There are many celebration traditions for the holiday Yarilo Mokry. Yarilin Day: Slavic men's holiday When is Yarilin Day celebrated

Slavic traditions are being revived, we remember our native holidays. It’s good that today many people remember the day when Lelya and Yarilo came to people. And there are other holidays that are still forgotten. Do you know when Yarilin's day is?

Celebrate Yarilin's day on April 23. In the old days, the holiday of Yaril the Spring was one of the main ones! We were looking forward to it and getting ready. They said that on this day the God of Fertility himself walks around the earth, checks the readiness of the fields for sowing, and negotiates with forest animals so that they do not harm the livestock. The Slavs honor Yarila Veshny, help him, and themselves go around the fields and the village herd. Yes, first things first!

Yarilin Day: holiday of farmers

Do you remember the story about how Yarilo brought bread to people, taught them to work on the land, and later how to collect grain and grind it? This story is told in the book of fairy tales “The Adventures of the Ardent God.” Since then, Yarilo has been called the God of Fertility, and on Yarilin’s day he himself goes around the forests and fields, checking whether everything is ready for sowing grain. They say that Yarilo unlocks Mother Earth and releases the grass from under the bushel:

Zelen Yarilo came to us -

Ardent God on a green horse,

Green like grass

Dewy like dew.

Brought grain of grain

And good news from the Sun!

On the holiday of Yaril, Veshny often appears in the guise of one of the village boys. Yarila Veshny arrives to the field on a “horse”, the role of which is played by guys in disguise. He holds ears of wheat in his hand, Yarilo’s face is painted with bright colors, and solar patterns are drawn on his body.

Girls and wives bring treats to the Yarilo Spring holiday, generously give them to the participants in the ritual, water the ground with water and kvass, leave bread and colored eggs in the field as a gift to Mother Earth. The men begin working in the fields: Yarilo Veshniy’s lazy plow is plowing.

On Yarilin's day, a young guy helps God - he goes around the field, protecting the future harvest from bad weather and forest animals. They say that Yarilo makes friends with animals, because his father is God Veles, who knows the language of animals and birds. Therefore, on Yarilin’s day, the God of Fertility comes to an agreement with the forest dwellers, asking them not to touch the harvest in the fields.

Yarila Veshny: the feast of the shepherds

On Yarilin day, another ritual was performed: livestock was released for grazing for the first time. On this holiday, they chose a shepherd who would tend the village flock this year. The shepherd alone or together with the Expert walked around the herd. They say that Yarilo the Vernal, the wolf shepherd, helped him that day: even if you keep your eyes peeled, you won’t be able to keep an eye on the herd without Yarila.

Before the cattle were driven out on Yarilin day, the cows and horses were fed in the yard, they were given a piece of bread with black Thursday salt, they were pouring water over the cattle, and they were tying threads around the cow so that she would always return home. The owner, the eldest in the family, drove the cattle out of the yard, urging them on with willow branches. The hostess brought treats for the shepherd and presented him with bread and eggs.

In the field, the shepherd alone or together with Znatka walked around the herd, reading the words of “vacation” for the cattle. Each village had its own conspiracy to bypass the herd on Yarilin day. Afterwards, the shepherd agreed with Yarilo Veshny about what rules he was obliged to follow. They say that in one village a shepherd will never give his pipe to another person, and in another a shepherd does not shake hands with strangers all summer - this is the agreement with Yarilo.

Yarilin's day: holiday of newlyweds

We know another tradition of the holiday Yarilo Veshny. The women gathered in the village and went around to the houses of the newlyweds, those who got married less than a year ago. They came under the windows and “called out” to the young people, called them by name, wished them happiness and health, asked Yarilo Veshny for fertility, the early birth of children in the family. The newlyweds rewarded the “callers” with a pre-prepared treat.

How to celebrate the holiday of Yaril the Spring today?

Nowadays it is difficult in cities to observe the traditions of a holiday that is so strongly associated with nature. Yarila Veshny was loved by our ancestors who lived on earth, but now is almost completely forgotten. But the magical spirit and mood of this day can still be felt today!

Yarilin's day is the mischief of young guys dressed up for a traditional ritual, and the joy that Mother Earth is awakening and giving us her fruits, and the feeling of the beating of life, ardent, young strength...

