Perhaps you may not even realize it, but references to Slavic mythology can still be found commonly in our everyday lives today. Even when it comes to a glass of beer! Can’t believe it? Keep reading…
In everyone’s life, there are moments when something doesn’t go as planned or when something bothers us. That’s when a good curse word comes in handy! Would you say that you’ve never cursed before? Come on! I’m sure you’ve directed your frustration towards something or someone at some point. Towards the part of your body, you’re currently sitting on or other parts of your body or environment that surrounds us. Or straight into thin air. Hm?
During my younger days, the curse “To Perun (Do Peruna)!” or “To Parom (Do Paroma)!” was often heard. Do you even know what that was referring to?
Perun was the Slavic god of thunder. A pretty strong curse. Interestingly, in Bulgaria and Croatia, there is still a woman’s name, Perunica/Perunika, which bears the name of this goddess. I must admit I wouldn’t want thunder and lightning daily at home. Although sometimes, you don’t necessarily need Perunica for that…
We all learn about the pantheon of ancient Greeks and Romans, but the Slavs were just a little behind. They also believed in multiple gods, myths, and magical forces. Slavic mythology teems with various gods, enchantresses, water nymphs, will-o’-the-wisps, and light-bringers.
Indeed, you are familiar with the ancient rivals Vesna and Morena. In some parts of Slovakia, the tradition has been preserved until today, when the unfortunate Morena, symbolizing the long winter, is set on fire. Just to make sure she doesn’t survive, she is also thrown into the water to drown. At the same time, the goddess of spring, Vesna, is joyfully welcomed. By the way, the Croats still use the Vesna to refer to spring. And for those born earlier, we remember the sweet-tasting vanilla biscuit in a package with the same name. Yummy!
Our Czech brothers have convinced us for centuries that beer is a divine entity and even gave one of their golden liquids a divine name. Do you know which one it is? Of course, guys, I also drink “Plzen/Pilsen,” but that’s not true. I’ll reveal that it is named after the god of the sun, eternal dawns, and fires called Radegast. Wild boars are also devoted to Radegast. Hmm, after ten glasses of beer, I completely understand that…
There were indeed many Slavic gods. Just consider Svarog – the eternal primordial god; Triglav – the god of war and economy; Lada – the goddess of beauty and harmony; Mokoš – the goddess of fertility… And so we could continue until Veles, the god of the underworld, puts us to sleep 🙂.
To not “lecture” you too much, I’ll go have a Radegast and devote myself to my Mokoš. Just so that Perun doesn’t suddenly pay us a visit at home.
Your Martin Hoľko
