The pagan holiday of Yule - rituals and history: how the winter solstice was celebrated. Kolyada - Slavic holiday of the winter solstice Festive table on the day of the winter solstice

Ancient pagan and Slavic traditional holidays, the main memorable dates and rituals, the significance of which is important for the entire Family, were on the calendar of a certain day 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 autumn and spring equinox, winter and summer solstice. They are determined by the astrological position of the Sun relative to the earth: shift in dates from 19 to 25 is possible

Summer (year)
2016	December 22,23,24 (25th Kolyada)	March 19	21st of June	September 25
2017		March 18	21st of June	September 25
2018	December 20,21,22 (23 - Kolyada)	March 19	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 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 prepared for the New Year coming at midnight and, just like on Kolyada, 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. In that Slavic holiday a ceremony of initiation into men was performed, and the chief 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. Symbol of the Genus 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 11 Great Veles Day

The Great Veles Day marks the middle of winter, a certain milestone. On this holiday, they praised the Father and performed game ceremonies of a comic battle between Marena and Veles, as a symbol of the imminent end of the cold, his retreat together with Mara. Also on this day, they put up protection for livestock and applied Veles chirs to all the gates in the courtyard, praised and brought the requirements of the Cattle God, asked for health to cows, pigs and other breadwinners of the family.

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.

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 funny farewell winters. This is the spring solstice, a turning point in the calendar and way of life. AT 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 the harmony of 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 begin and symbolic fertilization is carried out - the Opening of the Yarila Earth and the release of 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 Slavonic spring holiday 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 19-22 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 well as at other Christmas holidays, 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 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 disparate Slavic Clans into a single one - Kievan Rus, gave a worthy education 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 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, she was thanked for the harvest and prosperity, as well as for sending a soul mate and creating new family, played 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 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 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 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

AT the 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.

The time of the winter solstice occurs when the axis around which our planet rotates, in the direction from the Sun, takes its maximum mark. The largest value of the angle of inclination of the Earth's axis with respect to the Sun is 23° 26". Depending on the shift calendar days, the period of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs either on December 21 or 22, and in the Southern Hemisphere on June 20 or 21.

Different cultures interpreted this event in different ways, but most peoples perceived the winter solstice as a rebirth, setting the beginning of a new one. At this time, festivals, holidays, meetings were held, appropriate rituals were held, mass celebrations were held with songs and dances.

The solstice was a special moment of the annual cycle even during the New Stone Age (Neolithic). Thanks to astronomical events, from ancient times governing crops of grain crops, food preparation until the next harvest, mating periods of animals, one can trace how various traditions and myths arose. Evidence of this can be considered the layout of the oldest monuments of the late New Stone and Bronze Ages. Such as Stonehenge (Great Britain) and Newgrange (Ireland), the main axes of which were aligned with special care and indicated the rising of the luminary in Newgrange, and the sunset in Stonehenge on the day of the winter solstice. It is noteworthy that the Great Trilith (the design of the "letter P" of the three most big stones) in Stonehenge is turned outward relative to the center of the monument in such a way that its front flat part turns out to be facing the Sun by the middle of winter.

How did the ancient Slavs celebrate the winter solstice?

One of the most significant holidays, revered by our ancestors, were the days of Solstice and Equinox. Rotary, solstice, solstice, equinox - personify the four hypostases of the ancient Slavic god of the Sun Dazhdbog, the giver of light and heat. His name sounds in a short prayer that has survived to our time: “Give, God!”. According to popular beliefs, Dazhdbog opens the summer and closes the fierce winter.

The Slavs considered this holiday a time of renewal and birth of the Sun, and with it all living things, a time of spiritual transformation, a time conducive to both good material changes and spiritual ones. The night that precedes the day of the winter solstice is considered the patroness of all nights, because it is on this night that a young sunny baby is born to the Goddess - Dazhdbog, symbolizing the birth of life from death, order from chaos.

