ancient
The calendar of the ancient Slavs
Most vividly, the dual faith is reflected in the peasant land-farming calendar, where the veneration of Christian saints is closely intertwined with pagan beliefs and rites. Over time, many of the most important rituals for the pagan were taken less seriously and gradually turned into children’s games.
Here is how the year of the Russian peasant passed. On the day of the winter solstice (December 25), it would be necessary to help the sun gain strength-because farmers burned bonfires, rolled burning ears, symbolizing the sun. So that the winter was not too severe, they made a snow woman, depicting winter, and broke it with snowballs. Continue reading
God of fertility
The God of fertility associated with Navya (the lower world) was Veles (Volos, Vlas). The name Veles goes back to the ancient root “vel” with the meaning “dead”. But since the world of the dead was associated with the idea of magic power, the owner of which subdues people, the same root means power and is found in the words “power”, “command”, “possess”, “great”. Descent into the other world brings the hero omniscience, special wisdom, often associated with poetic features, so Veles is simultaneously the God of wisdom and poetry (the prophetic singer Boyan in” the Word about Igor’s regiment “is called the grandson of “Veles’s grandson”). Continue reading
Haunted house: 5 mysterious estates in Russia, where they promise a meeting with the unknown
In Europe, houses and castles associated with mystical stories are always popular among tourists. Ghosts that supposedly live in ancient palaces become a brand for which fans of the unknown are ready to pay round sums. However, in Russia there are no fewer places where, if you believe the legends, you can meet with ghosts. There is no doubt that fans of the otherworldly will get a chilling experience in these estates.
The estate was built by Dmitry Filippov, the son of a Moscow Baker. The secluded place for construction was chosen for a reason. In his own estate, Dmitry wanted to hide his beloved, the Gypsy Aza. He fell in love with her at first sight, as soon as he saw her in the Gypsy choir. He had built this wonderfully romantic mansion for her. Continue reading
