Morena - the goddess of death and eternal coldness among the Slavs

The goddess Morena in Slavic mythology personified the eternal cold, impenetrable darkness and death. Her anger was feared by ordinary people, as well as glorified celestials. Even today, after a thousand years, the memory of her lives in such unpleasant words as "morok", "mor", "darkness" and "haze". However, despite all this, Morena was in high esteem among the Slavs, as she not only took life, but gave her a start.

Morena is the goddess of death

This goddess had many names. Someone called her Morena, someone Mara, and someone even preferred a more loud Kashcheyevna. No less confusing is the history of its appearance. According to the first version, the lady of death was born from a spark that fell from the sacred stone Alatyr. Thus, her father was Svarog himself - the lord of the great hammer and all living things.

The second version says that Moren brought to the world Chernobog. True, today this story has acquired a new color. After carefully studying the ancient texts and songs, the scientists came to the conclusion that Chernobog was not her creator - he was her lawful husband. Simply over time, the myths about their marriage gave way to a new generation of stories. In them, the union of these two gods was less and less frequently mentioned, and later Morena became the wife of the perfect other god-god.

A beauty or an old woman?

Very interesting is what Morena looks like. The goddess appears before mortals in completely different guises, depending on the time of the year. So, at the end of autumn she comes to the world of Yavi as a beautiful young girl. Her face is white as snow, her eyes are cleaner than a mountain river, and her hair is black, like a winter sky. Also at this time, Morena wears only exquisite outfits decorated with gold, silver and precious stones.

But as the days approach the spring, the appearance of the goddess also changes. For three months she turns from a young girl into a gray-haired old woman who can not step and step without her cane. Together with beauty, the dresses of Mary also come to naught. To Shrovetide from the magnificent once-only clothes there are only rags, which finally complete the image of the tired goddess.

Honed in its fortress

Morena reigns in the world of people only four months. In late autumn, the powers of the lady of winter are too great, and none of the gods can prevent her from walking freely in Java. Only in the spring Jarilo and Zhiva enter into battle with her, in order to revive the warmth and life on earth. And every year they win, forcing Maru to return to her dark palace in Navi.

It is said that the house of this goddess can be found if you go far to the north. Here she lives most of the year, captivated by the forces of light gods. Also in legends it is said that the fortress of Morena consists of countless mirrors. The only way to it is through the Kalinov Bridge, which is thrown over the River Smorodina. And her peace is guarded by a terrible monster - a multi-headed snake-dragon.

The Power of the Goddess

The goddess Morena in the Slavs first of all personified death. She was the prototype of the same old lady with a scythe that comes after the souls of the dead after their death. Also, this goddess could send people sick, adversities and curses. And it is because of this that many consider it to be a pantheon of uniquely evil gods.

However, the truth is that Mara did not kill people for her own ambitions. She just did her work cold-bloodedly. All the collected souls she carried to Nav, after which they could be reborn in new bodies. Therefore, at the funeral, the Slavs tried to appease Morena, so that she spent the deceased to a better life.

They did not cursed the people of Mara, and for striving to bring eternal winter to the world. They understood that in the spring Jarilo would win it anyway. And three months of cold will only give the earth peace, which it so needs after harvesting. They only prayed for Morena not to send too much frost. And if such came, they tried with all their might to persuade the ruler of the winter to take pity on them.

Mary's henchmen

Morena is a Slavic goddess, who gave birth to many dark spirits. It was people who feared the most when the night fell on the ground. So, the most terrible among them were maras - creatures holding their own head under their armpits. According to the beliefs, they wandered from court to court, whispering to themselves the names of people. If someone responded to their call, then he immediately overcame illness or unhappiness.

Kikimore also spawned the darkness of Morena. The goddess often used them for her own selfish purposes. Especially when she had to resort to some trick. For example, there is an ancient legend about how a kykimora tried to bring down one hero from white light. For a long time she led him by the nose, until the brave warrior revealed her deceit and chopped the dark spirit into small pieces.

Rituals associated with the worship of Mare

Morena is the goddess of death and dark magic. Therefore, most of her cults, one way or another, are associated with these gloomy spheres. In addition to the funeral, Mara resorted to help in the event of an epidemic and pestilence. In these difficult days, people asked for the favor and favor of the goddess, beguiling her with gifts.

On the eve of the great battle, the Magi also cried to Morena. They believed that it could give their warriors the power of their ancestors and they would certainly win the coming battle.

Maslenitsa

Few know, but that straw doll, which is burned annually on Pancake week, is Morena. The goddess became for her a prototype in those times when Russia lived according to the canons of paganism. The Slavs believed that the sun god Yarilo fought Mara every year to bring heat back to earth.

Maslenitsa itself was a holiday in honor of his victory over the winter. On this day people baked pancakes, which in shape resembled the sun. And also they burned a straw effigy - a metaphorical symbol, personifying the goddess of eternal cold and darkness. And although the times of pagan idols are long past, people still use this ancient tradition in their rites.