The Slavic Wheel of the Year, also known as the Slavic Calendar or Rodnovery Calendar, is a system of seasonal festivals and celebrations observed in Slavic neopaganism or Rodnovery. It reflects the agricultural and natural cycles that were important to the ancient Slavic peoples and their spiritual practices. While specific traditions may vary among different Slavic neopagan groups, here is a general overview of the Slavic Wheel of the Year:

Kupala Night (Ivan Kupala) June 20 -21: Kupala Night or Svätojánska noc is celebrated in Slovakia with bonfires, jumping over the flames, and rituals involving water. Young people often gather to search for the mythical "fern flower" in the woods, which is believed to bring luck and love. It's a celebration of midsummer's abundance and the power of nature.

"According to old Slovak legends, the Midsummer's Eve hides many mysteries. It is believed to be a time when magic becomes stronger, and people have dedicated this holiday to various rituals associated with the worship of fire, water, and greenery. Furthermore, in the past, it was believed that the real and supernatural worlds were interconnected during this time, and various myths circulated:

The earth opens up and reveals its treasures.

Flowers and trees possess magical power.

Golden ferns can be found in the forest.

A strong flow of energy emerges from the earth.

A gateway between worlds opens, and supernatural forces come to life.

Treasures appear, and people can communicate with the spirits of the dead.

Midsummer's Eve also appears in prophecies, where it is considered the beginning of summer. Around the summer solstice, which usually falls on June 20th or 21st, there is often rainy weather, sometimes referred to as "John's" or "Midsummer" rains. However, this is followed by a relatively dry period known as "Paul's Summer."

According to old stories, during Midsummer's Eve, wandering spirits and forest creatures like forest nymphs or fairies roam through the woods, meadows, or nearby swamps. If someone has a good heart, they can observe these beings dancing and should not be harmed. However, if a person has ill intentions, there is a risk that supernatural beings may cause them some unpleasantness or even harm them." For more information click here.

Harvest Festival (Dozhinki) July-September: The Slovak harvest festival, often referred to as "Dožinky" or "Dúžinky," is a time when communities come together to celebrate the end of the agricultural season. There are parades, traditional dances, and the offering of the first fruits and grains. This festival emphasizes the importance of agriculture in Slovak culture.

 "Dožinky, obžínky, or dožatá refer to the festive culmination of the harvest season and a thanksgiving for the cultivated crops. In the past, this folk celebration marked the climax of the agricultural year, signifying the end of a year-long toil in the fields. Simultaneously, people rejoiced that the harvest had been successfully gathered and stored, ensuring their livelihood for the entire following year.

In the past, many nations considered dožinky not only a time of joy but also the beginning of a new year, as this period was linked to abundance of food. This tradition is partially preserved today, as farmers begin sowing winter crops in early October (after the dožinky celebrations), signifying the start of a new agricultural season.

 The period of harvest and harvest festivals is highly variable and depends primarily on the natural conditions in a given region. Naturally, the harvesting of wheat began when it ripened. While in some places, this occurred as early as the feast of Saint Margaret (July 13th), in other areas, the start of the harvest was signaled by the feast of Saint Magdalene (July 22nd), and in yet other places, people could only begin their work in August.

As a result, the end of the harvest could be in mid-August in some areas, while in others, people had to wait until September to start celebrating the harvest. This is precisely why it is not possible to establish a uniform date for dožinky that would apply to everyone." For more details, click here.

Autumn Equinox: While not as widely celebrated as some other festivals, the autumn equinox aligns with the Slovak appreciation of the changing seasons. It's a time when people often reflect on the harvest and prepare for the colder months ahead.

"For the ancient Slavs, the autumn equinox was also a celebration when they gave thanks for the harvest and abundance. At the same time, they bid farewell to the warm days, enjoyed the Indian summer, and slowly prepared for the cold winter. Rituals included offerings of bread or dishes made from grain. The conclusion of the agricultural year was marked by a grand feast.

The Slavs perceived the autumn equinox as a time when dark forces began to prevail in the world. They also believed that on this day, there was a balance of power, making it the best opportunity to influence one's destiny. Therefore, they communicated with the "Sudičky" or Fates. Additionally, they said farewell to "Mokoš," who represented fertility, and welcomed "Morana," a symbol of winter and death." For more details click here.