During the winter solstice, the Slavs celebrated the pagan New Year, which was personified with the deity Kolyada. The main subject of the festival was a large fire, calling and depicting the Sun, which, after one of the longest nights of the year, had to rise higher and higher into the heavenly heights. It was also obligatory to bake ritual New Year's pies of a rounded shape, reminiscent of a heavenly body.

The ancient Slavs considered the solstice to be the beginning of a new year. It was on this day that the month of caroling began. It was believed that at a certain time of the day a new sun god, Kolyada, was born. This deity symbolized good weather and harvest. That is why the celebrations in his honor lasted approximately 21 days.

At Svyatki, people dressed in new, expensive clothes, set tables and wished each other good luck. The Slavs believed that New Year a person will conduct exactly as he will meet. In addition, the day of the winter solstice was considered a magical period, when the line between the world of the living and the dark forces became very thin. To scare away evil spirits, bonfires were built everywhere, and people dressed up in costumes of animals and supernatural beings.

Another one interesting tradition- These are carolers. Young girls and boys gathered in small groups and traveled from house to house, congratulating their owners on the coming year and wishing them good luck and prosperity. And as a reward, young singers received sweets and other treats. By the way, this tradition is still alive today.

Winter solstice festival among other nations

These days, in Europe, pagan festivities will mark the beginning of a 12-day cycle of magnificent festivities, which marked the beginning of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life.

In Scotland, there was a tradition to start a burning wheel, symbolizing the solstice. The barrel was abundantly smeared with resin, set on fire and launched down the hill, resembling a fiery luminary with rotating movements.

In China, before all other seasons (and there are 24 of them in the Chinese calendar), the winter solstice was determined. The Chinese believed that it was from the beginning of this period that the male force of nature was growing stronger and giving rise to a new cycle. The winter solstice was a worthy celebration, because it was considered a happy, successful day. Everyone, from the commoner to the emperor, rested and had fun on this day, gave each other gifts, went to visit, laid large tables laden with various dishes. An important role on this special day was given to sacrifices to the ancestors and the God of Heaven, the corresponding ceremonies and rituals were carried out. in order to protect yourself from diseases and evil spirits. The winter solstice is still one of the Chinese traditional holidays.

Hindus call the winter solstice Sankranti. The holiday was celebrated in both Sikh and Hindu communities, where at night, on the eve of the festival, bonfires were lit, the flame of which resembled the rays of the Sun, which warm the earth after a cold winter.

Winter Solstice and German Yule

The Germanic tribes also celebrated this day, considering it a transitional point between the old and the new year. Like the Slavs, the festivities were accompanied by bonfires. The key moment is the burning of a large symbolic log, the coals of which were then mixed with grain. In addition, houses, streets and trees were decorated with burning candles - this is how people asked for help and protection from the spirits of their dead ancestors. By the way, fiery decorations became the prototype of modern garlands.

But that's not all. Here the tradition was born to decorate houses with branches of evergreen trees - fir trees, mistletoe, ivy and holly. Such scenery was a symbol and a reminder that the night and the cold would definitely recede.

Winter solstice -
The shortest of the year
The night is long, long, dark,
The animals are fast asleep in the forest.

When the sun rises in the morning
Look better, don't yawn
If frost on the trees -
The harvest will be good.

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 the cultures of 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. 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. For instance, 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.

Holiday in the Slavic world

The holiday of Yule (Yule) in Orthodoxy is called the Solstice.

The solstice comes from the verb "to return". The sun is renewed, reborn, and from that moment returns to us with renewed vigor, which is why the days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter. The solstice is a certain point in time, a moment that can be accurately calculated. At this very “point”, the Sun rises to the lowest height of the year, it will not go any lower, then it will begin to return, slowly rising higher and higher.
This moment falls on December 21st.

In winter, the luminary rises above the horizon, lower and lower. On the day of the WINTER SOLSTICE, December 21, the Sun rises above the horizon to the lowest height of the year and, as it were, freezes for 3 days, the height of the Sun above the horizon during this period does not change, it seems that the sun stops. We can say that the Winter Solstice is a phenomenon observed within 3 days.

