The People of Mari-El - Europe's Last Pagans

I like to have a little bit of everything on my blog, and I especially enjoy learning about different cultures and their indigenous beliefs. I had never before heard of the Mari El and find their history fascinating. I'm sure you'll agree and I hope you'll enjoy this fascinating guest post from Ty Hulse.

On a hot Summers day, in a sacred grove of trees, a small crowd of people gather around a cluster of spruce trees. A few men stand among them saying prayers to their ancient deities just as they have for thousands of years. The Mari have no churches. Instead they worship in the ancient groves, like the ancient Germans spoken of by Tacitus, and the earliest Romans, Greeks, and some of their fellow Russian people. For it is in the wilderness, the forests that they believe the gods and spirits live in, so it is wrong to try to contain them in a building.

Often called Europe's last Pagans many of the Mari people never actually converted to Christianity or the Muslim faith. Even during the Soviet Era when the religion was outlawed the people of this Russian province would sneak out into their sacred groves to pray. So it was that the Mari Traditional Religion (MTR) became the only indigenous faith to survive in Europe. Although to some extent many of them still have images of saints in their homes, are baptized and they may cross themselves during ceremonies. There is a varying amount of Christian and Islamic faith that has worked its way into their religion. If one read about how their religion was structured a hundred and one looks at it now it will become apparent that they pay more attention to a supreme deity than they used to. At one time it was much more common for them to believe that the world of gods was a hieracrchy and just as a person in a country would be more likely to talk to their local representative than the president the people of Mari-el used to spend more time worshiping the local deities than the distant ones.

Historically it was common place for the Mari to worship the Keremet a form of regional and or ancestor spirit which reflected their veneration for the animals, rivers, rocks, mountains and trees. At the same time they also feared these entities. Thus sacrifices were made to the Keremet to appease the spirits and avoid their mischief. This internal dualism was common place in the "fairy faiths" of Russia and indeed throughout Europe and Asia. The Maris believed in the existence of an underworld with bright and dark places with those were good and honored going to the bright places. Yet they believed that ancestor spirits could still interfere with and influence the world of the living for good and bad. It was important to them to worship their own ancestor spirits because of this, with the eldest men acting as a form of deputy for the ancestor spirits in the world of the living. This in turn gave the elderly men a place of honor within the Mari society. They also believed in animal reincarnation / resurrection and when they would sacrifice an animal they would burn its heart, lungs, liver, tongue, cartilage, and so forth in a sacred fire. This act was important for they believed that the fire was the intermediary between men and the deities and would therefore carry the soul of the animal which was contained in these parts to the deities so that the animal could be brought back to life. After the animal had been sacrificed its skin would be hung in the sacred trees to help expedite this process. again as with many of their rituals we see this same thing occurring from Asia to Ireland. In England for example Christian priests complained that people would still hang animal head and skins from sacred trees long after they had supposedly converted to Christianity. In a large part this is what makes the Mari so interesting, because there are at least some connections between their beliefs and those of the other "fairy faiths" in Europe which have lost much of their knowledge. I use the term "fairy faith" because the word fairy means "those which control the fate of humans." Thus in its original meaning fairy was analogous to deity, only its role was slightly different. In this sense the Mari belief, especially that of a hundred years ago, involved creatures which the Celts would recognize as fairy like and others which they would recognize as being like deities.

Deities and spirits, or fairies dwell within the forests and some 500 registered sacred groves in Mari-el Russia. These sacred groves traditionally had three entrances, one for the animals on the eastern side, another for carrying spring water (which was used to purify animals, people and more) on the southern side of the grove, and the last on the western side for people to enter. When a community enters a sacred grove to pray the priests choose the trees (which are most often oak, birch, or linden) through which the prayers of the people would enter heaven. Similar to how the Greeks, Romans and Germanic people believed Zeus, Jupiter, and Thor respectively could be reached through sacred oaks. In addition to their worship of a primary deity who has multiple natures, spirits, and ancestors the Mari believe that there is an all encompassing life force which gives living things strength, power and energy that all things depend on. This inner power unites everything and is very similar in conception to Tao in Chinese folk religion, Pneum among the ancient Greeks, Vagi among the Finnish peoples, or Brahma among the Hindus.


I have translated many of the fairy tales of the Mari people into English for the first time and am compiling aspects of their religion and beliefs on the web at http://zeluna.net/mari-el and am doing the same with Russian fairy tales at http://zeluna.net/russian-fairy-tale.html

Indoor Fire

Since the next Sabbat to come is a fire festival I wanted to do a quick little post telling everyone how to make an indoor, smokeless fire. This is perfect for anyone who lives in an apartment, has to little space outside for a fire, or for when it's just too damned cold outside.

Me and my husband have done this several times. It's beautiful and mesmerizing to watch. We're both a little fire crazy so this is a nice way to get our flame fix.

It is insanely simple to create and most of the ingredients you need you can find at a dollar store.

You will need :

Epsom Salts

 

 

Rubbing Alcohol

and a Mini Cauldron

or any other small cast iron pot.

