Wahya Circle
Tuesday Travels
World Studies 101:
Русская земля
(Russia)
While the oldest endonyms are Rus' (Russian: Русь) and the Rus' land or Russian land (Russian: Русская земля), a new form of its name, Rusia or Russia, appeared in the 15th century, and became common thereafter. We will attempt to go even further back in history as we walk across this land.
Kamuy Mintara: Hokkaido, Garden of the Gods
Русская земля (RUSSIAN) TRADITIONAL BELIEFS
Traveling north again, we are compelled by a Divine force, or akasha thought, to double back up the Pacific Coast as it is the closest land mass to Australia. Through Dreamtime, we have already visited Alkebulan and Zhong Guo. We now travel past the Mongolian Empire into Northern Asia and into Russia. Modern historians say that the Finno-Ugric people were the first inhabitants of this land. Which means they came down from the North, the Arctic Circle. Many of our customs of “new magick” and fairytales descend from their civilization, such as veneration of the dead, the love of forests and villages, our endless patience and commonality, by oral tradition through what survives of Traditional Western Esotericism. Here is where we have our “first taste” of the world of Medicine and Magick that most of the Americas have been overrun with through social media. But, we will keep walking.
LAKE BAIKAL
As we round the Rim, pass the Nihon Jin, looking to our left, we see Lake Baikal. The history around Lake Baikal is a rich one. This lake is so large that it is often mistaken for a sea. It is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, and the largest freshwater lake by volume. Famous for its crystal clear waters and unique wildlife, the lake is continually under threat by pollution, poaching and development. Element Water is rich here as Lake Baikal contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve.
Lake Baikal has many mysteries, and new myth creations never cease. Of course, the main legend is the one of how Baikal came to be. One story, a Buryat legend. As told, a long time ago there had been a great earthquake. The ground opened up, and flames were raging from beneath. Over time, the spot filled with seemingly endless amounts of glacial water.
Another legend says that one evening at sunset, a fiery dragon came. A smash of his tail cracked Mother Earth, and his breath melted snow and ice on mountaintops. The water rushed down and filled the crack that became Lake Baikal. Flowers and trees sprouted everywhere, birds sang and animal roamed around the lake. Later, the giant, fiery, dragon went to sleep at the bottom of the lake. It is said, every 120 years the dragon would come out of the lake, and people would greet him with festivities. But a year came when people forgot about the Fiery Dragon, and in his wrath, he flooded everything with water. Nobody has not heard about the tale of the dragon ever since; Lake Baikal remained. (Remember how ingrained the talk of “dragon” was for Ancient Zhong Guo? All people share common history.)
Many other legends and stories surround this ancient body of water. Magickal people, Shamans, Cunning Men and Women from around the world visit this sacred place to this day. Some even say it is holier than any water of Jerusalem, as this water belongs to everyone, not to a single group of this planet. This water is Divine.
Beginning Pharmakeia
Karamatsu-sō
Thalictrum Aquilegifolium, L.
The Feather Columbine - Meadow Rue
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium is a species of flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family known by the common names Siberian columbine meadow-rue, columbine meadow-rue, French meadow-rue, and greater meadow-rue. Its native range extends through Europe and temperate Asia, with a naturalized distribution in North America limited to New York and Ontario.
MEDICINAL
The roots of this plant are eaten either raw or roasted and are said to cure pains in the stomach. They are very bitter to the taste, however, on occasions of stomach-ache, a decoction is made by steeping the roots in boiling water, and a good strong dose is taken.
This is said to work wonders. Should a person wound their hand when at work, or thrust some sharp object into their foot when walking through the forest, they can take the roots, chew them to a paste, and apply to the wounded part to prevent suppuration [Pus formation]. Some of the Ainu take the leaves of this herb, roll them between the hands to bruise and make them soft, and then plaster it over any part of the body where there should be an internal pain or discomfort.
