Snakes in the traditional Lithuanian worldview

The Snake is a common figure in many pre Christian communities across the world. There are many differences in the Snakes symbology and mythology. Unfortunately, Christian mythology has demonised the Snake and have identified it with a form of the Christian Devil, who, according to their Holy Book, was the tempter in the garden of Eden and led to the downfall of all people. I won't continue highlighting the sad change of the Snakes image as a result of the popularity of the Christian religion.There really are lots to explore in other Pre Christian cultures, which I won't attempt as this blog post would become a novel In view of this, I will just stick with how the Snake was seen in the traditional Lithuanian way. 

The Snake is often represented in Lithuanian art and crafts of today, including woodworking and steelworking. It would appear that the symbol of the Snake has remained in the Lithuanian psyche for thousands of years and anyone could reasonably say that the Snake was an important figure in the traditional Lithuanian worldview. Generally Lithuanian peoples believed that the Snake deserved love,care and protection. There were even written accounts of Lithuanians picking up a snake and running away with it when a missionary attempted to kill it.  We wouldn't do that in Australia as many of our Snakes are highly venomous and deadly. The Snakes in Lithuania are smaller and non poisonous. Although the Snake was never revered as a Deity, it was special to them and Lithuanian peoples considered their house to be blessed if a Snake takes up residence in it.  

In the Lithuanian worldview, Snakes were considered to be an animal of Saule, the Sun Goddess, as it was often found basking in the sunshine. It was also believed that as Snakes lived underground that they could have the power to visit the ancestors in the Underworld. The Snake cross is a whirling swastika made of Snakes. This is a common symbol and is also used by the Romuva religion in Lithuania. I was pleased to find out that there were many Pre Christian Lithuanian crosses, as my surname means Cross and I didn't want to be known as Steven Crucifix! Lol 

According to Archaeological finds that Lithuanian peoples used several forms of the cross. 

*There was a "Sun Cross", that was simply a circle with a cross in it. This was also a representation of the traditional Lithuanian wheel of the Year.

*An "Earth Cross", was used which was a square with a cross in it.

*A "Thunder Cross", was simply a swastika. Yes! a swastika which is also a common symbol with Hindu peoples of India. The swastika was a positive symbol before Hitler and his Nazi movement had demonised it. Unfortunately, Hittler saw the symbol of the Indo Europeans and added to his quest for the, Blond hair, blue eyed Aryan race.

*Peoples in western Lithuania reportedly used the symbol of a five pointed star as the, "Fairy Cross".  

Of course there;s also the Snake Cross, as discussed earlier. I now understand that my surname is not referring to the conversion to Christianity but the many Pre Christian crosses of the past. On a side note, I have always been drawn to "Goorialla", the Rainbow serpent of the Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime. I have had many visions of other realms by meditating on the rainbow seen in the mist of a waterfall. Even though my experiences were edifying and useful at the time, I know it's not a Lithuanian practice but it does highlight my own inherent attraction for Snakes which may connect me to my Lithuanian ancestry. 

In summary, the Snake was always revered by my Lithuanian ancestors. Personally, I couldn't keep a snake in captivity. Not only do I like to see all animals free but I also don't like the idea of having to regularly feed a snake with home grown mice. In  Australia, we have a healthy respect for Snakes understanding territories and aggression in breeding and rearing times. Respect for Snakes, in Australia, is akin to the mindset of my Lithuanian ancestors.

                                                       Snake Cross

Death and the afterlife according to the changing traditional Lithuanian worldview

This article was inspired by reading, "Dausos" by Gintaras Beresnevicius who collected information from archaeologists, folklore and historical records to draw some conclusions. Most of the historical records came from the 13th to the 18th century although there was one written account from Wulfstan from 880-890 AD who tells about the customs of the Aistians(another name for those who came from Baltic tribes) to keep the unburnt deceased person in their homes The writer states that, after conversion, many Lithuanian folk tales have merged with Christian mythology so it is believed that the older the tale, the more authentic it is, regarding the "Earliest beliefs" of the Lithuanians. All facts presented in this article, can be verified in the writings and research of Gintaras Beresnevicius. I am just reviewing his work and coming to my own conclusions based on traditional Lithuanian beliefs.

I am soon to reach the last quarter of my life The first 3 stages of my life can be described as being I have the innocent child, the inquisitive adventurer and the loving father. Throughout my life, I have always felt that i was beyond my years and feel that age old wisdom has guided me in tough periods. Who knows how many times that I have been on earth in the past? As a result of my age and the graying colour of my hair, I feel that I am am approaching the 4th will soon to be recognised by others as the wise sage. All these parts of myself make up who I am today and don't really see a beginning and end to any life stage. I have always been innocent, inquisitive and wise beyond my years who cares for others.

