Summer Solstice- In Lithuania and in Australia

Lithuanians observe many Earth and Sky customs in their traditional calendar which are practised at the appropriate seasonal moment in the yearly cycle. natures fertility and harvest is marked by festivals and likewise the Equinoxes and Solstices are important times. Summer solstice is marked by a festival whose customs are steeped in magic and folklore and mythology. I observe many of the same customs at the appropriate time in the year, here in Australia. eg, Lithuania celebrates Summer Solstice in June whereas Summer Solstice occurs in December here in Australia. 

In this article, I would like to introduce the reader to the traditional Lithuanian customs of Summer Solstice and explain how I have adapted some of those customs, in my life here in Australia. I believe, that by observing these customs, I have found a very real type of harmony with the cycles of the Cosmic forces of Sky and the Terrestrial forces of Earth that makes me more feel more centered and in tune with the forces of the Gods and Goddesses of the Earth and the beautiful song of the universe.

In Lithuania, the festival of Summer Solstice was originally known as, "Rasa"(Dew), or, "Kupolines" (vegetation). This Svente (festival), is named after the Goddess Rasa, and her Mother, Goddess Kupole. It is a svente full of magic and myth, divination and just plain fun. It is a public holiday in the country so EVERYONE revels in the festivities. 

Young Girls wake early on this day and run through the dew soaked rye, go back to bed and dream of their intended lover. People collect dew to wash their face so their complexion will be clear for the next year.

People also knew that Ragana, the Witch Goddess of witchcraft collect the dew for her own magic. Some say its evil magic but I believe that she stimulates the regenerative powers of nature by causing the decline of nature. She is the necessary evil and her magic must happen if nature and humankind is to flourish again next year.

                                                                                                           

Women collect flowers from the meadows to make wreaths, which they wear throughout the festival. The flowers are a symbol of the blossoming vegetation from Kupole and the circular wreaths are a symbol of Saule, the Sun Goddess.

The Svente festival is set up generally somewhere in nature, by a lake or body of water and preferable near a sacred hill if possible. Bonfires and the green gate are set up. Wheels and a straw man are set on long poles and burnt at sunset when the bonfires are also lit. People dance and sing loudly in order to scare off the Witches.

People know that Saule the Sun Goddess is in decline from this day and needs all the extra light and fire from the fires burning for Her.

Burning wheels and logs are rolled down hills which also represent the passage of the Sun.

At midnight, young couples search for the fern that flowers. If found it is believed that you will acquire the knowledge of of things secret. Wisdom and hidden treasures, or so it is believed, the number of kids conceived on this night predicts the bounty of the harvest. 

At sunrise songs are sung to the rising Sun and wreaths with candles are floated on the river or lake for further prognostications.. people bathe in rivers for it's healing and beauty qualities. When the rays of the Dear Sun return for another year, the nightlong celebration comes to an end and people go home to sleep off the "Rasa hang over" from all the dancing, singing and bonfire jumping.



In Australia, Summer Solstice is much less low key than in Lithuania. Astronomically and seasonally attuned Pagans honour and celebrate the Summer Solstice in December, when most secular and religious people are celebrating the Winter Solstice Yule and Christmas customs of their Northern hemisphere cousins. Their customs are performed at the same time in the annual calendar, but not the same time in the seasonal and astronomical calendar. 

I understand the sense of connection that Lithuanians here in Australia feel by performing the traditional Lithuanian Winter Solstice custom of Kucios. at the same time in the calendar as their Lithuanian family and ancestors in Lithuania, in the Mother land. Old Lithuanian people feel that by doing this they will be more connected to their homeland, their ancestors and to their past.

Most Secular non religious and Religious Christian people alike, express the philosophy of, "peace on earth and good will to all." People have forgiveness in their hearts and wish blessings of goodwill in the name of Christmas' and that's ok because these sentiments apply to both Winter and summer pagan festivals. 

Australian Pagans are from many different backgrounds and no matter to which path you adhere, most recognise the true, "reason for the season.". We all honor the Sun with different terminology and in our own way, so all I can share with you, is what Australian Lithuanian Romuvai, do at the time of Summer Solstice. 

I could not even attempt to replicate, here in Australia, the national joy and involvement in this celebration, as they do in Lithuania. My own celebrations are usually small private affairs inviting the local pagan community to share. I try to perform all Lithuanian customs as closely as possible and using the original terminology so that Lithuanian mythology comes alive and becomes very really relevant to me and enables genuine connection with my ancestors and their Gods and goddesses of nature and the universe, and the local Deities, from where I live.
   
 I will briefly explain some of the symbolism of the Gods and Goddesses of ancient Baltic mythology which plays a big role in Summer Solstice celebrations, here in Australia.

