Russian Pagan/Wiccans?

[LithiumViolets]

i was just wondering if the russians has any gods/goddesses before christianity. because i know the predominant religion there is catholic (orthodox) and i havent heard of anything else but christian beliefs in that area. what other religions have they had?

[Astara Seague]

my second son is engaged to a russian girl, as I understand it she is Orthodox, she thinks my "stuff" is strange, but she did ask me once how it worked!

[Agaliha]

Yes, Russians (and other Slavic peoples) had tons of Gods and Goddesses! Of course they did, Christianity wasn't there since the beginning! They have a rich pantheon and views and things. It's interesting. I looked into the path myself because I am part Russian.

I can get you some sites:

Slavic Pantheon (http://web.raex.com/~obsidian/SlavPan.html) <--- lists Dieties

Slavic Mythology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_mythology)

Slavic Paganism and Witchcraft (http://hometown.aol.com/hpsofsnert/)-- one of the best sites

Links to Slavic Traditions (http://www.mythinglinks.org/euro~east~panSlavic.html)

Slavic Pagan (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/8933/index.html)

Moist Mother Earth: Slavic Myth and Religion (http://www.winterscapes.com/slavic.htm)<--- lists Dieties and has some info

Russian Paganism and Christianity (http://medievalrussia.freeservers.com/religion-rus.html)

Lecture on Slavic Paganism (http://www.sweb.cz/magie.xchat/SlavicPaganism.htm) <--- Great site

Short prayer to Moist Mother Earth (http://paganandproud.bravepages.com/Mati%20Syra%20Zemila.html)(Mati Syra Zemila)

Some threads on MW about it:

Lada/Leyla, Slavic Spring Goddesses (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=14233&highlight=slavic) <-- has a ritual and I posted a great link with info on her

Slavic Path (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=63718&highlight=slavic)

Baba Yaga (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=104144&highlight=slavic)

Mara (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=64775&highlight=slavic)

Slavic Paganism (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=98840&highlight=slavic)

To those of you interested in Slavic paganism (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=102917&highlight=slavic)

Slavic Reconstructionists (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=71209&highlight=slavic) <--lots of links

Polish/Slavic Dieties (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=12246&highlight=slavic)


*I also reccommed joining a Yahoo Group called: Slavic Reconstructionalists . It's free and if you go to their "Files" and then "reconstruction" are there are Tons of helpful things-- symbolism, customs, rituals. GO HERE: Group page (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SlavicReconstructionist/)

New Book Of Goddesses & Heroines (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567184650//ref=nosim/mysticwickson-20)by Pat Monaghan also has info about various Slavic Goddesses

[Jolixte]

i was just wondering if the russians has any gods/goddesses before christianity. because i know the predominant religion there is catholic (orthodox) and i havent heard of anything else but christian beliefs in that area. what other religions have they had?
I just wanted to mention that Catholic is vastly different then Eastern Orthodox, which is the major religion in Russia. Granted, you may have been talking about the catholic (lower case 'c') church... in which case It just all depends on how you look at it. =P I'll shut up now.

Hope you find what you are looking for. :spidey:

[LithiumViolets]

hey thanks! that's alot of info! i figured christianity wasn't there from the beginning but i'd never heard anywhere of a specific "Russian Pantheon" i really have been attracted to the celtic pantheon and irish/scottish people in general...but i've also had an interest in russian people, not knowing what other dieties they had. this is weird because i'm african-american (even though my family name is steele from irish/scottish background- probably the slaveowner of my ancestors) so shouldnt i be drawn to african gods/goddesses? would the celtic gods/goddesses "reject" me for this? just wondering.

[Agaliha]

I don't believe any God or Goddess rejects people over their ethnicity, race, location, gender, etc. It's the soul and heart that matters-- not the outside and things we can't control (no one asks to be born white or a male or living in a certian state).

So IMO no, the Celtic Gods will not reject you. Follow what is in your heart and what calls to you and don't like things like that get in the way of your path and who you are.

:)

[LithiumViolets]

thanks that made me happy :)

[Jenne]

I know there are alot of Muslims in Russia...and I'd imagine their proximity to Asia would allow for an exchange of the Asian religious sects as well...