Slavic Mythology - Tumblr Posts

Have you listened to the podcast Mythoslavic? I'm trying to absorb all information possible about my ancestors and our beliefs and I feel this podcast is good at being quick but minimal for info.

Hello! I haven’t heard about Mythoslavic before but your ask made me curious so I listened to a couple of episodes today to be able to form an opinion! I know the creator is South Slavic and, being aware that I don’t know that many southern myths I chose specifically the episodes about Slavic gods, for which I have more context.

Results (tldr): What I heared was pretty bad. Maybe episodes focused strictly on folklore are better, but I will not be listening to them because frankly I wouldn’t trust the author as far as I can throw her. She rarely provides sources for her stories and claims, doesn’t let the viewers know when she is dicussing her personal beliefs and when academic research on the subject, misleadingly presents modern neopagan lore as ancient wisdom and is being a stinking hypocrite about all of it.

Episode S01E09: Slavic Pantheon

Rating: 0/5 (actually -1/5 for the audacity)

The author presents all Slavic gods as members of one universal pantheon. She only makes vague mentions that „the deities differ between the regions”. Most of the episode is spent describing very detailed creation story that aims to connect all the Slavic gods into one family tree. We are bombarded with made up familial connections and deities of very dubious historicity. At the start of the description there is no mention that this is only author’s personal view, and not facts unearthed by scientific research. This is what I consider to be the cardinal sin of modern Slavic paganism that I criticized already in this post. I suspect the author is a member of some Rodnovery group and is sharing the views of their specific organization but I have no hard proof for that yet.

Oh, there’s also some noble savage narrative peeking out.

While no disclaimers about the source of the creation story were made the author took some time to say that „Slavic mythology has gone mainstream and not in a good way” and complain about people spreading misinformation about the beliefs of ancient Slavs. My sister in Perun, you are literally out here, spreading the misinformation yourself.

Episode S02E03: Veles

Rating: 3/5 (although every time I think about the contents of the previous episode I heard I feel tempted to lower the score)

At the start of the episode the author finally makes a disclaimer: „as you probably know the sources are very limited and they can be questionable but I will try my best to dig up everything I can while staying true to my own beliefs”. This is it. This is the part from which we have to guess that some of the stuff presented in this podcast are in fact solely authors personal beliefs and they will not be clearly separated from scientific research in the field of Slavic studies.

The associations of Veles listed throughout the episode sound more or less like what I read in academic sources on the subject. I loved that the folk stories about Saint Nicholas and Prophet Elijah were mentioned! I also liked the inclusion of Southern Slavic lore which is often overlooked - I feel like this could be a very strong suit of this podcast if handled well. I like the author pointing out that even tho Veles started being associated with the devil after the Christianization of Slavs Perun and Veles are not supposed to represent good and evil but rather the opposing natural forces of earth and water vs sky, air and fire.

I didn’t like the confidence with which the author informed me that Veles is the son of Rod and Zemun and brother of Perun, and that he stole Perun’s wife Mokosh and Perun’s son Jarilo. I see we are not going to be putting down that made up family tree any time soon.

The author talks a lot about sources in general but rarely names specifc sources that she uses. You don’t know where the info comes from, and since I already know some of this is her own ideas I find her words very difficult to trust. I can’t help but compare this podcast to Słowiańskie Demony in which the author clearly points to sources for all definite claims he makes, frequently recommends new sources to his listeners and clearly marks parts of the podcast that consist of his personal thoughts and theories. None of that good stuff here.

Episode E02S04 Morana

Rating: 1/5

To everyone reading this: please do not pronounce Marzanna as „mar-ZANAH” like the author of the podcast does. Sound the word out in google translate. And if you struggle with producing Polish sounds correctly (perfectly understandable) you could aim for something along the lines of „mah-SHUN-nah”, as in „to shun someone”, with „rz” rendered as single sound and two distinct ”n”s. Close enough.

Anyway back to the podcast - the diclaimer about staying true to herself appears again and is immediately put to good use as we are welcomed with a lengthy description of Morana's appearence that seems to be mostly based on the author’s idea of her.

