Wheel of the year in Australia

Lithuanian Earth Traditions in Australia- extract 2 from this talk at MoonCourt in the Blue Mountains, Australia. 2012

Dora and Darna Moralility and Harmony

Principles of Baltic worldview,Faith and customs reflected in todays people.

First we must ask the question : what is morality?

First we must delve into exactly what morality is, understanding that, at no time, am I trying to tell people how to live. I am merely passing on to you what Baltic morality is and I won’t say that humankind globally could not learn these basic principles of morality according to traditional Baltic culture and can be seen in most, if not all, Indigenous cultures.

According to the Oxford English dictionary:

Morality
n. pl. moralities
Definition:
1. The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.

2. A system of ideas of right and wrong conduct: religious morality; Christian morality.

3. Virtuous conduct.
also defined as:
1. conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct.

2. moral quality or character.

3. virtue in sexual matters; chastity.

4. a doctrine or system of morals.

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For the purpose of our talk, we will look at moral behaviour in relation to moral qualities, virtuous conduct, a system of ideas of right and wrong conduct and being in accordance with the generally accepted standard of conduct of a particular society.

The complexity of the subject of morality will be simplified by solely looking at Lithuanian Baltic morality and you may find elements can be taken on in your own life, today, in Australia. Following or conforming to rules of moral conduct can lead an individual to harmony with his/her community, Gods and Goddess of nature and her seasonal cycles. Not to forget  the way that religion connects one to the Ancestors.

We find that the literature of a culture often passes on morality with stories and tales.

Aesop Fables With Morals

Fables are a type of folk literature characterized by concise narratives that impart a moral to the reader at the conclusion of the story. Characters in fables are typically animals, imaginary creatures, flora, natural forces and other non-human objects or organisms, either animate or inanimate, that are given human attributes. Throughout history, the literature of nearly every region in the world has included fables. Although fables are often used to teach moral lessons to children, many of them are satirical works on political, social and religious issues intended for adults. Popular fabulists include Aesop, Vishnu Sarma, Hans Christian Andersen, George Orwell and Dr. Seuss. While some of the morals are particular to a specific fable or author, others cross cultural and historical boundaries, remaining as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

List of morals

-Appearances are sometimes deceiving.

-Slow but steady wins the race.

-Familiarity breeds contempt.

-Never trust a flatterer.

-Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing.

-Little friends may become great friends.

-It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

-A man is known by the company he keeps.

-Never trust your enemy.

-One man's pleasure may be another's pain.

-Nature exceeds nurture.

-Necessity is the mother of invention.

-It is easy to kick a man who is down.

-Birds of a feather flock together.

-Misery loves company.

-Look before you leap.

-Let well enough alone.

-He who laughs best, laughs last.

-Nothing escapes the master's eye.

-The hero is brave in deeds as well as words.

-Try to please all, and you please none.

-Honesty is the best policy.

-Do not count your chickens before they hatch.

-Every truth has two sides.

-Greatness carries its own penalties.

-Like will draw like.

-No arguments will give courage to the coward.

-Fair weather friends are not worth much.

Many morals from fables are now common household maxims, an indication of their universality and timelessness. Applicable to both children and adults, these morals reflect the traditions, values and beliefs of mankind, as well as its tendency to err.

The main point here is that our morals are taught to us as children through folktales and fables so we can draw the conclusion Baltic morality had it’s roots in the folk tales and songs of it’s nation.

Historians would have you believe that before Christianity arrived, there was no morality but this was definitely not the case. Country folk/Pagans had a very strict and often complicated system of morals that are missing from today’s repertoire in this country and many more.

Lithuanians even today view hospitality as a moral obligation, both for the visited and the visitor.

Morality is very different in every culture. In some cultures morality is based on economic concerns, such as drug laws that are PRO tobacco and CON marijuana, same sex unions accepting same sex couples merely for financial reasons and denying other human rights. in some societies, it is religious doctrine and dogma that dictate morality. such as in our own legal system and the Middle East in the extreme example.

