Wake up time has passed. The days of George started a new work cycle. The time of flowering, fertility and love is coming. Goddess Zhiva comes to take the scepter from Vesna. In ancient Rome, the beginning of May was dedicated to the goddess Flora. At that time, the Celts celebrated Beltain and the Germans celebrated Walpurin's night. For the Slavs, the day of May between the spring equinox and the summer solstice is the wedding day of Svarozhich Dazhbog, the sun god, and Zhiva, the goddess of life. In fact, this day should not fall until the fifth of May, but, like in other pre-Christian traditions, it has settled on the first day of May in the Slavic one.
On this day, when there is a symbolic restoration of balance and renewal of life on earth, the laying of bonfires and ceremonial fires was also an integral part of some of the following days. It was customary for our Slavic ancestors to light two bonfires on the eve of May Day. The first was dedicated to Dazhbog and men, the second bonfire was intended for Zhiva and women. After dark and bonfires lit, ceremonial circle dances around the fires began. All the offerings, before they were placed on the altar or under the sacred tree, were transferred between burning fires. Likewise, the passage of people or animals between fires had a purifying and strengthening effect.
In the first days of the beginning of Pentecost, people believed in the enhanced magical power of herbs, so medicinal herbs were collected, but also various flowers or blooming twigs as symbols of the definitive victory of light over darkness. At this time, the cattle used to be driven to the first pasha strengthened by the charms of this time, often between or over the hot coals from the sacred two fires.
In the times of our ancestors, in addition to the altar stone, there was also a sacred tree in the middle of the holy grove. Such a tree symbolized the tree of life, the center of the Universe, which connected all three worlds - Nav, Jav and Prav. Through it, it was possible to communicate with the deities, send them requests and thanks.
It was after the Night of Fires that he used to symbolically build such a tree, in the form of trees decorated with ribbons and wreaths. The tree is an obvious symbol of masculinity, the fiery power of Dazhbog, and the May wreath symbolizes femininity, the water power of Zhiva. Symbolic tree - May is their symbolic connection, by placing it in front of the house, it is supposed to ensure the fulfillment of wishes for fertility, happiness and well-being, but it also served as protection against dark forces, evil spirits and diseases.
The wedding of Dažbog and Živa and their joint restoration of the world is also celebrated at the time of Pentecost with the ceremony of choosing the king and queen, about which we will soon talk a little more.
And do not forget on the eve of the first day of May (or the fifth) to light two candles, between which you place a vase with a green decorated wand, and to pour a border of sand or salt on the threshold of the house, so that witches or other dark forces do not slip into your home. Also, don't forget to kiss your loved one under the cherry blossoms the next day.
