Russian Paganism

[Kahri]

Sorry bout the numerous post about Russian stuff, I'm a bit preoccupied. Has anyone investigated Russian/Slavic Paganism? I found a link, but it seems to be relatively new (cause of the just emerging out of Communism thing, they're just starting to bounce back).

http://hometown.aol.com/hpsofsnert/  

[Mazuil]

Kahri

Sorry bout the numerous post about Russian stuff, I'm a bit preoccupied. Has anyone investigated Russian/Slavic Paganism? I found a link, but it seems to be relatively new (cause of the just emerging out of Communism thing, they're just starting to bounce back).

http://hometown.aol.com/hpsofsnert/

I havn't before, but ill start. I like to learn smile and thanks for the link!  

[Starlock]

Huh. I heard a bit about it and read a blurb in a book somewhere. I'd meant to investigate it becuase it sounded intersting to me... but that hasn't happened yet. But with this link... it's a starting point... heh.  

[MST3Kakalina]

it's usually such a pain to find things on Russian gods/traditions, so this is a great help to me! i should know at least a little of this, is the sad part. out of all of that, i only recognized Baba Jaga.  

[maenad nuri]

I believe that there is some information on the recon part, at least, at beliefnet. Propbably more.  

[TeaDidikai]

Tea's Resources:

TeaDidikai

"Primary Sources"

Povist� vremennykh lit (The Tale of Bygone Years)- a Primary Source Text for many Slavic Recons.

The Book of Veles is also considered a Primary source for many Slavic Recons, however the information provided leads many to suspect it�s origins are less than they claim to be. It can be likened to the Norse Eddas- except that the Eddas have more historical backing.

The biggest problem I have come across with the Book of Veles is that I cannot find an English Translation to save my soul.

The �Book� is actually a collection of wooden planks with writing upon them.

Wikipedia

There exist divided opinions about the authenticity of the book. Serious scholars are unanimous in their conviction that the book is a forgery, but there is no agreement as to who created it or when it was done. History of the book can be reliably traced only as far as mid-1950s, when the transcribed book and the photograph of one of the planks first surfaced in a San Francisco-based Russian emigrant newspaper. Some scholars believe that the entire book was a product of collaboration of the editors of this newspaper and Yuriy Mirolyubov, who later claimed to have found the book. Others believe that either the entire book, or the only plank that ever existed, was forged in early 1800s by a Russian collector and forger Alexander Sulakadzev. Finally, it's not entirely impossible that Mirolyubov had found an authentic page (or several pages) of the Book of Veles and falsified the rest of the text to fit his theories about early Slavs.

The book is written in a language that is very similar to ancient East Slavic language. Consequently, a lot of the book's text (once transcribed into a modern alphabet) is readable even by Slavs of today. However, professional historians, particularly the specialists in ancient Slavic, are concerned by some features of its language�uses of words, spellings, etc. These features seem to indicate that the text was artificially "aged" by someone with imperfect knowledge of ancient Slavic. On the other hand, problems with language are minor and could be attributed to local dialect variations (if the book was written or compiled from accounts of multiple people, as it is claimed by its supporters)

TeaDidikai

More Books

I do not own these, but have either reviewd them first hand, or have a trusted friend's opinion of them.
Forests of the Vampires : Slavic Myth
It's title is misleading. It has a lot of great information on the Slavic Gods and spirits. A lot of Slavic myth is lumped together under the common concept of vampire.



The Gods of the Ancient Slavs : Tatishchev and the Beginnings of Slavic Mythology
It's out of print, but it is worth it's weight in gold. It offers translations of original texts and explanations of their possible misinterpretations.

Heroes, Monsters and Other Worlds from Russian Mythology
Myths and folk tales that are well preserved, however the book has fallen out of print.

Mother Russia: The Feminine Myth in Russian Culture
There is a heck of a lot of rich spiritual information that is tied to Mother Russia and Mokosh- this book details the role that the woman's mysteries play in the culture. It's not my cup of tea, but it is still well written.

The Occult in Russian and Soviet Culture
Ceremonial Magic and it's place in the Slavic culture. A great read if not a traditional one.


Russian Folk Belief
This book really outlines dvoeverie- the Double Faith in which the older Pagan beliefs were merely whitewashed, not wiped out by the later Christian church. It contains spell information as well as some great details about the domovoi and other spirits such as Leshy.

A Russian Herbal : Traditional Remedies for Health and Healing
Very user friendly, although it lacks in the area of "magical herbalism", but then, that never bothered me. I'm a big fan of herbs as medicine over herbs as mysticism.

Scythian Gold: Treasures from Ancient Ukraine
An illistration of the influence the Scythians had on the Slavic cultures it has interesting accounts of burial rites and the human sacrifice which accompanied them.


Singing Back The Sun: A Dictionary of Old Polish Customs and Beliefs
Alphabetically listed, this book is a great one for Polish Paganism. Okana is an amazing individual and I trust her work.



Songs of the Russian People As Illustrative of Slavonic Mythology and Russian Social Life
This book covers holidays, spells, rites of passage. I am told that if you could only buy one book on Slavic Pagan worship, this would be it. Shame I don't have a copy myself.


Study of Russian Folklore
It reads like a Master's Thesis, but it is fairly inexpensive. A very left brain aproch to Russian Mythology.

Znaki : Slavic Charms
It's hard to find- and I will provide some basic information in a thread on Znaki later, but it is basically a thin book that details the Slavic system that can be likened to the Norse Runes.

TeaDidikai

Links

Slavic Paganism and Witchcraft

Nice site, but it blends a lot of Slavic Paganism with modern witchcraft. It's historical information is pretty good, and it is well laid out as far as sites go.

Okana's Web

This is the best Polish Pagan site I have ever found. It is currently down and I hope it will soon be back on it's feet.

Moist Mother Earth

Moist Mother Earth is a lovely site that includes some great information on Mokosh, along with the holidays and other gods.

Frater Gwydion's Magickal Gateways
This site is hosted by a Slavic Thelemite living in Serbia. It has a lot of great information and includes an artical on the Woman's Trance Dance of the Slavic Pagan practices that is worth it's weight in gold.

Mything Links

The link list of link lists... It covers everything from creation mythos to Slavic Cat names. Some of the links don't work, but it is well worth the time to tool around in.

 

[ProfessorZed]

Wow. Tea, I think I'm developing an intellectual crush on you. Seriously. You make my brain all happy and stuff.

I've been thinking about asking you for some starting points on this very topic for a while now. Eclectic Paganism is all well and good, but there's a part of me that really wants to know more about the Pagan aspects of my Slavic (specifically Ukrainian with, we think, a smattering of Russian) roots. I can't wait to get up to my elbows in all this reading.  

[TeaDidikai]

Erishkegal

Wow. Tea, I think I'm developing an intellectual crush on you. Seriously. You make my brain all happy and stuff.

Don't tease the bi-woman. mrgreen

Quote:

I've been thinking about asking you for some starting points on this very topic for a while now. Eclectic Paganism is all well and good, but there's a part of me that really wants to know more about the Pagan aspects of my Slavic (specifically Ukrainian with, we think, a smattering of Russian) roots. I can't wait to get up to my elbows in all this reading.

Fire away.

(Oh! I just finished my set of Znaki! Are they pretty! ~is so happy~)