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Slavic Traditions & Mythology
This is the first volume of Slavic Traditions & Mythology by Stefan Cvetković, which explores pre-Christian Slavic customs, symbols, and myths—from the depths of prehistory to contemporary folklore. It is valuable not only to people of Slavic descent seeking to learn more about their roots, but also to all Europeans, as it reveals that most symbols and mythic motifs are shared across the continent, stemming from a common prehistoric source. The book explains the essential symbols of Slavic pre-Christian culture and distinguishes them from numerous modern inventions.
Furthermore, it serves as a practical guide for those who wish to apply this knowledge in daily life, following the major festivals of the traditional calendar and demonstrating how they were once properly celebrated. The deities are examined with clarity, separating those genuinely venerated by the ancient Slavs from later scholarly misinterpretations. The myths connected to these gods and other mythic beings are explored in detail from both microcosmic and macrocosmic perspectives, with special emphasis on the ancestral cult as an inseparable element of Slavic spirituality.
Richly illustrated, the book features chronological variations of symbols, archaeological findings, embroidery motifs, tombstones, depictions of deities, and more. It does not leave questions or doubts about Slavic mythology unresolved but instead offers insight, depth, and meaning to anyone seeking to understand the primordial culture of our ancestors.
Furthermore, it serves as a practical guide for those who wish to apply this knowledge in daily life, following the major festivals of the traditional calendar and demonstrating how they were once properly celebrated. The deities are examined with clarity, separating those genuinely venerated by the ancient Slavs from later scholarly misinterpretations. The myths connected to these gods and other mythic beings are explored in detail from both microcosmic and macrocosmic perspectives, with special emphasis on the ancestral cult as an inseparable element of Slavic spirituality.
Richly illustrated, the book features chronological variations of symbols, archaeological findings, embroidery motifs, tombstones, depictions of deities, and more. It does not leave questions or doubts about Slavic mythology unresolved but instead offers insight, depth, and meaning to anyone seeking to understand the primordial culture of our ancestors.
555 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 23, 2022
I've no clue what taking LSD feels like, but something tells me this book is it.
It's so convoluted and esoteric, I felt as if I could meet any of the deities, sorry, I mean ancestors, described in the book.
The author spends a lot of time shitting on Christianity and Science, and calls them out on their perceived bullshit, thus at times making it read like half assed slam poetry, which certainly adds to the excitement that was ploughing through this.
Other than that, it's horribly formatted, and contains numerous grammatical mistakes, but is 100% worth it for the confusing delirium that is the experience "Slavic Traditions and Mythology"
10/10 would erroneously refer to Lada as a Goddess again.
It's so convoluted and esoteric, I felt as if I could meet any of the deities, sorry, I mean ancestors, described in the book.
The author spends a lot of time shitting on Christianity and Science, and calls them out on their perceived bullshit, thus at times making it read like half assed slam poetry, which certainly adds to the excitement that was ploughing through this.
Other than that, it's horribly formatted, and contains numerous grammatical mistakes, but is 100% worth it for the confusing delirium that is the experience "Slavic Traditions and Mythology"
10/10 would erroneously refer to Lada as a Goddess again.
February 11, 2022
4.5
I saw a previous review describing this book as an acid trip, and I entirely agree. But what better way to chronicle the massive, twisting, and utterly insane world of Slavic mythology?
Cvetković nails his subject to the wall and blows the reader away with immense detail, clear passion, and massive reverence for Slavic history and myth. Because of this, his frequent grammar and spelling mistakes are forgivable. This subject is incredibly interesting to me, and it gave me great joy to know it is so well recorded and discussed. Will definitely be picking up more of his work.
I saw a previous review describing this book as an acid trip, and I entirely agree. But what better way to chronicle the massive, twisting, and utterly insane world of Slavic mythology?
Cvetković nails his subject to the wall and blows the reader away with immense detail, clear passion, and massive reverence for Slavic history and myth. Because of this, his frequent grammar and spelling mistakes are forgivable. This subject is incredibly interesting to me, and it gave me great joy to know it is so well recorded and discussed. Will definitely be picking up more of his work.
February 15, 2022
Rife with spelling and grammatical errors, this essay-like novel is poorly formatted for a book and the structure leaves much to be desired. However, the topic and concepts regarding deities and the ancestral cult of Slavic Mythology is interesting.