Morality without religion is a tree without roots —George Bernard Shaw

Some may argue the existence of morality actually exists these days. Morality is ever changing and what might have been considered acceptable 100 years ago is no longer considered ethical. Eg sacrifice And vice versa some things we do today were not considered in the morality of the past. Simple things like scant clothing and colourful language.

Lithuanians have always had their own brand, if you like, of their sense of morality which these days seems to be focused around the family in a big way but wasn’t always so. A visitor never arrives empty handed. Often with a bunch of flowers, box of chocolates, biscuits, bottle of alcohol, etc. The visitee provides the rest to ensure every hospitality is extended to the guest. In Lithuanian folk custom it is a superstition that Elgetas may be Dievas Sky God wandering the Earth as a beggar. Those who are not hospitable to him and observe common laws of decency may be punished by Perkunas the Thunderer. Honour was not an empty ideal as it is often taken as today. A persons verbal promise was a very serious transaction. Failure to come through on a promise, often met serious physical assault and sometimes death.

Morality is not only extended to human relations but also relations with the living world around them. Hunters must sacrifice with thanks after a successful kill. The Earth and Fire, was not to be disrespected in any way lest there be dire consequences.

There were sacred Trees, Groves, hills, fields and other places that were morally forbidden to defile. Trees that could not be pruned, fields that could not be trod upon and sacred waters that could not be polluted. There was a morality that extended beyond human relations and community. This morality was reflected with the natural world and so caused harmony with it. This morality also demanded that social customs were observed but also seasonal customs, that I will outline later. These customs were not only necessary for survival in the harsh climate, but also an obligation to give thanks to the Gods and Goddesses of the season. Giving thanks to the Gods, according to folk superstition, was an obligation in order to secure a good harvest, fortune and luck for the year. Everyone wanted to be in the Gods favour. Many of the customs and traditions were to ensure that farm work was done at the correct seasonal times and the Gods and Ancestors must be specially honoured at certain times to ensure good favour. Lithuanians believed that the Gods and Goddesses were not superior and their rulings on our life is not final. People can do things to increase their fortune and harmony. eg Geguzes, Appeasing Souls of the Ancestors, who live in Trees, fields and waters, will ensure the fertility of nature and crops.

Dora-morals, is a means to darna-harmony.

Let me explain

By observing this code of morals and obligations, a person can achieve harmony and the status of zmogus. Not everyone was known as a zmogus, only people who lived in harmony with the earth were considered to be Zmogus,(Earthlings). If a zmogus lives in harmony with the seasons his/her garden will flourish because everything is done at the right times. A hard working gardener/farmer supplies food for his family and community whereas a lazy gardener who disregards his/her seasonal obligations becomes a burden on his community, would be lucky to survive winter without the generosity of neighbors. The actions would not really be considered as immoral rather amoral

Lithuanian Earth Traditions in Australia- extract 1 from this talk at MoonCourt in the Blue Mountains, Australia. 2012

Song and Tale
Lithuanian World Tree as researched and portrayed by  Norbertas Velius in his book titled,  World Outlook of the Ancient Balts 
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Norbertas Velius was an Ethnographer who found a clear representation of the Baltic World Tree in Lithuanian in every aspect of Baltic tradition from textiles to architecture ornamentation, mythology and religion. Some of the first chroniclers of the Lithuanian traditions come from Christian missionaries and so their interpretations may have a little slanted and even tried to liken the Baltic pantheon to the Roman pagan Pantheon  Records are also taken at different times. The Pantheon in the East in the area of Aukstaitija was recorded in the 13th century whereas the western Baltic lands which included Prussia and western most Zemaitija was in the 16th century but it was found to be good enough to draw some conclusions, which were quite enlightening.

For the purpose of this study Norbertas found that the generalizations made for the whole of Lithuania was a wrong assumption. It was only when he looked at regional differences could the whole picture be seen and illuminated to an ancient and archaic world view that still pervades Lithuania culture to this day. From dress to religion. It is very interesting and I shall try to summarise the findings of his research as I really could be here a day just on his studies.

