Introduction to Slovenian Mythology

by Dr. Jožko Šavli

The column Slovenian Mythology (Slovensko bajeslovje) on our website was introduced for two reasons. Firstly, because the individuality of our Slovenian mythology in pre-Christian Carantania (Slovenia) has been ignored by the academicians and, consequently, also by the school apparatus and the mass media. According to their view, the original Slav gods have been identical to the Russian ones. Therefore, they simply adduced the Russian deities as those of the Slovenian pagan belief.

Actually, there are no traces of »Slav« (Russian) deities in the Slovenian people's tradition. If any traces of pagan pantheons are ever found, they rather depict parallels to the pagan world of the Polabians (Elbe Slavs) and the Pomeranians, who, like the Slovenians, are direct descendants of the ancient Veneti (Vends, Sloveneti). Anyway, the historical and social, as well as the mythological development of these people have been different. Therefore, the Polabian - Pommeranian gods, first attested in the 12th century AD, cannot be merely copied and introduced in the historic non-attested Slovenian pagan pantheon. This, for example, quoted already the well-known Slovenian writer Anton Tomaž Linhart in 1791. However, it was at the beginning of the Slovenian National Awakening.

Secondly, it is true that the records do not mention Carantanian pagan gods. But it was quite natural, that after Christianization (after 750 AD) many symbols and elements of the pre-Christian period continued to be present in people's life. They were in particular connected to the veneration of Saints. Thus, they reflected values of humanity and did not oppose the Christian doctrine itself. Moreover, they corresponded to the general Christian symbolism (water, stone, etc.).

The anti-Christian, or better said, the anti-Catholic policy, which, after the WW1, the Yugoslav regime wrongly directed against the Slovenian Christian tradition, stressed in particular the »dignity« of ancient paganism, which should have been suppressed under »forced« Christianization. The regime, in particular the ex-Communist party, would like to »burden« the Catholic Church with attempts of violent Christianization of the Slovenian people.

In this connection, Christianization should have meant a »yoke«, imposed by the »German« missionaries and their masters upon the Slovenians. After the WW2, in Communist Yugoslavia, the Theological Faculty of Lublana should have addressed such a version perhaps. More then ever do I remember the words of Prof. France Perko: »still today one can see on Slovenians, that they received Christianity as enslaved people« (lecture, Draga, Opcine 1980). But nothing similar is quoted in the historical records.

An easy demonstrable falsification! From a much later period, for example, the records quote the following case. In 1331, a certain De Glugia from Cividale (Cedad) in capacity of an inquisitor organized a »crusade« against the inhabitants of Kobarid, in the upper Soca (Isonzo) Valley, where the spring under a tree should have been »idolized«. But in this case it is quite doubtful, that it was about the remains of true paganism. Thus, the tree and the water found as symbols in the Slovenian popular tradition, are also Christian symbols. It was probably about an act, whereby the participants had to prove themselves to the people, in order to gain their respect.

After Christianization, the ancient values continued to be present in the people's tradition among Slovenians. Therefore, the presentation of Slovenian Mythology, in a particular the rubric in Carantha, as far as it can be reconstructed, certainly does not have the purpose to praise once more the ancient »ideal« pagan world. On the contrary, it should call attention to the great spiritual world, found in the cultural tradition of Slovenians. It is very probable, that these spiritual values were decisive for their survival in modern times.

~~~~~

Mythology of Venets

by Dr. Jožko Šavli

Nikolaj Mihajlov, the Russian professor, who teaches at the University of Udine (Friuli, Italy), also introduced the question of Slovenian mythology in his interview for Lublana's Daily Newspaper "Delo" (30.5.01), where he stated: "it is very rich". However, this "richness" he does not specify in any way, but he quotes the following:

"I think that the Slovenian mythological tradition retained some very archaic lines on the basis of which we can also reconstruct some fragments of the common Slav mythology. Nowadays the main concern in mythological explorations is in the reconstruction of what originated before the Slavic people were Christianized. Some people are looking at the scientific reconstruction of the Slovenian mythology with great skepticism just because they have such a vast number of unbelievable mythological and also ethno-genealogical, but of course, imaginative theories. I would rather not talk about Venets . . ."

