There have always been different religions and beliefs in the world. Which, by the way, did not completely disappear anywhere, even if they became irrelevant. In this article I would like to talk about the pagans: their rituals, faith and various interesting nuances.
Highlights
First of all, we note that paganism is a very ancient religion that existed among the Slavs before the adoption of Christianity. We can say with confidence that this is a whole universal system of views, which fully gave the general picture of the world to the inhabitants of those times. Our ancestors had their own pantheon of gods, which was hierarchical. And the people themselves were sure of the close connection between the inhabitants of the parallel world and the ordinary one. The pagans believed that they were always and in everything controlled by spirits, so they were subject to not only the spiritual, but also the material part of life.
A bit of history
At the end of the first millennium of our era, at a time whenin Russia they adopted Christianity, everything related to paganism was suppressed, eradicated. They burned pagan temples, floated ancient idols on the water. We tried to completely get rid of these beliefs. However, it can be said with certainty that this was done very poorly. Indeed, to this day, elements of the rites of the pagans have been preserved in the Orthodox faith, creating an amazing symbiosis of Byzantine culture and paganism. It must also be said that the first memories of these beliefs appeared in medieval manuscripts, when the papal curia actively attracted people to Catholicism. The pagans also fell under this action (it is known who they are). The entries in the diaries of Catholics were mostly condemning. As for the Russian chroniclers, they did not want to talk about paganism at that time, emphasizing that it practically did not exist.
About the concept
Understanding the concept of "pagans" (who they are, what are the features of their faith and worldview), you need to find out what it means. If you understand the etymology, you must say that the root here is the word "language". However, it also meant "people, tribe." It can be concluded that the concept itself can be translated as “folk faith” or “tribal faith”. The Slavic term "paganism" can also be interpreted as a "fortress of bonds".
About Faith
So, pagans: who are they, what did they believe? It is worth saying that the very system of their beliefs was almost perfect and completely inseparable from nature. She was revered, she was worshiped and presented with generous gifts. the center of the whole universe forThe Slavs were precisely Mother Nature. It was understood as a kind of living organism that not only thinks, but also has a soul. Her forces and elements were deified and spiritualized. However, this is not surprising, because it is Nature that is so regular that special wisdom can be traced here without any problems. Moreover, the pagans (who we are, in principle, considered) considered themselves children of nature and could not imagine their life without it, because the Vedic system of knowledge and beliefs assumed close interaction and coexistence in harmony with the outside world. What was the faith of our ancestors? The Slavs had three main cults: the Sun, Mother Earth and the veneration of the elements.
Cult of the Earth
The pagans believed that the Earth is the foremother of everything. Everything is explained here quite simply, because it is she, according to the ancient Slavs, who is the center of fertility: the Earth gives life not only to plants, but also to all animals. Why she was called Mother is also not difficult to explain. Our ancestors believed that it was the earth that gave birth to them, it gives them strength, one has only to lean towards it. Note that many of the rites that exist today have come to us since those times. Let us recall at least the need to take a handful of our land to a foreign land or bow to the ground to young parents at a wedding.
Cult of the Sun
The sun in the beliefs of the ancient Slavs acts as a symbol of all-conquering goodness. It must also be said that the pagans were often called sun-worshippers. People at that time lived according to the solar calendar, paying special attention to dateswinter and summer solstices. It was at this time that important holidays were celebrated, such as, for example, Ivan Kupala Day (end of June). It will also be interesting that the inhabitants of those times revered the sign of the swastika, which was called the solar kolovrat. However, this symbolism did not carry any negative then, but personified the victory of good over evil, light and purity. This sign of wisdom was also a talisman endowed with cleansing power. It was always applied to clothes and weapons, household items.
Reverence for the Elements
With great reverence, the pagan Slavs treated such elements as air, water and fire. The last two were considered purifying, as powerful and life-giving as the earth itself. As for fire, according to the Slavs, it is a powerful energy that establishes balance in the world and strives for justice. Fire cleansed not only the body, but also the soul (indicative in this regard are jumping over a blazing fire on Ivan Kupala). The flame was of great importance at the funeral. At that time, the bodies were burned, betraying to the purifying power of fire not only the earthly shell of a person, but also his soul, which, after this ceremony, easily went to the ancestors. In the times of the pagans, water was highly revered. People considered it the only source of strength and energy. At the same time, they respected not only rivers and other bodies of water, but also heavenly waters - rains, believing that in this way the gods bestow strength not only on the earth itself, but also on its inhabitants. They were purified with water, they were treated with it (“living” and “dead” water), with itswith the help they even guessed and predicted the future.
Past
With great respect, Russian pagans also treated their past, or rather, their ancestors. They revered their grandfathers, great-grandfathers, often resorted to their help. It was believed that the souls of ancestors do not disappear anywhere, they protect their family, helping people from a parallel world. Twice a year, the Slavs celebrated the day when they honored their dead relatives. It was called Radonitsa. At this time, relatives communicated with their ancestors at their graves, asking for the safety and he alth of the whole family. It was necessary to leave a small gift (this rite still exists today - a commemoration at the cemetery, when people bring sweets and cookies with them).
Pantheon of Gods
First of all, I would like to say that the gods of the pagans represent one or another element or natural force. So, the most important gods were Rod (who created life on earth) and Rozhanitsy (goddesses of fertility, thanks to whom, after winter, the earth was reborn to a new life; they also helped women produce children). One of the most important gods was also Svarog - the creator and ruler of the universe, the Ancestor Father, who gave people not only earthly fire, but also heavenly (the Sun). Svarozhichs were such gods as Dazhdbog (the god of the Sun) and Perun (the God of thunder, lightning, thunder). The solar deities were Khors (a circle, hence the word "round dance") and Yarilo (the god of the hottest and brightest summer sun). The Slavs also revered Veles, the god who was the patron of cattle. He was also a godwe alth, because before it was possible to become rich only thanks to livestock, which brought good profits. Among the goddesses, the most significant were Lada (the goddess of beauty, youth, love, marriage and family), Makosh (the giver of life to the harvest) and Morana (the goddess of death, cold, winter). Also, people in those times revered brownies, goblin, water - spirits that guarded everything that surrounded a person: home, water, forests, fields.
Rites
The various rites of the pagans were also important. As already mentioned, they could be cleansing for the body and soul (with the help of water and fire). There were also protective rites, which were carried out in order to protect a person or a house from evil spirits. Sacrifice was not alien to the Slavs. So, gifts to the gods could be both bloodless and blood. The first were brought as a gift to ancestors or shorelines. Blood sacrifices were needed, for example, by Perun and Yarila. At the same time, birds and livestock were brought as a gift. All rituals had a sacred meaning.
