The period of Springtime in Australia is in the 3 months from September. As we are in the Southern hemisphere, Australian seasons are opposite to our Northern cousins. For example, when Australia, is experiencing Winter when the North is experiencing Summer. When we are enjoying Spring, the north is in Autumn and preparing for Winter. I believe that chores are done and nature celebrated at the seasonally appropriate time however This idea is hard for some to understand because they want to be connected with their homeland which is the Northern hemisphere no matter in what season they are. For example, the Australian Lithuanian community like to celebrate Summer Solstice customs in June here in Australia! We are at Winter Solstice! When asked,"why now?". I am told that it connects them to their homeland. I say,"fair enough" but for me, as already stated, I feel that the age old customs should be carried out at the seasonally appropriate time. It makes more sense to me but I am still happy to maintain harmony with my community and celebrate certain celebrations like Easter and Christmas in Autumn and Summer here in Australia. Regardless of being at the seasonally inappropriate time of the year. It is a tenet of Romuva to strive for and maintain harmony and this is a way of adhering to this tenet by celebrating with my community.
In Australia during Springtime, the birds and other animals across country are building nests, mating and breeding. The wattles blossom bright yellow and many other trees and plants start to bloom. Nature in Australia really start to come alive in Springtime, just as would have for our European ancestors but there are major differences which is better understood by knowing that Indigenous peoples across the world, and how they named their seasons and months after what is happening in nature rather than using a calendar that refers to roman gods. This is not only irrelevant to the people but doesn't even reflect the seasonal understanding of a people. Many Aboriginal seasonal calendars don't even have a term for the traditional Springtime but name the period after what is happening in nature. For example:
*Spring months are described as hot/dry and pre monsoonal storms by Bininj people of the Kakadu area.
*The Wurundjeri people of the Melbourne area see birds nesting or feeding their young to signify the season.
*The Yolgnu people even mention that the first sound of thunder is heard in this season!
An in depth study of Indigenous cultural names for months and seasons would be too lengthy to explain in this short article but if you are interested, you can consult local Aboriginal weather charts on the internet of through your local Aboriginal cultural center for a better understanding of what season you are in, where you live!
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European Spring Months
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Lithuanian Spring Months and meanings
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Australian Spring months
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March
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*Kovas
(Meaning: Rook/Blackbird/Goddess of war and conflict)
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September
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April
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^Balandis
(Meaning:Pidgeon/Dove)
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October
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May
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#Geguzes
(Meaning; Cuckoo Bird)
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November
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* Conflict can be seen in the warring weather. One day is hot and Summery and the next is cold and Wintery. It is like the seasons are struggling between themselves but, in the end, Spring and warmth will always defeat the Winter and its cold.
^ The country warms up a little and the Pigeons and doves return to the country and the soft cooing can be heard on the breeze.
# The country warms up a little more and the Cuckoo bird returns to the country. There is a belief that a persons activities and state of being when hearing the Cuckoo call for the first time each year will predict your up coming year. for example, If you are working hard when you first hear the Cuckoo then you can expect to work hard that year. If you have money in your pocket at the time then you will have enough money. etc NB I have noticed the sound Kookool was heard in the area when it started to warm up and I used her call to predict my year. Now that I have moved state, I have found the beautiful warble of the Magpie is heard at this time.
Adherents of Romuva in Lithuania and the northern hemisphere. know February the 2nd and 5th respectively, as the "Day of Perkunas", (the Thunderer), and the ,"Day of Gabija", (Goddess of the hearth, of grains and guardian of fire). In Australia, at the same time in our seasons, these days are observed on August the 2nd and 5th respectively and I believe are just as relevant to my Spring time observances regardless of being in the southern hemisphere.
You may be wondering why these days should be included in Spring observances when these days are a month before the official start of Spring? The traditional custom of the Lithuanians was to listen for the first sound of thunder, from the "Day of Perkunas", (the Thunderer). This thunder is believed to be the son of Perkunas, named Jore). It is believed that this first thunder ,(Jore), shakes all of nature even down to the roots of the trees and this will wake them from Winter slumber. I still listen out for his rumbling after August the 2nd to herald the arrival of Spring. On this day,people make death/thunder candles to burn in storms to protect the home from lightning strike. These can be easily made by wrapping a candle in linen thread and with the amount of lightning that we have in Australia, these candles can be useful
The "Day of Gabija", is observed on the 5th of February in Lithuania and 5th of August in Australia. The Day of Gabija is a time to remember how much we still need her fire. Without fire, humankind would not have survived to flourish as we have. We thank the fire of Gabija for warming us and lighting our way in the cold dark Winter nights. Gabija cooks our food everyday and provides grains for our daily bread. The importance of fire and grains is relevant as much in Lithuania and Australia for countless reasons and so we honor Gabija. In my home, we have a meal of grains on this day. There are lots of dishes from which to choose!
I believe that the combination of these Lithuanian days of observance are equivalent, in some ways, to the to the Celtic celebration of Imbolc. Gabija is similar to Brigid, although they have a different folklore, they share a connection with fire and blessed beeswax candles. There were many Indo European tribes who settled in many a were I believe that there are remnants of an old Indo European traits in all tribes, which is quite extensive and connect us all as brothers and sisters.^
^For more information on how far reaching the Indo European tribes were in Europe and Asia.. Another reason to believe that we are all connected! Please watch youtube clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl8_7n9FsoQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqwuOpN4CVM
I hope you have found this article informative! If you are interested in more on the Baltic Lithuanian faith please follow me on http://stevekryzius.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/the-art-of-lithuanian-spellscasting.html
