Perun - God the Thunderer in Slavic mythology, the keeper of power, the patron of warriors, farmers, hunters, fishermen, furriers, beekeepers and tailors. According to legend, on that day, a horse racing across the sky Perunov horse fell into the water
horseshoe, which makes the water in all reservoirs cool. It was believed that Perun was "ending the summer", by the onset of this day haymowing was already coming to an end, and the harvest was beginning. According to popular beliefs, rain in Perunov day washes away all the evil spells, diseases, spoilage and evil eye, and if there was no rain, then the people with fear awaited forest fires. As usual, it was impossible to work on that day. Preparation for the holiday began in a week. Women baked a huge cake throughout the village, cooked a lot of cottage cheese and brewed beer.
Celebration attributes
Perun Day is celebrated in late July – early August. However, the celebration can be rescheduled for Friday or Sunday. Traditionally, this holiday is celebrated on the fortieth day after the people do all the ablutions, cleanse the body, soul and spirit on the day of Kupala, the day of the summer solstice. As a rule, festivities last all night and end only at dawn. In ancient times, vows were fastened in the name of Perun. His symbol is strong
oak, so it is advisable to spend walks in an oak grove or in a mighty oak, the presence of water and stone is also necessary. The peculiarity of this holiday is the repetition of the acts of the Thunderer, that is, rumble with drums, buckets, barrels, shields, hammers and chains, splashing water on the ground. Of course, not without ritual fire. Accompanying the holiday certainly should have been such products as bread, honey comb, pea and turnip dishes, meat and fish. From the plants, oak, iris, tarragon,
cuckoo's tears were welcomed
. Perunov day passed to the sounds of trumpets, bells, tambourines, rattles and pipes. All the celebrants dressed in red clothes: men in shirts, and women in shawls and rushnyks.
The program of festivities
In the morning on Perunov day, all the men gathered for the beginning. Everyone must have a cold weapon with them: a knife, an ax, a sword, a spear. Armed men sang praise to the brave Perun, making a solemn procession, after which the weapon should be consecrated. As a rule, a bull was sacrificed. On his sacrificial blood the magicians conspired to weapons. At the end of the rite, ritual fights were organized, symbolizing the battle of Perun with Veles. Men demonstrated their courage and courage in the “one on one”, “wall to wall” and “one against all” battles. Then the initiation into the warriors took place. This was a very important event for young adolescents, since the person who passed the test became a full-fledged warrior, received the right to bear arms, and, of course, a new status that made the girls treat them differently.
The celebration ended with the presentation of gifts to the altar of Perun . The Magi set fire to the boat in which these gifts were located, and on the burnt ashes, covered with earth, trezzling and strava were performed. At the general feast, they remembered all the defenders, commemorated the dead.
After the baptism of Rus, Perun was replaced by the day of the Prophet Elijah.