Once again I hate that we aren’t given sources for the stuff she says. Even if your source is not academic you should list it. Say something like „according to Croatian folk tales”, „according to a Bulgarian folk song”, „according to a story I was told as a kid growing up in… ”, ”my Rodnovery chapter believes that…” give me anything so that I can trust you.

There is another introduction analysing the name of Morana in various languages. The author touches on connections with death and pestilence as well as on Morrigan and Morgan la Fay. The author does not touch on connection with water or madder plant.

Author proceeds to name the oldest known source mentioning Morana, one of the manuscripts containing part of Mater Verborum, which unfortunately is possibly (in my opinion likely) a forgery. She doesn't mention this. She only states that „if this glos is authentic it would mean that Morana was identified with the goddess of death Persephone and was also associated with magic”. She fails to give any other sources, even though there are plenty of Polish chronicles to choose from. We are given one whole named source and it’s dubious as fuck.

Listen, I understand that Mater Verborum is a very attractive source - quite old and with reference to two other goddesses very popular among modern pagans, Persephone and Hekate. I also fell for it when I first looked into history of Morana. Except some time later I also did a background check into the man who supposedly discovered the particular manuscript that mentions Morana — and now I completely lack the confidence in the document’s authenticity. Even if you genuinely believe that this manuscript of Mater Verborum was actually created in 13th century this possibility of forgery is something you should probably inform your listeners about. And maybe name some other sources. You know, just in case this one is not the real deal.

Okay let’s speed up, next we have mentions of Chernobog being Morana’s associate (source??), and a lengthy story about Morana, Zora and a dragon (source? I love Zora, I would love to be able to verify the authenticity of this. I know we have some stories about Zora/Zorza being stolen from the sky by a witch or some other malicious force. But this story here has too many details and names too many gods for my taste. Folk stories, even the ones that possibly originated from pagan times rarely keep names of pagan deities untouched. However what I often see happening is pagan groups inserting those names „back” in, even though we have no certainty WHICH gods the story was originally about, or if it even truly has pagan roots. Then this new, renovated version is being presented as the true version, the Original.)

We have a list of Morana’s associations with animals and plants, no sources listed. I’m still waiting for mentions of madder but I guess I will not find them here. Then we have a story about how Morana used to be a goddess of fertility and life but „degenerated into an evil deadly old witch" because of her unfortunate love for Jarilo. Morana „comes from the royal family” as daughter of Perun and Mokosh and sister of Jarilo. I’m ready to bang my head against the wall, this story is the exact example I had in mind when writing about the renovated folk tales in the paragraph above. I wrote about this particular story AT GREAT LENGTH IN THIS POST.

Okay I have another source - „Russian stories” are mentioned. Fine. I’ll take it.

Finally we have mentions of the tradition of burning/drowning Morana. Not too detailed considering this ritual is the main source of our knowledge about Morana or even interest in her. The author provides a long list of amulets and magical measures meant to protect people from Morana, which I never heard of. It seems like she considers Morana to be the same as demonic zmora/mora and germanic „mare”. I am subjected to hearing mar-ZANAH a few more times and then the episode ends. I will not be listening again.

As a european and a mythology lover this is the most amazing thing i ever seen

Types Of People- European Mythology

norse mythology: storytelling while travelling, amber jewellery, sea salt, the friend who can fight and laugh in the same day, understanding the depth of nature, joke fighting, independence, reading the stars at night, adrenaline in your bones and blood.

greek mythology:  mediterranean blue, orange zest, architecture, the friend who loves psychology and philosophy, linen, singing to the nymphs in the river, clear blue water, talking about life from marble steps, romantic but traditional.

etruscan mythology: copper jewellery, worn out leather sandals, bow and arrow, the friend who fights for equal rights, orienteering, wise eyes, finishing things before others, memories, simple sculpture running your fingers against bark.

scottish mythology: mist and fog, worn down stones, whirlpools, the friend who is firm and can withstand the storm, weathered stone, wild winds and seas, holding someone to your chest, the protector, strong voice, winter storms.

irish mythology: tolling of bells, brooches, lost combs, the friend who tells stories of times before, smiling eyes, knowing the history, writing in a journal, doodling, discussing features of mythical creatures, free laughter, autumn nights.

