Halloween is always October 31st. Halloween for children - on the evening of October 31, and for older ones halloween party- on the night of October 31 to November 1 (All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day).

The essence of Halloween

modern cheerful halloween holiday originated in the USA. Brought by immigrants from Britain and Ireland, the ancient folk and religious rituals of All Saints' Day (Memorial Day) were eagerly picked up in America. Over time, their meaning was emasculated, and the holiday turned into a reckless and cheerful halloween- a typical phenomenon of mass culture. halloween does not carry any religious, sacred or mystical meaning (unlike its historical predecessors - the Celtic Samhain, which is discussed below, and the Catholic All Saints' Day. And refer to halloween only with a fair amount of humor.

Name halloween holiday goes back to Old English All hallow ees – mass of all saints. Over the centuries, this phrase has undergone funny linguistic metamorphoses, turning first into All Hallow's Eve – Hallowe'en and then in Hallowe'en - halloween .

On the halloween we traditionally put in front of the house frightening or funny pumpkins - jack o'lantern to "inspire terror" in neighbors and bystanders. Children and teenagers on halloween dress up in costumes of skeletons, vampires, witches and ghosts (but in general, whoever they want) and go to "scare the townsfolk" and extort mountains of sweets, which halloween the whole child-loving district stocks up in advance.

Curious halloween story and rituals associated with the pumpkin and the appearance of mummers on halloween ( trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat ). According to an old Irish legend, Jack was a terrible greedy man, so he was not allowed into heaven. However, he was also not allowed into hell, because he dared to play the devil himself. After death, Jack had to wander with his lantern all over the earth until the day of the Last Judgment. In the old days in Europe jack o'lantern made from improvised turnips or beets, and the modern Americanized tradition prescribes the use pumpkin(It's also much more convenient, because the pumpkins are big!).

The roots of the tradition of dressing up in frightening costumes on Halloween lie in the desire of the ancient Celts to confuse the evil spirits that returned to earth during Samhain. Fearing a meeting with a ghost, people put on masks when leaving the house. Seeing a frightening mask, a ghost could take a person for "his". Another measure aimed at bribing the ghost involved putting treats outside the doors of the dwelling. The ancient Celts believed that by accepting the gift, the spirits would get rid of the inhabitants of the house.

History of Halloween

At the end of October-beginning of November, our ancient ancestors celebrated the end of autumn and the arrival of winter - a dark and cold period of the year. Winter for ancient people meant the onset of cold and food restrictions, the transition to living indoors. The sacred meaning of winter is "the dream of the Earth in non-existence before the birth of a new spring" (see Maslenitsa, Easter). Ancient pagan holidays Samhain (Samhain) at the Celts Autumn Grandfathers and Makoshye the Slavs are filled with the same meaning and rituals. Remembrance of deceased ancestors, requests for patronage and communication with the dead were important spiritual practices for the ancients.

Samhain - a holiday of the last harvest and remembrance of the dead

By the end of October, cattle were herded into winter stalls and the last harvest was completed. Part of the cattle was slaughtered and stocks of meat were made, which were stored in the cold and tried to hold out until spring. The end of the annual cycle of agriculture and animal husbandry was associated with the end of earthly life. Thus, Samhain was also the festival of death in its ancient, sacred sense.

In Samhain there was silent supper ritual (Dumb Supper) when a free seat was laid at the table for a deceased ancestor. The night of Samhain is the border between the two halves of the year, light and dark, a magical time, when, according to the beliefs of the Celts, the door opens between the physical, "real" world and the world of spirits. This means that with the advent of darkness, spirits can penetrate the world of people.

Samhain had a tradition of dressing up as evil spirits. Young people put on masks of the dead, hiding their real faces, and went from house to house with lamps. Icon lamps at that time were made from turnips, for which the vegetable was devastated from the inside, and faces were cut out in the walls. A candle was placed inside the turnip to scare away evil spirits. Mummers in frightening costumes knocked on doors and entertained the villagers in exchange for treats or coins.

Another popular activity on Samhain was divination. They guessed on egg white, apple peel, roasted nuts (and there were a lot of nuts at this time of the year). The purpose of fortune-telling was to find out the name of the future spouse, the number of children and the place of residence of the new family.

All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day

Celebrated for many centuries throughout pagan Europe, the days of the dead, of course, could not be eradicated by Christianity. In the 8th century, the Catholic Church linked pagan festivals with Christian Happy All Saints(officially celebrated on November 1). AT Catholic countries All Saints' Day (All Souls' Day) still a favorite for many family holiday, sad and bright.

Ancient Russian holidays of the transition of autumn into winter

In the north and east of Europe, winter colds come earlier, so in Russia the arrival of winter was celebrated earlier. In the middle October celebrated in Russia Cover , or Intercession Holy . The name Pokrov is associated with the first hoarfrost that covered the earth. The cover was the "official" transition of life to the winter course: by this day, the cattle were transferred to the stalls, the field work, they began to drown in houses, the girls sat down at the yarn, sewing, embroidery and gatherings, it was time for weddings. With the establishment of Christianity, the Intercession was given a different meaning: it began to be celebrated in honor of the Mother of God and her payment (veils).

Soon after the Intercession, a period of commemoration of the dead began, which was called Autumn Grandfathers (Dzyady) - this holiday is still preserved in Belarus. The calendar opposite of this holiday is the spring Radunitsa, when people went to the burial places to meet with the dead. In the fall, they "received" the souls of the dead at home. At this time, houses were cleaned cleanly and a lot of food was cooked. With the onset of dusk, they sat down at the tables to commemorate dead relatives. A device was always placed on the table and food was left for a recently deceased relative, and the doors were left open for spirits during the meal. After the meal, dishes and food were left on the table. The rituals of the Grandfathers served as guides for the souls of the dead to paradise.

Finally, at the very end October came makoshe - the day of "closing the earth and water" for the winter (land and water were covered with snow and ice). Makosh (Mokosh, Makosh, Mokosh), or Makusha (Mokusha) - the ancient East Slavic goddess of the family, the "spinner of fate" and prosperity, the patroness of women. Perhaps, at some period, Makosh was one of the incarnations of Veles, because. often in ancient sources there is a spelling of her name in the masculine gender (Makosh, Mokosh). Mokosh's day was traditionally considered the fifth day of the week. The cult of Friday is an old pagan cult that existed not only among the Slavs, but also among other Indo-European peoples. The Slavic Mokosh has many features similar to the German Freya and the Roman Venus. With the establishment of Christianity in Russia, the image of Makosh disappeared into the features of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa.

T traditional Slavic pagan holidays are associated with nature and the events taking place in it, they contain and conceal a deep sacred essence and meaning. The rites that our great ancestors-ancestors once performed in the old days are designed to ensure peaceful coexistence and harmony with Mother Pri GENUS oh, connection with our GENUS nye Slavic Gods. Kolo year among the Slavs it is divided by four seasons (winter, spring, summer, autumn), in each of which great holidays are specially celebrated: 2 solstices (solstice) in winter and summer - the time when the Sun is reborn: the old Sun fades away, but a new one takes its place - emerging, young and 2 equinoxes (spring and autumn). The sun has long been especially revered by the Slavs as a symbol and source of life on earth, giving warmth and light to everything. alive ohm. And this happens every year, all the time, no matter what. h discontinuous cola(circle), in the form of which the ancient Slavs represented our Universe.

To each Slavic holiday is a special ritual action dedicated to the veneration of a particular Deity of the Slavic pantheon or events occurring in nature in different time. As a rule, Slavic holidays are accompanied by cheerful and wide folk festivals, songs, round dances and various fortune-telling, youth gatherings and brides' bridesmaids. But there are also such days in the Slavic kologod where there is no place for fun - these are the days of honoring the deceased relatives and close people, as well as holidays where evil spirits and deities were revered. At some festivities, masks and masks(skins of wild animals), in which people dressed up so that evil spirits would not recognize.