As I approach a more harmonious "self" based on my acquired wisdom,  I find myself often reflecting on the more profound questions regarding existence and the afterlife. Also, I recently had a friend who voluntarily chose to medically end their life which has also caused me to question many things.I have always found many answers in looking to the past and reflecting on the worldview of my Lithuanian ancestors. Afterall, no one really knows definitively what happens after death but, I believe, that we all must find our own worldview concerning death and the afterlife. No one can really say who is right and who's wrong but we can take guidance from Romuva and the old traditional ways of Lithuanians. 

                                                __________________

Lithuanian peoples changed their religious views of death and the afterlife, as did many other religions of the world. Lithuanian peoples were tribal and never really held homogeneous views and sometimes not even at the same time. It is for this reason that there will never be a pan Lithuanian consensus regarding death and the afterlife. There was never a sacred text, like a bible to guide peoples beliefs. Some belief systems lasted for hundreds of years before changing and can only be described as "Early Beliefs", "Earlier Beliefs" and "Earliest Beliefs" but elements of all 3 periods are still visible today in songs, folkart and other customs. I will explore these beliefs and attempt to draw some conclusions for my own understanding. 

There is another clear distinction in the change of beliefs regarding the afterlife among Lithuanian peoples. The "Earliest beliefs" featured a reincarnation in an zoomorphic way, where the Spirit of a dead person lives on as a creature, Tree or any feature in nature. Vincent Kedlubek, Bishop of Krakow wrote in the 13th century that the Jotvingians believed that after death, people were reborn in new bodies and that cruder souls were reincarnated in animals after death. (mannhardt 1936,14). This account stands alone as it is not corroborated by other accounts but it does show how some of the, "Earliest beliefs" permeated into later beliefs.

Somewhere along the way, Lithuanians stopped believing in this form of continuation of life and started seeing the afterlife as being lived in solely human form. When the concept of the Underworld was realised, there arose images of Velnias(Devil/God of magic and the Underworld) as a kind shepherd who tends his flock of sheep, who are really the spirits of the deceased. 

The idea of good and bad and post mortem retribution were always part of Lithuanian ethics and worldview. I'm sure it would be very different from that of a Christians ethics but Lithuanians were no less Godly and respectful, even before Christianisation. Part of this vision of the sheep being tended by a shepherd, eludes to this concept of right and wrong. Well fed sheep grazed in the dunes and skinny, under fed sheep grazed in the green lush meadows. The inference was that the latter sheep, in life, had everything but were still not satisfied. In other images of this kind of post mortum retribution depicted bad people being turned into work horses or ridden by devils in the Underworld.  

Earlier and Early beliefs of Lithuanians regarded the continuing Spirit as having a human form, needs and desires which can be seen in many tales of the Underworld and Afterlife. There are also archaeological evidence showing that exhumed graves and funerary pyres containing objects in life that will be needed in the next life such as horse bones, weaving implements, jewelry, etc.

                                            _____________________

Lithuanians traditionally believed in reincarnation but had different ways of expressing it. In the period from where the "Earliest Beliefs" came, it was understood that there were two separate times. Firstly, there are many etiological tales that are still told to this day. These tales describe the creation of the world and her numerous beings through mythological language. How the birds got their colours, how the mountains,lakes, rivers and constellations were created, etc.. 

The tale, "Egle, Queen of the serpents", hearkens from this time and after thousands of years, has been written down and is still told today. It was at this time that people believed that deceased people could turn into Trees, stars or other beings. Even a recent Lithuanian,(only a few hundred years old), saying, states that "you shouldn't point at Stars because one of them may be your own. By doing this, you may extinguish the Star and just fall down dead. 

The beliefs of this,"Earliest" period of Lithuanians are reminiscent of the "Dreamtime" tales of the Australian Aboriginals, where people were transformed based on their actions in life. It was only later that Lithuanians believed that the spirit of a deceased person is likely to transmigrate into everything from waters, birds, animals, trees and even insects. It was believed that all creatures were once living people and so were afforded due respect. Perhaps this may explain the common trait of modern Lithuanians to have a deep love and respect for nature.

                                           ____________________________

The Lithuanian "Earlier beliefs" were that the destiny for the spirit of the deceased person lay in the "Underworld" which relates to the roots of the "World Tree". In Lithuanian folk tales, this place was located beyond the waters of a Sea, a River, the horizon and sometimes on the otherside of a bridge. The Underworld was described as gloomy but a place where people lived in mansions, held dinner parties, danced and had a good time. So even though the Underworld was described as gloomy, it didn't lack glee and happiness. Ancestors of the deceased were reunited here which was ruled by Velnias and his wife Veliona. They were not only caretakers of the dead but also protectors of the living against unkind Spirits. They ensured safe passage for the spirits to return to their descendants on earth, at special times of the year. 

During this time, Lithuanians practiced both in earth burials and sky burials(cremation). Many neolithic graves were exhumed showing that the deceased was often buried in a fetal position ready for rebirth from the Earth Mothers womb. Deceased people were often unearthed, dressed in their best fineries and were often buried with the items from life that may be needed in the afterlife. 

