It is the time of winter, when goddess Morana presides over the Slavic lands. Unlike the warm season with longer days, and shorter nights, when our ancestors spend most of their days working, and preparing, the winter time with very cold temperatures, shorter days and longer nights, was the time of rest, and little work for our ancestors. They spend their winters doing minimal work, and almost hibernating, reflecting back on past year, and planning for next year.

Deer as Transformative Element

The Deer has been an important animal both spiritually and physically for eons. Functioning as one of the most important food sources for ancient Europeans, the Antlers regrowth has allowed for symbolism of rebirth to be attributed to them from both Pagans and Christians. The transformation of ones self into a Stag is a common trope in folklore. The reasons for this vary in the case of Actaeon or the German fairy tale "Brother and Sister" the first from angering Artemis, and the other from drinking from an enchanted spring. The embodiment of the Deer via the antler appears in both the headdresses used by our seers and in rituals like the Abbot Bromley Horn Dance. Both of which surprisingly have used Reindeer antlers. These various traditions may reach back to ancient Hunting rituals in order to predict or interact with the collective spirit of the deer or to ask permission and give thanks to the wild gods and the gift of the hunted animal angering them could make one prey.-TLK