FROM lavian New Year it is more correct to call new year, which falls on Kolyada - December 25 (cold). For Orthodox Christians, this date falls Nativity(according to the old true style). Few people know now that in the old days our ancestors celebrated the New Year on March 1, and then on September 1, and only from 1700, by decree of Emperor Peter I, was ordered celebrate the New Year on January 1st. But is it much more logical for Orthodox Christians to celebrate the New Year on the birthday of their Lord Jesus Christ, and not on the day of his circumcision? But, turning to the ancient Jewish Old Testament tradition, it becomes clear to us why Peter I (according to some sources, being a Freemason) chose this day as the date of the New Year's celebration. It turns out that, according to ancient Jewish law and customs, an "uncircumcised" baby is none other than pagan the circumcised is revered by God.

AT In this section of the site, we tried to create a reconstruction of the Slavic pagan calendar, but without going too far from modernity in deep antiquity, because we got something "middle" between the ancient Slavic calendar and neopagan. In no case do we pretend to be absolute truth, and we have no doubt that over time the Slavic calendar will be improved.

January (Sechen, Stuzhen)

January 1 (section, cold) is celebrated Day of Frost (Frost). Once upon a time, god of bitter cold Morok walked through the villages, sending hard frosts. The villagers, wanting to protect themselves from the cold, put gifts on the window: pancakes, jelly, cookies, kutya. Now Morok has turned into a kind old man - Santa Claus, who distributes gifts to children. It became so quite recently, in the middle of the 19th century. By the way, there is a deep ritual meaning in decorating the Christmas tree: according to legend, the spirits of ancestors live in evergreens. Therefore, decorating the fir tree with sweets, we bring gifts to our ancestors. Such is the ancient custom. This day, like the one before it Schedrets, family holiday.

From January 1 to January 6 (cold) are celebrated Veles Days or Terrible, Conjuring Evenings - The second part Big Veles Christmas holidays, which start with Frost Day (Frost) and end Turks. Among the people, these six days are marked by rampant evil spirits. The first half of Christmas time was devoted to the future harvest and fortune-telling about marriage, and the second was associated with cattle and beasts. Veles could act both in the form of a bear - the "forest king", and in the form of a bull-tour - a representative of horned wealth. At Veles Christmas time they baked ceremonial cookies in the form of domestic animals ("cows", "goats", "donuts", "horns"), dressed up in animal skins and masks, danced in sheepskin coats turned inside out (so that evil spirits would not recognize).

January 6 (section) Slavs celebrate Tourists Winter. This family holiday is dedicated to one of the totem and most revered animals among the Slavs - Tur, the embodiment of the union of Veles and Perun. Tour is the son Veles and Makoshi and patronizes shepherds, guslars and buffoons, valiant prowess, dancing and fun, as well as groves and forest animals. Another name for this day Vodokres. This day completes the Christmas atrocities. It's time when the Gates of Navi are closed, and the world of Yavi acquires its usual orderliness. About this time, the Spark of Heavenly Fire (Kres) from the Svarozh Forge falls into the waters of the Earth, endowing them with miraculous properties. They also believe that at this time Veles - the Giver of Health - blesses all earthly waters, so that everyone who bathes in them on this day will be healed of all kinds of ailments. Orthodox Christians celebrated on this day Epiphany(otherwise known as Epiphany).

January 8 (section) are celebrated Babi Kashi. On this day, it is customary to honor midwives (now midwives) and women in labor. They brought gifts and treats, kvass, pancakes, pies and fruits. They came with children so that the grandmothers would bless them. It was especially recommended that expectant mothers and young girls go to grandmothers on this day.

January 13 (cold, cut) celebrated Mara Winter - a holy day when the great dark mistress, the mistress of the winter cold, enters her full strength. This day is considered by the people "terrible", dangerous for all living things. His do not celebrate as a holiday itself, so ethnographic information about it is extremely scarce. So, it is known that this day is one of the most "unlucky" days of the year. This is due to the fact that, according to folk beliefs, about this time, the Fever, or the Shaking Sisters, the daughters of Mara, who live in the gloomy dungeons of the world of Navi, are "released" into the wild. On the night of this day, porridge, milk and bread are left on the table for brownie, asking for welfare. If Likho "settled" in the house, they turn to Domovoy for help.

January 21 (cold), according to folklore Prosinets - the holiday of the revival of the Sun, which is celebrated with water blessing. On this day, the Slavs bathed in cold river water and made grandiose feasts, in which milk and dairy products must have been present. Praise Heavenly Svarga- the world of all gods.

January 28 (cold, cut)- the day of honoring the House Master, who is also called by the people "Kudesami". If, on this day, Domovoy is not honored, he may be "offended" and stop helping the household, the grandfather-neighbor from a kind keeper of the hearth can turn into a rather dashing spirit. Then everything in the house can go to waste: the owners will lose their desire to work, illnesses will appear, troubles and misfortunes will pile up, the economy will fall into decay. After all, Brownie is a family guardian spirit, the spirit of the Ancestors, insulting which, a person cuts the roots of his Family Tree. To honor Domovoy, after dinner, a pot of porridge is left for him on the table, which is covered with hot coals so that the porridge does not cool down until midnight, when he comes from under the stove to have dinner. Since then, he has been quiet throughout the year.

February (Lute, Snezhen)

February 1 (2) (lute, snowfall) Slavic holiday is celebrated "Gromnitsa" - the meeting of Winter with Spring on the World of Yavi, when the forces of the Young Spring give the first battle to the forces Moraine-Winter, and the only time in winter time when Perunov Thunder rumbles and you can see lightning. Therefore, the Serbs call him "Svjetlo". Dedicated to Perun's wife Dodole-Malanjice(Lightning) - the goddess of lightning and feeding children. Gromnitsa - one of the titles of the Mother of God (Mother of the Gods of Light) goddess Dawn, on this day, also called Queen Molonya or Melania. On this day, they pay her the following requirements: salt, garlic, chicken, porridge, bread, poppy flowers. Gromnitsa is also revered by the first invocations of Spring.

February 3 (lute) celebrated Small Velesov Day or Veles-Wolf Matchmaker - a holy day dedicated to Veles the Wolf Matchmaker, anticipating the Small Veles (Wolf) Christmas time and the Great Veles Day. At the time of dual faith in Russia, this date was the day of Simeon and Anna, which was also called Little Vlasiy. The people said: "Semyon and Anna are fixing the harness, and Vlasy is saddling the horses." According to popular beliefs, horses "ride" Vlasiy Domovoy ("Dashing Brownie, horses drive in at night"), and in order to prevent this, a whip, mittens and onuchi were tied to the horse at night. The brownie then does not dare to touch the horse, imagining that the owner himself is sitting on it. This day is called "Repairs", because right now they are inspecting and repairing the summer harness. It is often said: "Prepare the cart in winter, and the sleigh in summer." On this day, straw is boiled: "A strawman has arrived in the yard, start repairs."

FROM4 to 10 February (lute) are celebrated Small Velesovs or Wolf, Christmas time - a series of holy days between Veles the Small (February 3) and Veles the Great (February 11): 4 lutes - Veles Studeny, 5 lutes - Veles Korovich (or Veles Korovyatnik), 6 lutes - Veles Telyatnik, 7 lutes - Veles the Crafty, 8 lutes - Veles Serpovidets, 9 lute - Veles Zhitny Grandfather and, finally, 10 lute - Veles Zimobor. "Wolf" Small Veles Christmas time is called because these days the fate of the wolves is decided, who and with whom will lead the cubs - the so-called "wolf weddings" are played.

11 February (lute, snowfall)(the following options are also possible: 10 or 12th of February) is noted AT forest day - Veles "knocks down the horn of Winter", the Cow Festival is celebrated in the villages (for Veles is not only the God of Wisdom, but also the "Cattle God"), they create amulets for cattle and the yard, they ask Veles for protection and protection, and for cattle and good to everyone - offspring. Prophetic sorcerers, inspired storytellers, violent buffoons honor Veles - the Wise God especially: magic and chanting, zeal and praise ...

From 12 to 18 February (lute) pass "Veles Days" - six days, during which amazing things happen to those who honored Veles.