Four great Slavic pagan holidays, as well as similar holidays of the European pagan religion of the druids-sorcerers, are focused on the solar cycle, expressed in four annually repeated annual incarnations of the sun god.

1) Night of the winter solstice(the longest night, the beginning of astronomical winter) - 2nd night-solstice. The next morning after this night, winter is born Baby Sun Kolyada and, as the small children's forces grow, every day it rises higher in the sky;

2) Day of the spring equinox(the beginning of astronomical spring) - the holiday of the long-awaited Spring komoeditsa. Gained strength spring Sun-young Yarilo melts the snow, drives away the annoying Winter and grants Nature the onset of Spring;

3) Summer Solstice(the longest day of the year, the beginning of astronomical summer) - summer holiday Kupail. Mighty summer Sun-husband of Kupail comes into its own;

4) Day of the autumnal equinox(beginning of astronomical autumn) - autumn holiday Veresen (or Tausen). The former summer sun-Kupaila turns into a wise autumn gradually losing strength. Sun-Old Man Svetovit.

Further, the cycle will repeat itself: at sunset before the Night of the Winter Solstice, the Sun-Luminary will die, so that in the morning it will again be reborn as the renewed Sun-baby Kolyada, again gaining its solar power.

This solar cycle, the four Slavic incarnations of the Sun - Kolyada- Yarilo - Kupail -Svetovit, is repeated from year to year, and the whole life of people, animals, birds, plants and all terrestrial Nature depends on it, as well as on the daily change of day and night.

According to the dates of the modern calendar, the celebration of this solar holiday began at sunset on December 19 and continued until sunset on January 1.

Before the Winter Solstice, you need to get rid of everything unnecessary, put things in order both in your house and in your soul in order to make room for the desired changes in the New Year. By the way, God Kolyada, personifying the revival of the winter Sun and Nature, manages the Great Changes in the life of the Clans of the Great Race and the descendants of the Heavenly Clan, and the day of the Winter Solstice was also called the Day of Changes.

The day before the solstice is called KOROCHUN, because it is the shortest day of the year. Shortens the outgoing year - Koshchei the Immortal, who is also called the Koshchey Tsar (God) and Korochun too. These are the names of the ruler of the Underworld - Navi (the underworld). December 21, the day of the Winter Solstice or Solstice, celebrates the victory of Light over darkness. The sun is reborn! It is from this moment that the duration of daylight hours will gradually increase.

On the 1st night(Great Mother's Day) On the longest night of December 21-22 in ancient times, bonfires were kindled in the streets, and burning wheels were rolled to call on the Sun. Now candles are lit for this purpose. In the morning - December 22, at sunrise, the Sun is congratulated on the Birth and thanked for all the good that it gives us. The first 3 days after the Winter Solstice are the most favorable time for making plans for the future, making wishes.

Now let's find out, finally, what is KOLYADA. First, let's deal with its name. Kolyada comes from the Slavic word "kolo", which means "circle". God Kolyada personifies the rebirth of the winter Sun and Nature.
Kolyada was met on the night of December 24-25. Just after the 3-day period of the Winter Solstice, when the gain in solar minutes becomes most noticeable.

CHRISTMAS EVE (from the Slavic word "Sochivo", i.e. kutya) - the night before Kolyada. This is a memorial holiday for the “dead sun of the outgoing year”, farewell to the past. This is a reason to look back and look forward. Time to analyze your successes and achievements over the past year, as well as make plans for the next year.

On the night of Kolyada the Slavs burned bonfires, lit the sacred Fire, which then burned without fading 12 days before the end of the holiday. According to tradition, all old and unnecessary things were burned in the fire of this fire, freeing themselves from junk for a new happy life. With songs and laughter, “solar wheels” (cart wheels smeared with tar and set on fire) rolled down the hill, admonishing them to bring spring; sculpted snowman and destroyed it with snowballs; organized fistfights.

