Slavic Mythology/History

After taking last week to do a Q&A, this week, Slavic Saturday returns with an early Slavic spring festival that has been brought into modern celebrations on Easter Monday – Śmigus-dyngus (known among Polish-Americans as Dyngus Day or alternately in Poland as Lany Poniedziałek). There are similar holidays throughout the Slavic nations: Oblévačka in the […]

After last week’s post about Marzanna/Morana, the Slavic goddess of the winter, we return to demons this Slavic Saturday with the Południca – a demon of noon (also known as the Poludnitsa/Полудница, Poludnica, Noonwraith, and Lady Midday). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check out A Dagger in the Winds, the first

Today is the spring equinox. So after last week’s post about (one) spring goddess, Dziewanna/Devana, we’re talking this Slavic Saturday about the goddess whose death is celebrated on the equinox: Marzanna – goddess of winter, pestilence, and death (also known as Morana, Morena/Морана, Marena/Марена, Mara/Мара). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check

Last post, we talked about Stribog/Strzybóg, the Slavic god of the wind, and this Slavic Saturday, we’re going back to the earth. International Women’s Day was this past week, so we’ll be revisiting Slavic mythology’s most independent goddess: Dziewanna, goddess of the wilds and hunt (also known as Devana). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you

After last week’s discussion of the demonic Rusalka/Rusałka, this Slavic Saturday we’re returning to gods with Strzybóg – the Slavic god of wind (also known as Stribog/Стрибог). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check out A Dagger in the Winds, the first book in my Slavic fantasy series called The Frostmarked Chronicles.

After last week’s diversion into a writing update, this Slavic Saturday we’re talking about one of the most well-known demons in Slavic mythology. While Arthurian myths have sword-gifting maidens lurking in the water, the Slavic Rusałka is far darker. (Also spelled as Rusalka or Русалка) (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check

Last week we talked about the dark Zmora/Mora/Kikimora, but this Slavic Saturday, it’s the day before Valentine’s Day. That calls for a lighter topic. So, we’re going over the goddess of love in Slavic mythology: Łada (also known as Lada – not the car – or Лада). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic

After last week’s return to spirits with the Polewik/Polevik, this Slavic Saturday we’re talking about one of the most fearsome demons in Slavic mythology: Both a literal and metaphorical nightmare, the Zmora (also known as the Mora, Kikimora, Mare, Mopa, Кикимора, демон, Кікімара). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check out A

After last week’s post about the eldest of the Slavic gods, Swaróg/Svarog, this Slavic Saturday we’re returning to spirits in Slavic mythology with a Slavic spirit of the fields: the Polewik (Polevik/Полевик, Polevoi, Polevoj, Polevoy, Polʹovyk/Польовик). (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check out A Dagger in the Winds, the first book

After last week’s post about the chief of the Slavic gods, Perun, this Slavic Saturday we’re covering the eldest god in Slavic mythology: Swaróg/Svarog (Сваро́г/Сварог in Cyrillic) god of celestial fire, blacksmithing, sky, and (perhaps) creation. (June 2021 Updated) Note: If you enjoy Slavic mythology, check out A Dagger in the Winds, the first book