February 16 (lute) are celebrated Name day Kikimora - the day when people create amulets at home. For Orthodox Christians, this date was the day of Maremyana the Righteous, popularly nicknamed Meremyana-Kikimora. Sometimes she helps the owners, warns them of trouble, but sometimes she harms them in small ways. On this day, with special offerings, they tried to appease Kikimora (the supporter of Morena and Makoshi, the wife of the Brownie), so that she would not confuse yarn and misbehave at night. That's what the people said: "To Maremyana Yarilo - with a pitchfork." For, according to popular belief, about this time, Yarilo Velesich "lifts the winter on the pitchfork."

February 21 (lute) celebrated Spring (Stribog Winter) - the day when the winter winds, Stribog's grandchildren, bring the first news of the coming spring warmth. At the time of dual faith, this date was the day of Timothy Vesnovey. The people said: "Spring warmly welcomes", "Timofey Vesnovey - it's already warm at the door", "February Timothy - Vesnovey, no matter how angry the blizzard, everything blows in the spring", "Live to Spring, and there the winter is not terrible", "Spring brings spring yar ", "Timofey Vesnovey - the messenger of warm days", "Warmly welcomes - it blows warmly, warms the old people", "Spring warmth blows - warms the old", "The spring wind of change blows from the south" and urged: "Spring, spring, bring warmth to the village", "March bought a fur coat from winter, but sold it three days later."

February 29 (lute)- once every four years leap year) is noted Koshcheev Day. On this day, the Koshny God "returns" to people in the form of all kinds of disasters the untruth they have created. But the Wise teach not to be afraid of this, but to turn in the Heart to the NATIVE Gods for admonition and strength in order to be able to reject Falsehood and live by the Truth ...

March (Berezol, Dry)

March 1 (birch, dry) is celebrated Madder Day or Navi Day - the holiday of the resurrection of the dead and the last day of the strength and power of the evil Navi Gods before the arrival of Spring. Orthodox Christians have a day on this date Saint Evdokia, who led the coming of Spring. With the onset of March, the Slavs begin ritual visits to graves with the offering of trebs. On this day, long-dead people are brought into the water, saying: "Shine, shine, Sunshine! I'll give you an egg, Like a chicken lays in an oak forest, Take it to paradise, May all souls be happy."

March 9 (birch) conduct the second Calls of Spring (Goddesses alive) created from the tops of the hills, from which the snow has already begun to melt, popularly called "Yarylin bald patches". According to Slavic beliefs, on this day forty birds fly from Bright Iriy (from that this holiday is called Magpies), signifying the approach of the Virgin of Spring. On whose field the birds land first, the Gods will send special luck and a good harvest this year.

From March 18 to March 24 (birch) on the Slavic land passes Maslenitsa week (week), which separates the two main seasons in the Slavic folk calendar - winter and spring. These are cheerful send-offs, illuminated joyful anticipation close warmth, spring renewal of nature. In the old days, street festivities began these days, ice slides were built. At the farewell to Maslenitsa, fisticuffs were arranged, and an effigy of Maslenitsa was burned. In ancient times carnival festivities lasted not one, but two weeks.

March 23 (24)(birch, birch) - on the day of the vernal equinox, the Slavs celebrate a great holiday "Shrovetide". The second name of this holiday is "Komoeditsa" (bel.), which celebrate when the day becomes longer than the night, when nature awakens and the Sun-child Horse becomes a young man Yarila. (20th of March). There are also options for the date of the celebration: 21st and 22nd and 25th March. Being a purely pagan holiday, Maslenitsa was also adopted by Christianity, but not according to the solar (pagan), but according to the lunar calendar, therefore, in Orthodox Christianity, Maslenitsa has a floating date.

March 25 (birch) Svarga opens, and finally descends to Earth Spring - Goddess Zhiva. In her honor, not only people celebrate, but all living things. On this day, you can’t work, but only glorify Spring, the triumph of life over death. Spring is called for the third time. With the onset of the morning, they treat themselves to cookies in the form of larks, release live birds from their cages into the wild, calling for spring.

March 30 (birch) are celebrated Brownie's name day - honoring the house owner and bringing him special requests. Orthodox Christians have a day on this date John of the Ladder. In Russia, it was customary to bake on this day "ladders (ladders) for the future ascent to heaven" from lean rye dough. The sizes, shapes and number of steps were very diverse, but usually there were 12 of them - "according to the number of months in a year." Also on this day, they tried in every possible way to appease the "furious" until midnight (or until the first roosters) Brownie.

April (Tsveten, Kveten)

3 April (bloom) a holiday is celebrated Waterpol(Vodyanoy's name day)- the awakening of the Watermen and mermaids after a winter sleep, the beginning of the ice drift and the flood of the rivers. At the time of dual faith in Russia, this day was celebrated Nikita Vodopol. On this day, the fishermen brought the demand to the Waterman, noted: "If the ice doesn't break that day, the fish catch will be poor." At midnight, they came to the water and treated the Waterman, drowning someone else's horse: "Here's a housewarming present for you, grandfather: love, favor our family." For this occasion, the most worthless horse was bought. When the fishermen appease him with a good present, he lures large fish from other rivers to him, saves the fishermen from storms and drowning, and does not tear the nets and nonsense. If a suitable horse is not found, the fishermen endow Vodyany with a different gift - they pour oil into the river.

April 5(bloom)- warm winds, Stribog's grandchildren, bring spring warmth, interspersed with bad weather ... Spring warmth comes, crickets wake up. Slavs celebrate Stribog Veshny. Orthodox Christians celebrated on this day Fedula Vetrenika and Fyodor Vetrenitsa. The people said: “Fedul came - he blew with warmth”, “Fedul blew with a teplyak”, “Northern blows to Fedul, and it pulls warm from Fedul”, “Fedul came, a warm wind blew, opened the windows, heated the hut without yards”. If there was bad weather on Fedul, they said: "Now our Fedul blew his lips from the wind."

April 14 (bloom, bloom) celebrated Voronets (Raven Feast) - a holy day dedicated to the Prophetic Raven. Croaking over the house where they do not live according to the Law, Raven, as the messenger of the Kochny God, calls on the wicked Navia punishment. To the wise, Raven, as a supporter of Veles, brings Living and Dead Water in his beak and reveals the secrets of Life and Death ...

FROMApril 16 to 22 (bloom) are celebrated First Rusalia - a series of holy days preceding Yarila Veshny, magical week (week) dedicated to honoring the Virgin Leli- the young Goddess of Spring and virgin Nature, seething waters and awakened female water spirits - shoreline mermaids. About this time, maidens in long-sleeved shirts without amulets, like mermaids, perform a "twisted dance" in the fields, not allowing guys into their circle.

April 22 (sour, flowering)- celebration of the Slavic Women's Day - Lelnik. This holiday is not only the Russian folk analogue of the "generally accepted" March 8, but also a kind of continuation of Maslenitsa, since this is the time of a new appeal to the goddess Lele. Having fulfilled Maslenitsa, up to Lelnik, the Holiday - the name of the Goddess herself, Lelya stays in the Kingdom of her eldest (out of three) Mother - the goddess Frets. Calling Lelya on their own name day, the people meet Lelya, who is transformed in all her glory - thanks to her Mother - the Goddess of Love.

From April 22 (bloom) on May 10 (grass) a holiday is celebrated "Red hill", which starts with Lelnik and end with Mother Earth Day. This is a holiday of red spring, fun, round dances, symbolizing the meeting of boys and girls, the holiday of kisses and the beginning of sexual activity, akin to the fact that Spring is the beginning of a new life for all nature, it is also the first spring festivity of young girls. Krasnaya Gorka was not a fixed holiday of one day. The holiday lasted for several days or even weeks and therefore was a real event in the life of young people.

April 23(bloom) was considered the Day of Yarila ("Yarilo Veshny"). On this day, an important ceremony is held - "Unlocking the Earth", or in another way - ZaROD (birth). On this day, Yarila "unlocks" (fertilizes) Mother Cheese-Earth and releases dew, from which the rapid growth of herbs begins.