To summarise, The ancient world tree can be laid down on the Baltic lands as you can see in this image, with the roots of the Tree in west Lithuanian lands and the branches of the Tree in the East.

Now the world tree was a universal symbol or better referred to as a glyph. It is multi dimensional, timeless and spaceless. The Tree has come to us from the beginning of time. The Tree was here before animal and man. It was our shelter and much of the time the source of food. Bee hives could be found, and sweet nectar extracted. Edible birds and grubs, and not to mention the fruit and nuts that can produce food without any toil. Nuts produce oil and the sap of some trees creates wine.(Birch) It is easy to understand why the mighty Oak Tree is one such tree that is revered all over Europe as one of the early food sources. He was magical, he appeared to die in Autumn and be dead in winter, but he would resurrect in the springtime anew like a miracle of new life. And life was viewed in this way spiritually mentally and physically. Lithuanians have always likened themselves today as trees. Oaks are men and Linden are Women. People are referred to as trees. The connection with trees is very intimate. Folk superstitions believe that your soul can be linked to a tree that is planted when you are born, but not necessary.

Such was the forest Lithuania knew […]

The trees all merging in one vista grand

As Lithuanian hearts in one homeland.

Our folk have always lived at one with trees

And know few closer friends than these.

Right from the Neolithic stone age to the Paleolithic age of agriculture, wood from the trees has always been of utmost importance. First it was used to cook the meat and then to build their shelters as the moved away from hunter/gatherer to settlements and agriculture and animal husbandry. Instead of toiling and chasing our food, we learnt how to cultivate it and create a life of subsistence rather than the struggle of chasing food.

The parameters of his study included the oppositions that must have existed in Neolithic times. These oppositions that were considered in his study and how it was reflected in regional culture and how the world view and mythologies. For the purpose of his study he was focusing on the Baltic lands in and East/West orientation as a first opposition with an intermediary area called Central Baltic lands. Baltic lands included what is now known as Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belorussia, and Prussia. There are so many tribes in this area who have their own dialect and version of the Baltic culture.

Here is a map of the numerous tribes and their areas. 

The lands are divided into 3 main cultural areas Eastern Lithuania, Central Lithuania and Western Lithuania. In an east/West orientation. North/South was not taken into account in his study for deliberate reason. It just wasn't necessary to over complicate his study. So we start with the oppositions that he chose in his study:

East/West with an intermediary area called Central

High/ low
*Roof poles
*Burials - cremations on hills in the east versus burials in mounds in Central to burials in burrows in the west.
*Oven heights- On the ground in the west/above the ground in the East.
*Settlements-In the east,settlements still on hills where as in the west the people came down from the hills.
*performances of Dainas in Trees and high places
*Mythology
*Chests-taller in the east, short in west

Light/Dark
*Clothing colours and ornamentation
*Mythology of Breksta in the east- Goddess of the Dawn versus common mythology of Vakariene in the west- Goddess of the dusk.

Day/Night
*performances of the dainas (songs), by day versus the many folk tales told at night

Stone/Wood
*Poles with wood bases versus those with stone bases
*boundry fences of wood or stone
*Stone features more in burials of the west.

Young/Old
*Songs sung by the Young,Tales told by the Old.

The numbers one, two and three
*Gable poles vary in number from 1 in the east, 2 in the Central area and 3 in the west.
*Number of rings of stones around burials. 3 in the west,2 in central and 1 in the East.

Sky God/Earth God
*Records of the Baltic Trinity are listed in order of importance to the people.

In the east the order was recorded as: 

Patulas, Perkunas and Pikolas. 

Spring God, Thunder God and God of the Underworld. 

In central Lithuania the order of importance started with 

Patulas, Zemyna and Pikolas. 

Spring God, Earth Goddess and God of the Underworld. 

In the west it was,

Pikolas, Perkunas and Patulas. 

God of the Underworld, Thunder God and Spring God. 

This also alludes to the idea that mythology of the Underworld was more popular in the west of Lithuania, where the roots of the Tree are said to lie. The Thunder God takes precedence in the East.

