Slavic Traditions Mythology

"Slavic Traditions & Mythology" is the fourth book by Stefan Cvetkovic which sums up his research in the field of Slavic mythology. The book explores the pre-Christian Slavic customs, symbols and myths from the deepest parts of prehistory up to our contemporary folklore. As such it is a book valuable not only to people of Slavic descent who wish to find out more about their roots, but to all European people as it shows that most of the symbols and mythical motifs are actually common to all of Europe, and stem from the same prehistoric root. It is a book which explains all the essential symbols related to the Slavic pre-Christian culture and separates them from the many New Age inventions. Furthermore, this book can serve as a practical tool to anyone who wants to apply the knowledge in his daily life, going through all the major festivals of the calendar and showing how to properly celebrate them, as our ancestors once did. The deities are also explored, clearly defining those of them which were really honoured by the ancient Slavic people, and which ones are results of the misinterpretations of various scholars through history. The myths related to the deities and other mythical beings are explained in detail through a microcosmic and macrocosmic perspective, with a special emphasis on the Slavic ancestral cult as an inseparable element from them. It is a book full of illustrations representing the different chronological variations of the symbols, archaeological finds related to the Slavic cultures, embroidery motifs, tombstones, representations of the deities, and much more. It is not a book which leaves open questions and doubts regarding the Slavic mythology, but provides insight, depth and meaning for one who truly wishes to know the primordial culture of our forebears.

Slavic Myths & Legends is a comprehensive study on myths, folklore and legends of the Slavic people settled in Eastern and Central Europe with a meticulous approach to the spirits and ghouls found in Slavic mythical beliefs. Thorough and comprehensive research covers various aspects of the theme, from stories of spirits of the dead, through folk tales of gods and beings of the households, forests and water, to legends of Slavic gods. The study comprehends the mythology of Slavic people of the Elbe river and the Russians, with a glance at the Baltic mythology.

Slavic cultures are far-ranging, comprising of East Slavs (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus), West Slavs (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland) and South Slavs (the countries of former Yugoslavia plus Bulgaria), yet they are connected by tales of adventure and magic with deep roots in a common lore. In this first collection of Slavic myths for an international readership, Noah Charney and Svetlana Slapak expertly weave together a retelling of the ancient stories with nuanced analysis that illuminates their place at the heart of Slavic tradition. Though less familiar to us than the legends of ancient Egypt, Greece and Scandinavia, in the world of Slavic mythology we find much that we can recognize: petulant deities, demons and faeries; witches, the sinister vestica, whose magic may harm or heal; a supreme god who can summon storms and hurl thunderbolts. Gods gather under the World Tree, reminiscent of Norse mythologys Yggdrasill; or, after the coming of Christianity, congregate among the clouds. The vampire usually the only Serbo-Croatian word in any foreign-language dictionary and the werewolf emerge from the shallow graves of Slavic belief. In their careful analysis and sensitive reconstructions of the origin stories, Charney and Slapsak unearth the Slavic beliefs before their distortion first by Christian chroniclers and then by 19th-century scholars seeking origin stories for their new-born nation states. They reveal links not only to the neighbouring pantheons of Greece, Rome, Egypt and Scandinavia but also the belief systems of indigenous peoples of Australia, the Americas, Africa and Asia. In so doing, they draw out the universalities that cut across cultures in the stories we tell ourselves.

Slavic Mythology is a comprehensive study on myths, folklore and legends of the Slavic people settled in Eastern and Central Europe with a meticulous approach to the spirits and ghouls found in Slavic mythical beliefs. Thorough and comprehensive research covers various aspects of the theme, from stories of spirits of the dead, through folk tales of gods and beings of the households, forests and water, to legends of Slavic gods. The study comprehends the mythology of Slavic people of the Elbe river and the Russians, with a glance at the Baltic mythology.

This book takes you through all Slavic mythology's folklore, legends, and religious beliefs. Not only will we be exploring the monsters that were birthed from the lands of Eastern Europe You’ll be taken on a journey on the shores of the Baltic Sea, celebrating and even partaking in their rituals and festivals, in awe of their sacrifices, traditions, and offerings to the Gods — all with our easy hands-on methods and clear instructions suitable for beginners. Throughout history, chroniclers have found it rather hard to gather a conclusive record of the actual practice of the old Slavic religion due to the wide array of ethnic groups practicing it, including but not limited to Russians, Ukrainians, and even Germans, which caused a lot of the beliefs and rituals to differ from one nation to another.

Summary: Covers the myths and legends of the Russian Empire at its greatest extent as well as other Slavic people and countries. Includes historical, geographical, and biographical background information

Slavic Mythology is a comprehensive study on myths, folklore and legends of the Slavic people settled in Eastern and Central Europe with a meticulous approach to the spirits and ghouls found in Slavic mythical beliefs. Thorough and comprehensive research covers various aspects of the theme, from stories of spirits of the dead, through folk tales of gods and beings of the households, forests and water, to legends of Slavic gods. The study comprehends the mythology of Slavic people of the Elbe river and the Russians, with a glance at the Baltic mythology.

In this volume of The Slavic Way series, creatures, beings and spirits of Slavic mythology are presented and described. If you ever wondered about the noises you may hear around your home, about why sometimes you wake up in cold sweat, or about the visions you may see or noises you may hear around the forest; this book is an essential read for you.

Slavic folklore has great cultural significance and international influence. Written for students and general readers, this book offers a brief but thorough introduction to Slavic folklore. Included are explanations of the different types of Slavic folklore, the role of Slavic folklore in literature and popular culture, and the state of criticism and scholarship on this field of interest. The volume provides numerous examples and cites print and electronic sources for further reading. The people of Eastern Europe have a long and rich cultural history. Central to that history are the folktales, traditions, and customs of the region. Some elements of Slavic folklore, such as vampire legends and Easter eggs, are well known, while others are more obscure. And when the Slavs came to America, they brought much of their folklore to the new world, where it continues to flourish today. This book is a short but thorough introduction to Slavic folklore. Written expressly for students and general readers, it systematically overviews Slavic folklore. It discusses the many different types of folklore and summarizes scholarship and research on the subject. It provides a wide range of texts and examples from the Slavic folk tradition and explores the role of Slavic folklore in literature and popular culture. The volume cites numerous print and electronic sources and closes with a glossary and selected, general bibliography. Literature students will enjoy learning about Slavic tales and customs, while students in social studies classes will learn more about the culture of Eastern Europe.