April 30(sour, flowering) the last spring colds are ending and the "Rodonitsa". With the sunset, the beginnings are opened. On this day, they commemorate their ancestors, urge them to visit the earth: "Fly, dear grandfathers..." They go to the graves, bringing funeral gifts: pancakes, oatmeal jelly, millet porridge, painted Easter eggs. After the beginning, the feast begins: the warriors on the mountain "fight for the dead", showing their martial art. Colored eggs are rolled from a high mountain, competing. The winner is the one whose egg rolls the farthest without breaking. By midnight, on the same mountain, firewood is laid out for a large fire.

May (Traven)

May 1 (grass), midnight the holiday begins - Living Day. Alive (abbreviated form of the name Givena, or Ziewonia, which means "giving life") - the goddess of life, spring, fertility, birth, zhita-grain. Daughter frets, spouses Dazhbog. Goddess of Spring and Life in all its manifestations; bearer Life Force ROD, making all living things actually alive. She is the Goddess of the life-giving forces of nature, spring bubbling waters, the first green shoots; patroness of young girls and young wives. With the advent of Christianity, her cult replaced Paraskeva Friday.

From 1 to 7 May (grass) pass Spring Grandfathers(Navia Week)- a series of holy days preceding Earth Day, the week of commemoration of the Ancestors, when navia (souls of the dead) visit the living on Earth.

May 2 (grass) celebrate Sunrise Day. The celebration of the Day of Shoots begins on the tops of mountains or hills. On this day, they thanked Mother-Cheese-Earth and Yarila Svarozhich for the first sprouts in the fields. A few days ago, the earth was empty - and now everything comes to life right before our eyes, and from the top of the hill it is especially clearly visible. Everything begins to grow, bloom, smell with a very special spring smell, the nightingales sing. Spring has come to the Russian Land!

May 4 (grass) celebrated Mermaid day(Rusalkin Velikden), or Zelnik, which is usually moved to Thursday. On this day, mermaids are revered, special dew forms on the herbs, which is why they are considered healing. In the Kiev region on Rusalkin Thursday, at sunrise, the girls went to the field, having previously taken rye bread and sacred water with them. In the field, the girls shared the bread equally. Then each went to her father's harvest. There, on the edge of the field, she left that bread for the mawks - "to give birth to rye" ...

May 6 (grass) celebrated Day of Dazhbog or Dazhbog Veshny. Dazhbog- God of fertility and sunlight, life-giving force. The ancestor of the Slavs (according to the text of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" the Slavs are Dazhbozh's grandchildren). According to Slavic legends, Dazhbog and Zhiva together revived the world after the Flood. Lada, Zhiva's mother, married Dazhbog and Zhiva. Then the betrothed gods gave birth to Arius, who, according to legend, became the progenitor of many Slavic peoples and tribes - Czechs, Croats, Kyiv glades.

May 7 (grass) celebrated span - Old Slavic holiday of the meeting of summer. On this day, protective rites of awakening the earth (in particular, the rite of ploughing) are performed, bringing strength, health and good luck. This is the holy day on which the goddess is resurrected Alive- and honored as a birthday girl. On this day, a sacred fire is lit, marking the beginning of summer. There are wide folk festivals, buffoons, games, round dances, songs and dances to traditional Slavic instruments: drum, kugikly, pipes, pipes.

May 9 (grass) celebrated Earth Day (Veshnee Makoshye) - a holy day when Mother Earth Cheese, awakened after a winter sleep, is honored as a birthday girl. It is believed that on this day the Earth "rests", so you can not plow, dig, harrow it, you can not stick stakes into it and throw knives. Especially revered on this day Veles and Makosh- earthly patrons. The Magi go out into the field, lie down on the grass and listen to the Earth.

From May 20 to May 30 (travnya) is celebrated "Breast Rosnoe" (Roda week). These days, the Magi made sacrifices and prayed to Rod for rain and a good harvest.

May 21 (grass) perform a special ceremony "Reindeer-Lennichi", which is designed to ensure the growth of flax so that it becomes taller.

From May 26 (grass) on June 2 (Sunday) are celebrated Green Christmas time(Second Rusalia)- a series of holy days preceding Yarila Wet, magical week , dedicated to seeing off spring and accompanying women's spirits - mermaids-bereginy. The time when to replace the young Virgo Lele comes mature woman- Wife Lada. About this time they see off Kostroma- Yarilin's sister, dipping her scarecrow (which is usually woven from grass and decorated with flowers) into the water, and then tearing it and scattering the remains across the field. This sacred action is performed by prophetic virgins, dressed in the guise of mermaids and long-sleeved shirts without amulets.

May 30 (grass) celebrated Spring snake - snake festival, which is celebrated during Green Christmas time; one of the Kologod Holy Days dedicated to Veles. Wedding of Veles and Alive. according to legend, about this time, the snakes, the panders of Velesov, come out into the world, bringing fertility to the Earth.

June (Kresen, Cherven)

June 4 (Chernya, Sunday) pan-Slavonic Yarilin Day or, in other words, Yarilo Wet. In early June, nature pleases the eye with a riot of colors. Yarilo opens the sky, and green herbs are pouring magic power. Spring is leaving, summer is coming. Before sunrise, they wash themselves with healing dew, go around the fields with bread, illuminate houses and gates. On this day, the Yarilo-Sun shows its strength. At the beginning, the Fire burns unusually hot. Semargl the Fire God helps his heavenly brother. After the day of Yarila, hot weather usually sets for seven days. That is why this holiday is also called Semik.

June 15 (black, Sunday) celebrated Stribog Day. On this day, they bring the demand to the wind - they scatter pieces of bread on all four sides around the house. Then flour or ashes from the bones of the sacrificial rooster are poured into the wind from a high place. On this day, it is especially forbidden to "throw words to the wind", although this is not welcome on other days.

From 19to June 24 (Sunday) pass Mermaid Days, in which an important cycle of rituals takes place, associated with the "seeing off the mermaids", the "egg charm", the "mermaid charm". Mermaid days pass after "Semik" (Yarilin Day). The clay calendar of the 4th century defines a special series of days immediately before Kupala, including the great holiday itself.

From 23 to 24 June(flint, worm) a great feast is celebrated "Kupala" timed to coincide with the day of the summer solstice (solstice). The start date of the festival can also be June 21 and 22. The holiday of the Sun and Water, which give rise to all living things, is the time of the flowering of the forces of Mother Nature. Orthodox Christians celebrated on June 24 the day of John the Baptist (Ivan Kupala). In the evening, when the setting sun does not yet touch the edge of the forest, the holiday begins. All the action takes place in a clearing near the river bank. A bonfire with a long pole in the middle is prepared in advance, on which a Kupala wheel with six spokes is mounted. Separately, they build a funeral steal (for a doll) and a small bather, through which the betrothed will jump. It should burn not far from the big bather, but in such a way that it would be possible to dance.

June 29 (Sunday, worm) celebrated Summer Svarozhye(Svarogov Day). On this day, the celebration of the Heavenly (Svarog) Fire and the Sun is performed, usually occurring at the very height of the summer heat ... This is one of those rituals and festivities that often passes us by in the bustle and fleetingness of everyday life. On the same date, Orthodox Christians had Peter's Day (Peter and Paul's Day).

July (Lipen)

July 5 (linden) are celebrated Name Day of the Month - a holiday dedicated to honoring the clear Moon and its highest patrons - Veles the Horned and Mary the Moon-faced. At the time of dual faith in Russia, this date was the day Athanasius of Athos. The people said: "Afanasiev Day - Months holiday". About this time they go out to look at the "playing" of the Moon. If the Moon is visible at sunrise, it seems to be running from place to place, or changing its color, or sometimes hiding behind the clouds, sometimes coming out from behind them. All this happens because the Moon celebrates its Name Day on this day. "Playing" of the Month is a happy omen: "On Athanasius, the Moon plays at sunrise - to the harvest."