That he would rather not talk about Venets, is understandable for someone who is teaching at a university that is financed by Rome. Because of the financial structures in Italy, all the branches of humanity studies are tuned only to the ancient Romans, Latins and Italians, and represent, even if unofficially, the ideology of the state. Professor Mihajlov is obviously not game to confront this ideology with the discoveries of Venets. In this way he skips over to the supposed 'Old Slavs', that he does not name directly, for this would be too banal. He only points to the existence of an 'all-Slav' Pantheon. This one in fact does not exist and it never existed. However, for Slovenians, Pan-Slavism also builds its propaganda about our ancestors, 'the Ancient Slavs' in this imaginary pantheon, which is merely an ideological and academic edifice. Next the people were emotionally fired up, especially by author Franc Finžgar with his passionate novel, "Pod svobodnim soncem" (Under the Free Sun), that was intended for the wider public and ordinary intellectuals. That is generally how the misconception entered the Slovenian mind. It also influenced greatly, probably even decisively, the interests of Slovenian semi-intellectuals towards the great Slavic Russia, from where they later also accepted communism, under the brotherly coat of grand pan-Slavism.

The consequences of this Pan-Slavic romanticism is such that in our schools today still, a false 'Slavic' pantheon, that has the Russian deity at its stern, is taught: Perun, Dažbog, Svarog, Veles, naturally Morana and others. All these presumed 'common' deities that were wrenched away from Carantanians (Slovenians) "with fire and sword" by the German missionaries, are still today one of the fundamental components of the regime's (government's) ideology based on old liberalism, anti-Christianity, Pan-Slavism and Yugo-Slavism. Even though there is not the faintest trace of them with Slovenians, and they cannot be juggled, even scientifically. But, with Slovenians it is just the opposite. We find traces of ancient Venetic deities, and professor Mihajlov is obviously aware of them.

The truth is that Belin, god of light and sun remained in the Slovenian memory up to the present. Quite understandably we do not find their catchwords in the Slovenian encyclopedia that is still written in the frame of the Yugoslav and Pan-Slavic ideology. However, the first Slovenian opera (1780) that is now lost, was already named 'Belin'. He was also the principal deity of ancient Noricum. Alongside him, as the mother of the land, was the deity Norea. The god of war in Noricum was Latobius. Roman sources also contain reports about these deities. Although, Triglav, god of the universe, is not mentioned in them, yet, archeological excavations also contain this evidence. Linhart specifically mentions him in his history (1791). Kresnik, who shows certain parallels with the Indian Krishna (similarly with some other deities: Agni, Yama, Vishnu), and with it the ancient Venetic base has not yet been scientifically examined.

Belin (Belenus) was the protector of ancient Aquileia, even during the Roman period. The fact that he remained in Slovenian memory could be partly explained by the fact that he was, in the early Christian period, in at least some of the regions, likened to Christ, obviously in the image of 'The Sun, the Redeemer' (Sol Salutis). In the vicinity of Galjano near Cividale (Cedad), a little church has been preserved until now, that is consecrated to St. Belin.

In Greek scriptures a story about Fetonte has been preserved, obviously Venetic, even though he is presented as the son of Zeus. Zeus has thrown him into an amber river because in his sunny yoke (sun's carriage??), he came too close to the earth and could have burned it. The sisters buried him and mourned him, and their tears turned into the River Jantar. The River Eridan is presumed to be the present River Po, yet it is more likely that it was the River Isonzo (Soca, Slovenia) because the path of River Jantar finishes at its mouth there, near Aquileia.

These are only some of the concrete facts that were suppressed in the above-mentioned interview. It is quite possible that the Yugoslav-oriented newspaper 'Delo', even though it is constantly endeavoring to be printed on 'democratic paper', would not have even published the interview with the Russian professor if he had actually spoken of the ancient Slovenian and naturally the Venetic pantheon. This was certainly necessary, so that it would not influence the awakening of consciousness, of obviously veiled Slovenian lambs. Such an intention naturally does not reflect science, but only the totally clear Pan-Slavic ideology that cannot be accepted by everyone uncritically.