Remember this today, April 23, to feel the power of Yarila the Vernal, God of the Spring Sun, Fertility and young Passion!

Happy holiday!

May 22 Troyan (Tribog's Day) is a holiday of the end of spring and the beginning of summer, when the Trisvetly Dazhdbog replaces the young Yaril-Spring. A sanctuary dedicated to the victory of the Trojan God over the Black Serpent. At this time, the Rodnovers glorify Svarog Triglav - Svarog-Perun-Veles, strong in Rule, Reveal and Navi. According to legends, Troyan was the embodiment of the power of Svarog, Perun and Veles, who joined forces in the fight against the Serpent, the offspring of Chernobog, who once threatened to destroy the entire Three Worlds. Troyan is the god of health, healing herbs, and witchcraft.

Since ancient times, people have commemorated their ancestors and created amulets against atrocities committed by mermaids and the restless souls of “hostage” dead (who died “not their own,” that is, an unnatural death). On the night of Trojan, girls and women “plowed” the village in order to protect themselves from evil forces.

The people said: “Since the Spiritual Day, not only from heaven, but warmth comes from under the ground,” “When the Holy Spirit comes, it will be in the yard, as on a stove.” According to popular beliefs, all evil spirits are afraid of this day like fire, and just before the sun rises on the Spirits, Mother Cheese-Earth reveals her secrets, and therefore healers go at this time to “listen to treasures.” As on Yaril Veshny, dew on this day is considered sacred and healing.

After the beginning, the rite of tonsure is carried out for young men, initiation into warriors. Next they have a feast in the field. Ritual food: sweets, scrambled eggs, pies. When required, ritual beer is brought. Before the games, a fairy tale or an ancient legend is played out. Love games and dancing are required.

After Yarila's day, hot weather usually sets in for seven days.

Yarilo, get up early, yar-yar get up early;
Yarilo, wash yourself white, wash yourself white;
Yarilo, saddle the horse, yar-yar saddle the horse;
Yarilo, go to the field, yar-yar go to the field;
Yarilo, take the keys, yar-yar take the keys;
Yarilo, unlock the Earth, yar-yar unlock the Earth;
Yarilo, let the grass go, yar-yar let the grass go;
Yarilo, green, yar-yar green;
Yarilo, let the dew go, yar-yar let the dew go;
Yarilo, honey, yar-yar honey;
Yarilo, give us a share, yar-yar give us a share;
Yarilo, happy, yar-yar happy.

Yarila is called “wet” at this time because he showed His Power - the people created the Earth. Soon (on Kupala - see below) He, turning as an Elder, will go to Heaven, but His Ardent Power will not be wasted in vain: Mother Earth, the sacred Fruit - a good Harvest - will bring it in due time! It has been the same since time immemorial - everything is according to the Tribal Law; We honor Yarila in the same way - everything according to the Russian Iskon! On this Day, people gather at the Temple, praise Yarila, and ask Him for Strength:

YARILO STRONG WALK UNTIL US
REST IN THE YARI! GO!
YARILO THE GLORIOUS STAND AMONG US
REST IN THE YARI! GO!
YARILO BURNING FLASHING US
REST IN THE YARI! GO!
GLORY TO YARIL!
GO!

The Magi carry Yarun out, place him on a towel, sprinkle him with grain, and place sacrificial gifts to Yarila before him. The priest pours nine-strong water infused with nine magic herbs onto Yarun from a special jug. The Magus asks:

What about Yarila?

The priest answers him:
- KOLO BURNED! - That is, he shone with the Vernal Sun.
Then he again pours water on Yarun. The Magus asks:
- What about Yarila?
The priest answers:
- GO TO THE DEW! - That is, he created the embryo of Mother Earth.
And for the third time he pours water on Yarun. The Magus asks:
- What about Yarila?
The priest answers:
- IT'S RISEN! - That is, the Harvest has risen.
After this, the sorcerer turns to all those gathered and, raising his hands to the mountain, loudly says:
- Glory to Yaril-Father!
The people catch on to the glory:
- Goy!
Magus - suddenly in a row:
- Glory to Yaril-Father!!

People:
- Goy!!
Magus - for the third time:
- Glory to Yaril-Father!!!
People:
- Goy!!!