Distribution and frequency of folk traditions such as story telling, riddles, songs known as daina are consitent across the land but stories and riddles seem to be more slightly more numerous in the west of Lithuania and number of recorded songs seem to be slightly more numerous in the east.

The conclusion of his study was that there was a system of Indo European society that had an unique worldview that was reflected in every aspect of society. There were many regional differences because of geography and features of the land and even though there wasn't a national religion as such, it was a diversified to the seemingly logical variation with in each zone.

Ah, but the sighs of the forest are lovely,

It rustles and surges, rushes and questions;

By midnight it reaches a stillness so silent

You can hear the break of a bud into blossom,

The holy word of each tree to its branches;

Watchful, the stars glow, mournful, the dew falls.

So peaceful the heart, it deadens the senses

With prayer that lifts the spirit towards heaven.

The light in the east at daybreak swells upward,

The head of each plant, dew-heavy, bends lower;

Into such silence, the forest awakens

And slowly the day starts its holy discourse.

(Jonaitis 63)

And what does this ancient mythological world view teach us as modern pagans? Well ecology of our trees certainly has been returning at a steady rate. The general public is fairly well educated when it comes to understanding the need for the trees to maintain healthy ecosystems. This idea is a main feature of the prayer of the palubskaite sisters.

“To plant trees at weddings births deaths and to visit trees on holy days.”

Another more abstract ideal within the worldview of the tree is the balance and harmony of the 3 parts to the tree is an instruction for us as individuals to find that same harmony with in our own lives. Balance of the 3 parts from the roots of the Tree where we find the past, deceased, Ancestors and Underworld and the Earth where we toil together in our communities like the Bees and the Gods and heroes of the branches in the Sky. We must find balance within all spheres of existence and true harmony leads to a connectedness with the earth and the universe and the universes in between.

It also teaches us that we can slot into our own section if you are drawn to a certain Pagan custom and lifestyle. We don’t necessarily need to be eclectic in all aspects of a single Faith. I wanted to learn about everything Baltic from folklore and pantheons and magic and rites. The area is quite vast and even peoples back in the day didn't practice everything.

Everyone had the position in society and the universe. There was no one saying that you should follow our own section of Baltic Faith because it was understood to be part of the whole and not something separate. The Tree has many parts but it is the roots in the Earth that connects us all.

I would like to show you just how connected we really are when it comes to our ancestry.



Show Indo European Language tree and explain.


So as you can see that as any of us here in Australia come from many of these language groups and so are connected genetically. We don’t need to convert or be converted because our nook in the Tree is secure and the way it should be. I rejoice in the inter faith co operation that is happening in our community and is certainly a step in the right direction to recreating a worldview of the cosmic tree and celebrating diversity with humility, knowing that we are all in our own part of the Tree struggling along with all life and humankind constantly trying to establish and maintain harmony within the whole Tree.

Lithuanian holidays with Australian references

 Many Lithuanian holidays have merged with Christian holidays, sometimes changing the date of the holiday. The dates of some the Lithuanian holidays have become very confusing due to the Julian and Gregorian calendars that were  simultaneously used in different parts of Lithuania during Czarist Russian occupation (1772/1792/1795- 1918). This problem especially affects the movable Spring holidays, calculated based on the Spring Equinox day.

 Lithuanian Ethnic Religion Calendar Holidays

 Holiday

 Date in Lithuania-LT

 Date in Australia-AU

 Brief Description

_______________________________

 Prieskaledis

 (Pre-Solstice)

 9-20/12-24 December LT

 9-20/12-24 June AU

 Preparation for the Winter solstice Eve

 Preparation for Kucios

 Kucios

 (Winter Solstice Eve)

 20/24 December LT

 20-24 June AU

 Union between the living and the dead. The last day of the Lithuanian year.Family holiday. After reconciliation and forgiveness, everyone sits together at the holiday table. Some of the 13 dishes,(representing the 13 Lunar months), must be eaten by all if a prosperous year is to be had.Many divinations and prognostications are performed.