Dogana

The Goddess of Dawn

She was also spinning the thread of life


	by Dr. Jožko Šavli


	(September 30, 2008)

Modern illustration of Morning Star,

which symbolizes the Goddess of Dawn and Morning.

The Carantanian-Slovenian mythological researches were fatally influenced by the pan-Slav ideology. In sense of its interpretation, the Slav »predecessors« of Carantania should have settled the Eastern Alps, this is, ancient Noricum and Carantania (today's modern Austria and Slovenia) in the 6th century AD. Supposedly, this is the period of migration from their original homeland behind the Carpathian Mountains (Russia), leading over the Balkans. Consequently, the pagan pantheon of Carantanians - Slovenians should have been identical with the »all-Slav Pantheon« of the Russians.

The existence of such a »Slav« pantheon is quoted by mythologists, mostly of Russian origin, who are teaching at universities and other academic institutions in Europe and America. They simply equate the early Russian people's tradition and its myth with a common Slav mythology that includes also the none-Slavs. In fact, the »Slavs« are an academic construct imagined on base of the Slav linguistic family.

There are no historical documents confirming the arrival of the supposed »Old Slavs« in the Eastern Alps, which should have taken place in the 6th century AD. Neither in an indirect way by ethnological factors, nor, as in our case, by mythological similarities between Slovenians and Russians. A false "Slavic" pantheon, that has Russian deities at its stern, like Perun, Veles, Makoš, Morana etc., which should have existed in the one-time Slovenian pagan belief, is an easily demonstrable error, or better said, a forgery, due to the pan-Slav and south-Slav ideology.


	Aurora (Eos) and Usha, the Roman (Greek) and the Indian Goddess of Dawn.

In the pre-Christian period, Carantania had its proper deities, which were inherited from the natives of Noricum, the Roman province in the Eastern Alps. The Noricans belonged to the great people of the Vends (Veneti), who in the pre-Celtic period settled Central Europe.

Several Norican deities, like Noreia, Latobius, Belin (Belenos) had also an honourable place in the great Roman pantheon. Others were only worshiped by the Norican people and entered later the pantheon of Carantania. One of them was the Goddess of Dawn.

The Morning Goddess

In classic mythology, the Goddess of Dawn was identical with Eos, a Greek goddess, which appears in the Roman pantheon under the name Aurora. She was considered a sister of the Sun and the Moon. Eos, or Aurora, was the successor of the very ancient deity of pre-Arian (pre-Indo-European) origin. She still exists in the pantheon of modern India and bears the name Usha, which literally means »dawn«. In the Rig Veda her image symbolizes the break of dawn and she warns the people that it is time for preparing the fields and do everyday shores.

In the Slovenian (Carantanian) people's tradition there are some traces, that she once also ranked among other ancient deities. Her symbol was the morning star, Danica - in Slovenian. Nothing else could have personified her more in the very remote period. But after Christianization, this personification was certainly erased from the people's mind. I think, her shape was associated with the Guiding Star, which led to the Three Kings. It is the only symbolic star that has been preserved in the memory of Carantanian – Slovenians.

The symbolic Dioscuri, the Gemini constellation

consisting of the twin heroes Castor and Pollux,

which in Slovenian saga present the young king (kraljic mlad),

that eloped with their sister Zora (Dawn).

It is quite possible that in Carantania the Goddess of Dawn was Zora, literally meaning »the dawn«. This name has been preserved in one of the popular Slovenian ballads called »Young Zora« (Mlada Zora). Its contents is as follows:

Zora was guarded by her two brothers in a high castle. One day, when she leaned out the window, the young king (kraljic mlad) came to escort her to his castle. Because her brothers kept watch, she used her powerful spell: By putting a magic root under her tongue, she would appear dead and be buried in the castle vault. Then the youg king would return and remove the root from under her tongue. She would then wake and he would take her with him to his castle. When her brothers found out, they went to find her. In the ensuing fight, the young king was struck and died.