Then the whole world bows to Yarila and passes the brother around with intoxicated honey or beer - Yarila's sacred drink - not for the sake of outrage, but for good fun and health. When the brother has gone around all those gathered, the men and young men come out to dance a ritual dance called zheg: they stand in a circle, clasping each other by the shoulders, and begin to move - one step counter-salt, two steps salted - with a stomp, first slowly, then gradually accelerating. The knees are raised as high as possible: so that the stomach grows high. With every step, they shout with one voice: “YARE-YAR” or “GOY”. The dance continues until complete exhaustion, after which everyone falls on the grass and listens to the Earth in silence...

The celebration ends - just like on Yarila Veshniy - with honest brotherhood and cheerful games.
Foreign chroniclers considered Triglav one of the numerous host of Slavic gods, not realizing that this most important symbol expressed the very essence of our ancient faith: God is one, but he has many manifestations. Most often, these are three main entities: Svarog, Perun and Svyatovit (Sventovit). The Boyan Hymn says:

Bow your head before Triglav!
This is how we started
they sang great glory to Him,
Svarog - the Grandfather of the Gods was praised,
what awaits us.
Svarog - Elder God of the Family of God
and to all the race - an ever flowing spring...
And to the Thunderer - God Perun,
God of battles and struggle...
And we praised Sventovit.
He is both Right and God Reveal!
We sing songs to Him, because Sventovit is Light.

Therefore, we can say that any statue of the Slavic gods is Triglav. For this reason, many deities were depicted as multifaceted - multi-essential, and the German chronicler called Triglav the “greatest” deity of the Slavs.

Triglav was revered by all Slavs, but some peoples worshiped him especially. Near the city of Stetin, next to a healing spring, on the main of the three sacred hills, the magnificent Triglav Temple stood on high pillars covered with black cloth. At the foot of the only statue lay piles of treasure - a tenth of the spoils of war.

The statue of the triune god was covered with a veil, and he had golden bandages on his mouth and eyes. It was believed that Triglav vigilantly monitors all the kingdoms: Rule, Reality and Navy. The gaze of God and his word had such power that they could easily break the thin barriers between worlds.

And then the worlds, mixed, would change places, and this would mean the end of the world. Therefore, Triglav was served by many priests, who made sure that his statue was always tightly covered with cloth, and they expressed the will of the god themselves. The black horses of Triglav were also used for predictions.

Images of Triglav could differ significantly from each other in size. In Gostkovo, for example, it was so large that the conquerors could not knock it down even with the help of several pairs of oxen. And in Yulin, this god, cast from gold, was so small that he was hidden from the advancing knights in a hollow tree.

The idea of ​​a triune deity was also known to the Aryan Hindus, where he was called Trimurti. The statue consisted of the three main gods of Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (in our opinion - Barma, the Most High and Siva). Thus, three most important functions were combined in one nature: creation (Brahma), storage (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva). The Slavic-Russian idea was somewhat different: creation (Svarog), the law of Rule (Perun) and the divine Light (Svyatovit). Destruction could be used only in exceptional cases as punishment for non-compliance with the divine law of life.

Below Triglav were Belobog and Chernobog, who were in constant struggle with each other: the daylight was dimming in the approaching twilight, and the darkness of the night was dispelled by the morning dawn; Sadness was quickly replaced by joy: after cruelty and envy came the time of selfless and good deeds. The first god was depicted as a wise, gray-bearded and gray-haired old man, the second - as an ugly, skeletal “koschei”. However, Belobog and Chernobog were revered equally.

In Pomerania there is a mountain called Belobog. In Poland these are places such as Bialobozhe and Bialobozhnitsa, in the Czech Republic - Belozhitsa, in Ukrainian Galicia - Belbozhnitsa. Near Moscow, next to Radonezh, there was a sanctuary of Belobog, and in Kostroma the Orthodox Trinity-Beloboga Monastery retained in its name the name of the ancient god of light and heat.

This god was especially revered in Belarus, where he was called Belun. Here they believed that a gray-bearded old man who looked like a sorcerer would definitely bring home a person lost in the forest. In a happy moment, Belarusians said: “It’s like I made friends with Belun.” Or: “It’s dark in the forest without Belun.”

