Slavic Pagan Kalendar

Jarila's Day Kresen (June) 4

Today is dedicated to Jarila, the God of the Sun and fertility. Slavic people celebrate this holiday with festivities and dancing on a grand scale. «…As we approached, we saw about 4,000 men and women who had gathered together from all over Rus. It was some holiday, and we feared, when we saw how these manic people celebrated this day by erotic dancing, singing, and loud and high shreeks of delight.» (Gerborod, July 4, 1121).

Rusalka's Week Kresen (June) 19-24

During this week we worship the Divinity of Rivers, Rusalka. Many tales and fortune-telling are associated with this week. In the forests bonfires blaze atop the mountains, and the spirits fly free over fields and lakes.

Kupala Kresen (June) 23

(In the Old Russian tongue, Kupala means «bather»). Today the holiday of the Summer Solstice and remembrance of the human sacrifices made in olden times to the Master of things Sub-marine, Jasse (Dragon). All through the night people are celebrating, singing songs, hiking, doing readings (fortune-telling). A blot is held near water. In times gone by, fires were lit in preparation for a sacrifice of a young maiden by rowning in the river. Later, however, the human sacrifice was replaced by a doll made of bread (a loaf-doll).

The Day of Remembrance for Knjaz Sviatoslav the Great Cherven (July) 3

Sviatoslav, the Great Pagan Knjaz of Rus fought an extremely devastating war with Byzantium. Sviatoslav had not the least bit of respect for Christianity. He enlarged the lands of Rus from Hasar's land on the Volga River to the Danube in the Balkans. Pechenegs was expelled and stopped the influx of Christianity. At the time of Tsargrad's siege, Sviatoslav sufferred some losses, and his persecution by the Christians continued.

«Then he saw that they were intractable, he had hatred for the Christian priests. People were sent to Kiev and it was ordered, «Burn and destroy all the Christian churches and temples in Kiev.» And later he went himself to Kiev, wanting all Christians to be killed. So let it be.» Thus in 980, Sviatoslav's people destroyed the churches and placed representations of the pagan Gods on its remains.

Perun's Day Cherven (July) 20

This is the holiday on which the Great God of Thunder, Perun, is celebrated. On this day human sacrifices (the slaying of a man or woman for God), were made on 12th of Cherven (July). At that time, a bull was also sacrificed and people feasted on the animal. The King and the Volhvs organized a spectacular fete with plays and much merry-making. «In the year 6491, the old men would make the decision; «Cast lots on a boy and a girl.

Destiny will decide who will be sacrificed.» There was a Varagian Christian who had a son. The lot [for sacrifice] fell on his son.» (From Povest Vremeniih Let [The Tale of Years Past])

Harvest Holiday Serpen (August) 7

This is a holiday of bread, a holiday of the harvest. In the fields people cease their reaping in honor of Volos's beard. Thanks are brought to Volos and to Mother Earth in gratitude for a large harvest.

Sproshinki Serpen (August) 15

This is an agricultural holiday celebrating the end of haymaking. People have a good time, feasting, boxing, and much more.

The Day of Remembrance for the Pagan People of Novgorod Ruen (September) 3

«When the people of Novgorod were notified that Dobrinja wanted to Christianize them, they held a «Veche» (Thing) and decided to swear an oath: «Do not let Dobrinja into town. Do not let our idols be destroyed.»

Dobrinja sent word to them offering them silver, but the people refused him and would not let him enter the city.» The highest Volhv under the direction of a Slavic Pagan Priest, named Bogomil, (also known as Nightengale or «Solovey»), Voevoda Ugonay goes on to declare, went about the city on a horse, declaring with a loud voice: «Better for us to die than to let our Gods see disgrace.» However, Dobrinja prevaled and each of the idols were cast into the river and the wooden sculptures were incinerated. This, truly, was a day of great mourning and sadness for the Pagan People…» — Iokimovskaja Letopis

The events which happened on this day demonstrates all the «love» and essence of Christianity.

The Feast of Honor for Lada and Lela Ruen (September) 8

This day Lada and Lela are honored because of the work in the fields has come to a close. A celebration is held with dancing and song. This marks the passing of Summer and its attendant warmth.

Svarog's Holiday Ruen (September) 21

This is the Autumnal Equinox, the day of the God of Fire and the Sky.

This is the day to drink mead and honor Svarog.