 Kaledos

 (Winter Solstice and New Year's Day)

 21/25 December LT

 21-25 June AU

 Homage to the Sun and blessings for the new solar year.

 Tarpukaledis

 (Intra-Solstice)

 21 December-2 January/25 December-6 January LT

 21 June-6 July AU

 Days of rest. Traditional women's and men's work is forbidden.

 Pusiauziemis

 (Mid-winter)

 25 January (in older practice: the first new moon, called the foal, after the Winter Solstice) LT

 12 July AU

Synonymous with lunar new year.Krikstas and new year celebration.Badgers, porcupines, and bears leave their caves or turn on their sides. This determines what winter will be like.

Perkuno Diena

(Perkunas Day)

 2 Feb LT

 2 August AU

 Blessing of candles(death candles), linen and ever green trees.Songs and prayers to Perkunas,the mighty Thunderer.

 Gabijos diena

 (Gabija day)

 5 Feb LT

 5 August AU

 Blessing of bread and people.Songs and prayers to Gabija, Goddess of the home hearth,Guardian of Fire.

 Uzgavenes

 (Escort of Winter/Mardi Gras)

 Varies in February LT

 Varies in August AU

 Rite to usher out winter. Costumed people sing and dance as they go visiting.

 Vieversio diena

 (Skylark day)

 24 February LT

 25 August AU

 The beginning of Spring.

 Verba

 (Flower and herb lance)

 Varies in March LT

 Varies in September AU

 Preparation for Spring

 Pavasario lyge

 (Spring Equinox)

 20-21 March LT

 23 September AU

 Welcomes Spring. Blessing renewal of life.

 Velykos (Easter) aka velykiu velines 

(Easter for the Souls/Spirits)

 (The Great Day)

 Varies in April LT

 21-23 Sept 2010 AU

Springtime to honor Ancestors.People exchange coloured and decorated eggs.Egg games played.Blessing of certain foods to ensure you have food all year.People whipped with Verbos and sprinkling with blessed water. Magic of green branch.

Jore; now known as Jurgines

(St George day)

 23 April LT

 30 Sept AU

 Celebrates new growth of Spring. Animals are herded for the first time. The earth cannot be moved on this day. Rituals of bread making Bread was buried in the fields and gardens. After placing a bread roll on the ground a farmer would put one ear to the ground, farmers would listen to the Rye to find out if it will be a good harvest. The God of the Spring Thunder was called Jore or Joris.He evoked the forcres of Life. Jore owned the key to the Land,which when Earth is unlocked Jore sent rain and resurrected all vegetation.Flowers and Herbs were offered to Zemyna Goddess Earth Goddess,Pergubis God of all plants along with 15 other vegetation Gods were honored.

 Sambares

 27 May LT

 30 November AU

 Celebrates new growth of crops

 Sekmines

 Varies in June LT

 Varies in December AU

End of sowing and commence of Summer work.Worship of nature.Houses and cattle adorned with flowers wreaths and Birch.Cattle incensed (smudged) Certain Divinations and Charms made.Similar blessings of grasses in churches as at Zolines and also Blessing Fire and Water. Wedding games played by youth express Pagan beliefs that peoples sexual love and fertility stimulate Earths productivity.

 Pre Solstice Days. Preparation for the Solstice.

 9-20/12-24 June LT

9-20 December AU

 Rasa a.k.a. Kupoline

 (Dew, Herb Pole Day)

 21-24 June LT

 21-21 December AU

Homage to the sun and medicinal herbs. Summer solstice. Mostly celebrated by  young people. Bon fires are kept during the night and until the dear Sun reappears. Wreaths are woven and set adrift,fortunes told,divinations performed, the fern blossom is sought at midnight. The hay harvest begins after this holiday.

 Naujieji metai

 (New Year's Day)

 1 January LT

 1 January AU

 "Tarpukaledis"

(intra-solstice day).

Young people celebrate. The old year is burned. A sub-set of the Kaledos traditions are celebrated. The skies and the heavens predict the future weather and harvest.

