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The day of vernal equinox came it is a date which our ancestors believed as the beginning of the year. More precisely the new summer because the counting was by years. Since olden times in Russia they believed this time as the beginning of the revival of nature. Day will be longer than the night, in the trees will begin to swell buds . It is possible that soon we'll even hear the first vernal thunder. Vernal Equinox is one of the unique phenomena of nature, the essence of which, speaking in scientific language is that "at the time of equinox, the center of the Sun in its apparent motion along the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator." Speaking more simple the Earth in this day rotates around its imaginary axis passing through the poles moving simultaneously around the Sun is in such position relatively to the luminary, that the sun's rays carrying the heat energy, fall sheer to the equator. The sun moves from the southern to the northern hemisphere and in these days in all countries the day is almost equal to the night. Since 2010 to 2014 the vernal equinox occurs on March 20.
In ancient times, the coming of spring was determined by the sun and the vernal equinox days always were great holidays. It was believed that from this day begins renovation of nature the first spring thunder, swelling buds on the trees, luxuriant, sprouting of greenery. Therefore, the day when light and darkness are equally divided, in many places of the Earth: China, Japan, India, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, they marked as the beginning of the new year.
In Japan, the vernal equinox is called Syumbun-no- hi. It is celebrated on March 21 and on March 20 in leap years. Another name for a holiday - Tunit, which means "average day". This name is connected with the fact that the vernal equinox falls in the middle of the week, called Higan, which means " the other shore." At this time, the Japanese visit the graves of their dead relatives and in Japanese gardens bloom sakura, presaging about coming of real spring. The vernal equinox, and particularly venerated in pagan faith. It was believed that on this day in the annual cycle the spring, a symbol of the revival and rebirth of nature, comes to replace winter . Rather, it is connected to the main occupation of our forefathers with agriculture.
The transition to the Gregorian calendar moved the date and for us spring formally "comes" sooner than for our ancestors. Pancake festival in pagan Russia was celebrated in the days before the vernal equinox. In contrast to mid-February, its celebration in those March days is more reasonable. In the ancient Slavs lived by the solar calendar, and dates of major holidays were tied to the solar cycle. In the year, naturally there were four basic dates: summer and winter solstices, vernal and autumn equinox. These key points divide the year into four parts each of which, in its turn, is divided in half also. The cycle of agricultural feasts is associated with the solar cycle. Slavic farmers knew excellently, when to ask the gods for rain or its cease about the sun or snow. By the way there are physical evidence to this for example ancient calendars. Summer solstice is the day of Ivan Kupala. The name itself has a Christian etymology, although in Kupala night is really carried out the ritual "Bathing." The meaning of them, as well as jumping over the fire is a ritual cleansing with water and fire. And when to clear from troubles and diseases, but if not at the culminating moment of the solar year, when there is the shortest night and longest day of the year. This time is time nature flowering. The sun moves from young spring hypostasis (Yarylo) in the summer, mature (Dazhbog). Nature is full of energy and midsummer rites connected with fertility for good reason. They are not aimed for awakening forces of nature (like spring), but sooner to give forces to ripening harvest. The last celebration corresponds to the fourth of the key points of solar year to the day of the autumnal equinox to the period of September 20-24. It is needed to say that our understanding of ancient cults, is not full. Too much has been lost that is why we can only guess. Modern Pagans include this day in the cycle of annual festivals. According to B. Rybakov, our ancestors did not celebrate autumnal equinox this day was timed to the holiday harvest. But the exact date of celebration is not so important because our ancestors knew about equinox. Day became shorter than night, Sun moved into the next hypostasis of dying, «old man». Dying on the eve of the winter solstice, it reborns next day in the guise of youth… Between these «tops» of the year are located holidays dividing the «quatters» " of the year in two.
June 4 – Yarilo's daythe beginning of summer. (The previous to it week is known as the Green Yule). This is a ritual meal in the field, boys initiation ceremonies, games, dances, often with a strong erotic aspect of ... And it is no wonder, because Yarylo is associated with life-giving force a mature nature.
November 1-7 – Svarog's days (or days of Mokos). This is a period of remembrance of ancestors, preparing for winter. Now we know western counterpart of this holiday, Halloween. Costumed people could represent of went on a spree spirits, rejoicing to the coming winter. And perhaps ancestors of the deceased later became "spirits" who was invited to the feast. But Svarog is also the patron of weddings. Because in those days were festivals the meeting of fellows with girls. Of course, the dates may be inaccurate and original meaning of many holidays has been lost. But it is important to understand that all these festivals did not appear from nothing they are caused with way of life in traditional culture. The vernal equinox is the beginning of a new agricultural summer, one of the most important celebrations of the annual cycle when the Sun- baby becomes youth and "grows", blossoming with the rest nature. Author: GeoLines.ru |