Earth my mother-insight of an Australian Romuvis

Lithuanians traditionally believe that all animate AND inanimate things are living and that all life is sacred. Everything from the plants and animals to the rocks, stars, waters, fire and earth. are all considered to be alive. Earth can be viewed as either a physical, personified and metaphysical element. Lithuanians have always demonstrated all three views in their traditional way of life. In this article I will write about how my ancestral Lithuanians and the local Australia aboriginals related to the Earth and how I then reflect these values in my life as an Australian Romuvis^ today.

Earth, Fire, Air and Water. All are equally important elements to Lithuanians, past and present, but I have to say that deep to the core, the Earth Mother is most dear to them. In Lithuanians, the connection with the Earth and love of nature is inherent and I believe, even stores this trait in the DNA, I liken this attitude towards the earth as the Australian Aboriginal have with the connection to their land. The idea that you could own land was foreign to them because they always understood that the land owns them, feeds them and looks after them!

The passion and drive of Aboriginal peoples to reconnect with their "Land" is a reflection of the same Lithuanian attitude toward the earth or their lands. There are many stories that tell of how when,  Aboriginal people return to their traditional lands and visit their sacred water holes, there is a shift in consciousness and a type of centredness is found where many find direction in their own life. It affects them on all levels. Spiritully, mentally, emotionally and physically. I believe this to be the same for Lithuanians. I believe that Lithuanians are never complete unless they have their land. Lithuania has been occupied by numerous countries over the centuries, they have been well experienced in defending your land and your freedom.

Since ancient times, Lithuanian tribes were agriculturists skilled in animal husbandry but fought and died for their land as fierce warriors when forced to defend their beloved land, their earth and their mother, (which happened periodically throughout the centuries.).There were many accounts in the various historical chronicles of the Baltic Crusades where Lithuanians were noted to be very good in battle tactics and were fierce in battle. Lithuanians, (men and women), fought off the Crusaders and invaders for over 300 years and only converted to a pagan blend of Catholicism through marriage with Poland in 1385. This was merely a political marriage designed to finally stop the crusader raids into their lands. The raids did not stop until after the battle of Tannenbug* in 1410 where the Lithuanians organised a collective army from several nations of Pagans, Christians, Catholics and Tatars to finally decimate the German Teutonic Order. This battle ended the Baltic crusades forever.

Even today, Lithuanians have traits of territoriality and a passion for national pride. Lithuanians have even been accused of being neo nazi but there is some misunderstandings. Love of your land and nation does not equate to ideals of white supremacy! It doesn't help the confusion when one of our main traditional symbols is the fly foot cross+ which is displayed in everything from weaving, textiles, wood, brass and steel but then that's another article!

It was not surprising that Lithuanians personified the earth as the Goddess Zemyna. Zemyna is considered to be the most powerful among all Goddesses. Zemyna is the guardian of nature. Anyone who harms nature will be punished and if the humankind becomes too much of burden on nature, then she will simple either cull us in some catastropy or wipe us out all together. It is for this reason that people never joke about her and are quite serious when talking about Zemyna and the Earth that is Zemyna.In Lithuanian mythology, Zemyna is a much loved daughter of the Sun Goddess and the Moon God. In Lithuanian folklore, Zemyna is married to Perkunas the thunderer and gave birth to the many earthly Goddesses and Gods who help her look after nature. People would tenderly kiss the ground in thanks.#

 From Zemyna, the earth, we came, in life she feeds and shelters us and in death we shall return to her. 

(Our physical body at least).

In summarizing, The earth was and is important to my Lithuanian ancestors and also the Indigenous Aboriginals of Australia, where I live. The Earth is an inteagral part of my life because I want to portray the same values as my ancestors and support the Earth in a way that is respectful and acceptable to the original custodians of this land, the Australian Aboriginals. The Earth and her nature take care of me by feeding me from the crops that produce such abundant harvests and so I happily take care to foster her and support the earth and her nature. I feel that it is my obligation to care for the Earth because she cares for me. I consider myself as an activist and advocate for nature. In saying that, I haven't tied myself to trees or stood in front of bull dozers but I would if called. I do every day things that help to support the Earth Mother and her nature. I plant for the bees, I grow vegetables and fruit to be more harmonious with her seasonal cycles, I compost, I recycle, I attend protest rallies when possible, I support various charities for the welfare of plant, animal and human needs, when I can afford it, to name a few.

A good question to pose myself occasionally is,

"What has the Earth done for me and what have I done for the Earth lately?

After asking myself this, I soon find my moral compass.

References:

^ Romivis is an adherent of Romuva which is the modern revival of the traditional ways of Lithuanian Baltic people and their connection with the earth and the universe.

+ Fly foot cross is also known as swastika. It is important to note that this ancient symbol was displayed to represent luck,happiness, good fortune and was also a symbol for Perkunas, the Thunder God.  Unfortunately, since Hittler and his nazi movement appropriated the swastika for their movement of terror, this symbol has been demonised into a fearful symbol. In Lithuanian decoration, there are many different styles of this symbol and most probably is a connection with the Indian(from India) culture and religion.

* The battle of Tannenburg is known by different names. The Poles know it as the battle of Grunwald and the Lithos know it as the battle of Zalgiris. Much can be read about this battle to end all battles with the German Teutons who were constantly raiding Baltic lands and plundering Eastern Europe at large.

# Pope John Paul had a Lithuanian Mother and his ritual of kissing the ground when coming to a new country, was a Lithuanian Pagan custom of reverence for the Earth Mother.

Discovering the Spirit of Romuva-Setting up your altar and your own holy places

Many people who adhere to an earth tradition usually have an altar space in their home. For most, an altar is a special place that is reserved for many things like meditation, seasonal observances, offerings to the deities and to the ancestors There are many different styles of altars that are fashioned depending on the tradition followed and the individual's needs. Some people include objects representing the 4 elements, deities that they work with and photos or dear objects of the ancestors.

