Yarilo Veshny (06/05)





Before the cattle were driven out, the owners stroked the animals along the ridge with an egg painted red or yellow-green, which they then presented to the shepherd. After which the cattle were kicked out into the yard with a willow branch and fed «byashki» — with special bread. Before being kicked out of the yard, a belt was laid out at the feet of the cattle so that they could step over it. This was done so that the cattle knew their way home. Grazed livestock until dew dried.

They asked Yarila — the Patron of Shepherds, the Guardian of Livestock and the Wolf Shepherd — to protect the cattle from any predatory beast.

The shepherd hums into a horn, notifying the people about the beginning of the ritual «-circumvention», after which, taking a sieve in his hands, he walks around the herd three times with salt (for life) and three times with salt (for death).

After a correctly performed ritual, an invisible magical fence was built around the herd, which protected « from the creeping snake, from the mighty bear, from the running wolf». After which the magic circle was closed with an iron lock.

On this day, an important ritual was also performed — Opening of the Earth, or in another way — Nature. On this day, Yarila « opens» (fertilizes) Mother Cheese Earth and releases dew, after which the rapid growth of herbs begins.

They smelled arable land on Yarila and said: «The lazy plow also comes out to Yarila».

Spring weddings began on this day. Men and women rode through the fields, hoping to become strong and healthy with the help of miraculous dew. The evening ended with a general celebration.

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