polish pagan traditions

This tradition is rooted in the pre-Christian sacrificial rites of Slavic Pagans. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; In Poland, it took root in the 13th-15th centuries, and the tradition was to go door to door between 26 December (the second day of . According to Rogalinski, Rodzimowierstwo has three of these formally organized groups. The custom was called Oczepiny. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It is looking for similarities and helping those who are nearest to us, it is not about fighting other people.. Cooking included only the heating of previously prepared food. The Polish have a deep respect for their past and a pragmatic outlook on their future, which youll discover in great depth during your next visit to Poland. According to some theories, the monster is a giant catfish which have been reported as creatures who attack water birds and small animals. St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (Sw. Mikolaja albo Mikolajki) The Three Kings day was also the traditional day to take down the Christmas Tree, which was erected and decorated on Christmas Eve. The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content. Large or small, the Polish open sandwich will include pretty much whatever you have lying in your fridge cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, egg, dill, whatever. migus-dyngus (Polish pronunciation: [migus dnus]) is a formerly pagan and now a Roman Catholic celebration held on Easter Monday across Central Europe, and in small parts of Eastern and Southern Europe.The tradition is widely associated with Poland and is observed by Polish Diaspora communities, particularly among Polish Americans who call it Dyngus Day. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'adsensetype', 1); The most popular Pagan path practiced in Poland is Rodzimowierstwo (native faith), an indigenous form of Slavic polytheism. 13 Super-Polish Superstitions | Article | Culture.pl The Legend of King Boleslaw, the Brave, and his Knights is about a mighty and courageous ruler who has united Poland and exalted her state power. Religious freedom is a right in Poland, and a group of 100 people can form a church, carrying with it lower taxes and the ability to teach thereligion in a school setting. No one has ever been able to truly eradicate it, despite centuries of tremendous effort. If she didnt it was believed that she would cry throughout her married life. It is the blessing of the fire, the reverence which goes back to pagan times. By Stanley Garczynski from PGS of Texas Polish Footprints Vol.XII No.4 Winter 1995. Rogaliskis number of 2,000 highly-committed regularly-active Rodzimowiercy is consistent with many other accounts. A traditional meat-free Wigilia meal has 12 courses drawn from forest and ocean, field and orchard, representing the months of the year. He enjoyed his life as a rich man but soon became nostalgic and wished to go back to his home village. Polish Paganism - Polish Toledo - Archive of Okana - Poland The Bible Another explanation is rooted in the New Testament. In every house, from the richest to the poorest, the table is spread with food that is blessed on Holy Saturday. Tomasz Rogalinski is one such practitioner. According to the legend, the poor boy Jacek was too clumsy to participate in these rituals so he sat sad and alone. The happy tradition includes many festivities including parades. Many of the Pagans are solitary, making their numbers difficult to estimate, but they appear to be concentrated in the cities. In Polish tradition, the bread and salt at the reception are ritual food. Polish Holidays: Official and Traditional Celebrations We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); Wianki (literally wreaths in English) is an event that can however be traced back to the bygone days of paganism and has preserved some of its original character. pulling a wagon on which stood the driver, cracking his whip for everyone to get out of his way. Adherents tend to use a reconstructionist methodology to rebuild their native faith, which has not spread through the English-speaking world as widely as some other European-based Heathen religions. Still, the client base has not grown large enough to support many such businesses yet; online shops fill that gap, especially for Pagans who dont live in the larger cities. Sleepy husbands and wives arise and give them a gift of eggs. All the events above are free of charge. The belief was that those sitting down to eat must add up to an even number. Binding all the traditions together are the beliefs in native Slavic gods, theofferings of mead and food (traditionally groats, white cheese, and bread), a code based on principles of honor, responsibility, and courage, and thecircles of responsibility, which centers on family and widensto include community. He further explained that the tenets of Rodzimowierstwo exclude creating religious mix or joining different faiths (in a way of joining patheons or following many paths). The Legend of Leszek the Blacks Dream, Slavic Mythology: Myths, Creatures and Stories, Top Prague Festivals for Each Month of the Year. It does not store any personal data. The Warsaw Mermaid is also a renowned symbol of Warsaw and her figure is part of the Polish capitals coat of arms. He rebuked the mischievous, praised the obedient, listening to the children recite their catechism and prayers, and passed around heart shaped Pierniki, honey cookies, holy pictures and big red apples, which he produced magically from under his cloak. The Legend of Janosik, the Polish Robin Hood, 8. The symbol of Dozynki was a Wieniec, [harvest wreath] which was presented to the landowner. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; One celebrates an Obiat (a feast) in memory of the deceased. Leszek Czarny found the dream to be prophetic and decided to fight further his enemies. Sw. Mikolaj does not live at the North Pole, but up in Heaven. Her comment about Poles being intolerant about other than Roman Catholicism is so true. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); As a deeply Catholic country, Polish Easter traditions (PL:Wielkanoc) are taken very seriously. All told, while laws and aspects of the culture present very real obstacles for Polish Pagans, the small community does enjoy the freedom to practice and continues to eagerly expand despite the very large shadow of the countrys dominant religion. The Easter table will be covered with a white tablecloth. The oldest form of Christmas caroling in Poland was with the Turon. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; var alS = 2002 % 1000; The rules were to rise early, say your prayers earnestly and carefully, wash thoroughly, dress cleanly, and then peacefully and patiently attend to your work. All myths and mythical creatures primarily come from the need to explain reality. On the Polish Easter table there is also a great number of cakes made in special shapes tall iced babki, flat and thin kolacze, and the most delicious mazurki flavored with lemon and dried fruit. The first shoe to go over the threshold is that of the girl who will marry the earliest. And sometimes, the Polish even push these celebrations out for a week. Roots Revival: How Slavic Faith Returned to Poland Gniezno was the first capital of Poland and the name meant home or nest while the white eagle stood as a symbol of power and pride. The Wild Hunt That very night, the archangel Michael appeared in front of him and told him not to doubt himself even for a minute. In Poland, fortune telling sets the mood for this evening of merriment which might be the theme for an autumn social gathering. Fortune telling, singing, and general merriment might round out this thoroughly enjoyable evening. The first preparation for Christmas Eve began very early, right after midnight. From the PGST News Vol. This ceremony is a reminder of the humility with which Christ washed the feet of his disciples. Holidays and Celebrations Szczodre Gody (Generous Festivities) - Winter solstice - December 21-22 Putting a tree of life at home, a ritual feast Jare wito (Spring Festival) - Spring equinox - March 21 Burning a sacred fire, drowning mammon, decorating eggs Noc Kupay (Night of Baths) - Summer solstice - June 21-22 Often rooted in religion, Polish traditions and customs remain as strong today as they did centuries ago. Single girls pour hot, melted wax into a bowl of cold water, and the hardened wax is then held up to the light. Going back to the earliest, notable stages of history, we may conclude that many phenomena were hard to be comprehended and one of the ways to tackle this was to create a belief system that will put the existence of supernatural powers and creatures forward. The flower had magical powers that made dream come true as long as he didnt share his good fortune. The part of the festivities that everyone had been waiting for, the dancing and refreshments, began in earnest. Everyone would gather at the home of the bride to accompany the bridal couple to the church, but also to witness the blessing and symbolic farewells of the bride with her parents, relatives, and friends. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. ins.style.display = 'block'; The one selected to represent St. Nicholas was usually driven in a sleigh to the homes in a Polish village. The water was used to sprinkle the cows in barn and also sprinkled on the family, awakening them in this manner. On seeing a guest approaching they would begin to play, for which they were sometimes rewarded with a small tip. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Often, singing or the reciting of old verses accompany the procession: Marzanna, Marzanna, swim across the seas. Some customs varied at different sections of Poland, but the importance of the holiday was general in the whole country. However humble or intricate, the portable crib always portrayed the mysteries of the birth of the Infant Jesus. It is greeted with such mystical symbolism, that it is considered by many to be a greater holiday than Christmas itself. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. Boze Narodzenia, Christmas Day, was considered so important a holiday that menial work of any kind was not even thought of. All rights reserved. Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! The girls are shrieking and hollering, but in their hearts they are glad because they know that she who isnt gotten wet will not be married that year. Next, Sir Twardowski had to face the devil and his inevitable tragic fate. Dyngus Day is a Polish and Polish-American celebration on Easter Monday to mark the completion of Lent, and this year, it falls on April 10. More about Warsaw Wianki 2018 here. Then mashed poppy seeds, raisins and nuts were added. I end up learning something, and even, sometimes, am drawn to research. After years went by, he came back and found that all members of his family were dead. They were able to suppress particular Pagan traditions, but the beliefs and practices simply lived on as folklore or embedded itself in the conquering faith or found a million other outlets through art and literature etc. Terence P Ward is a moneyworker, journalist, Hellenic polytheist and convinced Friend who lives in the bucolic Hudson Valley with his wife, five cats, and multiple household shrines. All Saints All Souls Day, November 1st and 2nd During the church ceremony it was expected of the bride to cry. The shadow it casts on the wall is said to reveal the girls marriage prospects: if its shape resembles something used by a man, she will marry within a year. The dish was set down in a place of honor on a bench near the Wigilia table and it was the first dish to be eaten. The host leaves an empty chair for the deceased and sweeps it away before everyone sits at the table to excuse the soul who isnt there. Meet the Slavs is your most comprehensive online resource about Slavic people, their cuisine, culture, history, mythology, and more. Also on Holy Saturday typically Polish ceremonies are performed in the church yard. At that time, Leszek the Black is in Krakow but when the news about this unfortunate event reaches him, he quickly decides to go to Lublin and defend his people. It wasn't as bad as another kid in my elementary school classMichael . After obtaining permission to enter the house, the boys sang both religious and popular Christmas carols. 7. From the PGST News Vol. Krakus called his sons Lech and Krakus II and tried to kill the dragon with them but they couldnt defeat it so they had to plot a different way to get rid of it. There must always be a roasted pigs head decked with flowers, ham, veal and the famous Polish sausage strongly flavored with garlic. I know the case of a girl who was diagnosed as mentally ill by a Catholic psychiatrist, because she wasnt Catholic and believed in polytheism., I dont see persecutions preserved in the peoples minds, observed Laszka. The couple always sat at the table which was located along the wall containing holy pictures. Up with the Piwezyny! In case of a serious threat or catastrophe in the mine, the Treasurer shows up to warn the miners by flickering a lamp, appearing in front of them, or hitting the ground strong enough so they could hear him. Dozynki, harvest holiday, was traditionally celebrated at the end of the summer. This was a live production done by a group of individuals, usually older boys and young adults, about the last days of King Herod. It is also said that if somebody is too loud, misbehaves, or curses, Skarbnik may hit one with a lamp. One day, she decided to swim into the Vistula river from the Baltic Sea and as she was swimming upstream, she reached the area where Warsaw is today. The Polish leave the chair open in the hope that these brave men would return. Polish Paganism Today - Meet the Slavs First, the engagement period Zareczyny or Zrekowiny. The crowd ate, drank and danced. Written by Magda Marczewska on April 5, 2021 One of the craziest Polish traditions is Wet Monday - also known as migus Dyngus! From drowning winter to getting hitched twice, Polish traditions and customs often border on the bizarre but are certainly a highlight to discover. . XI No.1 Spring 1994 by Stan Garczynski. Christmas day had its traditional menu, but there was no special number of courses. Behind this wondrous bird that spread its wings, appeared the red- golden sun and Lech thought that this is a sign to stay at this place which he named Gniezno. var ffid = 2; According to the legend, the brothers Lech, Czech, and Rus were hunting together when each of them headed to a different direction where they would later settle and establish their tribe. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Reportedly, in the early history of Poland, the banks of the river Vistula were lined with tiny wooden huts where farmers lived. Another custom arising from the past, was the belief that spirits pervaded the home on this day. Pisanki from different regions of Poland can be distinguished by the unique patters. Native Polish Church or The Native Church of Poland, Rodzimy Koci Polski (RKP) - a West Slavic pagan religious association that refers to ethnic, pre-Christian beliefs of the Slavic people.The religion has its seat in Warsaw.Temples gathering local believers are spread throughout the country, The RKP was registered with the Polish Ministry of the Interior's registry of denominations . I enjoy articles such as this that show us Pagan, Heathen, and Polytheist paths and people in areas outside of North America. Siliniez - A wood god from Poland who moss was sacred; his altar fire was kept burning only with moss. Polish only know one way to make and eat their sandwiches and that is open. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; What do Polish cities have in store this year? He was supposed to pass down what he learned to the eldest in the next generation: my mother. All Saints Day, November 1st, traditionally has been associated in Polish legend with ghosts and wayward souls. In Poland, no-one would dream of wishing their friend a good year on their birthday. The entire procession stopped at the gate leading to the manor house, its members continuing to sing until the owner emerged. He won and released the captives. In 1863, there was an uprising triggered by the forced enlistment of Polish men into the Russian Army. 04 of 11 The Kutia was made from hulled barley or wheat, which was cooked and sweetened with honey. Walenty was a dedicated miner who was completely in love and obsessed with his work, so he made a plea to God to let him stay in the mines after he dies. Here Is How You Say It. More info about Krakw Wianki 2018 here. Starting on Good Friday and through Saturday, every one visits the various churches in town to view Christs sepulchers so beautifully and artistically arranged and bathed in flowers. After getting the girls out of their beds, the boys will douse them with water. Behind the wagon, on horseback, rode the master of ceremonies, the Starosta and the best man with a bottle of vodka who alternately offered it to the wagon driver. Polish are very proud of the traditional hospitality they may extend to a stranger who turns up at their door on Christmas eve (unlikely to happen, but not impossible). On this day, locals create her likeness using straw, old clothing and even accessories like a headscarf. So, share them in our comments below, Sign up to our newsletter and receive $250 of FREE Trafalgar travel credit. The Obra Water Monster is a creature related to a folk tale similar to the one of the famous Loch Ness monster from Scotland. Bride and Groom and Their First Dance The party officially starts when the couple comes back from the church and steps to the podium to take their first dance. t.src = 'https://' + cdn + '/media/js/common/plugin_goconnect_embed.js'; The top of the spruce or pine was hung from a beam in the ceiling, with the tip facing down over the table where the Wigilia was to be held. When he came back to the village, no one recognized him and he went back to his castle. for fair and mild spring. z o.o. Every year on the night of 2nd November, the Polish people pay their respects to their late friends and relatives by lighting candles in cemeteries across Poland. It is believed that the brave kings life ended in the mountain Giewont which forms a great part of the Tatra mountains and that if one looks at it from far, they will see the head of the King and his knights. In remembrance of the star of Bethlehem that hung over the manger the night of the birth of Christ and led the Three Kings to the newborn King, young boys dressed as the Three Kings in long, white pants with chasubles of black paper and paper crowns on their heads. Czech went westward, Rus to the east while Lech went north. The story goes that King Boleslaw and the knights sleep in a big, dark cavern, lying with their swords, bows, and lances. The other form of Christmas caroling was Herody. The chosen girl went to church in great pomp and ceremony, wearing the wreath on her head while sitting in a wagon pulled by four horses decorated in greenery and surrounded by other young maidens wearing flowers in their hair. From Slavic Rites to Old Polish and Modern Polish Christmas The smoke from the candles on the tree, lit by the Gospodarz, (head of the family) foretold the future. ins.style.display = 'block'; December sixth, St. Nicholas day Dzien Swietego Mikolaja brought a slight reprieve to gray monotonous days, especially to children, who felt that the Christmas Gwiazdka (star) would never come. Along with the practice of Wicca and Rodzimowierstwo, age-old folk magic traditions continue to be practiced in Poland. Photo 86715707 Wideonet | Dreamstime.com Ash Wednesday Desserts really steal the show on Easter and often consist of cakes such as babka, mazurek, sernik (cheesecake) and more! Slavic Magic: Rituals, Spells, and Herbs - Meet the Slavs The Polish also make a different version of these open sandwiches, however. First, invitations were issued to relatives or friends to act as groomsmen or bridesmaids. The Legend of Sir Twardowski and the Devil, 11. The most common decorating technique is so called wax-flowing or wax-melting. The spirit of Dyngus is described in this lively description from the Poznan region during 1800s: Barely had the day dawned on Easter Monday when I woke the boys and gathered some water to start throwing it on the girls. 2. The minute the enforcers of orthodoxy begin to loosen their grip, or a country accepts a degree of pluralism, it all comes roaring back to life . In some parts of Poland, the bride and groom took bread with them which had been given them during blessings. They then literally throw winter into a lake or a river to drown. Every year around 21st and 22nd of June, when the nights were extra short and the June solstice arrived, pagan people celebrated fire, water, fertility, love and joy - quite a pagan alternative to modern-day Valentines! Consequently, Catholic Polish believe one must always be ready to accept an unexpected guest, never turning away anyone in need. Lacking reliable resources for many Pagan paths on paper or online, the alternative seeking a teacher in person can also be difficult, due to the low density of Pagans overall.

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