MAGICKAL
This Magickal plant is a perennial self seeding plant found in fields and meadows. The Latin word for ‘eagle’ is ‘aquila’ which reflects the shape of the flower petals as they resemble an eagle’s claw. Columbine comes from the Latin word for ‘dove’ as the flower looks like five doves all sitting together. Although the plant corresponds to the Element of Water it works well with Air. It can be used in all Love Magick as it has the power of Venus attached to it. (Although not of this particular area, this flower is also a favorite with the world of Fae.) Carry the flower with you to bring courage. Add the flowers or seeds to your bathwater to help you gain clarity in a situation. Utilize both the leaves and flowers in any workings to dispel jealousy.
Columbine/Aquilegia Magickal Properties: Love, courage, faeries, clarity, jealousy Ruling planet – Venus Element – Water, Air Gender – Feminine
Russian Insight
What do you think of what you have learned so far? Do you continue to see a pattern throughout humanity as we travel? What do you think happened? As we are walking, do you ever wonder “why” so many people began to live out of harmony with nature? Is it really “just human nature” to be this way or did we lose our way for another reason?
What are your thoughts?
World Studies 101
Other Russian Natives
This area may also be included in the areas inhabited by the various other Finno-Ugric peoples. Their land is extensive: from Norway to the region of the Ob River in Siberia and southward into the Carpathian Basin in central Europe and Ukraine. The history of their geographic dispersion is based almost entirely on linguistic connections and shared traditions. The indigenous populations worshiped the forces of nature, personified as divinities, in sacred oak groves. (Sound familiar?) Their religious and cultural life is primarily known from the large body of folk songs, called dainos, of which have survived to this day.
The songs encompass the totality of human life in communion with nature and they reveal a strong sense of ethics amongst all humans. These songs show connection to many of the lands we have traveled and stories we have already leaned. Archaeological excavations complement this understanding.
Although this group of people covered many miles of land, just as the Mongols, much of this land was uninhabited by any particular group of hominids, early humans, for some time. This changed when those known with the skill set of “viking” set out to explore other lands.
Until then, the Slavic tribes were divided into three branches - southern, western and eastern.
SOUTH
The tribal groups known as the Serbs settled inland of the Dalmatian coast in an area extending from what is today eastern Herzegovina, across northern Montenegro, and into southeastern Serbia. Serbia is a part of the South Slavic sub-group of Slavic. Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Slovene are also South Slavic language groups.
The South Slavs, which are those people who live in what is now called Bosnia and the areas called Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.
WEST
The West Slavs, include those living in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.
EAST
The East Slavs, which include those living in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.
Beginning Crystalium
Kamuikotan Stones
Ceremonial Stone
These jet black and dark green Kamuikotan stones are from the Hokkaido province and have been well known amongst Suiseki and garden stone enthusiasts since the Meiji era. They are found in various forms, some with a smooth surface while others have a rugged appearance. Some of the best have circular depressions formed by centuries of wear from fast river water flowing in tight circular patterns on the stones, as all energy flows in this way.
These stones were and are collected along the upper half of the Ishikari River, the longest river in Hokkaido, in an area known as Kamuikotan.
AINU
This name originates with the indigenous Ainu people who lived in northern Nippon, Japan, prior to its development and the land was taken. It is a combination of two words—Kamui (diety) and kotan (village) or “a village where a deity lives in the Ainu language.
These basalt and serpentinite stones mixed with the minerals chert and jasper are likely what account for many of the dark reddish stones found in the Kamuikotan region. (Any stone removed from this area can be called a Kamuikotan stone. But, removing stones from this land is NOT advised.)
CORRESPONDENCES
This Stone Ally provides us with the inner strength and the courage that we need to face up to changes.
It also aids in meditation and enhances spiritual exploration. Assists the retrieval of wisdom, memory and lost items, as well as the regaining of memory of past lives. Kamuykotan stones also help clear the chakras and stimulates the crown chakra, opening psychic abilities. Improves humor and has a calming influence. Helps redirect energy and is a stone of protection and healing.
