The Slavic people were the natives of regions in North Eastern Europe, such as Russia, Poland, Siberia and the like. Not surprisingly, they're myths focus on the weather, hunted animals and other natural phenomena. Their myths are more similar to those of other Europeans, though, which is not surprising considering the closer proximity.
Like the Norse, the Slavs believed in a structure called the World Oak. They saw heaven, or Svarga at the top, the human world, or Yav, around the trunk, and Hell at the roots. Note that Svarga, the Heaven, is also found in Hindu beliefs, the chief difference being that it is a repository for souls awaiting reincarnation there. They also believed in a three part world, consisting of Yav, the material, Nav, the ephemeral (which included the realms of the dead, the stars which were the souls of the dead, and Svarga), and Prav, the law of the universe. Prav is similar to the Laws of Physics, except there is a divine hand (usually thought to be the hand of Svarog) guiding them so the world will do what is good and proper.
In Slavic myths, the resting place of the dead wasn't particularly well guarded. The dead could get out. They took a number of different forms when they did. For example, the Ruskala is often shown as the soul of a woman murdered near a lake or pond. In some stories the creature can be sent on to its final rest if its murder is avenged. In others it is a vengeful creature and seeks to drown unwary passers by. The Wili are a sort of Slavic Vampire, the risen corpse of a betrothed girl who died before her wedding night. The Vila were spirits who enjoyed causing storms to assault unwary travelers and were also said to be the souls of dead girls. Finally, the Willa are shapeshifting souls of the dead who return to visit their relatives. They are not malevolent and are often given food and other small offerings.
The gods of the Slavic peoples are quite varied, and have many similarities to gods of other mythologies. Two of the more original gods are Chernobog, the Black god, and Byelbog, the White god. Their names, like the names of most entities in the Slavic myths, have a host of spellings. These two fight constantly, with losses and victories on each side. Chernobog generally vanquishes Byelbog on the winter solstice and rules the land in the barren months. Byelbog then returns and defeats Chernobog on the Summer Solstice and rules for the fertile months. Connected to this is Hurs, the god of the winter sun, who is killed on the equinox, only to rise again some time later. He is also a god of healing for this reason. Another god of the sun is Dazbog, who rides the chariot of the sun through the day, much like Apollo. Unlike his Greek counterpart, Dazbog ages from child to elder through each day. For a different take on Chernobog and Byelbog, read Neil Gaiman's American Gods. Actually that book is good for a different take on mythology in general, and highly recommended.
Choosing the supreme god of Slavic myth is difficult, simply because Slavic myth does not have an easily identifiable pantheon. In many myths, the ultimate creator god is Rod. He created all within the universe and set the law of Prav in place. His son is Svarog, a fire god, sometimes depicted as a great dragon. Unlike many mythologies, Svarog is venerated more as a creative force of fire, and a god of smiths. His wife, Mokosh is the goddess of fertility, home and hearth, and is credited with convincing Svarog to create humans by breathing life into an oak tree.
In many myths, however, the supreme god is Perun, the thunder god. He bears more than a superficial resemblance to the Norse Thor. Both gods have the Oak as their holy tree, both are gods of thunder and both are military gods as well. Perun seems to be more related to war than Thor is, and is seen as the progenitor of both stone and metal weapons among the Slavs. His wife, Dodola is more tied to the elements, being a rain goddess. She milks the clouds to make rain.
Perhaps the most famous myth of the Slavic peoples is Baba Yaga. She plays many roles in many different stories. When she isn't eating children, she's saving them from being lost in the woods. When she's not enslaving those of a pure heart, she helps them on their way with wise councel. Her name implies this duality, Baba meaning grandmother or wise woman, Yaga meaning evil woman, serpent or wrath. Her home is described as a hut on long chicken legs, sometimes with windows like eyes, and a mouth in the front. The legs aren't just for show, the hut can move and dance. Baba Yaga, however, generally travels by flying in a mortar, rowing it along with a pestle. Baba Yaga features in a myth of a girl and her wicked stepmother that bears strong resemblances to Cinderella.
If you'd like to learn more about Slavic myth, here are some good starting points.
http://www.mythinglinks.org/euro~east~panSlavic.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_mythologyhttp://web.raex.com/~obsidian/SlavPan.htmlhttp://free.bol.bg/slavpagan/tree.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/mabcosmic/polish/magic.html
Also come by the new Slavic Mythology forum and drop a line.
Rate and Review "Newsletter 18/10/04" #899486