roman mythology: imperial purple, the prince by machiavelli, a crown of golden laurel, the friend who excels at politics and history, cunning smirks, warm but will probably run the world, marble busts, looping your arm with theirs, strong hand gestures.

slavic mythology: first winters frost, fear, the friend who understands the difference between good and evil, birch trees, listening to animal calls, embroidery, crackling fires, roast nuts, far away looks, weathered voices, strong body movements.

hungarian mythology: camping, lying against the grass, the friend who travels and is their own home, horse riding, tracing the stars and sun, burning embers on a fire, crows, leather, painted patterns, knowing your identity, walking strong.

Hordag a Ašiga zo série Bivoj Autor - Izvin

Rogan a Goryvlad zo série Černokňažník Autor - Lucia Húšťavová

Koláže vytvorené k Bivojovi. 1 - Bivoj 2 - Kazi, Teta a Libuše 3 - Hordag a Ašiga 4 - Rusalky

Zdroj - Ďuro Červenák Fans na facebook.com

Kerrelas a Goryvlad zo série Černokňažník Aneb mrzutý aelf zo severného mora loví záhrobného vlčieho besa. Autor - Martin "Cuco" Luciak

Rogan s nepatrným náznakom úsmevu - "Ako bolo v práci, drahá?"

Morana

Tahle žena vám zaklepe na dveře, co děláte?

Jéj, má tam aj to zviazané obilie aka "velesova brada".

| VELES |

The transcendent mage with horned crown who shepherds the dead.

Veles (Volos), most known as the god with head of a cow/bull and the shepherd overlooking the endless pastures of the underworld where the souls peacefully reside.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

| VESNA | goddess of spring and life

“Vesno krásná, co jsi přinesla.” 

Vesna is a personification of spring season and also the opposite of Morana, thus blooming life, birth and abudance. More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

| MOKOSH |

The weaver of human’s fate.

Mokoš (Mokosh, Mokuša) is another goddess connected to fertility but as a Mother figure - Goddess of earth and soil to which seeds are planted and from which they grow. Surrounded by rusalky and guardian of the seeds and harvest, Simargl, she is a powerful deity that watches over women and childbirth.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

| SVAROG |

The fiery blacksmith who burns with heavenly light.

Svarog (Svaroh, Svarod) is usually interpreted as a god of fire and sun who resides in the sky and thus serves as an opposite to Perun and his earthly fire. It was also believed that Svarog was the god who forged the Sun disc. He is accompanied by the firebird Raróg.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

| STRIBOG |

   Father of freezing winds who flies through the skies.

Stribog is usually interpreted as a god of winds, especially the cold freezing one which brings death to all living. The murder of crows and ravens around him are his demon servants which sometime tease humans by causing little or bigger accidents, for which we blame the wind.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

| JEZINKA |

Jezinka (Jezinky is plural in czech, sometimes called Bezinky) are certain kind of forest demon, also known as Divoženka (literally a "wild woman"). They could be interpreted as forest witches as we know them from classic fairy tales. Their role can be both negative and more of a neutral - just minding their own business, living in a forest, far away from civilisation - ah, what a dream!

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

Dazbog | Domovoj | Basilisk | Rusalka | Simargl | Rarog

Last remaining pieces for my Slavic Deities and Bestiary series I've been working on past year and a half. Big thanks to my Patrons for making it possible! It was an honour to have the opportunity to create portrayals like these.

The exhibition is officially over but prints and postcards will remain available online. You can browse my gallery anywhere to find the rest of the project or join my Patreon to even find articles based on my research I wrote to each of the deities and demons.

💀 PATREON | X | IG | Prints

Len k tej kľakanici... Ona sa výrazne prekrýva s poludnicou a to preto, že útočí vždy počas zvonenia - výzvy na modlitbu v pokľaku, ktoré zaznievalo za úsvitu, za súmraku a na poludnie. Kto neprejavil úctu a poslušnosť a nekľakol si k modlitbe, ten sa stával korisťou, aj keby sa neproducíroval popod pražiace poludňajšie slnko. Takže neviem, či sa stotožniť s tým súmrakom, hoci to vytvára veľmi peknú triádu.