The night of the winter solstice - when the old sun has already died, and the new one has not yet been born - this is a fabulous mystical gap in time, when the Gates connecting Yav and Nav are wide open; this is timelessness, in which spirits and dark forces rule.

It is possible to resist these forces only by gathering with the whole family for a joint cheerful feast celebration. Dark spirits are powerless against the general fun.

But woe to that kinsman who will remain alone that night, outside of a kind-tribe, without close people nearby - dark spirits will lure him and push him to all sorts of false gloomy thoughts.

Due to the high probability of meeting some kind of spirit these days, it was customary to dress up in costumes made of skins and depict different animals (real and mythical).

At Christmas Kolyada, carolers went from house to house - guys, girls and children dressed up in costumes of "terrible" animals, who sang carols (ritual songs in which they wished well-being to everyone).

The ancient Slavs revered Kolyada as the most powerful and powerful god. Christianity that came from Byzantium for a long time could not completely eradicate the veneration of Kolyada. Over time, the optimistic and life-affirming holiday of Kolyada “coincided” with the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, and ritual pagan customs turned into fun game at the Saints.

Literary critic Alexander Strizhev in his book " folk calendar"writes:

“Once upon a time, Kolyada was perceived not as a mummer. Kolyada was a deity, and one of the most influential. They called the carol, called. New Year's Eve was dedicated to Kolyada, games were arranged in her honor, which were subsequently performed at Christmas time. The last patriarchal ban on worshiping Kolyada was issued on December 24, 1684. It is believed that Kolyada was recognized by the Slavs as the deity of fun, which is why they called him, called on New Year's festivities by cheerful gangs of youth.

The celebration of Kolyada, with its fun and optimism, expressed the faith of our distant ancestors, the Slavic pagans, in the inevitability of the victory of good principles over the forces of evil.

During the day they prepared a collective meal - clubbing, and burned large festive bonfires - Steal - all night.
Around the village on the night "They Chased the Pope or Balda" - a burning thick stump of a log. And, if it was possible to roll it from the fire around the village and return it burning back to the fire, a favorable life awaited the village. To do this, the guys and girls cleared the path from the snow, and "Pop-Bald" was buttered - poured with oil. True, “Balda” was oiled in advance to increase burning - tow soaked in oil and wax was put into the hollowed-out inside;)
According to one version, the name "Popa-Balda" was given as a mockery in honor of the priest, who "served" one night, and then lay on his side all year. According to another version - the pop is the Ashes of the Fathers Betrayed.
In the morning, a feast, games, revelry were arranged. The next night they launched a new Balda and the next night too.
On the second day it was impossible to feast at home - they went to the guests. Take turns with each other.
On the last morning of the holiday, from a common fire, they brought the "New Fire" into the oven, which before that had to be cleaned of ashes and, preferably, whitewashed.
Everyone was sure to wash in the bath and proceed to the family feast. “Where you spend the night, there you will live for a year.”
"Fiery purgatories" were arranged - jumping over a fire. Singly and in pairs. If desired, it was possible to take an oath of allegiance - "Fire Curse". To do this, you need to jump over the fire together and not unclench your hands.
Bonfire - Steal was not extinguished, but allowed to burn out on its own.
There was another custom on Kolyada - "Breaking bread on the" Circle ". "With whom you break bread, that is your brother." This custom was carried out on every holiday. In other words, Kolyada is a collective circular food. Skladchin. This Slavic holiday and custom originated in ancient times. To collect food for a circular meal, carols were invented - funny sayings, jokes, fables, horror stories, songs. Collecting food for Kolyada was mainly done by young people - unmarried girls and boys. Toward evening, young people gather in separate groups and walk through the streets with songs, jokes and a star on a long stick. At will, a hole was made in the star, where a burning candle was placed. This star symbolizes the resurgent sun. They usually made it 8-pointed, made of paper, painted with paints. 8 planets revolve around the Sun, moreover, scientists from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have recently obtained a unique photograph of the Sun. On it, 8 vortex flows radially directed towards the solar disk and twisting into a right-handed swastika are clearly visible. It is quite possible that the number of depicted rays of the Sun is compared by our wise Ancestors with these eight vortex flows. Such accurate knowledge back in ancient times, which is reflected in our traditions, may indicate that our Ancestors clearly had a cosmic origin. That wisdom, which we are now restoring bit by bit, was known to our Ancestors - the Slavic-Aryans in ancient times. So, let's finally return to the carols :) One of the carolers carries a bag for gifts. Costumed people come up to the windows of the house, to the front door, or, if the owners allow it, right into the house and sing special carol songs. From ancient times to this time, you can meet groups of children singing "carols" in the hope of getting some sweets and gingerbread :)