At Solstice, the celestial Fire of Saule, the Sun Goddess is strengthened by the terrestrial Fire of Gabija, guardian Goddess of the Hearth and so Fire features everywhere in Summer Solstice. Balance is found in Sky and Earth. Male and female. Dievas and Zemyna (Sky God and Earth Goddess). Symbols of the Sun can be seen in the shape of the Flower wreaths and Oak wreaths made. Perkunas, The Thunder God is remembered through the symbolism of the oak tree and flowers represent Kupole. the Flourishing Goddess who is responsible for the abundance of the upcoming harvest. 

Ragana and her regenerative powers Ragana is like the gardener who must prune in order to get better growth and crops, the next year. Ragana is a relevant force to Lithuanians and Australians.

Dew and sacred waters are also very important elements that needs no explaining to Australians. Rivers that flow from West to East are extra special.

I believe that by adhering to the customs of my Ancestors, I have been given an insight into their unique worldview and opened me up to their world. There are various Gods and Goddesses who cross waters to show us that they are still relevant to us here in Australia in the modern age. I will forever carry their flames within me.

Tebunie Darna (Let there be Harmony)

Sky and Air- more than an Element to me!

In Lithuanian mythology our pantheon of Deities can be classified as:
- Celestial,
- Sky/atmospheric,
- Terrestrial/earthly
 and sub terrestrial/Underworld.
Theses four realms of existence are representative of the, "World Tree", which is a big part of the Baltic worldview, among many other indigenous Europeans. 

The roots of the tree which reach down deep in the earth and represents the world of the deceased ancestors and the past, the trunk of the tree springs up from the earth and represents the realm of the living on earth,the branches that reach up into the sky represent the realm of the sky or atmosphere and the heavens above the tree represent the celestial realm where celestial goddesses like Saule the Sun, give the Tree its' energy to grow taller and stronger. In this article, I will focus on two of atmospheric deities and how they are reflected in my life as an Australian Romuvis.

If I was to explain the worldview of the ancient Lithuanians, I must start at the top with the supreme God and ruler of time and fate. Praamzius is his name and his name suggests that he existed before eternity, during eternity and beyond eternity. Praamzius rules the sky and waters and his children assist him. In Lithuanian folk mythology, the supreme God Praamzius had a wife who is known as the primordial mother, the Goddess Lada and the mother to all deities. Together they had many children and one of their children is the god of the shining sky called Dievas. 

Dievas is an atmospheric deity who has never been regarded as a supreme God although his name is still being used today by Lithuanians to refer to the Christian God. I think it's funny in a way but I feel that the energy of the original sky God still lives on in the use of the name, Dievas.

Pensive Christ sculpture is a common figure in most Lithuanian homes.
This sculpture depicts a Christian God watching over mankind, often with sorrow.
Many sculptures of thinking men and women have been found even since the Neolithic period.

Dievas, the sky God, watches over humankind. The Sun and the Moon are often referred to as the eyes of God in Lithuanian songs and tales. The God Dievas, is constantly watching over us through the day and night. His role in everyday life was considered sedentary but according to Lithuanian mythology, if Dievas saw humans acting immorally, he would tell his brother the mighty thunderer, Perkunas who right the unjust by punishing them by throwing his lightning axe at them and burning down their house.+(Which also can relate figuratively in the way your life can be represented as a house with many rooms.) 

The role of these deities of air and sky exist# for me to act as my own conscience to ensure that I conduct myself in a just and moralistic way in my dealings with my fellow humans and all life which live on this earth. Sky and air is not just high up there but everywhere. Sky and air envelops me and fills my lungs with it's life giving force. Sky and air is not just an important element for me but a personal God to whom I am thankful for the beauty of my life and the guidance that I receive when connecting with the mighty Perkunas in thunderstorms.

Foot notes

* Morality can be understood differently in different cultures and does not simply refer to the Christian view of morality. My personal understanding of morality in my own life and how I live in this modern day can be outlined in my own simple 10 commandments. Some of the commandments are founded in my understanding of Pagan morals and ethics and then some commandments are simple guidelines to facilitate a more harmonious existence with the ancestors, my deities,my community and within myself: Some commandments are both, you can decide for yourself: These commandments will probably change and expand over time but then that is the good thing about not having a sacred text dictating outdated and irrelevant views on morals. Anyway here is my own personal ten commandments:

1. Waste not the gifts of the Earth lest you go hungry.

Every crumb is a sacred gift.

 Every scrap of food can be either composted or fed to the birds and other animals.

2. Do not kill. All life is sacred.

Trees,animals,human, Rock,Waters and Earth.

The earth's nature and it's creatures is sacred,

it is from where we began and where we shall end.

3. Honour the Ancestors and deceased loved ones.

They gave their everything for you to be here today with so many liberties and blessings.

4. Honour the Elders,their wisdom is beyond value.

They hold the memory of times and values gone by.

