—that’s how we refer to our forefathers. Furthermore (кроме того), the figure-image of the ancestral spirit on the Slavic altar is occasionally called a Chur.

Chur primarily (главным образом) communicates with spirits that dwell (обитают) near people: brownies, goblins, water sprites, and mermaids. From them, he learns much about what is happening in the human world. He is amicable with Veles, who enjoys wandering throughout the world of Reality. God also turns to wise Veles for assistance (помощь) when it is necessary to determine how to protect people from danger.

He is frequently (часто) mentioned in northern epics. While he does not participate in the major battles of the Slavic Gods, people often encounter (встречаются) him and know him better than other gods. It is said that Chur, the Guardian of People, can alter (изменять) his appearance. Most often, he appears as a white-bearded old man, but he may seem like a young man or even transform into a white wolf. You can always identify (определить) a Chur by his bright blue eyes.

In a perilous (опасная) situation, the Guardian is the first to be called upon (призывают). The tradition of addressing him is still alive in the Russian language, even if many people are unaware of its origins. “Chur me!” – we say, wanting to avoid danger. These words serve as the best protection against evil spirits, which the Slavs call nav. After all, he is the god who was created to safeguard people from evil.

Other words, “Chur, mine!” – we say when we want to indicate (показать) that something is ours, to assert our rights to it. We also remember Chur as a god, the guardian not only of life but also of human property.

July 27, Churov Day – this day is invariably (неизменно) spent together, with the entire family. Traditionally, on this day, landowners inspect their possessions, erect (устанавливают) new boundary markers, bring offerings, and later return to the house for a joint dinner with their relatives.

There is an amulet of this god, and anyone who wishes to appease (умиротворить) him can carry it or hang it somewhere in their home. It resembles (напоминает) a figure of a bearded brownie, with his hands on his belt. What this amulet protects is guarded by the gods. Enemies will not steal or take away the goods acquired by the owner. The amulet safeguards (защищает) the residents of the house from gossip and envy and drives away malevolent people.

The image of this household god appears in Slavic cards, which are used for divination and magic.

Bereginya (Берегиня) is the great Old Russian Goddess who gave birth to all things on Earth.

She consistently (неизменно) appears surrounded by radiant (сияющими) horsemen, embodying the power of the Family, the brilliance of the Sun, and the triumph of Life. The goddess Bereginya is revered (почитается) alongside Makosh, Lada, and Rod, placing her on par (наравне) with the Highest Patron Gods of the human race. The image of Bereginya is closely intertwined (тесно связана) with the Russian birch, which has absorbed the light and radiance of the sky. The goddess Bereginya gave rise to many forest Mermaids-Beregin. Beregini mermaids are very similar to their river sisters: they are also girls who died before marriage or girls who committed suicide due to unrequited (неразделённая) love or infidelity (неверность). During the Russian Week, Beregini, together with Mermaids, come to our world to stroll (прогуляться) and see their relatives. They sit on the shores of lakes and rivers, comb their hair, weave wreaths, and lure young men into their arms, who are driven mad by their unearthly beauty and terrible cruelty. On the day of Ivan Kupala, the Beregini Mermaids depart from their native lands and return back.

In literary accounts (описаниях), Bereginya was “depicted” with peace and tranquility on her face. In her hands, there will invariably (неизменно) be either a flower (or a wreath of herbs and flowers), a spike (колос), or a noble bird. In some legends, it is mentioned that ghouls (упыри) were fiercely afraid of her, as they bring pestilence (мор) and death to people. Therefore, offerings were brought to her to protect her family, home, and the entire village. After all, she alone can halt (остановить) the impending (надвигающаяся) evil force.

She could bestow (даровать) riches and protect the harvest. When sending their husbands off to war, women themselves performed the role of beregin – they crafted (изготавливали) various charms and clothing, and so on with their own hands while reciting (произнося) incantations (заговоры).

Bereginya was invoked (обращались) for the safety of treasures buried in the ground; women made dolls upon which they recited incantations with the names of the beregins, as well as asking for the goddess to accompany their relatives on long journeys.

Kupala (Kupalo, Купала and/or Купало) is the radiant god of the summer Sun, light, warmth, love, fertility, and purity, as well as the patron of the elements of water and fire in the Russian tradition.

Since our ancestors believed that on the night of Ivan Kupala (July 7th), water, fire, flowers, and herbs acquired (приобретали) magical properties – becoming able to cleanse from sins and heal all diseases – most of the rituals and traditions were connected with them.

For example, a holiday was inconceivable (немыслим) without a bonfire and jumping over it. Moreover, young people particularly enjoyed jumping through fire: after all, it was an opportunity (возможность) to display their prowess (доблесть). Furthermore (кроме того), our ancestors were certain that such a jump could cure diseases and the evil eye, while simultaneously making the person who performed it happier and luckier. Girls also favored (любили) this amusement (забаву), believing that it could enhance (улучшить) their beauty and attractiveness.

However, this pastime has always been especially popular among lovers: it was believed that if a young couple held hands and jumped over the fire without any hesitation, then they would be inseparable (неразлучны).

Another obligatory (обязательный) feature of the festive program has always been mass bathing. The magical properties attributed to water were not the only reason for our ancestors to plunge into the nearest body of water: they believed that on the shortest night of the year, evil spirits abandoned (покидают) all lakes and rivers.

The change of times or the confrontation of good with evil

Other beliefs of the Eastern Slavs.

The ancient Slavs greatly revered (почитали) their ancestors. They deified (обожествляли) the long-deceased founders of the family and firmly believed that their spirits protected the entire family from troubles. Our ancestors also thought that the spirits of the dead could walk among the living. They envisioned (представляли) them as mermaids. Indeed (действительно), all the cartoon characters of our time presented in the form of a goblin, a vodyanoy (water creature), and a kikimora are nothing more than the ancient Eastern Slavs’ imaginings (представления) of malevolent (злых) spirits.

Kikimoras have several origins according to Slavic traditions:

Babies born with defects, children who died during childbirth, were premature, or were deformed.

Children created from immoral relationships.

Children who were disowned by their parents and were abducted by evil spirits.

It was believed that kikimoras did not appear without cause in a person’s home. They settled where a child had died or a person had hanged themselves for some reason.

The kikimora’s favored occupation, according to Slavic mythology, is weaving and spinning. People attributed (приписывали) the causes of all their illnesses and troubles to the tricks of these malevolent spirits or the wrath of the gods. Therefore, they sought treatment through (прибегали к) spells, incantations, and sacrifices. To protect themselves, they created (изобретали) charms. And in their homes, a figure of a brownie was installed in a prominent place, which symbolized the spirit of a deceased ancestor, and they were certain that it would protect their home from thieves and fire and safeguard their peace.