 



You should also have something to put the fire out with if it gets out of control and something heat proof to rest the cauldron on. You can you a couple of bricks or a stone trivet. I just bought a rubber heat proof mat from the dollar store.

Pour 1/2 a cup of Epsom salts into your cauldron of choice and cover it with 1 cup of rubbing alcohol.
 

Light it with a match and enjoy the beautiful blue flames it creates.

Celebrating Brighid

As many of you already know the Celtic Goddess Brighid is honored at Imbolc. With the day itself fast approaching I thought I would take a little time to pay homage to her.

Brighid is someone of a Jill-of-all trades. She has two sisters each with the name Brighid and is considered the classic triple Goddess. Together they're associated with healing, crafts, and home. She was thought to watch over women during child birth and was also patron to musicians, artists, and healers. She has also been known to be helpful in matters of prophecy and divination.

Brighid's name comes from the Celtic word Brig meaning exalted. She is known as the High One of Strength and the bringer of civilization. Her worship was spread all over Ireland but originated in the southeast region known as Leinster, and was attended by and all female priesthood.

Brighid was the daughter of the Dagda, a Celtic fertility God and supreme deity of the land. She was the mother of Ruadan who was half giant and half God. Early myths say she was married to the Irish King, Bres Mac Elatha in an attempt to form an alliance between the Tuatha De Danaan and the Formorian sea-giants.

In their attempts to help transition Pagans to Christianity it is likely that she was turned into St. Brigit of Christian mythology. As St. Brigit she was either a virginal blind nun who gouged out her own eyes in an attempt to keep her self pure, or a friend of Mary mother of Jesus and her nursemaid/ his foster mother. St. Brigit is honored at Candlemass, what the Christian's hoped to turn Imbolc into.

Imbolc Mac & Cheese

With Imbolc right around the corner I start thinking of all sorts of yummy dairy laden delights to whip up. As I've mentioned before I can't really celebrate Sabbats. One way I can make the day a little more special for myself is by putting on my Kitchen Witch hat and cooking up a Sabbat themed meal.

One of my husbands favorites is my home made macaroni & cheese casserole. I love the versatility of this recipe. I've made a scrumptious seafood pasta bake with green onions and peas, I've made a ball park version with bell peppers and kielbasa, and I've made an Italian version with fresh herbs and sausage. Add a fresh salad with seasonal veggies on the side and you've got a full meal.

Despite the many ways I've transformed this our staple version is usually filled with chopped ham and broccoli. I hope you try it out for your Imbolc festivities.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound macaroni
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 8 ounces shredded Cheddar or Colby cheese (for a creamier cheese sauce use 4 ounces shredded and 4 ounces Velveeta)
• 1 bag frozen broccoli
• 1 large Ham steak chopped

Directions:

1. Cook macaroni according to box directions, add broccoli during last few minutes of cooking time.
2. In a medium saucepan melt the butter and saute onions and garlic on medium heat. When the onions are tender slowly stir in flour until it makes a yellow paste. Gradually whisk in milk stirring constantly over medium heat until sauce thickens (you'll know it's thick enough when it coats your whisk).
3. Add salt, pepper and cheese and stir gently until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Combine cheese sauce, ham, broccoli and macaroni and pour into a greased 13x9inch baking dish.
5. Bake for 30mins at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. When finished cover with tinfoil and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

The High Priestess

I've read many sources that interpret this card using Judaic and Egyptian mysticism. The pillars flanking The High Priestess for example are supposed to represent Jachin and Boaz of Solomon's temple, and she is clearly holding the Torah in her hands. As I don't follow these spiritual practices I have developed my own interpretations from the symbols on the card.

The High Priestess is partner to two other cards in the deck. The Magician who we've already met and The Empress. The Priestess balances both of these cards. While the Magician represents active physical power, The High Priestess represents inactive, mental power. The High Priestess is the impassive and emotionless representation of the sacred feminine in contradiction with The Empress's bubbly warmth. She is the master of platonic relationships while her sister The Empress is the archetypal mother and wife.

1 We see a veil of pomegranates behind The High Priestess. The Pomegranates represent the fertile ground of possibility. Don't be mistaken though, the fertility is not sexual but personal. It is the ground upon which we realize our full potential.

2 Upon The High Priestess's head we see a crown. Some see this as the crown of Hathor, the ancient Egyptian bovine fertility Goddess. It is meant to look like the horns of a cow with a solar disk resting between them. When I see this I see the symbol of the triple Goddess. Both interpretations however further symbolize the fact that she is meant as a feminine archetype.

3 Caught up in her gown we see a crescent moon. The crescent moon symbolizes mystery because it is not fully visible the way the full moon is. Depending on the answers you're seeking and her placement in a reading The High Priestess can represent the unconscious mind. She can also represent all of the things the unconscious mind is capable of. Perception, foresight, and intuition.