The chronicler Helmold said that in medieval Slavia, during feasts, they passed a bowl of intoxicating honey through the rows and swore by Belobog and Chernobog. A wooden statue of the latter in the form of a humanoid beast with a runic inscription in the language of the Pomeranian Slavs: “Tsarni bu” (“Black God”) stood for a long time in the German city of Hamburg. Chernobog was considered evil. In Ukraine there was a strong curse: “May the black god kill you!”

A very interesting legend about two gods was preserved in the lands of the Don Army. The Cossacks believed that Belyak and Chernyak were twin brothers who always followed a person and recorded his deeds in special books. The good ones are “registered” by Belobog, the evil ones are registered by his brother. Nothing can be hidden from their gaze, but if you repent, the record of a bad deed will fade, although it will not disappear completely - God must read it after the death of a person.

In the hour of sorrow, the brothers become visible, and then Belobog says to the dying man: “There is nothing to do, the son will finish your work.” And Chernobog always adds gloomily: “And he won’t be able to finish everything either.” The twins accompany the soul in the Hereafter until the Judgment, and then return to earth to accompany the next newborn until his death.

Some researchers see Belobog as a symbol of the Aryan faith, and Chernobog as Shiva the Destroyer. Others note that Belobog wore a white dress with black patches, and Chernobog wore all black, but with white patches on his clothes. This is exactly what the eastern symbols of Yin and Yang look like - two forces that, replacing each other, move the world in the eternal cycle of black and white existence. The World of Reveal is a field of eternal battle, a place of testing for people.

Only the heavens of Rule are free from Darkness, and Nav does not know the Light.
The brothers Belobog and Chernobog follow a person everywhere and write down all his deeds, good and evil, in the books of fate. Later they were replaced by a guardian angel standing behind the right shoulder, and a devil behind the left.

Yarilo the Strong (Yarilo the Wet) is the most extensive and riotous holiday of the entire complex of Spring celebrations of Yarilo. This is how the Christian priest Tikhon Zadonsky describes this holiday, which took place in Voronezh, in the above-mentioned source of 1765: “...many husbands and wives of old and young children (...) gathered. Among this multitude of people, and I saw others almost insensitive drunken people, quarrels among others, fights among others, I noticed drunken wives dancing with nasty songs..."8. From these lines, discarding the purely Christian desire to denigrate everything folk, everything connected with the original Slavic Culture, one can judge the scale and general mood of the holiday.

On this day, along with singing and dancing, fist fights were also held, often leading to death. According to ethnographers, on this holiday a guy was also chosen to portray Yarila. He led the procession and the shepherds played the pity. In other cases, Yarila’s “horse” was made from tied poles, on which a shepherd with a pipe was seated. Often, as part of this holiday, along with the usual fist fights, a ritual duel was also organized - the “elected” Yarilo fought with his fists with the same “Yarila” from the neighboring village. Along with the culmination of the Spring Yari, the holiday of Yarila the Strong is also a reflection of the fact that the Vernal Power of Yarila begins on the decline from this day (and this continues until Kupala, when the “Funeral of Yarila” is held, when the Young Spring Sun - Yarilo - turns into Mature Husband - Trisvetly Dazhdbog - Summer Sun). A symbolic reflection of this process in folk rituals is the rolling of burning wheels from the Yarilin Pleshy.

Yarilin Day is also popularly called the “Top of Summer”, as it falls at the hottest time of the season.

Yarilo is the god of the sun, warmth, spring and carnal love, who is distinguished by his bright temperament. He was considered the god of fertility - in the old days it was said that on Yarila all living things “come to yar”, that is, they begin to bear fruit.

According to legends, from the union of Yarila with Mother Earth, which until then was lifeless, all life on the planet, including humans, came into existence.

Yarila was considered the youngest among the solar gods, but the respectful attitude of the ancient Slavs towards his cult was no less. Legends say that on this day the other gods measured their strength with Yarila, but he invariably won the battles.

In the old days, in honor of Yarila, noisy games were organized, often on a marriage theme, feasts, fairs and fist fights. Yarilin's day has a sacred meaning - on a sunny holiday you can look into the future, reconcile with the brownie, gain health and preserve youth.

When did the holiday originate?

