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Ever since I grew enough to understand rituals and their mining I was fascinated by them. I remember reading “The little mermaid” story and spending hours thinking about how a witch would know what exactly to give to the mermaid so her tail would turn into feet? A separate character that attracted my attention was Baba-Yaga - Russian folk tales character. And how did this old ugly lady manage to fly on a broomstick and send curses to all? It seemed that they would know somehow a ritual or formula which brings magic into the world.
I grew up and started travel a lot being even more interested in other rituals and ceremonies I get to know - from the Ashrams of India to the Amazon forests, from remote villages in the heart of the Altai region in Russia to sacred mountains and enclosed settlements across the world. Life gave me many incredible opportunities to encounter what was of great interest to me.
Yet today my article about a simple ritual I have encountered being a child. In late February - early March (it varies from year to year) in Russia we celebrate the so-called Maslenitsa - quite a fun and interesting event taking place the whole week starting from Monday and ending on Sunday.
Welcome to Maslenitsa
Source:Wikipedia
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In Russia people generally, like to celebrate. It could be anything really - I assume it is just a part of our culture and a chance to drink vodka Russians are so famous for. Thus, on New Year we have holidays from 1- 8 or 9 January to celebrate it. In May there is few off-day to celebrate - the World War II victory, which ended in the distant 1945, but still close to the heart of every Russian because it affected every family in the country, you barely find anyone whose relatives were not involved. Yet for me, Maslenitsa has always had its charm and would be considered on my personal scale of events in the highest range. The week we celebrate Maslenitsa is a special thing. Although it is not official holidays we still manage to celebrate it on a big scale.
During the week it is not a big deal I guess - it is just a lot of pancakes. We bake them every day (nowadays I guess a bit less) and them with different flavors - jam, butter, chocolate, and caviar - you just choose what you want.
So all the last week Russia сelebrated Maslenitsa. For me, who has been for a long time living outside of Russia, it was not that of interest anymore, but this time I decided to join the final celebration which takes place on Sundays and called “Forgiving Sunday.” I had so much fun and was so busy celebrating that completely forget to take any pictures so the ones above are from the Internet to give you the sense of it.
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Traditionally the first thing you do in the morning on Sunday(the last day of Maslenitsa) is to ask forgiveness. I believe nowadays it became just part of the habit with very little people really meaning what they say. At the same time, I think it is really nice tradition and personally use it as a chance to get one sending messages or calling close people. You never know.
The rest of the day we spent outside. Usually, people bother on the main square or in a part where the special arrangements are done. That huge fun with lots of pancakes being served, games played, ice castle fights, jumping across the fire and it all finishes with stripping the Lady Maslenitsa and burning her in a bonfire. The ashes are buried in the snow afterward with a belief that they will fertilize the soil and help plants to grow. I believe one of the interesting rituals I have ever come across.
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Standing there and whacking the Malenitsa figure burning I thought that some thousand years ago some people would also watch the flames eating it. Would they think that years will pass, but their ancestors would do the same?
I think they would not do it, they would just watch it burn, collect the ashes and spread it around. For them, it would mean that one season is over and the new is coming. They would hope that the new one will bring them abundance. They would celebrate it with open hearts, respecting the Nature and the gift it gives them, seeing in this action nothing more than just a natural process - one dies to give birth to a new. It was their symbol of joy, fun and huge love and understanding of Life. At the same time in some mysterious way, it survived centuries to remind us of the same. So standing there and watching it burn I thought of my own life and its new beginning and somehow feeling of calmness and happiness overcome and settled inside. I knew all will be fine and Life will continue. It just was the beginning of a new path for me. As the spring will come after winter, as my life will move and next spring I might be standing here again and whatch the other Maslenitsa burn to smile to the Wonders of Life.
With love,
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