Půlnočnice, Polednice, Klekánice

aka the nightwraith witch, the noonwraith witch and the twilight witch in czech, are old slavic witches which originally served the purpose to scare children (and people) who stayed outside their homes at these dangerous hours.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.

| TRIGLAV |

The war god on a flaming horse of prophecy.  

Triglav the three-headed-one, is one of the multi-headed gods in slavic mythology. His three heads represent the three realms - heaven, earth and the underworld. Triglav’s horse was to have a flaming mane and served as an oracle during rituals by walking a path made of crossed spears.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project on my P/treon.  

Wild Hunt

Wild Hunt (Divoký hon, Divoká Honba in czech) appears all across Europe's cultures at the time.  Yet each of them has their own version and visual appereance. But they have one thing in common - the Wild Hunt is not a single ghost or a creature, but a whole horde or even an army.

More (folk)lore, info and WIPs of this project and exhibition on my P/treon.

💀 PATREON | Instagram | Twitter | Prints

Niečo málo o Černobohovi

Ďurov besovský boh, strážca krvavého ohňa, pán záhrobnej svorky vlkov, hrubá záplata na hrubé vrece nepriateľských potvor a zvrhlých božských súrodencov je postavička... Kontroverzná.

* Prvá zmienka je datovaná do 12. storočia a v oblasti Polabských Slovanov ju zaznamenal saský kňaz Helmold Bosau v Chronica Slavorum (Kronika Slovanov).

"Slované mají také [jednu] zvláštní pověru: při hostinách a pitkách nechávají kolovat misku, nad níž pronášejí slova – a nemůžu říci, že slova posvěcení, nýbrž znesvěcení[pozn. 1] – ve jménu bohů dobrých i zlých, protože vyznávají že všechen zdar a štěstí řídí dobrý bůh, zlý bůh pak všechno neštěstí. Proto také zlého boha svým jazykem nazývají „ďábel“ či „Černoboh“, to jest černý bůh." (Citát z wiki)

Saské pokresťančovanie týchto nespratných susedov prebiehalo už od druhej polovice 10. storočia a výklad videného pochádza od predstaviteľa v podstate cudzej okupačnej sily, takže je otázne nakoľko ide o predstavu pôvodnú a nakoľko o kríženca kresťanského dualizmu dobro-zlo s domácimi tradíciami. Je dôvod domnievať sa, že ani nešlo o boha, ale skôr o stelesnenie smoly lepiacej sa na päty.

* Niekedy ešte býva stotožňovaný s Čiernohlavom - Tjarnoglófim zo ságy Knýtlinga z 13. storočia, ktorá okrem dejín dánskych vladárov spomína aj jedno z posledných slovanských svätíšť na Rujáne a miestne modly.

"The fifth god was called Pizamar from a place called Jasmund, and was destroyed by fire, There was also Tjarnaglófi, their god of victory who went with them on military campaigns. He had a moustache of silver and resisted longer than the others but they managed to get him there years later. Altogether, they christened five thousand on this expedition. (Citát z wiki)

Nevraví nám o ňom ktovieako veľa - boh víťazstva, modla so striebornou bradou nosená do boja, zničeniu vraj odolával dlhšie ako iní. A čo sa akademických úvah o Tjarnoglófim týka, sú rôznorodé - iná podoba Triglava, Jarovíta, Perúna, alebo dokonca na základe porovnávania "tjarn" so slovom "tŕň" aj nositeľ tŕňovej koruny istého Nazaretského synkreticky šprajcnutého do predstáv o domácich ochrancoch pred dobyvateľmi.

K slovu sa dostala aj archeológia a Čierny sa ako vojnové božstvo vyskytol ešte inde. * Ján Kollár - kňaz, básnik, jazykovedec a snaživý (ikeď nie až tak exaktný) historik v 19. storočí účinkujúci uprostred vzmáhajúcich sa nacionalistických pretekov o to, čí národ bol najsamprvý, najkultivovanejší a na aké územia a úctu má nárok, si v ňom našiel dávnovekého burcovateľa slovanskej bojovnosti v obrane pred kresťanstvom násilne vnucovaným z Nemeckých zemí. Zložil o ňom aj pár veršov v Slávy dcére.