July 12 (linden) celebrated Veles sheaf day. The days are killing and the heat is coming. From this day on, they begin to mow and make hay. "Mow the scythe while the dew is down with the dew, and we are home!" On this day, the first tied sheaf was revered, into which, as the mowers believed, the spirit of the field, and hence the spirit of Veles, passed during mowing. These days they stopped plowing and began to prepare for winter sowing. There was this proverb: "To plow until Veles' day, to harrow it until Perun's day, to sow until the Savior." On this date, it is the same Election of victims of Perun. Prepare for the Day of Perun (20 lipen) 8 days. Eight days before that day, lots are thrown (features, to determine the victim, and cuts, to determine its quantity).

July 19 (black, lime) celebrated Summer Makosh(Summer Mokrids)- Holy Mokosh-Mokrina. At the time of dual faith in Russia, Makrinin (Mokrinin) day was celebrated on this day. The people noted: “If Mokrida is wet, then autumn is also, Mokrida is dry - and autumn is dry”, “If it’s wet on Mokrida, then it’s a rainy season”, “A bucket on Mokrida is dry autumn”, “If it’s raining on Mokrida - all autumn it will be rainy, and there will be no nuts - everything will get wet. Summer Mokrid Day is also considered important for the next year: "If it rains on Mokrid, rye will be born next year."

July 20 (linden, chervnia) the great military holiday is celebrated - Perunov Day; the great Holy Day of all the warriors-defenders of the NATIVE Earth, as well as all honest radar-plowmen. According to popular beliefs, evil spells are washed away by rain on this day - "dashing ghosts" (evil eye and damage) and many diseases.

July 27 (black, lime) a holiday is celebrated Chura (Palikopa, Polykopne) - God of protection, protection of property, watchman of clan customs, patron of borders, hearth. The Slavs remember their foolish ancestors to take care of our bread, to keep not only our sheaves, but also our Russia and centuries-old great culture. On this day Churu is brought with milk. A hole is dug at the boundary stone and milk is poured into it. On the Chura holiday, you cannot work away from home. The owner must be in his yard, thereby honoring Chur.

August (Serpen, Zhniven)

1 august (sickle) the First Savior is celebrated, which is popularly called honey or wet. The name "honey" is explained by the fact that it was at this time that the bees stop collecting nectar from flowers, the honeycombs in the hives are filled to capacity and the beekeepers begin to collect honey, while the first honeycombs donated to departed spirits, in remembrance of deceased parents. On this day, according to folk tradition, the holy e honey of the new collection, its use in food is blessed - they bake honey gingerbread, pancakes with poppy seeds and honey, pies, buns, buns with poppy seeds.

August 6 (sickle) called Apple Savior, since at the beginning of August the picking of apples and vegetables begins, while until that day it was forbidden to eat garden apples. "The second Savior has come - it's an hour for everything: the fruits are ripening", "The Savior is not without supplies." Orthodox Christians celebrated the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on this day. There was a belief among the people that the one who eats an apple before the Savior, the dead children will not receive an apple in Iria (Paradise).

August 8 (serpenya) celebrated windmill(Stribog Summer)- violent winds, Stribog's grandchildren, bring the first news of the coming autumn ... At the time of dual faith in Russia, this date was the day Myron Vetrogon. According to signs, strong winds blow on this day. The people were talking about it: "The wind-running myrons drive dust along the road, they moan along the red flying hole", "The wind-running winds drove the dust around the wide world, wept in the red summer", "What is Myron the Windrunner, such is January."

August 15 (serpenya, stubble) the feast of the end of the harvest is celebrated, which is popularly called Backs. On this day, they thank Dazhbog Trisvetly and Mother Cheese-Earth for the harvest, bring the requirements of Makosh (Mother of the Harvest) and braid Veles's "beard" on the field from the last ears. Orthodox Christians celebrated the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos on this day. By August 9, the harvest ends on most of the Slavic Land, hence the name of the holiday - Spozhinki(dozhinki, crimps).

FROMAugust 15 to 28 (serpenya) celebrated Ladino Poletier - "young Indian summer", a series of holy days dedicated to the Goddess Lada, one of the last warm days of summer.

August 16 (sickle) the Third Savior is celebrated, which was popularly called bread, because on this day for the first time they baked pies from the bread of the new crop. The people also called this holiday "Savior on the canvas" or "Savior on Canvas" ("Canvas Savior"), because in the places of large fairs from the day of the third Savior, a linen auction began, the sale of linen and canvases. They called the Third Spas and walnut, for by this day the hazelnuts were ripe and their collection began with subsequent harvesting.

August 18 (sickle) a holiday is celebrated "Khoroyar" - the day of honoring two solar brothers, Khors and Yarila - the patrons of horses. In the era of dual faith in Russia, the day of Flora (Frol) and Lavra, the patrons of horses, was celebrated to this day: "On Frol and Lavr - a horse holiday", "I begged Frol and Lavr - wait for the horses to be good."

August 22 (serpenya, stubble) are celebrated Leshy's name day - honoring the Forest Master and bringing him special requests. At the time of dual faith in Russia, this date was the day Agathon Ogumennik. According to popular beliefs, on the night of Agathon, Leshy (if he is not appeased first) scatters sheaves on the threshing floor and generally does all sorts of atrocities, celebrating his Name Day. The people said: "On Agathon Leshy comes out of the forest into the field." In some provinces, to prevent the fun of Leshy, the peasants guarded the threshing floor all night long with a poker in their hands and in sheepskin coats turned inside out in order to protect themselves from mischief being committed by Leshy.

September (Veresen, Ryuen)

From 1 to 7 September (spring) celebrated Makoshino Poletye - "old Indian summer", a series of holy days dedicated to the Goddess Mokosh the Ancestor, the last warm days of the outgoing summer. Orthodox Christians celebrated September 1 Simeon Pilot. People talked about it like this: "Semyon sees off summer, Indian summer begins."

September 8 and 9 (Ryuenya, Veresenya) a holiday is celebrated ROD and Rozhanits (Osenins, Ospozhinki) dedicated to the harvest and related family well-being. Summing up time. Autumn meeting - honoring Makoshi like Mother Osenina. On this day, they bring the requirements of the Family of the All-Keeper (All-God) and the Family of Heaven (our Ancestors-Ancestors), and also glorify the KIND of the Earth (all relatives in govern living): "Glory to God (ROD) forever, praise to us for deeds" ... Orthodox Christians celebrated the Nativity of the Virgin on this day. Autumn holidays were celebrated, as a rule, by the water and without fail with oatmeal bread. The people said: "If the weather on the Malaya Immaculate (Mother of God) is good, the autumn will be good."

September 14 (Veresen, Ryuen) celebrated Autumn Serpentine - autumn snake festival; one of the holy days of Kologod, dedicated to Veles. Wedding of Veles and Mary. Orthodox Christians celebrated on this day Exaltation of the Cross (Simeon the Stylite). In the folk calendar, this day was associated with the beginning of autumn work and the end of the harvest. It is believed that from this day the departure of birds begins, the bear goes to the den, and the snakes celebrate the wedding of their king, after which they begin to hibernate.

September 20 (spring) celebrated leaf breaker, or Stribog Autumn. On this day, cold winds, Stribog's grandchildren, bring autumn cold, interspersed with the last warm days. At the time of dual faith in Russia, this date was the day of Eustace (Astafia) the leaf slayer.

21 September (ryuenya, springtime) celebrated Svarog Day - holiday of the Heavenly Smith, God Svarog. The rites of closing Svarga (interruption of the living connection between Heaven and Earth) have already passed. Frost fetters the earth from the abyss, the influence of the bright Gods decreases. The land remains in the care of Veles. So that people could survive the difficult (winter) time, Svarog gave them the art of iron forging, from which they can make all kinds of hunting and labor tools. Therefore, blacksmiths, carpenters and all craftsmen are especially honored on this day. From that day on, chickens are slaughtered, and the first ones are sacrificed to Svarog.

September 24 (Vesenya, Ryuenya) Slavs celebrate a great holiday - Radogoshch (Tausen), timed to coincide with the autumn equinox. The harvest is harvested, the autumn sun is Svetovit no longer hot, the trees are preparing for winter sleep, throwing off their beautiful outfits.

