May: Honouring Matka
My
gratitude to “Magpie” Olga Stanton for her continual willingness to share her
research and lived experience in Slavic traditions. Some of what you will read in the next couple
of paragraphs comes from her teaching, which she says she received as an oral
tradition from a northern Russian “cunning” woman (a vedma, or wyse
witch). Some is from my continued
research into Ukrainian and slavic folk knowledge and traditions, from a
variety of sources.
May,
in Slavic earth traditions, marks an important re-entry time… In Ukraine, the names of the 12 months still
retain the lunar names and references.
There were changes to the lunar names over time, as weather patterns
shifted and different crops, animals or natural plants took on varying
significance. The names of the 12 to 13
lunar cycles per solar cycle were derived from observations of the natural
world and human relationship to it during the various seasons.
And
so, what we call May was, and is, a significant time. It marks the re-entry into the season of
light. In Slavic lore, there are 2
seasons – the season of light (day, sun, fire), and the season of dark (night,
moon, water). Anthropologists surmise
this because they note that the vesnyanki – the songs of spring that
honour Vesna, goddess of spring -- come to a close at the end of April/ early May, indicating
that May is the beginning of the agricultural season. Basically, everyone is too busy preparing the
ground and sowing seeds to get caught up in spring songs and play.
People who mark time according to the seasons and natural rhythms do not
have “fixed dates” for celebrations…
It’s a felt and observed thing, and/or timed with the lunar cycles. So when I mention dates, below, this is just
for our own convenience, and not because something was written in stone…
The
transition around the end of April to beginning of May is considered a time
when Mara (Winter, fate, death) steps aside, and Zywa (Summer, life) steps in
to rule Matka (affectionate form of Mati Zemlya = Mother Earth).
About
1/3 of the way into May, we honour Matka Day.
There are a few rules about this day, which are described below in the
full moon ceremony.
MAY
CEREMONIES
Any
time we make medicine, we are engaging in ceremony. The making of medicine integrates:
intentionality & full presence; integrity of purpose; and, relationality
& connectivity. I will ask you to
meditate on all of these words and find how they relate to the making of
medicine through your own experiential journey with them.
·
Ladanka ~ if you have worked with me through the
seasonal rites previously, or through the apprenticeship, you may have made a
Ladanka for yourself before. For those
who have not encountered this word, it is Ukrainian for a particular
amulet. Pre-Christian Ladanky (plural)
were made (usually) of leather, or wood in the form of a small pouch or small
box with a lid. They were worn
(typically) around the neck and fell to the level of the solar plexus, as
protection for this significant “centre” thought to be an important energetic
and spiritual portal in the body. The
Ladanka was filled with various substances: roots and herbs; bones, teeth,
claws, and other animal parts; soil; salt; other items of significance or
medicinal value to the individual.
During the time of Christianity, the Ladanka was colonized – these days,
it is often promoted as a locket with Christian symbols and incense inside
of it. The incense is purported to keep
away the vedma, or witches.
Because we are
honouring Matka, and because a Ladanka is a physical representation of the
“earth elemental” (as it’s purpose is to contain, amplify, and protect),
and because one of the sacred substances and folk medicines is soil, we will
work with Ladanky this cross-quarter.
o If you already
have one or more Ladanky, you can repair the old one(s) if they are in-need,
refresh the contents by either airing them, or exposing them to moon/ sun
light, or smoke-clearing them, or giving them energy through prayer, etc… and
then wear the refreshed Ladanky around your neck.
o You might choose
to make (weave, braid) a belt, and string the old Ladanka on the belt, each year
adding another Ladanka to the belt.
o Or, you might wear
the newest Ladanka around your neck and keep older Ladanky on your belt.
o Or, you can hang
your old Ladanky in your home (above doors and windows) for protection while
you wear newly crafted ones.
o If ever you choose
to release a Ladanka (or any medicine), there are three ways to do so:
§ Place in wild
running water, like a stream…
§ Bury it in the
earth, somewhere it will not be walked over or disturbed.
§ Burn the medicine.
Burning is often the preferred method,
however, it is not always practical.
Also, usually, during the season of light we will turn to water and
earth is appropriate ways to release, and during the season of dark, we turn to
fire for release…
o To make a Ladanka,
find a piece of leather or fabric (or if you prefer, you can carve one out of
wood) and sew into a small pouch. If you
are using fabric, make sure the weave is tight enough that whatever substances
you place in the Ladanka will not fall through the weave. Add a strap for
wearing around the neck, and something to tie the pouch at the top. Voila! A Ladanka!
o Bless the Ladanka,
give it some smoke and prayers, and anything else you would like to help
initiate the energy of it.
· May 5: Full Moon… On or before the full moon,
please choose a day to honour Matka. (In
“modern” society, people have migrated away from the lunar calendars, and so
have chosen May 10th as Matka Day.
However, we will bring the celebration into the moon cycle and work
with May 5th.) On this day,
we do not “work the land”, meaning we will not dig in her nor disturb her. Instead, feed her (offer bones, eggshells, or other
crushed shells, or anything that feels nourishing for the soil). This day, light a candle
or a Prayer Fire and declare your recognition and welcoming of the season of
light. Ask the Moon and Sun to bless the
Earth Mother, so that we can all benefit from bounty, healthy life, and goodness in
the moons to come.
· After the 5th,
or before the 5th, gather soil from your yard, or from somewhere
that holds significance for you.
Introduce yourself to this place, state your intentions, ask permission
to take a spoonful of soil, give gratitude and leave an offering (assuming you
received a “yes” to harvest the soil).
This soil can be placed in your Ladanka, or placed on a sacred table/
altar…
· When you make your
first harvest sometime in May (herbs, flowers, spring greens…) (or if you have
already harvested, then simply choose an appropriate day), wear your best
clothes and leave offerings for the spirits of the plants, fields, gardens and
forests…
· If you become ill
during May (or anytime), go out to the forest/ field/ garden and apologize to
Matka/ Mother Earth for any (known or unknown) offence, ignorance, or rudeness
you may have shown her…
· May 19 Dark/New Moon:
step
out into the night air (or stand at a window to face the night sky), open your
arms, sense the presence of the moon and stars, and ask that the coming lunar
cycle(s) be a healthy seeding of good intentions and powerful blessings in your
life. Hold your Ladanka, or the fabric
for your Ladanka, to the sky and ask that it, and its contents, help protect
you, amplify all your good thoughts, and contain your medicines.
In
greatest Earth Blessings and love,
Nikki
Comments
Post a Comment