5. In all things, nurture nature as the seasons turn. Grow an edible garden,plant trees and flowering plants for the Bees 

6. Recycle,Re use,Reduce! and do not litter!

 The Earth's resources are limited. 

7. Honour the Gods and Goddess of nature and Earth. With their blessings,you may increase your share.

Celebrate the passing seasons and their Deities of time and space.

8. Visit the sacred places at special times for direct contact, guidance and solace from the Gods,Guides and Totems.

9. Create community where ever you are. Hive of humanity can learn from lessons of the past and our ancestors.We will find a new way forward through the strife on Earth at present.

10. Watch for signs and wonders and just let the Universe and ancestors, guide you and you won't go astray. 

Trust,let go,let the Gods. 

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 + The role of Perkunas is seen in the Lithuanian tale of ,"Jurate and Kestytis", when Dievas sends Perkunas to smite the mermaid Goddess Jurate, for falling in love with Kestytis, being a mortal, and also for taking him away from his bereaved wife. It's a nice tale and well worth a read.

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# There are many other atmospheric deities from the little Goddesses called Fairies to the different winds,(north wind, South wind,etc), whom I relate to in different ways so I will only write about Dievas and Perkunas in this article.

Symbol of Romuva- Fire on top of the World Tree

I like to consider the Lithuanian perspective because even though, I am here in the Southern hemisphere, I believe that certain Lithuanian deities are able to transcend hemispheres and countries because of their global presence. Local Spirits and beings of the land remain in Lithuania but the Nature Gods, Goddesses and spirits of fire,air water and earth,celestial and atmospheric, from the past and the present realms can and do transcend hemispheres and timezones. Spirits of our ancestors echo guidance and the God, Praamzius (God of time who existed before eternity, during eternity and beyond eternity), no matter in which country I live.

Humans too, we are all a part of the present realm of the earth and have our role in the universe, In Lithuanian the word for person is zmogus which has a connection with the word Zeme which means, "Earth", and so, the word for person, "zmogus", can be translated as earthling. I wholeheartedly believe that truly, we are the children of the Mother Earth and have very clear responsibilities to the Earth and her ecosystems that we call nature.

These realms of existence of the Gods, Goddesses, spirits of the past and present, living and dead are represented as the Romuvos ,"World Tree" that is common in the worldview of many indigenous Europeans. In the ancient Lithuanian worldview, the World Tree represents the continual cycle of life and the true connection between all realms. The Tree reveals the true harmony with in the universe. In the depiction of the Lithuanian world Tree, there is a bright flame, high above the branches at the Tree's summit.

The Fire at the top of the World Tree is sacred, eternal and the Goddess Gabija is guardian. This Fire expresses to me, as a Romuvis, many concepts. Firstly, Fire, Gabija, is the gateway/portal through which we can gain access to the other realms of the Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Ancestors. Fire, Gabija, shines bright to light our way in the dark. Fire, Gabija, comforts us with warmth on cold nights. Fire, Gabija, rests in our hearths while waiting to help us cook food and not to mention our daily bread, which is also attributed to Gabija. Fire, Gabija, shines in the essence of each and every living being on this earth and connects us with the universal Fire that burns bright and intensely in all celestial stars.

When a person has an ecstatic epiphany, revelation, people experience this flame being stoked, growing to a brilliant blaze. When people experience this, people commonly remark that they can actually see more clearly and have a better understanding of where their life should be going  to achieve better harmony.

The light from the fire chases away the shadows that often are responsible for the gloom in life and with the shadows gone, we can see everything more clearly. This stoking may only happen once in a lifetime but it's flame will endure a whole lifetime so don't worry if you haven't experienced yours yet. Keep searching and you will find an experience that will stoke your Fire.

Clouds

Lithuanian folklore describes the clouds in the realm of Perkunas the Thunderer,
and who are daggers in the eyes of Saule, the Sun Goddess. I believe that clouds drift over our own lives creating shadows that can darken the light from our eternal, internal flame but with faith, hope and perseverance the cloud will surely pass.

Clouds make the world gloomy and dark and hide the warm loving rays of the mother Sun reaching and comforting us but it is never to be forgotten that she is always shining above the clouds. That is to say that no matter what clouds may be darkening our own life, there is always the faith that our dear mother sun shines tirelessly beyond the cloud and as in real life. In our own lives, we have faith and hope that the clouds do  and will eventually drift away to reveal the warm, comforting Sunshine once again,

Not all clouds in your life can be seen as negative in your life because it should never be forgotten that clouds often create the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets which is an allegory for how clouds can create beautiful tapestry in your life, Physical clouds have a positive meaning to Australian Aboriginals as generally beneficial to nature and humankind as they brought water to grow food. No doubt clouds also brought relief from the hot sun.

Clouds can be seen as both positive and negative influences in life. My prayer for my loved ones and readers is that clouds do not shadow you for long before you feel warm rays of the sun.