October 26 – Dimitrovden

As the fields grow quiet and the air turns sharp with the promise of frost, Bulgarians celebrate Dimitrovden, the Day of St. Demetrius, on October 26. It marks the turning of the year, the time when summer’s fire fades and winter’s breath arrives. In ancient calendars, this day signaled the beginning of winter, just as St. George’s Day (Gergiovden) marked the beginning of summer. The two saints, often seen as twin brothers, balance the cycle of warmth and cold, life and death.

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Deisus with St. George and Demetrius, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

The Twin Horsemen of the Seasons

Legends tell that George rides a white horse, youthful and full of vitality, while Demetrius, on his red steed, is old and snow-bearded. He shakes white flakes from his hair or pours snow from a sack, blanketing the earth in stillness. If St. George awakens the fields and protects them from dragons that bring drought, St. Demetrius puts those dragons to sleep, cooling their fiery breath.

In Bulgarian tradition, dragons aren’t always monstrous; they’re often forces of untamed passion, storm, or greed. Some legends tell of St. Demetrius descending from the mountains to rein in these wayward spirits, sealing their caves with frost and silencing their thunder. In this sense, Demetrius is not only a dragon-slayer but a dragon-tamer, restoring balance when the heat of summer threatens to consume the world.

Deisus with St. George and Demetrius, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Herbs That Repel Dragons

As the season turns and the dragons grow restless, villagers once turned to herbs for protection, plants that cool the air and heart, driving away both fever and fury.

Sweet Clover (Komuniga) and Gentian (Tintyava) were believed to cool unwanted dragon passion, the wild, consuming heat that could stir storms or inflame tempers. A bundle of these herbs, hung in the home or stable, helped keep such forces in check.Tansy, golden and resilient, guarded the heart. Just as it strengthens the body, it was thought to shield one’s inner flame from being extinguished by cold or inflamed by wrath.Wormwood, sharp and bitter, was the most powerful of all. Burned in small amounts, it was said to banish dragons and evil spirits, purifying the home and clearing the air of envy and misfortune.

These herbs were often gathered during the height of summer, when their power was strongest, and preserved for use in late autumn—when the saints’ feast days marked the battle between fire and frost.

From Dragon-Slaying to Soul-Keeping

While St. George slays the dragon to release spring’s life force, St. Demetrius ushers souls and spirits to the underworld, where they rest beneath the frozen earth. The Saturday before his day, called Dimitrovska Zadushnitsa, is one of Bulgaria’s traditional All Souls’ Days—a time to honor ancestors and light candles for the departed.

Like the Thracian Horseman, an ancient figure who rode between worlds, Demetrius represents the threshold between life and death, summer and winter, passion and stillness. His spear may pierce not only the body of the dragon but the restless heart of chaos itself, restoring cosmic order.

A Ritual for Dimitrovden

To honor St. Demetrius and the turning of the season:

Light a small candle or oil lamp to symbolize the fire that endures through the dark months.Place sprigs of komuniga, tintyava, tansy, or wormwood near your doorway or window.Offer a quiet prayer for balance: the courage of St. George, the wisdom of St. Demetrius, and the calm heart that can hold both fire and frost.

As the snow begins to fall, remember that not all dragons must be slain. Some only need to be cooled, their flames tempered by patience, rest, and the turning of the year.

Explore the Herbs of the Dragon-Slaying Season

In The Slavic Soul oracle deck campaign, each plant reveals its ancient wisdom and protective power. The herbs of Dimitrovden—komuniga, tintyava, tansy, and wormwood—speak of balance, protection, and the cooling of the spirit.

Let them remind you, as St. Demetrius rides across the frozen fields, that every ending carries the seed of renewal.

All backers can get free copies of some of our herb prints added to their rewards when the campaign ends. Simply comment on our weekly question posts.

Until 9 pm Eastern Time Sunday, October 26, we’re running a flash sale. All backers can add on 5 digital herbs for $5. Any herbs from our selection of 78.

Take a look at our campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ronesa-aveela/slavic-divination?ref=3dp9ve