In this story, Zora is certainly a personification of dawn, or better said, the morning goddess. The »young king« could only have been Jarnik, the God of Spring. The »brothers« present in general the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), the Gemini constellation, which appears towards the end of May. Then, with the arrival of summer, the spring deities, like Jarnik, Zora and Vesna bid farewell.

Dogana

In another Slovenian fairy tale, the Goddess of Dawn bears the name Dogana. In modern Slovenia, her significance is not known anymore. This legend is also a love story, which unfolds as follows:

Once upon a time, there lived the Green Hunter. He always returned laden with rich booty from the mountains and even captured a golden roe-deer, the greatest value that the forest could give. Thus, the mermaid Dogana loved him for that. She dwelt beside the sea and every morning she herded the small sheep to the mountain meadows. However, the Green Hunter fell in love with the daughter of a mighty king, who demanded to bring him the golden roe-dear. Otherwise, he would be beheaded. The Green Hunter entered the forest and waited for Dogana, but on this very day, because of dense fog, she did not bring her small sheep out to pasture. He knew that he could not fulfill the king's wish and threw himself into the precipice.

The golden roe-deer was a sacred animal and a messenger of deities.

The meaning of the mermaid's name is most likely connected to the very ancient pre-Semitic root *D-h »to turn relatively visible« (Möller). The consonant h is often equated with g, thus *D-g, from which, I think, the name Dogana originates. The pre-Semitic period is equal to the pre-Indo-European period (before 2000 BC). Thus, irrespectively of the fact that Dogana is only a mermaid in this fairy tale, she must be considered a goddess of very ancient origin, as in the case of Živa.

Her name has been preserved until this very day, although its meaning has been lost. In the tale, the small sheep are evidently fleecy white clouds. What is the meaning of the Green Hunter? He is the man, who dared to pursue the golden roe, a sacred animal, which was the messenger of divinities. Therefore, the Green Hunter was sentenced.

Candlemas

At one time, the Goddess of Dawn celebrated a proper feast day. It was held in February, this is the month of the approaching Spring, when the break of dawn begins earlier. In this month the ancient Roman world celebrated the feast of Lights. On this day, crowds of people with burning torches marched through the streets and praised the return of the morning light.

On February 2nd, the Church pays tribute to the feast of Mary's Purification, generally known as Candlemas. In Slovenian tradition, it is called Svecnica (pron. svetchnitsa), after »sveca« (candle). It is quite possible that the candle was a symbol of the very ancient Goddess of Dawn. Nowadays, she is already immemorial and has fallen into oblivion, but her symbol, the candle, has been preserved in the people's customs.

The candle was a symbol of the ancient Goddess of Dawn.

Later it became a Christian symbol.

At several sites in Slovenia, for example in Styria, there was a custom called cuckanje (pron. tchutchkanye), which draws some of its elements from pre-Christian times and has been celebrated until recently. First, candles would be consecrated at Candlemas, after service they would be taken home and a lighted candle would be placed in each and every window of the house. A small replica of a church would be lowered over the burning candle, as it was believed to have »protective powers and to scare away evil spirits« in the coming year. Also bedding, sheets, shirts... would be blessed with consecrated candles...

In other places, like in Velika Nedelja (Styria), cuckanje was observed in a very special way. Standing completely still, one is counting how many times he will be circled by a lighted candle, carried by another person, before the flame will be blown out by the breeze. The years of his life span should equate to the number that he had counted.

It is about a custom of »time counting«. In India, the goddess Usha is counting time. The flame of the candle represents the human life: As long as it is burning, life lasts, when the flame burns out, life stops. The Goddess of Dawn was spinning the thread of life and apportioned it to men. Therefore, since times immemorial human imagination is influenced by her in so many ways.

This is also confirmed by the root of her prehistoric name Dogana, her Slovenian appellative. The Goddesses Živa (life) and Dogana (life span) played the most important role in the fate of mankind.

Related articles: Živa and Jarnik

Vesna

The Goddess of Spring


	She left her traces in the Slovenian folklore

A picture of Vesna in the modern imagination

by Dr. Jožko Šavli, (September 25, 2008)

When I was doing my research paper on Carantanian mythology, I could not find any direct traces to the Goddess of Spring, who appears in the Slav world under the well-known name Vesna. Since her name emerged among other former deities, I thought at first that she was one of the goddesses imported to Slovenia by the advocates of the pan-Slav (Russian) ideology. She is very well attested in Russian and Ukraine folklore. But in the people's tradition of Slovenia (Carantania), her name and shape cannot be found.

In Noricum, the Roman province, which preceded Carantania, there are no leads in the search for an indigenous goddess of spring. Neither could I establish a connection between her and the veneration of her Roman double the ancient Flora, which was foremost the Goddess of Flowers. Her day of celebration was called Floralia. It was held in April and in early May and symbolized the renewal of the cycle of life, marked with dancing, drinking, and wearing flowers. Flora was married to Favonius, the wind god, and her companion was Hercules. Due to her association with plants, her name in modern English also means plant life. Flora was depicted by the Romans wearing light spring clothing, holding small bouquets of flowers, sometimes crowned with blossoms.

Flora, the Roman Goddess of Flowers

According to the well-known ethnologist Pavle Zablatnik (Celovec – Klagenfurt), the Day of St. Florian took over the role of Flora. His feast day is May 4th, which is very close to the Roman festival of Flora, marked with wreaths of flowers and many processions from April 28 to May 3.

Anyway, such a supposition is not justifiable. Normally, the Goddess of Spring appears at the beginning of the season, this is, in March. Furthermore, she does not reflect on male but on female principles, this is fertility. Therefore, St. Florian could have taken over only the role of Kresnik (fire). Indeed, this day is associated with fire, boys go around with torches, it symbolizes the power of the sun, that gives warmth to the earth and therewith life to nature.

Was Vesna, or similar goddesses of spring under different names, already an important deity in the pantheon of the ancient Vends (Veneti), who at one-time populated Central Europe? In the people's tradition of the territory, what is now Germany, there are no traces of her. So, when the German mythology was reconstructed in the 19th century, the well-know Jacob Grimm († 1863) discovered a paper from Beda Veneabilis (673 – 735). Beda says, the name Easter (Ostern, in German) originates from the goddess Eostrae. From this name, so Grimm, should also derive Eostur, the old-high-German name for April.


	Ostara


	the Goddess of Spring


	in German mythology


	(as imagined by Jacob Grimm)

In this way Ostara, the probably German goddess of Spring, was reconstructed, which is now enumerated in the Germanic pantheon. Her feast day should coincide with the feast of Easter. The patriotic fantasy ascribed to her also the role of the goddess of Aurora and the incorporation of sunrise, etc.

In Carantania – Slovenia

In the Slovenian people's narrative we encounter the name Vesna in form of Vesina. She was the sister of Kresnik (fire, sun) and lived in castle Vurberk (Wurmberg, Kacjak) near Maribor. One time, when Kresnik was away from home, an enormous dragon clung to the castle walls and tried to besiege the fortress. But Kresnik came back in time and defeated the monster. Then he married Vesina and they lived happily ever after.

In this story, the dragon represents the winter, which is defeated by the power of the sun (Kresnik). Now, that spring (Vesna) has been freed, the fertile season of the year can start its life cycle.

Another Slovenian story tells of high mountains where the fairies, called Vesne, live in beautiful palaces. They descend into the valley only in February and drive around in wooden chariots. Therefore, this month is called Vesnar.

Both stories testify, that at one-time Vesna, the goddess of spring, existed in the Carantanian – Slovenian pantheon, too. I think, she was also found in the pantheon of the ancient Vends. We do not know exactly, why she disappeared. It is possible that she was replaced by Maya (the goddess of May), who coincides very well with Flora. However, apart of the two stories found in the Slovenian people's tradition, Vesna left other traces behind during her presence in the Slovenian pantheon.

The Butara

In the above story Vesna appears as Kresnik's sister. But in the people's tradition she has no shape, even though she has been portrayed in such a form in modern illustrations. She is simply a conception of Spring.

In Slovenia, without calling her by name, she is still very much alive in folklores. At one-time, she certainly had her proper feast day, which after Christianization was probably associated with Palm Sunday, called Cvetna nedelja (Flower Sunday) in Slovenian.