The Romuvos altar is a certain type of altar which has some special representations, which i believe opens up a special kind of connection that is a unique expression of Baltic Lithuanian traditions and customs.

Photos of deceased loved ones and ancestors(left), Kausas(wooden ladle) in right, various bowls for offerings and jug for Fire Rite.

The location of the traditional Lithuanian home altar is generally in and around the hearth. It is here that people believed that the Goddess resides. Gabija is a household Goddess of cooked grain, particularly bread. People honoured her because without the Fire of Gabija, the family wouldn't have their daily bread, warmth and light on the long dark Winter nights. Gabija is the guardian of the sacred Fire. It is through her holy fire of Goddess Gabija that we find a gateway through which giving us access to be able to relate with the ancestors, Gods and Goddesses. It is through the holy Fire that we give them our prayers and offerings. In the traditional Lithuanian household, it was usually the head woman who would normally bank up the hot coals and ashes each night so they can reignite the next day.

As most of us today do not use Fire in our kitchens and to heat our house. Fire has become less used and less important in the general household today. Most use electricity to have heating, cooking and lighting with the invention of electricity but this amazing element should never be forgotten about because without Fire we would never have survived till today, as a human race. 

So in order to create an altar we must create a sacred place for the holy Fire of Goddess Gabija to reside. This place can be a permanent altar in our home. This can be as simple as a candle holder or more elaborate like mine which is a little more traditional. A home altar is usually set up in a special corner of the house. I have also seen a small ornate iron fire pit used for weddings which are easily portable. An outdoor altar can be a simple fire pit or on a small pile of fixed rocks. Once you have created a special place for the holy Fire of Gabija. There are a few rules that I insist on, for anyone participating in my Sventes (Baltic festivals). The altar and the Fire should always be treated with solemn respect. It is forbidden for anyone to spit or urinate on the Fire or throw garbage in the Fire. Only offerings and prayers allowed. It is the Baltic custom that comes from the belief that if you do not respect Fire, She will not respect you and may even burn your house down or cause other calamities.

There are 2 types of Romuvos altars and I will explain the outdoor altar and then a typical Romuvos home altar.

The workplace of the outdoor portable altar is set up on a woven cloth that is laid out near the altar. On this woven cloth, the tools for giving offerings are set up in no particular order. There several wooden or ceramic bowls and baskets containing several bowls containing the various things like grains, amber dust, bread and aromatic herbs. There are also drinking vessels like a horn or a wooden ladle called a Kausas placed on the cloth along with vessels of mead, cold/warm tea and beer. After the Fire is made and the offering space is set up, the Fire Rite is ready to start.

In Lithuania drinking horns are commonly used in Fire Rites.

To set up in your home you set up bed for Gabija and assemble the same tools for offerings as you would for an outdoor altar but you can also include photos of ancestors and deceased loved ones along with images and symbols of various Goddesses and Gods that you align with or work with. Most Lithuanian home altars have a wooden sash hanger and a rack for a woven towel with represent the Goddess Laima who weaves our fate. It can be a holy place for daily meditation, prayers and offerings of thanks to the ancestors and Baltic Gods and Goddesses.

My home altar is adorned with many wood carvings (Jurate,Dievas,Spindle representing Saule,Zemyna),and other various symbols of the Lithuanian Deities. (drum and fly-foot cross-Perkunas,sash and woven towel-Laima

You'll notice my bed for the Fire of Gabija is made up of 3 rocks representing the 3 levels of existence.(Underworld,realm of the living and the realm of our Deities). 

There are also other sacred places that Lithuanian Romuvos pray to their Deities. In Lithuania, these places include Rocks, Trees, Rivers, Lakes, castle mounts and other high places on top of hills. Where I live in Australia, there are many Aboriginal sacred places. I don't feel right meditating and praying in these places because I don't feel that it is culturally appropriate and I don't want to unsettle any local Aboriginal Spirits or deities. I believe that they could attack you psychically and cause mental anguish and even health problems. 

So how did I find my own sacred places? I planted an Oak tree in my backyard where I regularly pray to Perkunas the Thunderer. I have place a male and a female standing stones in my garden where I meditate for strength and wisdom. There are a few sacred places on rivers and at waterfalls that I have found over the years, where the local Spirits have welcomed me to their special places. These are places at Kangaroo Valley and certain random places like at a particular beach, mountain top, Rock or Tree. I can feel if the spirits welcome my presence and I can meditate with ease. I can even feel the Spirits presence and their energy. It can be a quite interesting experience. If I am unwelcome, i feel nauseous and can't concentrate so i just move away from the area. 

Oak Tree

Standing stones are used to pray to Deities.

So this blog describes how to set up a Romuvos home altar and an outdoor altar anywhere in the world.  I encourage others to find their own sacred places that are respectful and appropriate to the local indigenous spirits and the indigenous perspective. It is in these created altars and the sacred places that the Deities, Ancestsors and Spirits commune with us and complete a kind of balance and harmony deep within our Soul.

We, as Romuvai aspire to be like the World Tree whose roots reach down to the past, the dead and the realm of the ancestors. 

The bees buzzing in a hive in the trunk represent the busy world of the present day hive community. 

The Deities of Earth and Sky, are like the branches reaching up to the sky,

from the past, the present and beyond the future. 

Perfect balance and perfect harmony,

 with all realms of all universes,

Past, Present and Future, 

This Harmony is one of the main goals,

 for a Romuvis to be constantly aspiring. 

I hope this post helps you to create your own sacred space for prayer and ritual. Feel free to comment and ask any questions.