October (Leaf fall, Yellow)

October 1 (leaf fall) the holiday of the meeting of Autumn with Winter is celebrated, popularly called Cover. The roots of this festival goes very deep into the original pagan Russia, and, perhaps, was called earlier First or Small Autumn Svarog. On this day, Svarog covers the Earth with a fallen leaf and calls the Light Gods to Heaven (to Svarga). On the ground - the end of autumn round dances and games, the beginning of winter maiden gatherings and weddings.

October 4 (leaf fall) are celebrated Seeing Leshy - farewell to the Forest Master until next spring and thanksgiving for all his gifts collected in the forest over the summer. Leshy is the personified soul of the forest. When winter comes, Leshy and the forest subject to him fall asleep. However, the belief that Leshy sleep all winter until spring was not widespread in Russia everywhere.

From October 21 to October 27 (leaf fall, yellow) are celebrated Autumn grandfathers (Navya Week) - a series of holy days preceding the Autumn Makosh, a week (week) of commemoration of the Ancestors, feasts and other funeral rites. Seeing the souls of the Ancestors to Iriy (until next spring), which, strengthening the Heavenly Clan, become Spirits - Guardians of the Earth Clan.

28 of October (leaf fall, yellow)[on the Friday closest to November 1] is celebrated Autumn Makosh (Autumn Mokrids) - a holy day when Mother Earth Cheese and Empress Water "fall asleep" until next spring. About this time, they bring trebes and ask them for forgiveness for "everything that they have annoyed" them in the year that is ending. This holy day is also dedicated to the Mother Makoshi- The Heavenly spinner, the Lady of Fates, the Holder of the Coil Threads (Threads of Fates) of all things.

From October 31 (leaf fall) to November 1 (breast)- enchanting Velesova (Marina) Night, when Belobog finally gives the Kolo Goda to Chernobog, and the Gates of Navi until the first roosters (or until dawn) are wide open in Yav. The next day (November 1) is sometimes called Marina Day.

November (Breast)

November 1 (breast) celebrated Svarogov Day, the day of God Svarog, who is the Forefather of the whole kind of Gods. It was he who forged the first plow and golden wedding ring, therefore, he is a heavenly blacksmith (Creator of the World and people), the patron of agriculture and marriage, and also the God of the Heavenly Zodiac - Circles of Svarogy.

From 1 to 7 November (breast) celebrated Second, or Great Autumn Svarozhye, also called Svarozhkami - a series of holy days dedicated to Svarog, Forge Heavenly and the Father of the Light Gods - Svarozhich. Svarog week (week). It's time for the final "closing" of Svarga, as well as the time when the Earth begins to be shackled by ice for the winter. A rooster is sacrificed at the temple.

November 21 (breast)- the arrival of Morena-Zima, the day of the Slavic goddess of death Madder . The vile weather sets in: it is drizzling, sleet is falling, a cold wind is blowing, slush underfoot. At the beginning, no praises are pronounced. Obavnitsa proclaims: "And neither Mara nor the trouble can be glorified."

November 24 (breast) the feast of the Goddess of Fate is celebrated (maiden initiation) - Holy Doli . Girls tell fortunes about their spouses. It was on the day of Fate that the girls arranged the main fortune-telling. It was believed that it was on the night before this holiday that, by completely simple signs, one could recognize the betrothed, as well as how life would develop in the next few years and how to get around the evil fate (share). Evening parties. Pregnant women pray to the Goddess for a good and easy birth.

November 30 (breast) celebrated Kalita - bachelor dedication. Holiday of bachelor fate - guys choose a couple. On this day, young guys are initiated into adult guys and accepted into a bachelor society. Young guys jump to Kalita, joining the feminine principle of nature. Evening parties (musical evenings and concerts) are held.

December (Stuzhen)

December 4 (cold) a holiday is celebrated "Vesta". The dawn (dawn) is revered, which symbolizes the struggle between light and dark forces.

December 6 (cold) celebrated Veles-Moroz meeting (Winter Veles) - a holy day when they meet Veles in his winter guise - in the form of Santa Claus. Holiday of Frost, Winter, snow and cold. Frost is also the patron of all winter activities that take place outside the home. Since he is the Son of Veles and Madder, then this day is often marked by thaws. In the evening of this day, feasts are held, at which quarrels are reconciled. Festive Strava (food): Braga, kvass, pies.

December 9 (breast) celebrated day of Dazhbog and Marena. Orthodox Christians celebrated on this day Yuri Kholodny, or Winter Egor. On Yuri, according to folk legend, real winter frosts begin: "Winter eyes with snow amuses, and ears with cold tears." It can be seen that, unable to endure the cold, the bears bury themselves in Yuri's dens, and the wolves will visit the village backyards. Yuri was considered among the people the patron saint of wolves, therefore not one wolf will slaughter (bite) cattle without Yuri's command.

December 24 (breast) celebrated Korochun - the shortest day and the most long night in a year. The triumph of Chernobog and Marena. The Koshny God "shorts" the outgoing year. Celebrated the day before carols(Winter Solstice). The beginning is carried out by the priests Chernobog.

December 25 (cold) celebrated Kolyada - one of the most important holy days of Kologod, timed to coincide with the Winter Solstice (Solstice). On this day, a new sun-baby Khors (God of the Solar Face and the Winter Sun) is born and therefore the Khorsov Holiday is celebrated. About this time, they perform a rite of renewal - the revival of Fire, and burn sacred bonfires on the tops of the hills all night, "helping" the newborn Sun. They also feed kutya (funeral grass) Frost, carol and sing carol songs.

From December 25 (cold) to January 6 (cold) are celebrated Big Veles Christmas time - twelve holy days, symbolizing the twelve months of the year (six light ones - a light half-year, and the other six dark ones - a dark half-year), starting from the eve carols(Kolyada itself is not included in the number of holy days) and until Turits (Vodokres). An enchanting time, when the light of the new Sun is still too weak to disperse the darkness (as it was at the time when Svarog was still forging the Earth's Firmament), and the Gates connecting Yav and Nav are wide open. This is the time to commemorate the ancestors-ancestors - Navi grandfathers, caroling, ritual excesses, various fortune-telling, wide folk festivals and youth gatherings.

December 31 (breast) celebrated Schedrets (Generous Evening) - the last day of Christmas time, which is famous for its lavenders and festive feast. At the time of dual faith in Russia, Christmas time was divided into two parts: lasting from carols to Shchedrets, and Terrible (Vorozhnye) evenings that lasted until Turits. Yuletide evenings (especially Terrible) were considered by the people as a time when devilry walks.

R section development: Yarisvet (structure, texts) and Lynx (postcards, buttons, logos).

AT We express our sincere gratitude for the help: Magus Veleslav and Vadim Kazakov (for the provided texts), Ragnar (for photos of holidays), Bratimilu (for the video of the festivities) and to all other honest people who helped us in our work for the benefit of the common cause - the revival of the native Slavic culture and the faith of our ancestors.

WHAT HALLOWEEN IS, OF COURSE, A HOLIDAY IMPOSSED TO US, SLAVES, AS I WRITTEN ABOVE, THIS HOLIDAY RELATES TO THE CELTICS, AND WHAT WE HAVE TO DO WITH THIS HOLIDAY - THIS IS THE QUESTION? I THINK THIS: OF COURSE, THE ESSENCE OF THE HOLIDAY DOES NOT CHANGE FROM HOW IT IS NAMED AND IN WHAT LANGUAGE. THIS IS WHY MANY ARE USED TO CALL THIS HOLIDAY A FOREIGN WORD HALLOWEEN. I REALLY RESPECT THE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF THE CELTICS, IT IS ALL THE SAME CLOSER TO US, AS ESSENTIALLY THE CELTICS ARE THE SAME GENTIANS. BUT I AM OFFENDED THAT WE, SLAVES, FORGET THAT EXACTLY ON THE NIGHT FROM OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 1 THE OLD SLAVIC HOLIDAY ALWAYS CELEBRATED

Dear friends! By popular demand, my article about the sacred holiday Halloween / Samhain / Veles night is now presented here!