In the Slavic countries, there was also a tradition Yule log- it was called badnyak. However, badnyak could be not only a log, but also a snag, a stump - the essence of this did not change. At the time of Christianization, they began to carve a cross on it, which conditionally justified the pagan ritual in the Christian period, or they poured oil (wine, honey) on the log, implying that it was the blood of Christ. The badnyak was considered animated, they watered it, fed it, decorated it with ribbons, showered it with grains from the part of the harvest set aside for sowing, and burned it in a Christmas flame - so that the sun would give its strength to the fields, and livestock, and people, so that the harvest was rich, the animals were healthy, and people are strong.

Modern Yule

Our Modern Magical New Year's Eve (end of 12th Yule Night), shining brightly decorated New Year's Eve evergreen tree, Yule wreath (now called "Christmas wreath"), Christmas candles(Yule fires), the almighty pagan god Santa Claus, masquerade masks and costumes, processions of mummers, biscuit and chocolate "logs" (symbols of the Yule log) - this is the legacy of the traditions of the great sacred Yule, a cheerful two-week pagan winter holiday of our ancient ancestors, with which they celebrated Christmas of the renewed Sun-baby Kolyada.

A great way to celebrate Holy Yule Old year and get ready to meet the New - literally and figuratively, clear your life of rubbish, as it was customary to do many centuries ago.

This is the right time to pay off debts, clean and disassemble the apartment, give away all unnecessary things, put your business papers in order and generally deal with all your tails - in a word, get rid of everything that prevents you from moving on, be it a mess in an apartment or an obsolete relationship.

Then you need to thank the outgoing year for all the good that it brought you, even if it was not easy (in any case, these difficulties taught you valuable lessons). After all, it is in nature itself that it is darkest just before dawn.

And, probably, it is worth remembering more often that when it seems that it simply cannot be darker than the pores in life, this sure sign imminent dawn, the beginning of a new, bright streak.

We decorate the house

The house, windows and doors are decorated with branches of evergreens, symbolizing life, clusters of rowan berries or rowan berry beads. An image of the Sun is hung on the door and in window openings - a symbol of the birth of God, and images of a star - a symbol of the Goddess of Childbirth. Heated red wine is placed on the table in a large bowl, poured with a ladle.

The kitchen does not require special frills: enough colored tinsel over the hearth and bundles of dried vegetables, or onions, or ears of corn. The hood above the stove is the best place to place decorations, but if it is inconvenient to get there or tinsel and other good things are not safe there, you can hang it all next to the window. And you can put new potholders and a fresh towel on the stove. Just for the mood.

In addition, in clothes and in decorating the house, it is desirable to have a large number of shiny metal objects of yellow color - gold, brass polished to a shine - symbolizing sunlight. Be sure to have a live fire.

Yule fire

Candles, fireworks, sparklers are an important tradition of the winter holiday. Unlike the summer outdoor bonfire celebrations, the winter solstice fires are lit mostly in homes. As a rule, these are large bright candles (for example, red ones). Among the traditions was the lighting of one large candle, which burned from morning until midnight (if it burned out earlier, it was considered a bad sign).

Gold and silver candles are a symbol of bringing wealth to the house. Red candles are a symbol of female attractiveness, green ones are a symbol of male strength and valor.

