Slavic Birch Tree Magic
Birch Bark Charming article by Fatima Khadueva – According to multiple folk proverbs and beliefs (described in Alexander Strizhev’s ‘Calendar of Russian Nature’ book), ancient pagan Slavs considered hugging a birch tree as a sign of good luck – it would also give you power and joy. Moreover than this, the birch tree is considered one of […]
Slavic Color Symbolism
The Pan-Slavic colors red, blue, and white were defined by the Prague Slavic Congress, 1848. In traditional Slavic traditional art, outfits, embroidery, and decorations, the colors are mainly red, black, white (blue, green, and yellow) depending upon the Slavic country. Here is an outline of what colors symbolically represent:Black colorThe moistness of the earth, the […]
Waxing Like the Moon: Women Folk Healers in Rural Western Ukraine
By Sarah D. Phillips, University of Indiana – Once a woman came to see me… she says to me, “I can’t sleep, and I’m so weak.” I asked her, “Did something frighten you?” “No,” she didn’t want to tell me. I began to pour the wax, I said, “Something has frightened you—either a man, or […]
Third Moon of Winter 2020
By Phoenix – Greetings Dreamers, Healers, Artists and Empaths, we have now completed Mid-Winter and begin our final moon of winter on Friday, January 24, 2020. It is also the time of the Chinese New Year, on Saturday, January 25. And its the moon cycle of Valentine’s Day in the very independent and humanitarian lover […]
Behind the Traditional Cloth
By Phoenix the Elder – I ran across some Kursk Embroidery from Russia and these particular designs are called “Months”. Kursk is South of Moscow in Russia near the Ukraine border. There is a not a definite oral tradition explanation for these but they seem to represent growth of cycles. In nature, there is no seed that […]
Ziva, Zhiva, Zywie and Siwa: Slavic Goddess of the Waters
By Phoenix the Elder (compilation) – I searched and did a collection on the Goddess Zhiva, Siwa or Ziva as she is known. I work with Slavic Fire and Water Rituals in both my folk healing work, my apprentice work and my greater collective work. The Living Waters of Zhiva, Siva, Ziva is one of […]
Slavic Winter Divination
By Phoenix of Elder Mountain – I have been a huge practitioner of divination for myself and for clients and apprentices, so much so, that I have them as part of my folk healing medicines. This began in my family when I turned 17 and participated in the Winter Divinatory process. It came natural with […]