Recently, very often, you see, in our language a word of obviously alien origin began to "flicker" - "Halloween"... Many people are seriously interested in this topic and are trying in every possible way to "outdo" each other in costumes and entourage, which they create especially for this night! Do you know that the holiday itself halloween personally, it has nothing to do with us, the Slavs, because we have our own, native analogue this holiday. But, as they say - first things first!

As always, I propose to initially delve into the World of History and figure out where the very name of this holiday came from, what it carries in itself, what is the purpose of this holiday in general? ...

So it's a holiday in itself halloween has pronounced Scottish roots, therefore it is advisable to associate it with the Celts and their culture.

Interestingly, the prototype halloween, most likely originated only with the advent of the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain, a description of which appears in Old Irish literature from the 10th century onwards. The name of this holiday comes from the Old Irish word Samhain, which meant "end of summer" and later became the Irish name for the month of November (!).

Traditionally, perception samaina as a dark pagan holiday associated with the dead, it owes its appearance to Christian monks of the 10th-11th centuries, who wrote about it about two centuries after the establishment of All Saints' Day and about four hundred years after the adoption of Christianity by Ireland. At the same time, already in the 8th century, All Saints' Day began to gradually replace Samhain; thanks to the interpenetration of Celtic traditions and Catholic rites, the first rudiments of the future Halloween begin to form.

Don't you find it interesting that Christian origins are again so subtly intertwined with pagan origins?...

Like Samhain, Halloween is traditionally celebrated on the night of October 31st to November 1st. In Scotland and Ireland, Samhain was called Oidhche Samhna and Oíche Samhna (in Scottish and Irish respectively), and modern "Gaelic" speakers still refer to Halloween as Oíche/Oidhche Samhna. Until now, in the north of Scotland and Ireland, it is customary to perform rituals to calm the dead and tell legends about ancestors on the night of October 31.

I would like to note that the Scots and Irish in general firmly believed that it was on this day that the Spirits of their deceased relatives returned to earth, and they believed that on this day you can freely communicate with the Spirits, perform certain rituals, etc. A lot interesting is fraught with this wonderful holiday!

Most average people think of Halloween as a fun party. with entertainment, the obligatory attribute of which is the “Jack lamp” (a pumpkin carved in the form of a head with illumination inside - of course, candles are used). Do you know where it came from? Back in the 16th century, there was a radiation gaizinga - begging for sweets on the night of October 31st. Children and adults put on cloth masks and went from one door to another, demanding treats from the owners and petty shawls. The custom of wearing role-playing costumes and carrying a “jack-o-lantern” during gazing appeared only at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and in exchange for money or food, it was initially necessary to offer various entertainments.

On this day and today there is a tradition dress up in carnival, role-playing costumes. Most often, these are costumes that imitate the images of Witches, Vampires, heroes from horror films, etc. For the first time wearing fancy dress Halloween is recorded in 1895 in Scotland, when masked children went from house to house and received cakes, fruit and money. There is not a single mention of such traditions in the USA, Ireland or England before 1900. In Scotland, children who, dressed in carnival costumes, depicting different monsters or other characters, go from house to house and beg for sweets, they call guisers, and the custom itself is Guising (“gaising”, from English guise - wearing a mask, outfit, comic dressing). That's how interesting!

I want to tell you where the tradition of making "jack-o'-lanterns" and what is their purpose. Traditionally, it is considered that pumpkins-lanterns on Halloween day help Souls find their way to Purgatory.

For the first time, "Jack lamps" appeared in the UK, but initially they used swede or turnips for their manufacture. It was believed that a similar fruit, left on All Saints' Day near the house, would drive away evil spirits from it.

There is a very interesting and beautiful legend about the origin of the Jack-o'-lantern tradition.

This is an ancient Irish legend about the miser Jack, who managed to deceive the Devil himself twice and for this he received a promise from him not to encroach on his body.

Money-hungry blacksmith-drunk Jack Lentern p suggested somehow to the Ruler of the Underworld skip a couple of glasses with him in a tavern. When it came time to pay, the enterprising Irishman asked the Devil to turn a coin. After that, Jack, without further ado, quickly put it in his pocket, where just lay a silver cross. The devil was trapped - "in Christ's bosom." And no matter how hard he tried, he could not return to his original form.

Finally, The devil has won his release promising in return not to intrigue Jack for a year, and also after his death not to claim his soul.

For the second time, the cunning blacksmith tricked the gullible Satan around his finger, asking him to climb a tree for fruit. As soon as the Unclean perched on a spreading crown, Jack scrawled a cross on the trunk. So, he bargained for himself another ten years of a carefree life.

Jack could not take advantage of the privileges of a drunkard, because he soon died. After death, the sinner was not allowed into paradise. Neither God nor the Devil needed Jack. The restless Irishman, in anticipation of the Day of Judgment, was forced to roam the Earth, lighting his way with a piece of coal, which the Evil One finally threw to him. Jack put a smoldering fire in an empty gourd and set out on his journey. Hence the name of the lantern.- Jack-o-lantern, short for Jack of the Lantern.

It is very interesting that this holiday has always been associated with Unclean Power, with Witches and Sorcery. Indeed, on this day the line that separates the World of the Living and the World of the Dead is very thin, because it has always been used by Magicians and Occultists. It's interesting that halloween also often called "witchy new year". Interesting, isn't it? And there is an explanation for this, since this day (the night from October 31 to November 1) was considered the beginning of a new calendar cycle according to the Celtic pagan calendar (!), And not only our Slavic ancestors they also honored the dead on this Day, which you can read about at the very end of the article.

Let's not forget that Halloween is also a harvest festival. The harvest has always been associated at all times with prosperity, wealth and prosperity. Fun and festivities on Halloween have always been accompanied by the traditional "dance with apples." According to pagan belief, if a witch sinks her teeth into an apple, then part of her soul remains in it. Then this apple should be eaten as a symbol of health and longevity. If you bury an apple in the yard, hunger and poverty will not come to the door during the long winter. Interesting, isn't it?…

Also, on Halloween night Jack lanterns are used precisely as a kind of "portal", which allows all Spirits to come back to the World of the Living for one night. Pumpkin lanterns showed the way to the Spirits, it was believed that the more such lanterns would be on holiday - themes more Spirits will visit him.

It is also interesting that Wiccans equate Halloween with Samhain and celebrate it as the holy day of the year. Among the Wiccans, Samhain and Halloween are considered the same holiday, they call it "sow-en". This approach is based on the cult of the "god Samhain" (or "Sam Aina"), whom Wiccans, following a number of folklorists of the 19th century, considered Celtic god of death. At the same time, some Christian fundamentalists considered the word Samhain to be derived from the name of Satan. Both of these points of view are refuted by the modern scientific community, since in fact the word "Samhain" literally translates from Old Irish as "November", and the same meaning of the word was preserved in modern language. That's it!

Now it becomes extremely clear why this holiday has always been associated with Witchcraft, Witches, etc.. Feast of Death, Feast of Renewal- these are sacred meanings keeping Halloween...

By the way, I want to note that most often believing Christians perceive the holiday neutrally because of its frank joking and pretense. The Roman Catholic Church does not consider the holiday a religious one, but recognizes its connection with Christianity, and therefore allows it to be celebrated in any parochial schools.

I also want to tell you about interesting divination traditions on this day. For example, there are references to divination with the peel: Scottish girls cut off the peel from apples, trying to make it as long as possible, and threw it over their shoulders. It was believed that the fallen peel took the form of the first letter of the surname of the betrothed. Another custom was based on the well-known belief about bloody mary , which has become a popular urban legend and a popular alcoholic cocktail these days. This fortune-telling consisted in the fact that young girls had to climb the stairs with their backs forward in a dark house and hold a candle in front of a mirror. After that, the face of the future husband was supposed to appear in the mirror, but the girl could also see the skull in the mirror - this meant that she would die without getting married.

halloween Actually, it's an unusual day. It is not for nothing that it is believed that "... on the night of Samhain, the hills of a hidden people open, a meeting with which will give great opportunities for both good and evil deeds ..." Therefore, all Witches and Sorcerers love this day so much. On this day, you can really feel the subtlety of the line that separates our World of the Living from the World of the Dead...

