The power of the wind, although invisible, can be immense. Humans have been aware of this since ancient times, and even in modern times, he is beginning to use its power again. Just like in many other cultures, among the Slavs, air-related deities and magical beings were held in great reverence.
Wind magical beings are in most cases considered wild, but not always outright evil beings. In addition to the ability to manifest destructive power, they have the ability to look into all corners of the Universe, which gives them the opportunity to give good advice or help in the search for the hidden and lost. Wind beings have the power to cleanse the air of diseases or dark forces, if they are not the ones that brought them. In Slavic traditions, wind beings are also attributed with the ability to inflame passions, be it love, or anger and hatred.
To protect themselves from their harmful effects and displeasure, people hung bells, jingle bell or wind chimes at the corners of their homes.
Jingle bells and bells were often used to decorate horse harnesses, symbolizing the speed of the wind, and the horse itself became a symbolic animal representing air and wind.
In addition to bells and bells, our ancestors also used to honor the air forces by performing various wind sacrifices.
One of the most common sacrifices involved throwing bread crumbs or a handful of flour into the wind. Such a flour offering was supposed to ensure not only protection from the adversity of air forces or to obtain a favorable wind, but also served as a request for prosperity and wealth. In the past, it was believed that no matter how wild and unpredictable the wind and wind spirits might be, they would compensate for any damage they caused.
Another usual sacrifice of the Slavic ancestors was placing four pieces of bread on the window or placing four loaves of bread on all sides of the world. Such an offering was supposed to ensure not only favor and protection when traveling, but also to obtain inspiration and wise decision, often also when asking for help in the case of searching for lost or hidden things.
Our ancestors invoked the wind when they needed strength and speed. Sometimes, young men would even call upon Stribog to ignite a desire or love in the heart of their chosen girl and secure a marriage.
Not the last custom, which today we consider to be only children's frolic and play, was flying kites in the autumn season. Such ceremonial flying of kites was to ensure that wishes were sent on the wings of the wind to the gods in Irya.
The wind in the form of the god Stribog was revered by the pre-Christian Slavs not only because of his strength and speed, but also because of his wisdom and omniscience, which was attributed to him. This was likely because the wind could reach places where, as it was said, neither the sun nor the moon could shine. Perhaps it was also because, like a thought or idea, the wind’s strength appears from nowhere and can vanish just as quickly as it arrives.
Stribog was sometimes also called Pohvizd by our ancestors, as the gust of wind was often accompanied by a whistling sound. Our ancestors also perceived the air as a carrier of sound. This connection between air and sound is natural for a humans, because it is enough for him to purse his lips and blow and a whistle will be heard.
So sound, as an attribute of air or wind power, was often used to purify space. From time immemorial, whistles, horns, but also bells, jingle bells, various rattles or drums and, not least of all, the human voice itself.