The exact date of the origin of the holiday is unknown - its roots go back to those distant times when there was no Christianity in Rus'. Yarilin's Day - the long-awaited holiday of the sun god, according to ancient Slavic tradition, was celebrated on the first day of July.

On this day, the ancient Slavs asked for help from the heavenly bodies, nature and animals. The Day of Yarila the Sun was considered a holiday of the end of spring and the beginning of summer.

Worship of the sun was an invariable attribute of Slavic culture, so they tried to honor Yarila at every suitable occasion.

© photo: Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev

The solar god was also celebrated on other days - holidays in honor of Yarila were usually celebrated from March 21 (the day of the vernal equinox, Maslenitsa) and the days following it, until mid-summer.

Despite the fact that the Orthodox Church is against such holidays and calls it paganism and idolatry, Yarilin Day has not lost its former popularity. People continue to believe in the power of the sun and celebrate the peak of summer. This holiday is especially revered by the Eastern Slavs.

Traditions and rituals

Yarilin's holiday was called special - in the old days they said that they “wait for it all year long” and it is “every day.”

On this day, traditionally, everyone took a break from field work, organized holiday fairs, fun folk festivals with games and competitions, where young people showed their strength and dexterity. People believed that the more fun the holiday was, the more successful the year would be.

They also held feasts in the fields with the obligatory dishes - scrambled eggs, pies and sweets. In the evenings, young people lit fires, around which they danced, sang songs and had fun.

Girls and boys dressed in the best and brightest clothes, treated each other to sweets, and organized processions with drumbeats. Girls, as a rule, decorated themselves with ribbons and flowers.

Men, for fun, dressed up in colorful dresses, put on jester's caps, and decorated their outfits with ribbons and bells. Passers-by treated the mummers with pastries and sweets - meeting them promised good luck, a rich harvest and happiness in their personal lives.

Yarila was often depicted as a handsome young man on a white horse, whose head is decorated with a wreath of spring flowers, and in his hands there are ears of corn. Therefore, in some areas on Yarilin Day, a handsome guy or girl was chosen, seated on a white horse, a wreath of wildflowers was placed on his head, and ears of corn were given in his hands.

The horse and “Yarila” were led through the fields, saying: “Wherever you step, there is a heap of life, and wherever you look, an ear of corn blooms!” This ritual was called "Unlocking the Earth."

Since Yarilo is the god not only of the sun, but also of carnal love, marriage games were encouraged. On this day, as on Ivan Kupala, relations between boys and girls were free, but everything remained within the bounds of decency.

© photo: Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev

Marriages concluded for Yarila were recognized as legal, and children born after the holiday were considered born in marriage. If the love was not mutual, they turned to love spells, which on that day were more effective than usual. Therefore, knowledgeable people tried not to miss Yarilin’s day.

On this day, women went to the forest to get branches for wreaths. In the old days, it was believed that women were prone to arguments, gossip, and envy, and in order to reconcile everyone and ensure good relationships throughout the year, they came up with a ritual - you had to look into each other’s eyes through a wreath.

On this day, unmarried girls went to the river bank to tell fortunes. They threw wreaths into the water and watched where it would float and on which side to wait for the grooms. The main thing is that the wreath does not drown, otherwise there will be no wedding for the next year.

In the old days, on this day, before sunrise, sorcerers and healers went to remote places to “listen to treasures.” And if the treasure wanted to reveal itself, you could easily and quickly get rich.

People believed that on this holiday Mother Earth monitors her secrets less carefully, so they can be solved.

Popular beliefs say that on this day the evil spirits were hidden especially carefully. Evil spirits are afraid of the sun even on ordinary days, not like on a holiday dedicated to the daylight.

Supernatural phenomena were expected on Yarila - the sun slowed down, and special “holes” formed on the ground, through which one could look at the other side of the world, or even at the other world.

To do this, at noon they took strong birch branches and wove them into a braid, from which they walked to a steep river bank and looked through it. According to legend, in this way one could see the spirits of deceased relatives and living loved ones from whom there had been no news for a long time.

On Yarilin's day, treats were left for the brownie, and if by the evening the treats disappeared, people believed that the brownie was pleased with the offering and was happy to live with the owners, and accordingly, happiness and prosperity would reign in the house.

Treats were also left at the graves of relatives, visiting them and congratulating them on the sunny holiday.