Another Magick this Stone Ally contains is the ability to enhance serenity and bring peaceful sleep. When found with a majority of Stone Ally Jasper, it is known as the “supreme nurturer”, as it sustains and supports through times of stress, and brings tranquility and wholeness. The Jasper it contains helps to provide protection and absorb negative energy. It also balances yin and yang. All in all, it is a VERY powerful stone and highly prized.
Deities of Earth 101
Lost Tribes - Ainu
The Ancient Ainu people, known as Ezo in Japan, stretched from Nippon, north and around, to and through the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk and beyond. Some have dated it to the Jōmon period 14,000 to 300 years Before Common Era. One of their Yukar Upopo, or legends, tells us that “the Ainu lived in this place a hundred thousand years before the Children of the Sun came". Their land was called "Ainu Mosir"—peaceful land of humans. Sadly, this rich history did not solidify their place, no matter how old it it.
CULTURAL GENOCIDE
In 1899, the Japanese government passed an act labeling the Ainu as "former aborigines", taking their heritage away from them, which has been done to native, “First Nation”, and Aborigine tribes the world over. The Japanese did this with the idea they would assimilate the people, adding to their numbers, beating out an ever expanding Russian nation. This resulted in the Japanese government taking the land where the Ainu people lived and placing it under Japanese control. Also at this time, the Ainu were granted automatic Japanese citizenship, effectively denying them the status and recognition of an indigenous group.
As of 2015, the North Kuril Ainu of Zaporozhye form the largest Ainu subgroup in Russia. The Nakamura clan (South Kuril Ainu on their paternal side), the smallest group, numbers just six people. Today, many Ainu have integrated and assimilated to Japanese culture so much that most do not know their genetic lineage without testing.
KAMUY
According to Elder Ainu, spirits reside in all natural objects. Ainu regarded natural phenomena that are useful to life, including flora and fauna, as well as daily life Elements such as Fire, Water, living implements and forces beyond human control like the weather, as kamuy, and they continue to pay homage to them. The Ainu word kamuy is often translated into “Kami (gods)” or “Hotoke (spirits)” in Japanese. Although the word kamuy may have some resemblance to the Japanese “Kami” or “Hotoke,” the word does not completely correspond to the translation. (Just as trying to define “dreamtime” in Australia. There is not literal translation in ancient language.)
Ideas of kamuy vary with regions and individuals. It has been commonly said that kamuy are fire, water, sun, moon, flora and fauna. Some kamuy are thought to cause diseases, earthquakes, thunder and other natural phenomena. In addition to these naturally occurring kamuy, man-made implements – boats, hearth hooks, mortar and mallets – are also believed to be kamuy, as they are considered magickal tools.
Ainu believe that there are additive kamuy who bring blessings to humans, and there are also subtractive kamuy with powers whom humans cannot match coming to the human world. For example, the purpose of the Smallpox-causing kamuy coming to human villages is to spread the deadly diseases. That’s its “job” so to speak. Until the mission has been fulfilled, the kamuy never go back to their world. What is more, humans must treat destructive storms and thunder as kamuy with veneration.
AINU PRAYER
The Ainu also believe prayer to be beneficial as kamuy would visit again and acting in this reverent way would send them back to their world by addressing gratitude and offerings. Offerings such as a sacred shaved stick, home-brewed liquor, dumplings and dried salmon, all of which are kamuy. The kamuy that have received a prayer of gratitude then tell their families about the hospitality offered by humans. By doing so, other kamuy, as well as the said kamuy, supposedly wish to visit the human world where humans courteously worship them and they were pleased.
The culture of the Ainu is rich and further documentation can be found in various institutions of higher learning. Their traditions were strong, despite being assimilated into another.
Tuesday WM2
General - Journal - Book of Shadows
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