4 The Torah she holds might symbolize ancient wisdom and The High Priestess's keen penetrating mind.

5 The cross in the center of her chest is a controversial symbol. While many may see it as a biblical representation of crucifixion. However, since most of this cards symbolism is rooted in Judaic and Egyptian mysticism, and neither the Jewish people or ancient Egyptians worshipped Christ it is much more likely meant to be seen with a broader definition. It can be looked at as representing the four elements, eternal life, health, and union. When seen in this light it represents The High Priestess's self-reliance. She has all of the mysteries of the universe locked within her being.

6 The pillars on either side of The High Priestess aren't just marked with a B and a J, they are black and white. The opposing pillars represent her balance, serenity, objectivity, and sound judgment.

Key Words: Inactive, Impassive, Emotionless, Platonic Relationships, Potential, Mystery, The Unconscious, Perception, Foresight, Intuition, Wisdom, Penetration, Self-Reliance, Serenity, Objectivity, Sound Judgment.

When doing inverse readings: The opposite of The High Priestess is someone who rules from a place of passion. They have poor judgment and aren't willing to dig for truth. They're someone who is happy being ignorant and accepts the first explanation they are given for anything.

In The Broom Closet

Earlier today I saw a YouTube video where a girl was talking about coming out of the broom closet. As this is something I struggle with on a daily basis my interest was immediately piqued as it always is when I hear other people talk about their experiences with this particular problem. To be perfectly honest I was ... less than pleased.

To give a rundown of what she had to say, apparently she's annoyed by the very term "broom closet" as it's just a cutesy pop phrase that pagans use. According to her it's trivial compared to coming out as a homosexual which is something much more dire. She also said that most people who talk about coming out are simply looking for attention and that most people who find paganism are turned onto it by the glamorized Hollywood examples they see in movies and on television and that people shouldn't come out "too soon" because you can't really be pagan until you study ALL religions.

To express my issues with this one at time, for starters what the hell would you like us to call coming out. Does someone have a better, simpler, more accurate phrase than that. If they do I'd really like to hear it. Let's be honest it's the same thing as coming out of the closet. The only difference is you're expressing your spiritual beliefs rather than your sexual preferences. Calling it the "broom" closet rather than just the closet is our way of keeping it separate and NOT trivializing the struggles of someone who's trying to tell their friends and family that they're gay.

Secondly while bringing home your partner for the holidays is much more serious than simply wearing a pentacle to Thanksgiving without raised eyebrows, coming out for a Pagan is still terrifying. Pagan's are bullied, physically and verbally. To this very day people are murdered for being Pagan, or because someone assumes they're Pagan, all over the world. Even in America there are people who won't bat an eyelash at sending death threats to someone who's pagan. Open Pagans have been ostracized from their communities and families. Pagan homes and business have been vandalized by some nut or another. Coming out to your friends, family, and the world at large could leave you open to a whole shit-storm of hate. Don't tell me coming out as a Pagan is fucking trivial.

As for talking about it for attention, I live in a household with my devoutly Christian parents. I have to listen to them ridicule and insult Pagans. They talk about how they're wrong, evil, going to hell, and how they've all been foolishly duped into worshiping Satan. I have to listen to all of this bullshit with my blood BOILING and I can't say a word. I live here with my husband and son and I have to keep the peace. I can't even come out on Facebook because my mother, other family members, and people from my parents church are on there. Every time I like a pagan page I do so with bated breath wondering if someone will notice and say something. I have a Facebook page linked to this page and I can't connect it to my personal page for fear someone might see it. And that's just Facebook. All of my spiritual books I have to either keep hidden or pretend they're fiction. I can't practice Rituals, I can't openly celebrate Sabbats or Esbats. Other than my husband, my friends and this blog, I live in secret. I don't talk about coming out for the attention. It's something I dream about and wish I could to do without having holy water and salt thrown at me. I tried telling them in my teens and they told me I was possessed.

Finally being pagan isn't something I chose. It's just who I am. I tried with all I was to be Christian. I went to church, excelled in Sunday school, I got married in a church and had my son baptised in one. Finally after years of feeling spiritually numb I gave up and gave in. Being Pagan is what resonates through my very soul. As for studying, I do that because it interests me. Even if I didn't though, I would still be Pagan, I just wouldn't have a name for what I was. There is no one person who can know everything there is to know about every religion there is. There will always be something new uncovered and unknown. Don't tell someone who's brave enough to share their faith with the world that they shouldn't do it until they've done more homework.

I don't like to bash people which is why I won't name names, and I won't link to the video. If you've seen it you know what I'm talking about. I don't care who you are. Don't trivialize someone's experiences and struggles simply because you think you're above them. I'm glad for you if you have a secure enough family and social situation that you can feel confident telling everyone who you are. Not everyone has that though and just because you do, doesn't mean that's the norm. Before you start insulting someones struggle, try a little empathy.

Elixir of Brighid

From The Wiccan Year

Warm a pint of milk in a small saucepan. Add a teaspoon of honey and 1/8 tsp of vanilla. Stir constantly until the honey is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Pour it into your chalice and drink to taste the sweetness of the Goddess.

Perfect for your Imbolc ritual.