Welcome, and Slava Bogam! That’s “Glory to the Gods” for those who don’t speak a Slavic language.
What is Slavic Reconstructionism?
Slavic reconstructionism aims at a revival of the pagan religion of the Slavic peoples by thoroughly examining the historical texts surrounding these religious practices, alongside linguistic analysis and studies of Indo-European religion. Slavic paganism can be described simultaneously as a polytheistic, pantheistic and animistic, orthopraxic religion. It primary focuses on seasonal ritual and ancestor veneration.
We distinguish Slavic reconstructionist paganism from “Yngliism”, “Slavism”, or much of what is labeled “Rodnovery” today. These traditions, drawing more heavily from literary forgeries than historically attested Slavic belief and practice, are typically more interested in a Slavic nationalist religion than a reconstructionist perspective. “Rodnovery” itself comes from “Rodnaya vera”, meaning ‘Native Faith’. Solntsa Roshcha is avowedly anti-racist, anti-sexist, and supports anyone who is drawn to Slavic polytheism practicing the faith regardless of their ethnic background. For those who prefer a Slavic-language name for this religious practice, we suggest “Yazychestvo”, having a similar meaning to “heathenism” or “paganism” in English; “Yazychnik” for “pagan” or “heathen”.
Although aiming to revive the polytheism of the East Slavs, Solntsa Roshcha draws from pan-Slavic sources out of necessity. This revival needs as much historical support as it can get, and Solntsa Roshcha strives to support contemporary Slavic paganism in the English-speaking world with these resources. Information about Slavic polytheism is rare in non-Slavic speaking countries.
Mission Statement
Solntsa Roshcha (Солнца Роща, “Grove of the Sun”) is an English-language blog dedicated to Slavic reconstructionism. Our aims include:
- To provide reliable information about pre-Christian Slavic polytheism based on authentic historical, linguistic, topographic, and folkloric sources, supplemented with research in history of religions and comparative mythology
- To describe the Gods, their historical documentation, their aspects and roles within the mythology, and their cults
- To present a coherent theology based on historical Slavic religion, alongside contemporary insights from history of religions, religious studies and philosophy
- To supply formats for the worship of and prayer to the Gods, spirits and ancestors
- To accomplish these goals from a hard polytheist, strict reconstructionist and generally East Slavic perspective
Slava Bogam!
NOTE: Much of this site is still under construction.
Solntsa Roshcha 