People believed that Yarila on this day could help get rid of illnesses and other adversities - you just need to sincerely ask him about it at dawn in a secluded place.

Signs

On this day, medicinal herbs and other plants endowed with magical properties were collected. People believed that a hot drink made from medicinal herbs collected on Yarilin's day relieves many ailments. Healing herbs were used to feed livestock and decorate the house to protect against hail, drought, and insect pests.

Morning dew on the Yarilin holiday was considered healing, bestowing youth, beauty and health. Therefore, in the old days, people washed themselves with it, collected it in small containers to give to seriously ill people, moistened the sheets and wrapped themselves in it.

On the day of the sun god, cattle were driven out to pasture so that they too would walk in Yarilin’s dew. By the way, on this day the cattle were fed to their fill, as it was believed that the more the animals ate, the more fertile the year would be.

In the garden they held a harvest show, looked for the first fruits - one cucumber was buried so that the harvest would be good, the rest were served for the meal.

On this day, people mowed and dried the grass, and then stuffed mattresses with it - it was believed that on such a feather bed you could not only sleep well, but also improve your health.

On this day, it was customary to lightly lash children and pets with willow twigs, while wishing them health and good growth.

Many signs on this day were also related to the weather. If July 1st was a sunny day, then the seven days following the holiday will be hot.

The morning fog, the wind blowing, as well as the evening dawn, golden-yellow with pink reflections, promised good weather. And the month in the sky is such that you can “hang” a bucket on the lower horn, predicting dry days.

A lot of dew means millet will grow, and midges on winter crops mean a catch of quails.

Animal tails were also used to predict the weather for the rest of the summer. If the tails are lowered, it means rain; if the tails are raised, it means hot weather.

Those born on this day were considered the keepers of traditions, experts in all annual holidays and omens.

The material was prepared based on open sources

Yarilo - the Sun - the Brightest Heavenly God-Patron of Earthly Life. Yarila is the patron saint of all Light and Pure Ones. Good ones. Heart thoughts and thoughts of people. Yarila is the guardian of Good and Pure Hearts and our daylight Sun, which gives everyone living on Midgard-Earth warming warmth, love and a full life. The image of Yarila the Sun is often depicted in everyday life in the form of various swastika symbols and horses.

In Rus' they said: “Yarilo is a good fellow, rides around on a white horse, has a wreath on his blond curls, a bunch of rye in his left hand, and a club in his right hand. Yarilo waves his rye - the fields grow fat, the grain begins to spike, he waves his club - thunder rumbles, rain pours. Wherever the horse stands, silk grass with azure flowers spreads.”

Some believe that this is not only the god of the sun, but also the Slavic Eros, the god of love and passion. Others believe that this is the god of the life-giving power of nature: when everything that grows falls into rage, that is, becomes covered with greenery and begins to bear fruit, then animals also rage and strive to produce offspring. Fairs and games were held on this day. The holiday was accompanied by fist fights, songs, and dances. In the evening, people had fun around the fires, sang songs, young people led round dances, fragrant herbs and medicinal teas were brewed.

The news about ancient festivals is so unreliable and changed by local conditions that it is difficult to get to their source - Yarilin’s Day is one of these. What time did he appear with us? What honors were given to him? It is not possible to answer these questions definitively. From ancient sources (M. Zabylin) we only know that the holiday was accompanied by wild fun in the Kostroma, Tver, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan, Tambov and Voronezh provinces, and perhaps in many other places. His entertainment consisted of fist games, games and fair gatherings.

Yarilo is a cheerful, riotous god of passion and prowess. Yarilo will look at the person he meets - he is drunk without beer, drunk without drunkenness; If Yar-Khmel meets the gaze of a beautiful girl, he will instantly throw her into a fever: she would throw herself on someone’s neck... And around him, all along his path, along Yarilina’s road, flowers bloom, every step, every inch - everything is more spiritual, everything is brighter, more colorful.