If you make a fire in the house, i.e. If you have a stove or a fireplace, then for the holiday you need to prepare oak firewood in advance. The fire of the hearth symbolizes the energy of the sun. It is preferable to stay awake all night. If you decide to sleep - still leave a burning candle. Put it in a bowl of water for safety, and sleep. The fire should burn all night until the first rays of the sun.

Yule wreath

A wreath of spruce or pine branches with 8 candles should be prepared and placed on the mantelpiece or in a place that is the "heart" of the house.

Candles in a Yule wreath should burn all night, and if possible - until the 12th Night (New Year's Eve). In ancient times, these were not candles, but fatty lamps (like the current church lamps), into which oil was added from time to time - so they could burn for a long time without fading.

From the lights of the Yule wreath, already in antiquity, the custom arose to light fires on a decorated New Year tree. At first, 8 lights were also placed on the Christmas tree, as on Yule's wreath, later - as many as they want.

Yule Log in a new way

To make such a log, get a regular log with bark. Then you need to split it in half so that it can lie on the flat side, or trim it a little on one side just enough to give it stability. After making sure that it stands firmly, drill two or three holes in the top with a diameter of 2 cm for candles. Decorate the log with candles, mistletoe. As you light the candles, you can sing something like:

“Burn, burn clearly, so that it doesn’t go out, let the wheat ears thickly in the fields ...”

"You burn, bonfire, burn, boil spring resins, you burn to the sky, there will be more bread."

The log will subsequently have to be stored until next year. Undertook to observe traditions - observe.

Yolochka was born in the forest(Yule treein a new way)

The Christmas tree is a symbol of immortality. Therefore, evergreen trees are used - spruce, pine, juniper along with holly branches.

Yolochka can be decorated with fresh and dried berries, bags with aromatic herbs, apples, nuts, oranges, lemons. The old Soviet ones will come in handy here. Christmas decorations in the form of fruits, fruits and vegetables, nuts and acorns (and someone smart came up with hanging cucumbers, corn cobs, tomatoes, acorns and grapes on the Christmas tree))).

There are toys in the form of the moon, the sun and the stars of heaven. "Rain" as a symbol of rain will again be a symbol of fertility.

If we talk about all of our favorite balloons, they also hang for a reason. They have been used for centuries to protect against the "evil eye". The principle of their operation is simple: they reflect evil spells and bad intentions and return them to the "sender". Small balls two or three centimeters in size, worn on a chain and worn around the neck, serve as excellent protective amulets, although they can look strange if they are not worn during Christmas time. As Christmas decorations, these shiny glass balls capture the light of the newborn sun and send it back, acting as a magical tool to boost the sun's energy. This idea was fully developed when, in a simple glass ball they began to make a geometrically correct recess that allows them to capture and reflect light, whether it be the pure white light of the revived winter sun or the soft, warm light of candles.

For money, cones, corn, Christmas tree nuts are hung on the Christmas tree (there are toys of this form).

For a sweet life - icicles of various shapes.

For joy and good mood - flashlights, candles, lights.

For home (comfort, repair, housewarming) - a toy-house.

For successful travel - a tram or a trailer (it also happens).

For general prosperity - tinsel, balls and bows of gold and red.

For just well-being - the same, but green.

For success in learning and working with information - blue.

For success in writing and creative activity- blue, lilac, turquoise.

For love - orange and pink.

Candy-shaped toys - for unexpected bonuses from life.

Drums and various characters with musical instruments (from angels to soldiers and mice) - glory and honor.

Butterfly - for good dreams.

Bird - for those suffering from migraines or prone to bad mood and unreasonable sadness (with a stork - be careful)))

Let's celebrate!

The main thing in the holiday of Yule (Kolyada) is fun: loud laughter, songs and dances by the fire, jokes, funny gifts, jokes. During the whole night you have to be very loud and very cheerful. And the brighter the fire, the more light in the night - the more successfully we will drive away the evil forces that want to prevent the birth of the new Sun. This is what our ancestors believed. Following their example, we can also recite an old carol, for example, like this:

Solstice Day!