 Melu diena

 (Lie day)

 1 April LT

 1 April AU

A successful lie will bring success for the coming year. The beginning of the new work year. Under the Julian calendar, New Year's Day.

 *Rugiu Svente

 (Rye holiday)

 25 July LT

 25 January, Australia Day AU

Blessing of rye and other grain crops at the harvest.

*These festivals are often combined.*

 *Prinokimo Svente

 (Ripe holiday)

 26 July LT

 26 January AU

 End of the rye harvest. The first new bread is baked. Berries are ripe.

 Zoline

 (Meadow Grass celebration)

 15 August LT

 15 February AU

Coming of autumn. People gathered grass from their fields and gardens and brought it to churches to be blessed. Rye, wheat and oat ears were tucked into these grass bundles. In the spring, these ears were crushed and sprinkled on the seeds to be planted. Other bundles of blessed grasses were used as medicine, as protection from lightning strikes and to be sewn into coffin pillows. Families always tried to gather together on this day to ensure the coming year would be a productive one. The spring crop harvest begins

 Dagotuves, Rudens Lyge

 (Autumnal Equinox)

 20-21 September LT

 21 March AU

 Harvest celebration

 Rudens Sambores

 28 October LT

 28 April AU

 Ilges a.k.a. Velines

 (Lengthening, Day of Shades)

 2 November EU

 21 March-2 May AU

Remembrance of the Dead. Reconciliation between the Living and Dead.Donations are given to elgetos. Old and ill people, who cannot make enough to eat, become elgetos.

 Sources: JonasTrinkunas,ed.Of Gods and Holidays.[ Vilnius ]:Tverme,1999.110-111.Jonas Trinkunas.Baltu tikejimas: Lietuviu pasaulejauta,paprociai, apeigos, Zenklai. Vilnius : Diemedzio leidykla, 2000. 45.Prane Dunduliene.Lietuvui Sventes: Tradicijos, paprociai, apeigos. Vilnius: Mintis,1981.

 Australian references by Steven Kryzius

 Brief description of Other Lithuanian Agricultural Holidays that are not relevant to Australian seasonal cycle

Trys Karaliai

(Three Kings)

 6 January LT

The end of"Tarpukaledis" (intra-solstice days). Costumed people walk about in celebration.

 Blaziejus

 (Blase)

 3 February

 Fir branches and linen are blessed.

 Vieversio diena
(Skylark day)

 24 February

 Skylarks return.

 Kazimierines
(Casimir)

 4 March

 Skylarks begin their songs

 40 pauksciu diena

 (40 bird day)

 10 March

 40 species of birds return.

 Pempes diena, Juozapines

 (Pewit day, Joseph)

 19 March

 Weddings are allowed

 Bloviesciai, Gandro Svente

 (Stork holiday)

 25 March

The stork brings back a kiele (wagtail), which kicks away the ices. Storks are immitated at home, walking around like a stork. Spring is greeted. The storks returns in the evenings.

 7 miegantys broliai

 (7 sleeping brothers)

 10 July

 Predicts the weather for the next 7 weeks or days.

 Skaplierna

 (Scaplar)

 16 July

 Beginning of the rye harvest

 Laurynas

 (St Lawrence)

 10 August

 The beginning of turning to autumn.

 Baltramiejus

 (St Bartholemew)

 24 August

 Linen (flax) is pulled. The stork leaves and takes evening with him. Warm summer days end.

 Uzgimimo Svente, Semene

 (Flax planting Festival)

 8 September

 Rye is planted

 Mykolines

 (St Michael)

 29 September

 Potato digging. The weather forecasts the weather for fall and winter.

 Martynas

 (St Martin)

 11 November

The last holiday of Fall. Some hired hands end their work year.

Andriejus 

(St Andrew)

 30 November

 Winter begins. Herders are sent home. Wedding predictions and foretelling begin (cherry branches are soaked).

Source: Stasys Gutauskas.Lietuviu liaudies kalendorius.Vilnius:Vyturys, 1991. 16-19.