Hey everyone! Today’s post is going to be a bit different from my usual stories about the monsters of Slavic lore. Instead, we’re going to explore the fascinating world of the Slavic pantheon, starting with the god who has always intrigued me—Perun, the Slavic god of Thunder and Justice.
Before we begin, I have to give a friendly disclaimer: I’m not a historian or a scholar of Slavic lore. I’m an Urban Fantasy author, so all my novels and blogs are pure work of fiction, inspired by these rich, ancient stories. So, grab a cup of tea or coffee, get cozy, and let’s embark on this mythical journey together!
Perun, the Slavic god of Thunder and Justice.
Perun holds a special place in the Slavic pantheon, and his name is definitely one of the more recognizable ones. But, as with everything in Slavic lore, it's never straightforward or black-and-white. To make things even more interesting, the interpretation of Slavic gods varies depending on whether you’re talking about the East, West, or South Slavs. This complexity is part of what makes exploring Slavic mythology so fascinating.
So, who is Perun?
He's the son of Svarog (the Slavic god-Creator, the god of Fire of Justice) and Lada (the goddess of Love and Beauty). Born into this world with a special mission from the Creator Family, who, by the way, are the origin of all gods and people, Perun's got a pretty amazing purpose. He's here to protect our world, give strength to the weak, embolden the strong, and make everyone wiser and braver. Isn’t that great?
Alright, let’s dive deeper into the world of Perun. He’s not just any god—he’s the god of thunder, lightning, and rain. Yep, you heard that right. All the wild elements of nature are under his command. Besides that, he has a massive squad of minions that make sure his will is done. Think Thunder and Lightning, Rain and Hail, Winds and Storms, and even creatures like the snakes, Vodyanoy, and Leshy. They’re all on Team Perun.
Rivers? Many were considered sacred and dedicated to him. And those groves and oak forests? Entire areas were set aside for him, and cutting down trees there was a huge no-no, punishable by death. Perun was taken seriously by all Slavs.
In addition, Perun is the god-guardian of warriors. Back in the day, old Slavic warriors didn’t mess around—they swore their oaths by Perun and Veles (the Slavic god of the Three Realms). Picture this: the warriors lay their unsheathed swords, shields, and other weapons, plus some gold, on the ground. Then, over all that, they'd make their vows. It was a serious, intense ceremony that truly showed their commitment.
Legends and myths about Perun.
There are so many legends and myths about Perun that I don’t know where to begin. Imagine this: lightning cracks through the sky, thunder booms, and trees split in two. For the ancient Slavs, these lightning bolts were Perun's arrows or the ax he wielded to rid our world of evil spirits. They believed that was the reason why, after a storm, the air felt fresh and light, as if a weight had been lifted off their souls.
There's an interesting Belarusian fairy tale. It tells of Perun chasing a chert (devil), trying to strike him with lightning. The chert happened to be a sneaky one, hiding first in a person, then in animals, trees, stones, and finally, in water.
This tale ties into a belief that evil spirits usually hide in water and only come out on land between Kupala Night and Perun’s Day (July 6th and July 20th). So, it's safe to swim during this period because the spirits have vacated the rivers and lakes. And all those thunderstorms during this time? That's Perun shooting at the evil creatures that dare to emerge from their liquid hidey-holes.
But the most popular is the legend about Perun and his deadly confrontation with his mortal enemy—Skiper-Zmey, the Lord of Chaos.
If you have read the Fire Salamander Chronicles, the name “Mount Karasova” is probably familiar to you. So let's talk about that dark area in the Arkhangelsk region that up until now is shrouded by mystery. Locals have avoided it for ages, convinced it's cursed. Those who are in the know believe that Mount Karasova is the actual burial ground of Skiper-Zmey, the evil monster defeated by the mighty Perun.
Legend has it that when Perun was just a child, Skiper-Zmey captured him and held him captive in chains for three hundred years. Can you imagine? Three hundred years! But, as with all great tales, there's a twist. Perun's brothers eventually came to his rescue and set him free.
Of course, Perun didn't just walk away quietly. No, he confronted Skiper-Zmey and defeated him in a terrible battle that must have been the stuff of legends. But the story doesn't end there, either. Stribog, the god of Air and Wind, along with his four sons, brought sands from the four corners of the Yav. They enchanted these sands to create Mount Karasova. Together, Perun and his brothers confined Skiper-Zmey inside a massive oak coffin, bound him with heavy chains, and buried him deep beneath the newly formed mountain.
Now here's where it gets really interesting. After the battle, Veles, the god of Three Realms, placed a curse on him, condemning him to eternity of suffering. For three hundred and three years, Skiper-Zmey remains in an enchanted sleep, dead to the world. But as part of his punishment, every three hundred and three years, the Lord of Chaos awakens. He remembers his defeat and thrashes around in his coffin, trying to break free but always failing. After three days, exhausted and still chained, he falls back into his enchanted slumber.
So there you have it, a tale of gods, battles, and enchanted mountains.
Symbols and Amulets (Obereg) of Perun.
Perun has quite a few symbols and amulets, and the ancient Slavs believed that these amulets were connected to the power of the god of Thunder. Let's dive into the Perun's oberegs and their meanings.
Perun's ax. Whether it's decision-making, career glory, or success, this obereg is your go-to for boosting your resolve and achieving your goals.
Perunov Tsvet (flower), also known as the Flower of Fern. You need good luck in business, the strength to overcome obstacles, and protection from disasters and failures? Then this obereg is for you.
The Gromovnik. If you read The Storm Awakened, this was the obereg, Perun branded Declan Storm with. This symbol is all about bringing men's strength and honing military skills. It's a protector against evil, disasters, and the bad intentions of others. If you're looking to boost your resilience and safeguard yourself from negativity, the Gromovnik is your ally.
Perun's shield. This obereg has more of a protective function. With this shield, you can be confident in complete protection from all evil forces and negativity (magical and mundane 😉 ).
So, which obereg of Perun is the best suited for you?
References:
Enter the Salamanderverse, where magic and ancient myths are real, and things are not what they appear to be.
If you haven't done it yet, you can download "The Burns Path”, a prequel to the Fire Salamander Chronicles Urban Fantasy series, for FREE on my website. The events of this 49,000-word novella occur before the Burns Fire, and it can be read as a standalone book.
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