Jeho nález z Babenbergu, ktorým svoje úvahy podkladal, však dopadol neslávne. O starých sochách pred chrámom sv. Petra a Juraja na Michalskej hore sa tradovala legenda, že sú obývané zlovoľnými duchmi, čo kedysi po nociach sabotovali snahy stavbárov vztýčiť tamojší svätostánok (spoiler - vyhrali stavbári a kostol stojí). Keď na nich Kollár s mladomanželkou zbadal ryhy pripomínajúce písmená, nadchol sa myšlienkou, že by mohlo ísť o slovanské runy. A tak sa v 30. rokoch 19. storočia zrodil príbeh o Černobohových levoch, modlách odcudzených vierozvestcom Otom Bamberským. Zlanáril naň aj (o poznanie profesionálnejšieho) Pavla Jozefa Šafárika a táto správa dorazila až do intelektuálnych kruhov v Rusku. Hypotéza dostala trhliny, keď jeden poľský bádateľ na sochách našiel nápis Wallhalah (germánske sídlo bohov a záhrobie pre vyvolených bojovníkov) a definitívne sa zrútila, keď sa usúdilo, že sa to len nejaký okoloidúci na pamiatku podpísal (!!!a preto sú bytostne dôležité knihy návštev!!!) a/alebo poveternostné živly dali naštrbenej hornine zabrať. Viac na - https://historylab.dennikn.sk/dlhe-19-storocie/omyl-jana-kollara/

* Podobne obišiel aj Kollárom inšpirovaný nešťastník od Skalska, Václav Krolmus - kňaz, zberateľ etnológ a priekopník terénnej archeológie v zemi koruny českej.

Ten sa v 50. rokoch 19. storočia nádejal, že v pivnici Josefa Kabeša našiel runový kameň podľa nápisu vyzerajúceho ako výraz "raksa" zasvätený raráškovi a tým pádom indickému rákšašovi (indoeurópanizmus a Slovania, veľká téma, veľa hľadania starých vzájomností), prípadne ešte aj blízkovýchodnému Baalovi. O nález sa so širšou verejnosťou podelil v Poslední božiště Černoboha s runami na Skalsku, v kraji Boleslavském, v Čechách. Odhalenia, že ide o komoru z obdobia renesancie a pukliny v jeho kameni sú prirodzeného pôvodu, sa už nedožil. Lokalita však bola osídlená už v praveku a je zdrojom rôznych nálezov.

Viac na - https://isad.npu.cz/obec-skalsko-2218 https://sever.rozhlas.cz/vaclav-krolmus-romantik-s-motyckou-7795354?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3YhLLQPvdhK6afdIW8lcGYH6qzfmWybwmqSuzdXTN0114oKHM2OzbH5nc_aem_AY33qemnq9YY0C1Ye3A--g2r6saU2dNEZPg61kxvhA-1WpSjtZy7kynU-Q_Zsp_dbsbDF345SO_dLkcLWBSeMCUl

* Mytológia, aj tá prežívajúca vo fikcii a popkultúre miesto praktizovanej viery, je však živý proces. Sútok nespočta potôčikov, divoké riečište s množstvom bočných ramien, prúd podzemnej vody tu tryskajúci na povrch, tam zase miznúci v skrytých hlbinách, spenená riava meniaca svoje koryto podľa ľubovôle, chutiaca všetkým možným, o čo sa obtrela. Každá komunita a každá generácia s ňou nakladá trochu inak. Podľa toho, čo rezonuje v ich životoch, čo zisťujú o okolitom svete, čo sa snažia dosiahnuť. Môžeme si zakladať na presnosti toho ktorého zaznamenaného prerozprávania, hľadať pramene toho ktorého prvku, body styku s inými vplyvmi, prirodzené prekážky, čo zmenili jej tok. A môžeme samozrejme aj razantne kritizovať tú ktorú verziu a jej mieru nadväznosti, či výživnosť, môžeme jej konkurovať vlastným výkladom. Ale nemôžeme ju zahatať a zmraziť. Či už bol Černoboh len slovným obratom, modlou celkom iného boha, alebo faktickou entitou na prelome pohanstva a kresťanstva, postupne sa stal aj čímsi ďalším. A Ďurov príspevok do všeobecného povedomia je dosť slušným základom pre ďalšie zaujímavé zákruty.

