Slavic paganism, also known as Slavic native faith, was the religious system practiced by the Slavic peoples prior to the Christianization of the region. The Slavic peoples inhabited a vast area of Central and Eastern Europe, including modern-day Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Croatia.
Slavic paganism was a polytheistic religion that worshiped a pantheon of deities who represented various aspects of the natural world, including the sky, sun, moon, stars, water, fire, and earth. These deities were often associated with specific natural phenomena or animals, such as the thunder god Perun, the goddess of the harvest Devana, and the goddess of the underworld Morana.
Slavic pagans believed in the existence of supernatural beings, such as spirits, demons, and witches, and practiced various forms of magic and divination. They also believed in the concept of fate and believed that the actions of individuals could influence their destiny.
The practice of Slavic paganism varied among different Slavic tribes, but common elements included the use of sacred groves, temples, and shrines, as well as the performance of rituals and sacrifices to honor the gods and seek their favor. Animal sacrifices, particularly of livestock, were a common form of offering.
With the spread of Christianity in the Middle Ages, Slavic paganism began to decline and was eventually replaced by Christianity. However, some elements of Slavic paganism survived in folk customs and beliefs, and there has been a revival of interest in Slavic native faith in modern times, particularly in Eastern Europe.