Spring Equinox Svente in Australa, September,2013

-Brief explanation of why today is so important to us as Balts and Pagans

Today we celebrate the Equinox in the tradition of our Baltic ancestors. Holy Fire was considered to be the gateway to the other realms contained in the Baltic Tree of Life. The custom of performing the Fire Rite was done often to give thanks to the Gods, Goddesses,Ancestors and local Spirits. At special times like this, when the wheel of the year turns to a new quarter, people celebrated with extra jubilation. Astronomical observations like solstices and equinoxes were important to the Baltic people just as the seasonal changes, and today, we are celebrating both the return of Spring and the Equinox. This custom of celebration of these special moments, is common to all Pagan traditions and I believe, that it's only a difference of terminology and mythology that seperates us as Pagans but the intent is always the same. You may notice that the genders of certain Deities of the Baltc Faith maybe different to your own tradition. Gender is really not as important as how you connect to them. For example, in the Baltic Faith, we connect with the Sun as our Mother, the Moon as our heavenly Prince, Stars are our sisters and the Earth is also our Mother. The Baltic tribes are one the last last Matriarchal tribes left today and so we have many Mothers. In fact , in Lithuanian language, there are 80 different names for Mother, changing with endearment. 
So here we are today, celebrating the Equinox and the Springtime in the custom of our Baltic ancestors, brothers and sisters. Enjoy.

-Brief explanation of chant before chanting Rimo.

The Lithuanian Aum

The word,”Rimo” is derived from the word,”Ramybes”, which means peace and also represents the feminine aspect of life.

The word,”Tuto”, is derived from the word for strength and also represents the male aspect of life.

The word “sutarjella” is derived from the word “sutartines” which means in agreeance/in harmony/balance.

Rimo Rimo,Tuto,Rimo,Rimo,Tuto,Sutarjella,sutarjella

So this chant can be translated as:
Peace Peace Strength, Peace Peace Strength, 
together in harmony, together in harmony.
and also as:
Feminine Feminine Masculine, Feminine Feminine Masculine, together in one accord, together in one accord

-While standing in a circle around the fire altar,one at a time, each person introduces themselves and says what Romuva means to them/the Gods mean to them/the Ancestors mean to them/how their path is leading them/why they are there on that day, etc. Everyone listens and does not speak or interrupt or question. Everyone has a turn.

________________________________________________

What does being a Romuvis mean to me? Well I have always known that I was different since I was young. I thought it was the norm to explore bushland,love all animals, watching clouds and stars rather than playing with matchbox cars and tonka trucks like other kids my age. It was only when my Nanna explained why she spoke with a funny accent that she exclaimed that we are Lithuanian and we were the last Pagans in Europe and have a deep love and respect for nature even today.

Something inside went "click" and I now understood why I was different from other kids my age!

From then, I've been on a long quest searching for the answers to my many questions, through several different paths. I spent a couple of years studying kabbalah with an Order and practising high magic of the Golden Dawn. I studied the Shamanism of Paleopagans for a while but found it hard to get in contact with the many Indigenous tribes. 
I briefly looked into Wicca but it just didn't feel right. It wasn't until I discovered Romuva that I felt complete. The customs, beliefs in the Gods and Goddesses of nature of the Baltic people, just felt right to me. I feel I have become whole and feel totally connected to the Gods and Goddesses of Earth and sky, and Spirits of place. I am constantly striving for Harmony in my life, with my community, with the Gods and Goddesses and with my ancestors. 

I have been greatly blessed by Laima, Goddess of Fate, with much good fortune in my life. I know at any time the proverbial "shit could hit the fan" and I could find myself suddenly jobless, homeless and friendless but if I am dilligent and live the the Romuvos morals then I will achieve Harmony once again. Like the pantene ad, "It won't happen over night but it will happen!"

I work as a support worker with people with disabilities and find this type of giving, to be beneficial to my Soul. 

I attune to the seasons through my vege patch and growing such abundant harvest each year enforces my gratitude to Zemyna, Goddess of Earth, Saule and Menulis, Sun Goddess and Moon God. I plant by the Moon phase and celebrate a wonderful harvest.

_________________________________________

-When it has come back to the Vaidila/Vaidilute, a bowl of salt is taken and sprinkled on the fire as a special prayer is being said to Gabija Ugnele followed by a song prayer then everyone has a turn in making an offering of salt to Gabija and gives thanks for whatever they choose. Some may pray audibly and some silently. Prayers are sometimes very expressive and some may be short and sweet. Only a few words may be needed to express the sentiment. 
Song/prayer, “dega Ugnele” is sung after everyone has given offerings

”Goddess Gabija, Goddess of the Hearth, Holy eternal Fire,

Lift up your smoke, don’t let your embers fly away,

Stay quiet and lay down here,

Shine, shine, shine.”

 Feeding the Fire with salt saying,

” Gabija pasotinta”,”Gabija be satisfied”

 Water is offered saying,

”I offer to this water with which You may wash.”

Aromatic herbs and grasses are burnt in fire.

 Dear Goddess Gabija,

Daughter of Perkunas.

In your altar flames

Your sacred Fire grows

Leaping flames

your Life within us

your gift to us,

Give us good fortune and happiness.

Burn! Shine bright,

Burn! Shine bright!

For all our days,your burning,  

lights the way for us,

and gives us comfort,

in the dark cold times,

Holy Gabija,

Stay with us,
Protect and unite us!