On this Sunday, young people bring bunches of green boughs (in Littoral palm boughs) to the benediction in the church, which are nicely decorated with flowering branches and other greenery. They are small works of arts which are also called butara (bundle), and at several Slovenian sites the butara is quite high. For example, in the valley of Rož (Rosental), in Carinthia, it measures up to 6 meters in height - a real masterpiece.

Examples of the large and the small »butara« (bundle)

which represent Vesna, the ancient Goddess of Spring.


	However, in Slovenia her name has been forgotten long ago.

In some parts of Slovenia, the butara is known under the name of presnec or begànca, which means pieces of bread. Indeed, tiny slices of cut bread were tied to the butara. It was a symbolic warning that spring has arrived and fields had to be ploughed. The act signified the hope for a good harvest and plenty of bread.

The green boughs of the Slovenian butara, which have been blessed in church, were used in people's customs for many occasions. For example, when a storm approached in summer, dried boughs of butara were burnt and the smoke was let out into the open air, as to prevent damage to properties and crops. On the holy evening before Christmas, New Year and Epiphany, dried and blessed boughs of butara were placed on embers in a container and carried through house and stall, so that the smoke would penetrate all rooms and protect people and animals from danger.

Anyway, it is interesting to know, that in Rož valley the boughs of the butara had to be tied with willow. Indeed, at one-time, the willow-tree was consecrated to Vesna. In the Ukraine, for example, Palm Sunday is still today precisely called Willow Sunday and the boys symbolically beat the girls with willow switches. The switch is a symbol of fertility.

The willow flowers, the »macice«, in full bloom was the first pasture for bees and insects, which in the past played an important role in the economy. Thus, the honey was of a unique sweet alimentation.

Flowers of the willow-tree, »macice« in Slovenian,

were used among the shiny green leaves of the butara.

What does the name Vesna literally mean? The very ancient root *au-means »to dawn« (Möller). From it, with a prefix, derives the Latin word ver (spring). It refers to the period, when the break of dawn comes earlier. The name of the Roman cemetery called Campo Verano evidently reflects the very ancient faith of the resurrection of the souls in a new spring. From the same root derives the name ves(na), consonants like r and s are often changing. Thus, the name Vesna means exactly that: Spring.

It is possible that in ancient times, even though it reflected a female principle, it was never personified in a female figure. It was simply experienced as an awakening of nature, symbolized by early flowers and willow-trees.

Related articles: Maya, Kresnik

Noreia and Carontan

The Mother Goddess and the Father God of Noricum
and of the later Carantania

Noreia statue from Roman times and the Carontan, today's Korant

which is still present in Slovenian folklore.

by Dr. Jožko Šavli, August 22, 2008

Carantania, mentioned in the historical sources for the first time as »provincia Sclaborum« in 595 AD (Paul Deakon), was a Slovenian State of the early Middle Ages. Its predecessor was Noricum, the ancient kingdom situated in the Eastern Alps, in the area of present-day Austria and partly in Slovenia, which appears already in ca. 200 BC. In 16 BC, Noricum, out of its own free will, associated with the Roman Empire. Therefore, it preserved its autonomy and its aboriginal social structure. It never was considered an occupied nation of the Romans.

Under Diocletian, the Roman province Noricum was divided into two provinces:

Noricum ripense and Noricum mediterraneum.

In pre-Roman times, the Kingdom of Noricum included the territory of the towns

Carnuntum, Scarabantia, Svaria and Petovio, in nearby Pannonia.

Noricum mediterraneum or Inner Noricum after the decline of the Roman Empire,

the province from which originated Carantania (Sclaunia, Slovenia) of the early Middle Ages.

