Baltic Mythology and Legends

By Fairychamber and Niina Niskanen

Baltic mythology covers a lot of gods, goddesses and magical beings. These stories from Lithuania and Latvia are filled with mythical creatures, mighty heroes, and heartbreaking tales and they show us glimpses into the past, the old way of life in the Baltic lands. What was life like in the farming communities, sacrificing to the gods and following the pagan wheel of the year.

In this book, you will learn about the history of Baltic gods and goddesses. The sun goddess Saule, who after riding in the sky landed in to the sea with her beautiful stallions. The mighty sky god Dievas, who dressed up like an ancient Baltic lord, and Perkunas the Thunder god, were worshipped as the bringer of rain and the fertility of the land. People swore oaths in his name. Zemyna the mother earth, which Lithuanians and Latvians worshipped, kissed her and bid her good night.

The story of Egle, the most commonly spread folktale in Baltic countries, is about a girl who married a snake. Learn about the ancient snake cult and how snakes were worshipped. Austeja was the goddess of bees. Bees were seen as sacred animals, very similar to humans. Jurate, the sea goddess and how her myth is linked to the biological life within the Baltic

• Language: English
• Publisher: Niina Niskanen
• Release date: Feb 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224070473

Book preview

Niina Niskanen

Copyright

Niina Niskanen

2024

Forewords

BALTIC MYTHOLOGY COVERS a great deal of gods, goddesses and magical beings. These stories from Lithuania and Latvia are filled with mythical creatures, mighty heroes, and heartbreaking tales and they show us glimpses into the past. The old way of life in the Baltic lands. What was life like in the farming communities, sacrificing to the gods and following the pagan wheel of the year. My journey to study Baltic mythology, actually began with my interest within Finnish mythology. I was interested from the similarities between these cultures, especially what it came to certain narratives and the old holidays. In this book, you will learn about the history of Baltic gods and goddesses. The sun goddess Saule who after riding in the sky landed in the sea with her beautiful stallions. The mighty sky god Dievas, who dressed up like an ancient Baltic lord, and Perkunas the Thunder god, who was worshipped as the bringer of rain and the fertility of the land. People swore oaths in his name. Zemyna the mother earth, which Lithuanians and Latvians worshipped, kissed her and bid her good night. The story of Egle, the most commonly spread folktale in Baltic countries, is about a girl who married a snake. Learn about the ancient snake cult and how snakes were worshipped. Austeja was the goddess of bees. Bees were also seen as sacred animals, very similar to humans. Jurate, the sea goddess and how her myth is linked to the biological life within the Baltic sea. These stories are filled with magic, but in their very essense they are very humanistic. I hope you enjoy this book and the deep dive into the magical lore of Baltic folktales.

Chapter 1.

Austeja Baltic Goddess Of Bees and Other Magical

Beings

MOTHER OF BEES

AUSTÉJA IS THE GODDESS of bees, and it was believed that she was the goddess of growth, plentifulness and reproductin. Austéja was already mentioned in Lithuanian literature in the 17th century. J.Lasicki wrote that she was the protector of families and the true mother of bees. Austéja is a woman and a bee in a one person. Her name is linked ot the Lithuanian verb austi - to weave (linen) and austyti - to fly swiftly everywhere, to shut and close doors repeatetly. This of course, is a metaphor for gathering honey and building honeycombs. The Greek version of Austéja, is the goddess Arthemid, who was also a protector of large families and pregnant women. She was also called bee melissa. When drinking for Austéja, the drinks are tossed up into the air, up towards the ceiling. Mead was offered to her before the wedding dance. In christenings, mead was cerved, and the matchmakers would speak about Austéja in their toasts so that bees would gather honey plentifully. Austéjaprotected brides and pregnant women. She is believed to be one of the oldest goddesses in the Baltic pantheon.

Austéja Celebration

Austéja was celebrated in an August festival called Zoline. During this time bees are especially active, bringing honey from meadows.

Offerings of honey were made to Austéja. When the honey was gathered from the hives, people got up very early in the morning. Before they opened the beehives, they sang a prayer to Austéja

In Lithuanian this special event to gather the honey was called bičiuliai.

People didn't see bees just as ordinary beings. They were sacred workers. Bees were seen as divine beings and as important as men themselves They were on the same plane as humans. A dead bee had to be buried in the earth. Trees, where bees built their hives, were sacred. Bees were endowed with strong moral authority. People were not allowed to curse, fight, abuse one another or quarrel or be disrespectful in any way in the presence of the bees.

Bees could talk and sing. They sang during special holidays and festivals. Especially during sunny days. They understood humans and could prophesise the future.

Farming Spirits

Lithuanians had many gods and goddesses related to farming and home. It is believed that the cult of these deities originated from a primordial remote mother image, and later on, father image influenced it too. These deities protected the home, the pirtiz (saunas) and farm buildings and livestock. The idea of the primordial mother image lasted all the way to the 19th century. At the wedding the bride would pray and make sacrifices to a female