Winter Solstice (Koliada, Yule) December 21: In Slovakia, the winter solstice is celebrated with various customs, including lighting candles and fires to symbolize the return of the sun. This period also includes Christmas traditions like decorating trees and exchanging gifts.

"In the past, the winter solstice was a significant event for the Slavs in our region. They believed that after dusk, during the shortest day of the year, the god Dažbog or Božič, the son of the god of fire Svarog, would die. However, as the cycle continues, on the same night, the young sun god would be reborn, heralding the dawn.

Since the sun god was still weak, there would be cold for a while, but gradually, his strength would grow, and eventually, he would manage to defeat Morena, the ruler of cold and death. This cycle was essential for the Slavs, and they considered it a manifestation of divine favor. The winter solstice was associated with various customs, beliefs, and traditions.

On the eve of the holiday, magical rituals focused on divination were performed, and these practices have survived in various forms to this day. People wanted to know what the future held, so they would cut apples to find stars, pour lead or wax to interpret their destiny from the resulting shapes, or throw a shoe, which was believed to reveal whether they would move in the coming year.

Furthermore, people believed that during the winter solstice, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead blurred, allowing the souls of the deceased to freely move in our world. Therefore, they would set out a meal for their departed family members and raise a toast in their honor. Since ancestors could appear in different forms, it was also necessary to properly welcome any strangers who knocked on the door.

During the winter solstice, people believed that the world of spirits from the underworld could be seen, and these spirits were not as favorable to humans as the souls of their loved ones. To protect themselves from such malevolent spirits, people would use sacred fire to ward off evil. Some also believed in the protective power of garlic and would cleanse their homes with purifying herbs or conifer branches." For more information click here.

Spring Equinox (Navruz, Vesna) March 20: While not exclusive to Slovakia, the spring equinox is a time when Slovaks engage in planting and gardening activities. Eggs are decorated for Easter, and the arrival of spring is celebrated with various customs.

"While today we refer to the spring equinox, in the past, people celebrated the ancient pagan festival known as Ostara, which emphasizes new life, new beginnings, and new projects. The days are getting longer, allowing people to enjoy more daylight, and it's a time of celebration, dancing, and lightness. After a long winter's sleep, nature finally awakens, and people should rejoice.

The patron goddess of the Ostara festival is the goddess Artha (Eostre), after whom today's Easter is named. The other patron of this celebration is the beautiful goddess Vesna, who banishes winter and brings warmth to the world. Both are goddesses of spring, fire, life, and passion. In spring, everything comes to life, and thanks to their influence, light begins to prevail over darkness.

In the past, people associated the Ostara festival mainly with eggs, which are symbols of fertility, new life, inspiration, and potential. Many people may not realize it, but most of today's Easter customs have their origins in the celebrations of this festival. Another symbol of new life is seeds, which women sowed during this time to ensure the fertility of the land and a bountiful harvest.

The Ostara festival is also connected with the element of Fire (meaning the Sun), signifying the return of daytime dominance over nighttime. It's an ideal time for people to light fires, celebrate, and dance around them. Additionally, this festival is associated with the colors red and green, and among animals, it's specifically the hare that is said to bring the morning light back to the sky.

The beginning of spring was always accompanied by various festive rituals that have survived to this day. It was typical to thoroughly clean one's household and prepare the garden for the upcoming season. Moreover, our ancestors bid farewell to winter by carrying out a symbolic "death" of Morena, the goddess of winter, followed by welcoming spring into their tidy homes, often adorned with various pentacles and greenery.

Furthermore, a spring cleansing ritual was often performed, where people whipped the land with branches and watered it with spring water. To protect germinating seeds, they sprinkled the fields, aiming for a bountiful harvest, and also opened wells. Festive bread was prepared, and people indulged in various favorite dishes enhanced with spring herbs during this time." For more information click here.

Drowning of Marzanna (Marzanna, Morena): In some Slovak regions, the tradition of drowning Marzanna or Morena is observed. People create a straw effigy symbolizing winter and then toss it into rivers or streams to symbolize the farewell to winter and the welcome of spring.

These Slavic traditions are interwoven with Slovak culture and history, reflecting the importance of nature, agriculture, and ancestral heritage in the lives of the Slovak people. While some of the names and customs may vary across regions and communities in Slovakia, the essence of these celebrations remains a vital part of Slovak cultural identity.