Roll into the garden

From the garden - to the red eel,

Rise above our courtyard!

Disperse, Svarog, darkness,

Bring back the red day to Rus'!

Goy, Kolyada! Glory!

At the same time, we symbolically burn in the fire the problems of the old year, its grievances and misunderstandings. On this night, you need to forgive your offenders and ask for forgiveness from those whom you offended yourself. As a sign of reconciliation, people exchange small gifts. In addition, you need to wish good, peace and prosperity to everyone you meet. Remember the most common toast "for ... elk!" (to be loved and slept ... etc.)))?

An important trifle - try to ensure that by dawn you do not have dirty dishes and a mess. Remember - what the first ray of the Sun sees in your house, then it will be all year.

In the West, theatrical performances are arranged this evening, playing out the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, who succeed each other in the alternation of the seasons of the year.

Eating Yule

Libations on holidays often began in the morning and lasted until the evening. Suitable drinks - mulled wine , spiced wine, as well as ale and beer, cider, ginger tea, punch.

Another tradition is festive food, a lot and different: fruits (apples, oranges), nuts, sweets, pork (from the festive tradition of roasting wild boar), pastries with cinnamon, yule pudding. As you meet the year, so you will spend it!

It's funny that the Yule log is also present on the festive table - in the form of a decorated with flowers and leaves chocolate roll .

Traditional Yule ham - a sacred offering to the Scandinavian god of abundance Freyr, one of whose symbols was a boar. A baked pig's head with apples in its mouth was solemnly brought into the banquet hall on a gold or silver platter to the sound of trumpets and minstrel songs. Freyr was asked to send peace to the earth and reward people with a glorious harvest.

It would be correct to serve huge slices of baked meat for Yule, and eat it like the Vikings: with a knife and hands, right hot, with leafy bread and potatoes in caramel !
________________________________________ __

Darkness thickens. All denser Twilight is wrapping its curtain around Mother Earth. Night eats Day, ringing Silence lies in the fields and the gray Wind drives the silver of heaven through the deserted streets.

On December 21, a horn will rumble from the West, and the Wild Hunt, led by Odin (Veles), will rush over the sleeping cities in a furious gallop.

But Midnight will end, the Twilight will tremble and the Solar God will be born. And, although the Night still rules - the baby Day has already been born and will steadily grow and grow stronger until the day of its victory and absolute triumph - Lita, the summer solstice.

The trees are still sleeping in crystal robes, but Light has already been born under their icy fabric.

Like our glorious ancestors, we will light a living fire, illuminating the world when it plunges into darkness. The Sacred Flame will burn, the heat of the very hearts of men, the fire of our souls, and the Sun that was extinguished will be reborn again.

Fortune-telling is no less important for Kolyada. Mostly young girls are engaged in fortune-telling, who want to know their fate, the future groom, the time of the wedding, and so on. Fortune-telling in the bath, fortune-telling with mirrors, fortune-telling on water, candles, etc. So when do you guess? And they guess in the evening on the eve of Kolyada, on the very day of Kolyada (December 25) they don’t guess, and in the next 5 days after it, you can guess again.