Cvetkovic steers clear of Christian influences whilst also making sure the reader understands that modern Neopaganism or Rodnovery is also not quite as the traditions were. The ancient traditions and beliefs regarding the Cosmic Order, Calendar, and Festivals seem well researched, though the information on each topic varies by region and availability of sources. Also, while some topics have numerous sources, Cvetkovic quite as easily accepts facts from just personal inferences and a single source but this could be written away as poor word choice.
There is a lot of focus on life, death, and rebirth. The womb in particular gets a lot of attention in regards to influences on beliefs and different rituals performed by the ancient Slavs. Cvetkovic also infers sexual acts from a lot of symbolism within the rituals, not all of which I agree with.
I also don't agree with all of Cvetkovic's reconstructions regarding the deities. Though the author only mentions a few of the main deities recognized in modern media, overlapping attributes are often pigeonholed into a single deity, usually either Mokosh, Perun, or Veles. Some of these ideas I agree with (Chernobog being Veles), however, a few are a bit of a stretch. Not to mention the author goes to great lengths informing the reader there is no Slavic pantheon but then using other pantheons to emphasis the research. Then Cvetkovic goes on the explain there is no familial connection between the deities before accepting Perun and Mokosh have children together.
Overall, the information is new and some of the concepts have a good basis derived from sources but overall the writing fails to strengthen the research.
Cvetkovic steers clear of Christian influences whilst also making sure the reader understands that modern Neopaganism or Rodnovery is also not quite as the traditions were. The ancient traditions and beliefs regarding the Cosmic Order, Calendar, and Festivals seem well researched, though the information on each topic varies by region and availability of sources. Also, while some topics have numerous sources, Cvetkovic quite as easily accepts facts from just personal inferences and a single source but this could be written away as poor word choice.
There is a lot of focus on life, death, and rebirth. The womb in particular gets a lot of attention in regards to influences on beliefs and different rituals performed by the ancient Slavs. Cvetkovic also infers sexual acts from a lot of symbolism within the rituals, not all of which I agree with.
I also don't agree with all of Cvetkovic's reconstructions regarding the deities. Though the author only mentions a few of the main deities recognized in modern media, overlapping attributes are often pigeonholed into a single deity, usually either Mokosh, Perun, or Veles. Some of these ideas I agree with (Chernobog being Veles), however, a few are a bit of a stretch. Not to mention the author goes to great lengths informing the reader there is no Slavic pantheon but then using other pantheons to emphasis the research. Then Cvetkovic goes on the explain there is no familial connection between the deities before accepting Perun and Mokosh have children together.
Overall, the information is new and some of the concepts have a good basis derived from sources but overall the writing fails to strengthen the research.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
The author of this book addresses the oversimplification and inaccuracies regarding Slavic mythology on many online sites. He is sincere in this, and passionate. The book is a little poor in English in parts (which is understandable) and the format quality is slightly lacking (but sufficient).
Although you will find some details and information in its pages that make the book worth having, be aware that the author dwells a great deal on esoteric symbolism. I feel there is too much of the latter, unless that is your reason for buying the book, and the work would have been more complete (and less disappointing) if the author had not entirely left out any discussion of the actual creatures of Slavic myth.
Probably a book for the researcher more than the casual hobbyist.
Although you will find some details and information in its pages that make the book worth having, be aware that the author dwells a great deal on esoteric symbolism. I feel there is too much of the latter, unless that is your reason for buying the book, and the work would have been more complete (and less disappointing) if the author had not entirely left out any discussion of the actual creatures of Slavic myth.
Probably a book for the researcher more than the casual hobbyist.
February 9, 2024
According to him, valhalla, the underworld, houses, troy and almost everything else is a representation of the womb, whilst slaying a dragon represents the cutting of the umbilical cord (which is a modern invention in medicine). Placenta is yggdrasil and our ancestors, and apparently apollo is the thunder god. Pussy is everywhere, we live in a giant pussy, idols are penises because they're horizonal with a head at the top (so humans are penises as well). "Deities are our ancestors", so ancient pagans were atheist materialists I assume. Poor haplogroup knowledge. Some good information on traditions and holidays, but generally subversive and with a massive amount of spelling mistakes.
March 14, 2023
I decided to rate this rook by the highest mark because I found here a lot of NEW information. I'm a history student, so I researched a lot of materials, and I thought nothing may wonder me, but this book did. The information showed in a laconic and logical way, with a lot of insights and interesting details. I think that's one of the best sources and also materials by this link I ever get any information for my studies. Stefan's books are one of my fav in general
May 17, 2026
Desperately in need of an editor. Academic data is not enough to make 541 pages readable.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews