Slavic neo-paganism, also known as Rodnovery, is a modern revival of the traditional polytheistic religion of the Slavic people. It emerged in the early 20th century as an attempt to reconstruct and revive the ancient beliefs and practices of the Slavic people.
The exact beliefs and practices of Slavic neo-paganism can vary depending on the specific tradition or group. However, there are some common themes and principles that are often shared by many practitioners of Rodnovery:
- Polytheism: Slavic neo-paganism is characterized by a belief in multiple gods and goddesses, each with their own unique personalities and attributes. These deities are often associated with natural phenomena such as thunder, the sun, and the moon.
- Ancestor worship: Many practitioners of Slavic neo-paganism place a strong emphasis on ancestor worship and veneration. They believe that their ancestors can provide guidance and protection, and may honor them through offerings, rituals, and other practices.
- Nature worship: Slavic neo-paganism often places a strong emphasis on the natural world, and views nature as a source of divine inspiration and spiritual connection. This can involve practices such as honoring the changing seasons, working with herbs and plants, and respecting the environment.
- Festivals and rituals: Slavic neo-paganism often involves the celebration of seasonal festivals and other important dates, such as the solstices and equinoxes. These festivals may involve music, dancing, feasting, and other forms of celebration.
- Ethical and moral values: Slavic neo-paganism often places a strong emphasis on ethical behavior and social responsibility. This can involve promoting values such as respect for others, environmental stewardship, and social justice.
Overall, Slavic neo-paganism is a diverse and complex movement that seeks to revive and preserve the ancient beliefs and practices of the Slavic people. While the exact beliefs and practices of individual practitioners can vary widely, there is a shared emphasis on polytheism, ancestor worship, nature worship, and ethical and moral values.
Here are some examples of festivals and celebrations in Slavic neo-paganism (Rodnovery):
- Kupala Night: This festival is celebrated on the summer solstice and is named after the Slavic goddess Kupala. It is associated with fertility, love, and purification, and involves rituals such as jumping over fires and floating wreaths down rivers.
- Dazhbohova Zoria: This festival is celebrated on the winter solstice and honors the sun god Dazhboh. It is associated with renewal, hope, and the return of the light, and involves lighting candles and making offerings to Dazhboh.
- Jare Gody: This festival is celebrated on the equinoxes and solstices and is associated with the changing of the seasons. It involves making offerings to the deities, dancing, and celebrating the natural world.
- Ivan Kupala: This festival is celebrated on the summer solstice and is associated with the Slavic god Ivan and the goddess Kupala. It involves rituals such as jumping over fires and searching for the mythical fern flower, which is said to bring good luck.
- Perunov Den: This festival is celebrated on July 20th and honors the god Perun, who is associated with thunder and lightning. It involves making offerings to Perun and performing rituals such as lightning fires and burning effigies.
These are just a few examples of the many festivals and celebrations that are observed by practitioners of Slavic neo-paganism. Each tradition and group may have their own unique variations and interpretations of these festivals, but they are all tied to the ancient Slavic beliefs and practices.