Every year around 21st and 22nd of June, when the nights were extra short and the June solstice arrived, pagan people celebrated fire, water, fertility, love and joy - quite a pagan alternative to modern-day Valentines! Smigus Dyngus In preparation of this most important meal of the year, the table was first covered with straw or hay, and then with a white tablecloth. The usual practice of creating and defining heraldry in western Europe put the heads of the state and knights as decision-makers. It's definitely not a Wiccan path, and because of the structure within the spirituality, it's not even something where you can swap out gods of other pantheons and insert the Roman deities. The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content. The humble open sandwich was created as far back as medieval times. Feast of Greenery, September 8th (Matki Boskiej Zielnej) Single girls pour hot, melted wax into a bowl of cold water, and the hardened wax is then held up to the light. It was also the official day for caroling to begin. An odd number foretold that someone would not live to the next Christmas Eve supper. On this day, boys try to catch girls by surprise by splashing them with water. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Slavic Rodzimowiercy groups registered with the Polish authorities in 1995 are the Native Polish Church (Rodzimy Koci Polski), which represents a pagan tradition which goes back to pre-Christian faiths and continues Wadysaw Koodziej's 1921 Holy Circle of Worshipper of wiatowid (wite Koo Czcicieli wiatowida), and the Polish . On that day in Poland, the youngsters are visited by Sw. Mikolaj. Krakus called his sons Lech and Krakus II and tried to kill the dragon with them but they couldnt defeat it so they had to plot a different way to get rid of it. It was believed that salt had the power to heal and cleanse, uncover thieves, protect houses against fire, dispel storms and hail, and drive away evil spirits. The Easter season in Poland ends on Monday when the traditional dyngussmigus custom is observed. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. The Easter table will be covered with a white tablecloth. He rebuked the mischievous, praised the obedient, listening to the children recite their catechism and prayers, and passed around heart shaped Pierniki, honey cookies, holy pictures and big red apples, which he produced magically from under his cloak. Lacking reliable resources for many Pagan paths on paper or online, the alternative seeking a teacher in person can also be difficult, due to the low density of Pagans overall. The flower had magical powers that made dream come true as long as he didnt share his good fortune. According to some theories, the monster is a giant catfish which have been reported as creatures who attack water birds and small animals. Another issue with the small number of Pagans is that they tend to know each other, like residents of a small town, which is fine, until it isnt. First to be placed on the tables were bottles of vodka and beer, and the wedding banquet began with Zapicie, i.e., to wash down or to drink. He was dressed in a long white robe, wearing a tall head piece much like a bishops mitre, a long white flowing beard, and in his hand he held the shepherds staff. However, each country has its own version of this mythology and all its features, therefore, it is worth mentioning that events and changes in history have contributed with alterations to mythical stories, legends, and tales so every mythology is unique even when it comes from a common source of cultural and social influences.var cid = '6354310426'; Let flowers bloom, and fields turn green. container.appendChild(ins); Wedding traditions demanded that guests be invited in a certain obligatory manner. After years went by, he came back and found that all members of his family were dead. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit. var pid = 'ca-pub-6145023705656770'; Get 1-2 emails a month with the latest articles on Slavic culture, mythology and history. The Rusalkas would come out from the water at a certain time in the year and hid in birch or willow trees where they would lurk over young, attractive men.