Dear Witches, know that there are no rigid dogmas in Orthodox Vedicism. Each Slav in the festival acts as the creator of the whole process. AT different cities and villages celebrated the birth of the Sun in their own way. Each person contributed a piece of his soul to this event, which, of course, only adorned this celebration! All people are different and each of us has his own vision of the world, everyone feels the phenomena of Nature in his own way. If you want, you can light candles in the house for all three days from December 22 to 25, which with their burning flame will help the Sun begin to increase daylight hours. On Kolyada, you can give friends and family symbols that personify the Sun or amulets. And you can make a charm for yourself. For example, the amulet Spiridon-Solstice, which was made on the days of the winter solstice from December 22 to 25. In his hands Spiridon holds a circle - the sun wheel. This amulet is given with the wishes of changes for the better in order to direct their lives in the right direction or to those who are just starting their business.
You can also make an unusually beautiful protective doll - Kolyada, which is dressed elegantly, festively, because it brings happiness, peace and harmony, prosperity and prosperity to the house, and drives away all evil spirits, for which Kolyada has a broom in store. From time immemorial, guests were greeted in Rus' with bread and salt, and Kolyada had salt and grain in two bags.
Like your ancestral blood, your kind heart tells you to mark this event, so you have the right to do so. If you feel that it is better for you to celebrate all 3 birthdays of the Sun - your right. If you think that it is necessary to make a wish exactly at sunrise from December 21 to 22, then this is exactly what you need. If you want to massively celebrate Kolyada on the night of December 25, when the Sun has probably already begun to gain strength, you want to make your cherished wishes on this day, make plans for the future, rejoice! After all, along with the growing sunny days, your most cherished, sincere and good wishes! Spend these days exactly the way you want to spend the whole coming year! Be the Creators of this festival, enjoy it and share inexhaustible joy with the people around you! Rejoice and have fun! We all have a wonderful reason for this - is born new life The sun is reborn!

The Kolyada holiday and the days around the winter solstice are the best and auspicious days in a year when you can change your destiny for the better, discard everything superfluous and painful, be reborn just like a young sun and give rise to a new round of your life!

Feel free to open the doors and let the new young Sun into your home with joy and kindness!

Spend the day of the winter solstice a little brighter than usual, put a little more colors and your strength into the affairs and events of this day. Do on this day those things that you have been putting off for a long time. Get joy and warmth from spending this day with benefit, feel this natural twist of fate on yourself, perceive it as some kind of inner movement of yours. And at the same time, read our northern fairy tales and learn the secrets of the Slavic heritage. All fairy tales are animated by the wisdom of our ancestors...

The time of the winter solstice occurs when the axis around which our planet rotates, in the direction from the Sun, takes its maximum mark. The largest value of the angle of inclination of the Earth's axis with respect to the Sun is 23° 26'. Depending on the shift of calendar days, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs either on December 21 or 22, and in the Southern Hemisphere on June 20 or 21.

The solstice was a special moment of the annual cycle even during the New Stone Age (Neolithic). Thanks to astronomical events, from ancient times governing crops of grain crops, food preparation until the next harvest, mating periods of animals, one can trace how various traditions and myths arose. Evidence of this can be considered the layout of the oldest monuments of the late New Stone and Bronze Ages. Such as Stonehenge (Great Britain) and Newgrange (Ireland), the main axes of which were aligned with special care and indicated the rising of the luminary in Newgrange, and the sunset in Stonehenge on the day of the winter solstice. It is noteworthy that the Great Trilith (the construction of the "letter P" of the three largest stones) in Stonehenge is turned outward relative to the center of the monument in such a way that its front flat part turns out to be facing the Sun by mid-winter.

How did the ancient Slavs celebrate the winter solstice?

One of the most significant holidays revered by our ancestors were the days of Solstice and Equinox. Rotation, solstice, solstice, equinox - personify the four hypostases of the ancient Slavic god of the Sun Dazhdbog, the giver of light and heat. His name sounds in a short prayer that has survived to our time: “Give, God!”. According to popular beliefs, Dazhdbog opens the summer and closes the fierce winter.

At Svyatki, people dressed in new, expensive clothes, set tables and wished each other good luck. The Slavs believed that a person would spend the New Year exactly the way he met it. In addition, the day of the winter solstice was considered a magical period, when the line between the world of the living and the dark forces became very thin. To scare away evil spirits, bonfires were built everywhere, and people dressed up in costumes of animals and supernatural beings.

Another interesting tradition is carolers. Young girls and boys gathered in small groups and traveled from house to house, congratulating their owners on the coming year and wishing them good luck and prosperity. And as a reward, young singers received sweets and other treats. By the way, this tradition is still alive today.

Winter solstice festival among other nations

These days, in Europe, pagan festivities will mark the beginning of a 12-day cycle of magnificent festivities, which marked the beginning of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life.