Discovering the Spirit of Romuva-Romuvos Springtime customs

It must be remembered that Lithuania is in the Northern hemisphere, in the arctic circle and seasonally opposite. Even though Winters in Lithuania,  can get as cold as -45 degrees Celsius and Australia has very different climates, I think that the essence of the seasonal rites are still relevant to me here in Australia. I have found true harmony in my own life by adhering to the Lithuanian customs of my ancestors that are appropriate to Australian conditions. As Lithuania has such an extreme Winter, it is not surprising that people anticipate its' arrival a month or more before it actually arrives. The joy and celebration in the arrival of Spring is probably more deeply rooted in Lithuanian hearts and minds because of such bitter Winters. Their enthusiasm and joy is an inspiration to me. I will actually start with when peoples’ minds first turn towards the upcoming Springtime although Spring officially starts at the Spring Equinox and continue until the Summer Solstice. Then there are 4 main celebrations which I will briefly explain.

In the Wiccan calendar, recognition of the coming Springtime starts with Imbolc. This is traditionally the time when the first of the lambs are born on the farm. People everywhere start to look forward to the coming of Spring with eagerness. In the Lithuanian calendar, the time of Imbolc is celebrated in 2 separate days of celebration usually at the beginning of February. These days are called the day of Gabija, Goddess of the hearth followed by the day of Perkunas the Thunderer.

The Day of Gabija, gives thanks to the Goddess for her assistance to survive the long cold Winter nights. She gives us warmth, light and cooks our food. Gabija is also the Goddess of grains and so feasting on this day includes bread and other grain meals. The Fire of Gabija is very dear to Lithuanian people. Once, Lithuanians were described as Fire worshipers by historical chroniclers but this was simply a misunderstanding. Fire to Lithuanian people is considered to be a gateway to the realms of the Gods, Goddesses and ancestors through which offerings and prayers can be made. There is not a single Lithuanian festival celebration that does not include Fire in some way and the day of Gabija is no exception.

Death candle/candle of Perkunas made on the Day of Perkunas.

Next, 3 days later the Day of Perkunas, the Thunderer is celebrated. This is the day when people give honour to Perkunas and make death candles to protect the home and individual from Thunder strikes, ill health, misfortune and also to light at funerals to guide the Soul of the deceased to Dausos,(Paradise), to be with their ancestors. It is from this day that people keep an ear out for the first Thunder which is believed to wake Nature from Winter slumber as He shakes the very roots in the ground with his mighty peels of thunder. Once the first sound of Thunder is heard, people rejoice in the fact that Spring will not be far away.

The next Winter festival that heralds the coming Spring is called Užgavenes, also known as Mardi Gras,Carnival, Pancake Tuesday and Shrove. The last term is a Catholic references but the festival has roots purely from the Pagan customs of Lithuania.  Užgavenes is a rite to usher away Winter and welcome the coming Spring. Užgavenes is alot of fun with lots of dancing, singing and eating with costumed people who dressed as a wide variety of characters from the mundane to the mythological. People dressed as Witches, devils, Goddesses, bears, Storks, etc are common. People delight in the ritual murder of an effigy of the Hag of Winter called the More, at the end of the day.

On the first weekend of March, just a couple of weeks before the Spring Equinox in Lithuania, there is the largest folk art market in Vilnius,(the capital), than anywhere else in Eastern Europe. This festive time is a chance for people to express their national pride by buying folk art and items from local artisans. During this market called Kazuko Mugė there is a parade to honour Lithuanian Saint Kazimeras and I was proud to help carry a sculpture of Kalvelis, the Blacksmith God who is features in traditional folk tales. It is said that it was He who forged the Sun disc and threw Her into the Sky. Kalvelis features in this parade because He represents the return of the Sun after the long nights of Winter.

Lithuania celebrates the arrival of Spring at the Equinox with bonfires, Fire sculptures and Fire dances. Public Fire twirling are common. The mood of the whole country seems to shift into a different gear as people welcome longer days and anticipate much work if they live on the farm.

Velykos is Easter also known as Velykiu Velines, the Springtime remembrance of the Souls, Spirits and ancestors. which varies in April. People visit cemeteries and tend graves of Ancestors and loved ones. People exchange coloured and decorated eggs with ancient symbols of fertility and rebirth. Egg games played. Certain foods are blessed to ensure you have food all year. People whip others with Verbos,(green branch), and sprinkle with blessed water. People believe in the magic of the green branch to bless all things from cow udders, fruit trees and people. The irony that many Pagan customs survived because of the Catholic/Christian celebration called Easter! 

Just a week or two later, Lithuanians celebrate a festival called Jorė named after the Spring Thunder God. People gather in holy places like castlemounts, Rocks, lakes and Oak trees. Feasting, singing and making offerings to around 15 vegetation Gods and Goddesses to ensure a good harvest. During the festival of Jore, there are medieval re enactments of historic battles against the various Crusaders, who tried to invade Lithuania for almost 300 years!. Naturally the Pagan Lithuanians always win!

The final festival of Spring is called Gegužines when Milda, (Goddess of love) and Laima, (Goddess of fate), are honored. Single young women and men are blessed to find love and a good destiny. Laima comes to us as the Cuckoo bird and when the first sound of Her call. There is a superstition that when people hear Her for the first time, what they're doing at the time will determine the fortune of the next year. If a person has money in his pocket at the time then they will have enough money for the next year. If they are lazing then they can expect a lazy year but if working hard then there will be plenty of work that year. I'm sure you get the idea of this superstition. 

In Australia, where I live, we don't have Cuckoo birds native but I have become aware that at this time in our seasonal cycle, when the weather starts to get even warmer, the Cookool bird comes into my area. Her call is quite distinctive; I think she sounds like a chicken being strangled! I always instinctively check my pockets and take note of what I'm doing when I hear her, for the first time each year. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading about Lithuanian Pagan customs and hope that my article might inspire you with enthusiasm and joy for your own path in this season of rebirth of nature.