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-115{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:10px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:10px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. The Polish believe the girl who gets the most soaked in the celebration will be the first to marry. The legend describes Janosik as a man who robs the nobility and gives their valuables to the poor, just like Robin Hood did. // embed.js CDN Laszkas number probably embraces a broader and more diffuse set of people who follow Facebook groups about Rodzimowierstwo and maybe sometimes visit a festival, etc. (Dzien Wszystkich Swietych Dzien Zaduszny) At this place, she met the Mazovian Prince who was wandering around. Some Polish Easter traditions reach back to earlier, pagan beliefs; some are fusions of pagan and adopted, Christian traditions. It is the universal custom, among the common masses as well as among the distinguished, for men to soak the women on Easter Monday. One day, she decided to swim into the Vistula river from the Baltic Sea and as she was swimming upstream, she reached the area where Warsaw is today. The pagan Poles bickered with nature Dingen by means of pouring water and switching with willows to make themselves pure and worthy of the coming year. By Stanley Garczynski from PGS of Texas Polish Footprints Vol.XII No.4 Winter 1995. Skarbnik, or Treasurer in English, is a coal-mining creature with a human form which, according to the story, was a former miner who was called Walenty. Here Is How You Say It. Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. The one selected to represent St. Nicholas was usually driven in a sleigh to the homes in a Polish village. Still, the client base has not grown large enough to support many such businesses yet; online shops fill that gap, especially for Pagans who dont live in the larger cities. Everything was to be made as comfortable as possible for them and that this last day of the year would prophesize everything that was to happen in the coming year. Fascinating how this and other native Eastern European practices have persevered under both Christianity and Communism. According to the legend, the poor boy Jacek was too clumsy to participate in these rituals so he sat sad and alone. The tensions between the pagans and Christians were boiling, escalating with the Pagan Reaction in 1030s uprisings which destabilized the new Polish kingdom. According to the pact, the nobleman had to give his soul to the devil in exchange for wisdom and supernatural powers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. From the PGST News Vol. Putting a different spin on that idea, Laszka said that Pagans can buy their own land for worship. However, Polish heraldry was composed of local Slavic communities by mercenaries whose aim was to show who are they working for. Make sure to check if similar events are in your city as well, if it is not included on our list above. Family picnic on St Johns Day, fireworks display and concerts. Dyngus Day is a Polish and Polish-American celebration on Easter Monday to mark the completion of Lent, and this year, it falls on April 10. The custom of caroling in Poland, or Chodzenie Po Koledzie, began on St. Stephans and lasted until the Feast of the Purification on February 2. However humble or intricate, the portable crib always portrayed the mysteries of the birth of the Infant Jesus. April 9, 2019. Polish Easter Customs (Polskie Tradycje Wielkanocne) On both days, at twilight, the Poles make pilgrimages to their local cemeteries. They just needed something to be at the same time of the year, because of the fact that Pagan festivals and traditions were preserved even despite the Christianisation. 2. The circles are a challenge [to be] understood in a positive way, not a negative one, Rogalinski acknowledged. cultural traditions (first of all, the works of Vechaslav Ivanov and Vladimir Toporov are distinguished). Sorrowful God - The Sorrowful God is depicted in pre-history sculpture sitting with his head in his hand, peaceful and contemplative. The men crept through a window or through a chimney. Although sad, it is a remarkable sight to see and experience. The white eagle was chosen as a symbol as it associates an ancient yet popular Slavic legend about the founding of the Polish state. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Taking the young girl in his arms, the lord of the manor started dancing. The Legend of Janosik, the Polish Robin Hood, 8. The other form of Christmas caroling was Herody. The dish was set down in a place of honor on a bench near the Wigilia table and it was the first dish to be eaten. It is greeted with such mystical symbolism, that it is considered by many to be a greater holiday than Christmas itself. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. To this day, eggs are a major item at Easter. Easter in Poland is an important holiday marked with fairs, markets, special foods, and traditions. According to folklorists, the reason why these creatures are presented in the common nature surroundings of people is that in the past conditions in nature were so harsh that people focused stores on the hardships that they had to face and overcome. Verm said that long-standing disputes can make it difficult for Pagans to cooperate at times. Behind this wondrous bird that spread its wings, appeared the red- golden sun and Lech thought that this is a sign to stay at this place which he named Gniezno. If there were many stars, they rejoiced, for as many stars as there were in the heavens, that many sheaves of grain would be harvested the next year. Our projects & services:Agencja employer brandingSystem rekrutacyjny ATSOferty pracy w finansach. They stuffed a calfskin with smoldering sulfur and gave it to the dragon to eat it, causing a horrible death. (function (d) { Sometimes the male head of the house himself, in collusion with the perpetrators, let the men into the house himself to have his women folk abruptly awakened and doused liberally with water. The white tablecloth is indicative of the white swaddling cloth with which Our Lord was wrapped when he was placed in the Holy Sepulcher. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Throughout the Holy Week until the blessing of the fires on Holy Saturday, the Poles are engaged in traditional Easter activities. Wearing the wreath was considered an honor. The Warsaw Mermaid was a character that served as an inspiration and a staple figure in many literary works as well as visual artworks. Behind him were a fiddler and double base player playing a merry tune. The farm people bring to church great bouquets of herbs, vegetables, and corn, interwoven with a few flowers from the fields and gardens, which are blessed by the priest. It was published in Czech by Grade Publications, a.s. http://www.grada.cz. The Polish Legend of St.Johns Night was born in early ancient Slavic times when a ritual of water and fire was performed to honor the shortest night of the year. All myths and mythical creatures primarily come from the need to explain reality. The legend of Janosik who is considered the Polish Robin Hoon, tells the story of Juraj Janosik who was a Slovak highwayman. The couple always sat at the table which was located along the wall containing holy pictures. Do you know the name of the publisher of the Polish edition? The Legend of Sir Twardowski and the Devil, 11. 7. After the receiving of the blessing, everyone stood in a circle around the couple and the mother blessed them with holy water. This monster lives in the river Obra which is an offshoot of the River Warta in Poland.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'meettheslavs_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-leader-1-0'); According to the folklore records, a giant fish or fish- serpent lives in the northern part of this river and sometimes attacks ducks, swans, and small animals that it drags underwater like a real mighty predator. by Stanley Garczynski from PGS of Texas Polish Footprints Vol.XII No.3 Fall 1995. migus-dyngus (Polish pronunciation: [migus dnus]) is a formerly pagan and now a Roman Catholic celebration held on Easter Monday across Central Europe, and in small parts of Eastern and Southern Europe.The tradition is widely associated with Poland and is observed by Polish Diaspora communities, particularly among Polish Americans who call it Dyngus Day. }(document)); This website uses cookies. z o.o. It is believed that the brave kings life ended in the mountain Giewont which forms a great part of the Tatra mountains and that if one looks at it from far, they will see the head of the King and his knights. Leszek the Black started thinking about what is the right thing to do. At the conclusion of the prayer, the most important ceremony of the night, sharing of the Oplatek, and the exchange of wishes began. In Slavic legend, a sacred oak tree was the home of all beings; the top branches were the heavens, the trunk and lower branches the realms of men, and the roots were the underworld. The native religion of Poland could be a mixture of Catholicism with the old, Pagan customs and practices, including the magical ones, said Verm. However, they arrive late enough to find an empty battlefield with a great number of kidnapped or killed people. Rogaliskis number of 2,000 highly-committed regularly-active Rodzimowiercy is consistent with many other accounts. Among the many demons in Polish folklore, there is a benevolent character called Skarbnik who is a friendly mythological figure. Their particular repertoire was to walk throughout the village singing carols. On the Polish Easter table there is also a great number of cakes made in special shapes tall iced babki, flat and thin kolacze, and the most delicious mazurki flavored with lemon and dried fruit. As summer draws to an end, the Polish Feast of Greenery takes place on September 8th. Yet, even in Poland, one of the most Christianized European countries, Pagan religionsare growing within the shadow of the Church. Although the story of the Three Kings is taken from the apocryphal literature for which strict historical truth is not assured, the love and respect held for these three wise men was so strong, so universal, that the church also paid homage to them. Sheila said, Polish people (in general) are not very good in being understandable and tolerant. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In modern Poland, wianki is an event most commonly organised by city councils in major Polish agglomerations. Moreover, Wet Monday celebrates the arrival of spring and the future of a relationship. The chosen girl went to church in great pomp and ceremony, wearing the wreath on her head while sitting in a wagon pulled by four horses decorated in greenery and surrounded by other young maidens wearing flowers in their hair. He believes, this type of sacred place could bring Pagans together despite their low numbers. Wrocaw decided to organise a family event with wreath-floating, starting from 3 pm and lasting almost until midnight. The resin in the wood keeps the fire aglow and people keep waving these wooden torches in the wind to keep the fire intact until they get home. Jacke became thin as a twig out of sorrow and suffered all the time, learning that no happiness is possible without sharing. The girls knock on the windows and sing songs in praise of their spruce tree. After getting the girls out of their beds, the boys will douse them with water. container.appendChild(ins); The top of the spruce or pine was hung from a beam in the ceiling, with the tip facing down over the table where the Wigilia was to be held. The part of the festivities that everyone had been waiting for, the dancing and refreshments, began in earnest. Easter observances in Poland actually begin on Ash Wednesday, when kocanki or bazie are cut and placed in water. Egg Battles ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; For whatever its worth, The Pagan Book of Living and Dying has been published in Poland, so someone must be reading about eclectic American Paganism. In 1863, there was an uprising triggered by the forced enlistment of Polish men into the Russian Army. Pisanki (Polish Easter Eggs) All the events above are free of charge. According to this legend, the King and his knights were fighting a battle where Boleslaw lost his life. My mistake. The entire procession stopped at the gate leading to the manor house, its members continuing to sing until the owner emerged. Christmas Day (Boze Narodzenia) It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that reconstruction became widespread by comparing Slavic data with data from other Indo-European (Baltic, Iranian, German, etc.) Harvest Holiday, August 15 (Dozynki) He was supposed to pass down what he learned to the eldest in the next generation: my mother. "It's how it sounds," I'd say. According to the Polish folk myth from the pre-Christian Slavic tradition, the waters were inhabited with water spirits of western Poland that were called Rusalka and it was said that they were the spirits of dead young women which continued to wander around on Earth, seeking a way to draw life energy from people and other earthly living beings. The blessing by the parents were seen as more important than the church ceremony itself. And many customs take from Polish pagan traditions. January uprisingThe last explanation is more recent. Up with the Piwezyny! It can be classified as polytheism, but instead of gods, there are Christian saints who had replaced gods and taken over their qualities. On Good Friday, in some houses mirrors are covered with black cloth and parents wake their children with twigs, whispering the words of a Lent prayer The wounds of God. Going back to the earliest, notable stages of history, we may conclude that many phenomena were hard to be comprehended and one of the ways to tackle this was to create a belief system that will put the existence of supernatural powers and creatures forward. Then they are taken home and placed by the holy picture of the Blessed Mother, and remain there until the next year. Feast Of the Three Kings (Trzech Kroli) var alS = 2002 % 1000; More info about Krakw Wianki 2018 here. After everyone had an opportunity to share the wafer, the supper could begin. Classics feature honey, nuts, beans, barley and beetroot, fruit, fungi and fish (fried herring or carp, or even stuffed pikeperch). That very night, the archangel Michael appeared in front of him and told him not to doubt himself even for a minute. Another belief was that whichever one of the bridesmaids touched the bride or her wreath first after the marriage would marry that year. One of the traditional dishes was Kutia, which was served in both the homes of the nobility and the serfs. The most popular Pagan path practiced in Poland is Rodzimowierstwo ("native faith"), an indigenous form of Slavic polytheism. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The story begins with the attack of the area near the town of Lublin by the armies Lithuanians and Yotvingians. The bride and groom then went to invite their godparents. Often rooted in religion, Polish traditions and customs remain as strong today as they did centuries ago.
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