And now, finally, I want to say that Halloween is, of course, a holiday imposed on us, the Slavs, as I wrote above, this holiday belongs to the Celts, and what do we have to do with this holiday - that is the question? I think so: of course, the essence of the holiday does not change how it is called and in what language. That is why many people are used to calling this holiday a foreign word Halloween. I have great respect for the culture and traditions of the Celts, yet it is close to us, because in fact the Celts are the same pagans. But I am offended that we, the Slavs, forget that it was on the night of October 31 to November 1 that the ancient Slavic holiday was always celebrated - Great Velesova (Marina) night, which has always been associated with Mara - the Goddess of Death among the Slavs and Veles- "separator" Navi and Yavi. This holiday for the Slavs has always had a special meaning, because it was on this day that direct "communication" with the Spirits of the dead took place, there was a "unity of the elements", the renewal of everything. You just need to remember your roots and be friends with the traditions of other cultures! :)

According to Slavic tradition, Veles night also called "magic night" because Navi Gate to the "first roosters" are wide open in Yav. It was considered that in this Great Night Perfume ancestors returned to their descendants to teach them their lessons and bless the entire ROD. In order to purify this night and "renew", made fires, through which they not only jumped, but also walked on the coals in order to finally “expel” all the negative that had accumulated from themselves. In addition, there is an old Slavic tradition, according to which each person had to make a personal mask from birch bark for himself, which would cover his face during the celebration. Veles Night. The mask was made of a "totem character" - it was believed that a person himself should find the image of an animal / bird / reptile that would most specifically characterize him (for example, a wolf, an owl, a fox ...). This mask was removed exactly at midnight and burned at the stake, thus - a person burned everything that prevented him from living in the outgoing year.

Also at night at this time, she was exhibited outside the window a plate with "treats" for the Spirits. A candle was usually placed on the windowsill, which was supposed to burn all night, playing the role of a "beacon" for those Spirits who would like to come to you and help you that night. Dry bouquets of grass, apples, pumpkins and other fruits of the harvest were often placed next to the candle. In principle, here our tradition is quite similar to the tradition of the Celts with the jack-o'-lantern.

On this night, it was customary for the Slavs to talk only about dead people - relatives, friends, acquaintances. It was believed that this day should be completely dedicated to the memory of the departed. Before the gala dinner, the owner of the house always invited all the Spirits who would like to join to dinner, for this they opened all the doors and windows in the house so that the Spirits could freely enter. At the end of the dinner, the host had to "say goodbye" to the Spirits, letting them go until the next holiday. Veles Night.

UPDATE:

See interesting rituals for Veles Night / Halloween:

Sincerely yours, Yulianna Koldovko.

Halloween October 31, 2017: the essence of the holiday, its history and traditions. Halloween is always celebrated on October 31st. This holiday has some strange traditions, and its history is shrouded in mystery.

: history of the holiday. There is no reliable information about the origin of the holiday. One version says that Halloween is based on a Celtic holiday. Samhain. Samhain is known to be pagan holiday, which was celebrated as far back as the 10th century in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Celts greatly revered their dead ancestors and cared for their souls. Samhain was a kind of festival of the dead. It was believed that on this day the gates connecting the world of the living and the dead open. The souls of the dead can roam the Earth all night.

However, the origin and history of Halloween can be interpreted differently. "Samhain" in the Celtic language means "November". That is, it could very well have been a harvest festival dedicated to the end of summer. After all, according to the Celtic calendar, winter began from that moment.

Some scholars believe that Samhain received a negative connotation much later. This happened after Christianity supplanted paganism, and in some places, on the contrary, was closely intertwined with it. Later, Halloween was also considered negative.

The name of the holiday Halloween comes from the phrase "All-Hallows-Eve", which translates as "Hallowe'en". And this holiday is celebrated on the Eve of All Saints' Day.

Halloween October 31, 2017: the essence of the holiday and traditions. Halloween in the modern sense is a fun carnival night. Traditions change over the years, but some of them remain unchanged.

Candies or life. The idea is that children dress up in costumes of ghosts and witches. They go to the neighbors and ask for candy. At the same time, threatening phrases such as "sweetness or disgust", "prank or sweetness" are pronounced. The point is that adults will feel bad if they do not give children candy or other sweets.

Suits. There is a version that the ancient Celts wanted to scare evil spirits away from their homes with terrible outfits. If you want, you can follow their example. Can be hung on the night of October 31 to November 1, 2017 over front door some kind of scary mask so that evil spirits do not enter your house.

Pumpkin "Jack-O-Lantern" or "Jack-O-Lantern". The legend says that the cunning Jack was able to deceive the devil himself. He, in turn, did not let him into hell, but threw a piece of coal after him. So Jack wanders the world, waiting for Judgment Day. And he put that coal into a pumpkin and illuminates his path with it.

You can also make an interesting pumpkin for Halloween October 31, 2017. It doesn't even have to be creepy and scary.

Festive table. Of course, any pumpkin dish on this day will come in handy. Pumpkin pie, pancakes, pumpkin porridge - all this can decorate your table and make your family happy on Halloween October 31, 2017.

We wish you a happy Halloween on October 31, 2017. And may it be kind and positive for you.

One of the most ancient holidays on our planet is the holiday halloween, which is celebrated annually October 31. This holiday miraculously intertwines the tradition of the ancient Celts of praising evil spirits and Catholic Christians - worship of the saints.

The Halloween holiday originated many millennia ago, it originates from the festival of the Celtic peoples Samhain, Pomona Day among the Romans and All Saints Day among Christians. A few centuries ago, the native inhabitants of England and northern France were the Celtic tribes. They had a pagan religion, the supreme deity of which was considered the sun god. A full year was divided into two stages - summer and winter. AT winter period the sun god was held captive by Saimahen, who was considered the prince of darkness and the lord of the dead.

The festival dedicated to Samhain was celebrated on the first of November, this day was considered the beginning of winter. It was at this time that winter replaced summer, night replaced day, and death replaced life. On the night of November 1, the barriers between the ordinary and the magical worlds disappeared, and the gates opened between them. It is today that the hopes of the dead and their unfulfilled plans rush to our land, to their native cities and homes. The souls of people who once died could incarnate in the bodies of various animals, while the most evil of them inhabited cats. All evil spirits come to the ground this night, and do not be surprised if you go out into the street at a late hour if you meet a witch.

While the souls of the dead visited their homes and realized their unfulfilled plans, the druids (spirits of nature) held rituals in oak groves. They made sacrifices to dangerous spirits, asked them for mercy. The next morning there was already an ember from the fire of the Druids in every Celtic hut. It was believed that such a coal would warm the house all winter and protect the household from evil spirits. At the fires of the druids that night, the girls were guessing at their betrothed.

A new era began with the conquest of the territories of the Celtic tribes by the Roman troops. They brought their own features to their holiday. So, on October 31, they celebrated the day of the goddess of all plants - Pomona .

In the ninth century, Christianity spread throughout England, and the traditions of the holidays were completely mixed up. They were supplemented by the traditions of the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day. In later times, the holiday became known as halloween .

Today, this ancient pagan holiday is traditionally celebrated on the night of October 31 to November 1 . The traditions of its celebration are unusual and fascinating. On this day, everyone can feel like a real bloodthirsty vampire or an evil witch, dressed up in a themed costume of evil spirits. Masquerades, concerts, wide festivities and night festivities are organized. Of course, for everyone who knows about Halloween, it is associated with pumpkin. Traditionally, a candlestick made from this vegetable is a symbol of the holiday. The pulp is taken out of the pumpkin, a smiling face is cut out, a candle is placed inside. This vegetable is a symbol of the end of harvesting work, as well as a dangerous spirit. And the fire scares him away. This is how the beliefs of ancient ancestors in this subject are unusually intertwined.