Nech teda oheň na Kančej hore planie vytrvalo a vytie vlčích besov znie doďaleka.

Hey want a horror short film?

English/French/Polish subtitles included

Oh, oh yes... Slavic dragons are some wonderfully shifty beings.

They often begin as ordinary snakes, but if they live long enough (40 years e.g.) or somebody does hijinks with their dead bodies and cattle or other potent bits they become dragons - smoks and zmeis, evil lamias and other such. They might even grow 3 to 12 heads.

In south-eastern tradition zmeis are mostly benevolent with bad counterparts featured under other names, while further east and north they are a bit more ambivalent figures - villains just as often as righteous or neutral.

They can become guardians of sacred places, like Gorynich with Kalinov bridge, keeping out trespassers to land of dead. They can be minding their own business when a hero tramples on them, thus earning their ire (looking at you, Dobrynya). Their seduction might be a pleasant affair as witch Marinka would attest, getting furious over slaughter of her draconic lover, or more sinister, like what Gorynich did with Ivan Tsarevich's sister. They can be knaves too - kidnapping or exhorting people like Smok Wawelski did in Krakow. Some of them even embody turkic nomadic raiders in the form of thunder clouds such as Tugarin who needs to be defeated by Alyosha Popovich. And grotesque chudo-yudo is at times thought to be a brother to Koschei himself, the ultimate sorcerror and necromancer and troublemaker with no good deed to his name.

There are legends about their children too, like Volga/Volkh Svyatoslavovich/Vseslavyevich whose mother was a knyazhna (ruling lady, ruler's wife) and father a serpent, whose birth caused earth and all living beings to quake, who grew more quickly then other children and became a magician talking to and shape-shifting into animals to achieve his ends. He is counted among heroes.

Both male and female, they are not only fire-spitters, but also masters of depths, sleeping on stones at the bottom of sea, perching upon springs, building lairs deep in mountains, masters of heights, not only flying but also controlling weather, siphoning water from rivers through their tail to make rain or flood, bringing thunder clouds and hail.

Veles, god of underworld, animals and boundarries between fields and woods is sometimes thought to take serpentine form and throw fists with sky and war god Perun, thus releasing rain after long drought. Though it is disputed how old and authentically pagan is that tradition. At least Perun striking demonic creatures is a pretty certain thing.

And even deep into modernity people in Balkans still believed in their sleepy magicians.

Weather/wind/dragon men, zmai who lives on water banks, forest edges, in hollow trees and fights ala or azhdaya creatures that cause barrenness, in zduhac battling other magicians from rivaling communities to protect homes and crops of his own people.

And in kresnik born with the gift or taught by fairies or in magical school who heals people and cattle and while sleeping struggles against his dark counterpart assumed to be vampiric and witchy force. It was Adriatic thing.

In Romania people believed in solomonari who too studied in magic shools and under devil, but unlike kresniks did not protect, but bring ruin to fields and homes when riding dragons they were given to mount and causing storms. Similar to strigoi minus vampiric characteristics. Thankfully one might request help of a contra-solomonari who would do what amounts to kresnik's job, but without having to fall asleep.

This split into evil and good sorcerrers is a christian thing. Original conception was of one neutral cunning class rather then two with different moral alignmet.

There are three types of dragon in Slavic mythology: the fiery dragon is a huge reptile with wings, a being that carries a fire inside him, as known in English. But, there is also a human form that is his descendant and ascendant, a human with great power, usually called dragonkin, some of which can even shapeshift into a dragon-like form and fly. The third form is the spirit dragon, the most unusual and most powerful of them all – this invisible essence willingly resides only in a special human who is unable to control it, and it is the only being that is able to confront the ancient beast that brings havoc upon men, while leaving the human body to fight its archenemy in the sky. Stay tuned for more mythology bits. 🔥