The meaning of Solar Festivals in ecovillage Big Stone

The tradition of Solar Festivals exists all over the world. In ecovillage Big Stone Solar Festivals are scheduled to Solstices and Equinoxes. They are devoted to the revival of national and native traditions of Solar Holidays calendar and to the union of people and nature. In the national tradition Solstice (Kolovorot) means the rotation of the Earth around the Sun. It is connected with the natural rhythms, which form ceremonies and traditions of the celebration. The variety of ceremonies is connected with the difference of landscape, climate and nature in different regions of Russia.

In old times, when people were closer to the nature and scheduled their life according to the sky, such holidays were a system of ceremonies and rituals and lasted several days. Our four festivals are two Solstices and two Equinoxes. In Slavic tradition of Kolovorot they are called Makushki. Between Makushki there are also four holidays - Srechi. These days in Russian tradition are also connected with special festival ceremonies.

In Slavic tradition the holiday of Kolyada is celebrated on 19-25 of December

In Russian tradition these are days of Nikola Zimniy, Christmas and Yule-tide.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone this is a festival of Winter Solstice.

In Slavic tradition Velesova Srecha is celebrated on 3-9 of February.

In Russian tradition it is Vlasiev day and Candlemas Day.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Winter Festival.

In Slavic tradition the holiday of Lely is celebrated on 17-23 of March.

In Russian tradition it is Pancake week, Magpie and Annunciation.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Vernal Equinox.

In Slavic tradition Yarilina Srecha is celebrated on 5-11 of May.

In Russian tradition it is the holiday of Egory Veshniy.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Spring Festival.

In Slavic tradition the holiday of Ivan (Yarila) and Kupala (Zhiva) is celebrated on 18-24 of June.

In Russian tradition it is the Trinity and the Birth of Ioann Krestitel.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Summer Solstice.

In Slavic tradition Perunova Srecha is celebrated on 1-7 of August.

In Russian tradition it is Iljya Day.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Summer Festival.

In Slavic tradition the holiday of Lada is celebrated on 20-26 of September.

In Russian tradition it is Dojinki, Osenini and the Birth of the Blessed Virgin.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Summer Solstice.

In Slavic tradition the holiday of Makosh is celebrated on 3-9 of November.

In Russian tradition it is the Protection of the Virgin and Paraskeva Pyatnitca.

In the tradition of ecovillage Big Stone it is Autumn Festival.