It's time. Recently, one of the most significant days of the year arrived – the Day of the Autumn Equinox. For our ancestors, this day was not just another date on the calendar but the beginning of a whole period marked by a distinct autumnal character. The wild game begins its nocturnal "concerts," nature changes under the touch of autumn, and adorns itself in warm colors. At the same time, you can feel the gradual cooling as the sun sets.
Just as in other important periods, during the autumn festive days, our Slavic ancestors directed their prayers to give thanks for the harvested crops and the multiplication of their livestock. It's no wonder that this time became a period of Feasts, Fairs, or Consecrations when the entire agrarian season reaches its peak. The harvest is reaped and gathered, the firewood is prepared – the perfect time for celebrations.
The rituals of the autumn equinox were dedicated to agrarian deities, particularly Veles and Mokosh, as well as Saintvitus, who embodied attributes of prosperity, divination, and protection. This period was also dedicated to Simargl, the god of fire and the family hearth. Part of the celebrations included the lighting of a new fire, which was ceremonially transferred from the sacred grove to the human dwellings. This task often fell to the head of the family, who was responsible for lighting the new fire in the family hearth.
It's time to light a fire, even if it's just a candle, and in its flame, reflect on the past period. Let us give thanks for the gifts of the year and prepare for the upcoming season, which will bring new challenges and opportunities. The autumn equinox reminds us that even as the days shorten and the cold approaches, every cycle in nature has its significance and beauty.
