Slavic Pagan Kalendar

WINTER

Kolada Studen (December) 24-31

This is one of the most important pagan Slavic holidays. At the time of the Winter Solstice, we sing songs for Lada and of praise to Perun who are prisoner now under frost and snow. During these days we celebrate our Gods by drinking a toast to them and burning bonfires deep within the forest. We wend our way singing from house to house, bemasked and dancing as we go. Under the aegis of the New Year, we sacrifice a Goat:

Behind a large mountain

Beside a swift river

Within a dark forest,

Big bonfires are lit.

On benches around the fire,

These benches made of oak,

Men of reknown on these benches seated

Famous men, beautiful ladies

Sing Kolada's songs.

The Old Man in the center, seated

Grinds his knife of iron;

Boiling hot, boiling

With the goat nearby…

The time of sacrifice for the goat.

(From an ancient song)

The Days of Volos Procines (January) 1-6

These moonlit and frosty nights have a name: The Holiday of the Wolves.

These days are set aside for the worship of the God of pets and of cattle, whose name is Volos. We give our thanks for the animals on these days, which bring food and sustenance to our homes from ancient times. We also defend them from the ravenous wolves which attack.

The Day of Remembrance for Princess Olga Procines (January) 3

On this day we celebrate Olga who brought glory and honor to herself for all eternity through her acts of heroism. She avenged her husband's murder by slaying the perpetrator, Drevlane. She later gave birth to the Great Prince Sviatoslav and thus united all the Russias; a feat of great honor in her remembrance. Today is the day of a toast to the Great Paganess, Olga.

Turisi Procines (January) 6

This is the holiday of the bull, Jar-tur, a symbol of the strong power of life and fertility. People today celebrate this day by donning masks, parading and imitating the Great Bull. Younger and older folk alike join in playing games of enjoyment, called «Turisi». This also ends the New Year holiday.

A Day of Remembrance for Oleg the Prophet (Visionary) Sjechen (February) 3

The Varangian's (Viking's) king was a good example of the Rus-Viking. His history is very instructive, yet at the same time mysterious. Volhv of Kiev (a pagan wizard) prophecied to Oleg that his horse would die in battle but afterward he would also be killed. He triumphed under the Byzantines, and after his final battle, his shield was hung on the Gate of Tsargrad in Constantinople.

Navii's Day (Vjunitci) Suhii (March) 1

On this first of four days, slavic pagans remember their ancestors in prayer. Today, Navii's Day is the «Day of the Dead». People bring sacrifices and invite their ancestors to attend their feast with them.

Day of Remembrance for Prince Igor Suhii (March) 3

This pagan prince struck fear in the heart of Byzantine Christianity by attacking its capitol, Constantinople. During this time, Igor enlisted the help of many vikings who helped him rule his kingdom and fight against his enemies. Prince Igor was killed by the Drevlani when he attempted to secure fees for rent from them when they were on the lands of his kingdom.

Maslenitsa Suhii (March) 21

Maslenitsa is a very ancient festival, the holiday of the Spring Equinox and the end of the winter frosts. People enjoy themselves, engaging in much feasting, dancing, wearing of masks, playing on traditional musical instruments, and contests of strength, all to enact spring unbridled, in action and fighting. Traditional pastries are also baked, called blini (a type of potato pancake), to symbolize the sun.