In Voronezh for a long time, until 1763, there was a folk game, Yarilo. It was performed before the fast of Peter the Great. On the eve of the game, snacks and festive clothes were prepared, and then, at dawn, the crowds moved out of the city to a large square located outside the Moscow Gate. The girls dressed up better than each other: red chebots (boots), a multi-colored spare wheel with wide sleeves, a white shirt and several multi-colored ribbons woven into a braid heralded the annual and solemn celebration. The fellows also did not miss an opportunity to show off their smart clothes. Traders set up tents in the pasture in advance and laid out delicacies, toys and small goods on the tables. This fun was a mixture of a fair and a noisy festive celebration.

Songs, dances and music accompanied the general fun. Among these amusements, they dressed one man in a colorful dress, decorated him with flowers, hung ribbons and bells on him; a tall paper cap with a rooster plume was put on the head, which was decorated with fantastic images; his face was blackened or blushed, and his hands were given trinkets and a mallet. Children announced the Yarilovo procession with the beating of drums.

A crowd of walkers flocked to this spectacle. The costumed man walked importantly in the square and danced; other dancers joined him, who treated him to gingerbread, poppies, pies - in a word, everything that they brought for their treat. When the fun was in full swing, random games were made; from them they moved on to valiant pastimes - fist fights.

An old, time-honored custom, many, many years after the disappearance of primitive marriage-kidnapping from the people's memory, forced mothers not so long ago to send girls to "get married" to Yarilin's games. At the latter, the freest possible circulation of youth of both sexes was allowed. At the same time, however, everything is accompanied by complete decency. The crowd starts a game of “burners”. Those who have spotted brides for themselves stand in pairs with the girls they like in a long row; one of them, who will be given the lot to “burn,” steps forward and calls out: “I’m burning, I’m burning, stump!” - “Why are you burning?” - some beautiful girl asks him. - “I want a red maiden!” - "Which?" - “You, young one!” After this, one couple rushes in different directions, trying to grab each other with their hands again, and the “burning” one tries to catch the girl before she has time to run away with the guy standing with her earlier. If the “burning” one catches a girl, he becomes a couple with her, and the one who remains alone “burns” instead of him; but fails to catch him, he continues to chase other couples. During Yarilin's revelry, hugging and kissing were allowed, which took place under branchy trees that hid the couples.

There are areas where Yarilin's holiday begins with girls - in a whole round dance - choosing one of themselves, dressing her in flowers and putting her on a white horse. All participants in the game are dressed in festive outfits, with wreaths of wild flowers on their heads. In White Rus' they sing a song about the god Yaril and his joyful, cheerful walk around the white world:
And gdzezh en naked -
There's a lot of life there,
And gdzezh en ni zyrne -
There's a flowering ear there!..

During Yarilin's week, according to the superstitious belief of the people, all kinds of love conspiracies have especially irresistible power - for dryness, for sweetness, and in the heat of the moment. “On the sea on Kiyan,” says one similar conspiracy, “there was a tomb, in that tomb lay a maiden, a child of God (name)! Get up, wake up, dress up in a colorful dress, take flint and steel, ignite your heart with zeal for the child of God ((name) and give yourself over to longing and sadness for him! "

The ancient custom of going to the graves of the dead at this time has been preserved almost everywhere. Here everyone treats themselves, leaving something to eat lying in the damp ground. In some places they treat not only the dead, but also brownies: when leaving home, they leave the table set and laden with various foods and drinks. Great happiness awaits the owner who, upon returning home, finds everything eaten and drunk.

“Yarilo spring spring!”, “There’s a bargaining on Yarilo, there’s a lot of sense in the bargaining.” There is a sense, but it’s all explained!” - the village says regarding this time. “Yarilo Kupala is calling!” - the eloquent people continue to sprinkle jokes: - “From Yarila to the Agrafen bathing baths it’s a stone’s throw!”, “A woman drinks on Yarila, and gets hung up on Kupala!”

On the fourth – seventh (because it’s a weekend) of July, modern Slavs try to celebrate the holiday of Yarila, Yarilin's day. Unfortunately, we were thirteen days late. Why? Because Slavic paganism lived according to a different calendar, they still confuse the old and new styles of chronology, because they do not follow the sun. Yarilo is the God of the Sun, and the time of his power is from the natural holiday of the spring equinox on the twenty-second of March to the summer solstice on the twenty-second of June. Trying to celebrate a Slavic holiday Yarilin's day the fourth - seventh of July, alas! That means thirteen days late. I’ll tell you about how Yarila was honored and when they celebrate Yarilin's day. Meanwhile, Slavic holidays in July mark the day of the Month.

