Romuva

Romuva is a polytheistic, pantheistic religious movement derived from the traditional mythology of the Lithuanians, attempting to reconstruct the religious rituals of the Lithuanians. Part of the Baltic Paganism, it claims to continue Baltic indigenous religious traditions which survived in folklore, customs and superstition.

Pantheism
Though the conception of divinity in the old Lithuanian religion is currently debated, the majority of scholars suggest that Lithuanians had a pantheistic concept to their religion. This concept had to include the following:
 * recognition of a single Divine Being (Dievas), that is the core entity of the Universe.
 * recognition of multiple divine beings (dievaičiai - sons of Dievas), that are on a different level of the main God or, in other words, hypostases of the single God.
 * recognition of direct participation of the single God in lower levels in the shape of lower beings (manifestations of the single God).
 * The known later sources give an exclusively human shape to the God, but it may be a limitation added by Christianity.

Feminine Deities
The pantheon of Lithuania was formed during thousands of years by merging pre-Indo-European and Indo-European traditions. The majority of the original Baltic paganism deities were considered feminine, for example, the the most important deity being Žemyna (Mother Earth), although in later times, especially during the formation of warrior social class, they gave way for traditionally masculine deities such Perkūnas (Thunder God).

Sanctity of Nature
Nature worship was an integral part of Baltic Paganism. Ancient Balts believed the world to be universally alive. They understood life in a much broader way than just biological life.

Ancestor Worship
Ancestor worship was an integral part of Baltic Paganism.

Suicidal Tendencies
In the past, it was customary for high-ranking priests kriviai to sacrifice oneself by self-immolating at an old age. This practice extended to ordinary priests vaidilos and their servants. In general, there is some evidence that suicide was socially accepted among ancient Lithuanians.

Morality
Ancient Lithuanians held a strict moral code and values such as modesty, fairness, chastity, delicacy, bravery, honour and loyalty were among the most important moral priorities.

One of the key principles is called Darna (similar to Dharma in Indian mythology) - an idea that there is harmony in the world, but it is not constant, it tends to weaken and disappear, so it is necessary maintain it by doing good deeds. It is human nature to seek, protect and maintain harmony.

Afterlife
Dausos or Dangus (Sky) is the home of good souls. Dausos is on a high mountain, between two rivers. There are golden apple-trees in the Dausos garden. Day in the garden is perpetual but outside its confines is perpetual night. Master of Dausos is Vėjopatis (Lord of the wind) or Vėjas (Wind) who is also one of the oldest gods in Lithuanian mythology. Vėjas is identical to Vayu of Hinduism. Auštaras and Vėjopatis are keepers of Dausos 's gates. While Auštaras shows the way for good souls, Vėjas (Vėjopatis) blows bad souls into oblivion.

Practice
As Balts did not have any codification of religious duties or practices, the norms used to greatly vary over time. Each individual is free to pursue any type of worship he wants, bearing in mind that it is not contrary to Romuva's moral values.

Human sacrifices, especially child sacrifices, were strictly forbidden and considered taboo in ancient Lithuanian society. Despite that, there are some recorded instances of war prisoners being sacrificed in small amounts.

[[file:Wikipedia.png]] Wikipedia

 * [[file:Wikipedia.png]] Romuva