Sky burials became more popular during this time with "the myth of Sovius" and is well worth studying. The myth was recorded in 1261 in the Malala Chronicle but I believe this myth to be much older and probably existed as verbal folklore for much longer. Through the myth of Sovius, we learn that Lithuanians also practiced Tree burials where the deceased is placed in a Tree. Was the deceased placed in a Tree in a Holy Grove?,Did it relate to a Tree cult where the Spirit of the deceased is expected to pass into the Tree?. We can only speculate as there are no written records of this practice. Sovius was believed to be a priest who made sky burials popular again as a common Indo European custom. As a result, Sovius is seen as reinstating the traditional practice of the Indo Europeans. Sovius was a very important figure who became a type of Psycho pomp for those who followed his footsteps and got cremated. It was believed that Sovius would help guide the deceased to the Underworld and protect them from unkind spirits. This made the figure of Sovius just as revered as a guide for the pre Christian Lithuanians as Jesus is for the Christians or Buddha is for the Buddhists.

I believe that the "Early beliefs" of Lithuanians are very different in many ways to the "Earliest beliefs". In the "Early beliefs" period, the narrative of the journey of the spirit of deceased person takes place in the sky as opposed to the Underworld as can be seen in the "Earliest and Earlier belief", periods. I can't say with any certainty, when this change occurred but it must have been a long time ago. Perhaps even thousands of years ago. The journey of the spirit is described as having to travel along the Milky Way(Birds Way) to the Moons gate where they are confronted by a tall, steep,sandy/glass/crystal mountain called "Anafiel" that must be climbed. It was found by archaeologists that bear claws or jars of fingernails were found in many neolithic graves which was believed to make this climb easier. The Spirit making this arduous journey would have to face strong winds blown by a wind deity who sat at the top of this hill. This deity was believed to judge the life lived and blow harder for undeserving spirits. It was believed that unworthy Spirits would be blown off the mountain, into the upper winds and the clouds below where they would wait to be reborn into new born babies. It was believed that this reincarnation would give them the opportunity to better themselves so that they maybe able to make the climb. 

The successful Spirit who makes the climb then sits on the "Bench of the Veles" to rest. After some time, the Spirit is then taken to a place called, "Dausos"(Paradise) in the realm of "Padange"(before heaven). This place is described as the homestead of Dievas(Sky God) where the weather is always pleasant and the work easy. The Spirit is reunited with their ancestors who inform them of the rules and how to avoid harm from unkind Spirits.

                                            ____________________

The veins of beliefs concerning the afterlife have changed over time and changes in funerary practices elude to this change. Even though the Lithuanian worldview has changed several times over the millennia, some fundamental truths remain constant. Lithuanians always had a strong belief in reincarnation, either into a form of nature or a continuation of life, in human form, alongside their ancestors. The belief that death was not an end to life is apparent in the numerous accounts of mass suicides of Lithuanian peoples. Accounts of the happenings at Pilenai castle where hundreds of people chose death over enslavement and loss of freedom. There are also other accounts in various chronicles of Lithuanian peoples choosing to kill themselves because of loss and grief over their deceased husbands and wished to be reunited with them. It is clear that Lithuanians had this unwavering belief in reincarnation and the fact that death is not an end to life.

I believe that Romuva teaches a very different narrative of the journey to the afterlife that indicates that there are 2 parts of the Spirit. One part of the Spirit called "the Veles"(Shade/Ghost) dwells in nature and the Soda(household straw representation of the Tree of Life. The other part of the Spirit called the "Sielos" goes on to Dausos or the Underworld. I have not found anything in Lithuanian folklore to substantiate this concept. I have even asked the community of Romuva, an Elder and the Krive of Romuva but no one was able to clarify anything to confirm the validity of this worldview. All I can gather is that this idea of having 2 parts to the  Spirit is an amalgamation of the various different beliefs of the past, to create a new philosophy.

In summary, when reviewing the different periods of Lithuanian beliefs which can be described as "Earliest, Earlier and Early", I don't believe that any period held the belief that death is an end to life. I don't know what's to come in my post mortem journey but perhaps the afterlife could be different for a Buddhist, Hindu, Christian or Muslim. Who knows? I don't think that I would end my own life but I can certainly imagine situations where I am terminally ill and want to die with dignity rather suffering at the hands of modern medicine. I have too much to live for right now and I think I would fight to live. Afterall, there is a Lithuanian belief that if a person takes their own life then their Spirit must remain on earth for the allotted time that their mortal body was destined to remain on earth.  

All I can do is live by the pre Christian ethics that I have come to know through Romuva and the worldview of my Lithuanian ancestors, which focuses on kindness to people and kindness to the Earth. I truly believe that expressing "Love" and harmony are the main goals in life. Love for yourself, Harmony in yourself, Love for your fellow human, Harmony with your community, Love for the Earth and Harmony with Her and all life that lives on Her.