Slavic holiday of Yarilo in July, the life-giving power of the Sun

Yarilo is a young, bright, unbridled God of the Sun. Rules from the twenty-first - twenty-second of March to the twenty-first - twenty-second of June.

Let’s just remember that Yarilo is young, bright, the God of the awakening of Nature, a symbol of male strength and rage, the Patron of fertility, love, and childbirth.

This is a male God. The best qualities of this God, embodied in a man, make such a husband the most attractive for love and creating a family.

Yaropolk, Yaroslav, Yaromir, Yarosvet - these are Slavic male names that have absorbed the bright light of the sun.

Yary - hot, fiery, spring - sown in spring, yarun - showing black grouse, yari - spring, passionate, full of young strength. All these words of Slavic paganism come from the image of the bright Yarila - the Sun.

Its symbol is a spear, an arrow, a rotating solar sign, similar to the ancient weapon of a warrior. Yarilo is also the God of Victorious War. It was believed that Yarilo-Sun had no pity for his enemies, therefore a defeated enemy is the best offering to the deity. Very masculine.

All Slavic holidays dedicated to this God, and the holiday of Yarila especially, are imbued with this masculine energy of strength and victory. Slavic men were sun worshipers, they drew strength to defeat enemies, love women and be the protector of the family. Therefore, it is important to know when they celebrate Yarilin Day!

How many Yarila holidays are there in a year? Yarilin's day.

Yarilo is honored more than once during the annual cycle, this is understandable. But he comes to us in accordance with the circle of life, different Yarila, sometimes young, sometimes old.

Let's start the description from the twenty-first - twenty-second of March. The day of the vernal equinox, the holiday of Komoeditsa, turning into the Calls of Spring. How to call Spring - Lelya without Yarilo! People clean the nearest hill, usually called Yarilin’s bald patch, dance round dances, burn bonfires, call the gentle beauty Lelya and the victorious Yarilo.

Yarilo the Red comes on this day like youth, like the awakening of nature. But the real Slavic holiday of Yariliye is yet to come!

The twentieth of April is coming. Yarilo is the one without whom it is impossible to celebrate the spring fertility holiday on April twenty-third. This is the peak of the first Rusalia, the Lelnik holiday - Yarilin's day! It is Yarilo the Violent, like maturity, the violence of life, the power of sowing, who descends on Mother Cheese Earth and unlocks it with his key.

The day when Yarilo unlocks Svarga, lets dew fall on Mother Earth, when the masculine life principle triumphs and new life is born in the fields and forests. With this action, the rapid growth of grasses and trees began, spring and summer began. Yarilo keeps flowers on trees, fruits, herbs, the offspring of herds, and takes care of the generous autumn harvest. This day is called Yarilin's day.

The time of Yarilin, like no other Slavic Deity, lasts a long time - until the twenty-first - twenty-second of June, the day of the summer Solstice. This is the day of Yarilo Yasny, a symbol of old age, summing up and reaping the fruits.

That is why on June twenty-second there is a farewell to Yarila; sometimes the rituals even take on funeral options.

Farewell, ardent God!

Nature tends towards calm. It will be summer for a long time, there will still be sunny days, but the fury of spring has already gone, this is absolutely correct from the point of view of the annual cycle.

What is the Slavic holiday of the Month?

The month is not the Moon, first of all. This is an independent character of Slavic paganism. There are various legends about him, some related to his love for the maiden star Dennitsa. Slavic holidays in July honor him, the young and perky Month.

Let me remind you of the words from the wonderful fairy tale of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.

"The Tale of the Sleeping Princess"

It is tonight that you can celebrate the modest Slavic holiday of the Month - go out into nature with your loved one, holding hands, look at the sky. And maybe your love will be so strong that you will see the miracle of this holiday - this month in honor of its holiday runs from place to place, shimmering with all seven colors of the rainbow. They say that people saw this and then lived happily ever after.

It has long been believed that contemplating this will give you more strength. And if you see that the moon is playing, it will appear and then disappear behind a cloud, which means that you will have a good harvest and easy harvesting, a prosperous summer. And if it is clearly visible and shines clearly, then autumn will be warm and dry.