We give to you

Wood, Dry and white,

Shine through the dark and cold night to convey

The Dear Suns’ promise to rise once again

-Everyone offers some wood to the Fire
-Play and sing Dega Ugnele, (Grow dear Fire), as a prayer.

________________________________________________

Kiss the Earth and invoke Zemyna saying:

“Dear Zemyna, Goddess of Earth

Protect us,

Bless our tillages,

Bless the forests, the fields,

Bless the pastures and bless the hills.

Earth my dear Mother, You have given me life, You feed me, You carry me and after death I will rest in You.”

Everyone may then kiss the Earth, either on the lips or kiss the hand and touch the ground.

 Beer libation saying,

” Dear Earth, you give to me and I give to you”

Offerings of aromatic herbs, flowers, bread,grains etc in the Fire.

the chant, Zemynele Ziedkele is sung
-(English) dear Mother Earth blossom/bloom.

__________________________________________________________________________

Hey Hear me,Thunder!

You have been around since the beginning of time!

Your wheels of the Earth is ancient,

In our tears and toils ,you give us strength.

The grass in the field, The fish in the sea,

And me too, I am yours,

Your wheels rumble, rumble,
in my earths heart,

at the pronouncement of your mighty name-

Hey, Bless your servent

And spread out your storms wings

In the cover of the nights skies,you light up the sky with loud booming.

You are the Fire of the Sky, answer to the Earths Fire,
You wake all of Nature after Winter slumber,
You shake awake the very roots in ground and bring the rain to quench our crops.

By three strikes of your lightning
Oh God of Thunder, Protect us, your children,
By the great Oak,give us your power, give us your might

-Song Perkune musu

Thunder blessing

The Thunder blessing was performed by using a lit candle and making the sign of an “X” infront of the forehead while saying,

“May Perkunas Bless you”.

The person being blessed then quarter turns clockwise so that the right ear is facing the Vaidila/Vaidilute.The Vaidila/Vaidilute then says the words,

”May Laima bless you”,

 while the sign of the “X’ is made infront of the ear, using the Thunder candle. The blessed person then makes another quarter turn clockwise and the Vaidila/Vaidilute makes an “X” at the back of the head with the Thunder candle,while saying,

“May Zemyna bless you”.

The blessed person makes another quarter turn clockwise so the right ear is facing the Vaidila/Vaidilute. The sign of the “X” is made again infront of the ear using the Thunder candle while saying the words, 

“May the Ancestors bless you”.

The blessed person then makes another quarter turn to face the Vaidila/Vaidilute and with eyes open receives another individual special blessing.

_______________________________________________

Invoke Laima proclaimer of destiny saying,

“Dear Laima, dear Laimele, Goddess of Fate,

 Cuckoo in the Linden tree,

 proclaimer of destiny, 3 times 9.

Giver of new paths to all of us,

for every twist and curve, we give you credit,

If You scoop for us, a handful of the Earths richness,

 By 3 times 9, we will be fortunate and lucky in our journeys.”

 Beer libation saying,

” Laima, you proclaim our destinies, You give our share in life and I give to you.”
________________________________________________

Dear shining Mother Sun, Saule
Helper of Zemyna, Dear Mother Earth
to make the crops grow and give us the gift,
of such great harvest every year.
Beautiful Saule,
Great Saule, daughter of Sky God Dievas.
You are Mother to radiant Venus, Ausra.
You rise everyday without fail,
You comfort us with your warm amber rays
 In your rising and setting every day,
you give us such beautiful vistas, of red and gold
that you take my breath away and give me such joy.

______________________________________________________________ 

The Ancestors are prayed to by the vaidila/Vaidilute and an offering of beer/mead is given to the fire and then passed to the next person. Each person pays homage to the ancestors and then blesses the next person in the circle and takes a sip before passing it to them. The procedure is repeated until all people in the circle has had a turn.

“Veles of the dead, whom we still remember in our hearts and in this place; respected ancestors of our family; honoured women and men worthy of eternal remembrance; especially my grandmother and grandfather, mother and father (naming specific names as appropriate); also relatives, children and all, whom death took from our homes, we invite to our annual celebration. 

“May our gathering, be as pleasant for you, as your memory, is for us.”  

All those present name all the dead they wished to remember. 

___________________________________________________________

Bread is passed around the circle at the same time and each person blesses the next before taking a piece and passes it along. Piece of the bread can be offered to the fire and the rest consumed.

Hot tea in a kausas is passed around and the blessing of each other continues until there is no more tea. Sometimes it goes around several times before the blessing is finished.

Strengthening by fire 

Dijuta Kalnali 

Fire rite finishes with Rimo Rimo  

________________________________________________

A few Blessings
-May you never hunger
-May you never thirst
-May the Sun always illuminate your life
-May Gabija bless your kitchen and hearth
-May Perkunas give you his power,strength and courage
-May Laima bless you with good health
-May Laima bless you with good fortune
-May Austeja, Goddess of Bees, bless your community
may your community become like a working hive.
-May the Ancestors always be with you and guide your steps.
-May Zemyna, the Earth Mother give you great harvest in your life and in your garden.
-May Austeja, Goddess of Bees, send lots of Bees to your vege and fruit flowers.
-May Guardian Goddess of Fire always stoke the passion within.