At the beginning, it attained the status of a kingdom. Under Emperor Claudius (41 – 54 AD) Noricum became an imperial province and later a normal province. Under Emperor Diocletian (284 – 315 AD) it was divided into two provinces, the first one was called: Noricum mediterraneum (Inner Noricum, Binnen Noricum) with the chief town Virunum in present-day Carinthia (north of Klagenfurt – Celovec). This province was the predecessor of medieval Carantania. The second province was called Noricum ripense (Ufer Noricum) with the chief town Lauriacum (now Lorsch near Linz, Upper Austria). It was the predecessor of Bavaria. Around 730, because of constant attacks of the Avars from Pannonia, Bavarians transferred their chief town to Regensburg (ancient Ratisbona) in the ancient province of Vindelicia, which in this way assumed the name Bavaria and maintained it until this very day.

The peoples of Norici and Vindelici, the predecessors of Carantanians (Slovenians) and today's Germanized Bavarians, pertained to the ancient people of the Vends (Veneti). Thus, in their social tradition we find many similarities in spite of diverse languages spoken today (German and Slovenian). The similarities are really striking in the people's tradition. Not last but least, there are elements of pre-Christian belief, i.e. in mythology.

Distortions on behalf of ideology

In modern times, the prehistoric and historic legacy of ancient Noricum became a prey of ideological movements of pan-German and pan-Slav aspirations. Both of them negate the existence of the ancient Vends, the prehistoric people of Central Europe and their substrate, who, although they spoke different languages, above all Germanic, have been preserved until this very day.

It is evident, that in prehistoric times the peoples of Central Europe and in particular those of Noricum, cannot be ascribed to the ancient Germans. Therefore, Austrian and German scholars quote, that they were of Celtic origin and that the Germans are the heirs of their culture.

Pan- Slav ideologists, too, address the Celtic ethnicity of the ancient Noricans. The presence of Carantanians (Slovenians) in the Eastern Alps, they explain with the settlement of the »Alpine Slavs« in this territory as early as 568 AD. A migration current of Southern Slavs should have arrived from their supposed ancient homeland behind the Carpathian Mountains (in Russia) across the Balkans.

Ulrichsberg – Šenturška gora, the ancient Mons Carantanus (1015 m) in Carinthia (Austria),
the one-time central sacred mountain of Carantania.

It is about official explanations, by which the prehistoric and historic existence of the ancient Germans and Slavs undergoes a prolonged ideology until nowadays. It's only purpose is to maintain ideological empires and not the research of historical accuracy. Consequently, traces of ancient gods in the one time Carantania, Carinthia (Austria) are considered »Celtic«. In the Slovenian people's tradition ideologists are trying to identify »Slav« (Russian) deities, like Perun, Dažbog, Stribog, Veles, Morana etc. They, too, should have been adopted from the hinterland of the Carpathian Mountains.

It is amusing to read their highly »scientific« studies, which are serving the regime that is financing them, and which dictates these ideological explanations in order to distort historical and cultural facts, that do not fit their interpretation.

During my research I realized that, in pre-Christian times (before 750 AD), the Carantanians worshiped neither Celtic nor Germanic or Slavic (Russian) deities. There are no traces in the Slovenian (Carantanian) people's tradition, that lead back to these deities. Carantanians were an autochthon people, the successors of the ancient Vends, respectively, the Vendic Noricans. The deities of ancient Noricum quite naturally passed over in silence in the posterior Carantania. There is proof enough in the people's tradition of Slovenians and today's German speaking Alpine population, in myths, legends and stories.

Mons Carantanus

In Carinthia (Austria), the centre of ancient Carantania, the Four-Mountain pilgrimage has been preserved until this very day. It was a tradition inherited from the pre-Christian period, which, too, is considered of »Celtic« origin. In the Christian era, churches were built on the summits of the four mountains, and the procession was given a Christian character.

One of these sacred mountains had a central meaning, because during the pagan era it was a place of worship for the goddess mother of the land and the god father of its people. This mountain rises North of Klagenfurt - Celovec, the modern chief-town of Carinthia. Today it is called Ulrichsberg (1015 m) or Šenturška gora, in Slovenian. It got its present-day name from St. Ulrich church (now a ruin), which was built in ca. 1497 AD. Until then, it was called Kernberg (Krnska gora, in Slovenian), or Mons Carantanus, in Latin documents, literally meaning: Carantanian Mountain. It was the central mountain of ancient Carantania, and evidently its main sacred mountain.

Ulrichsberg – Šenturška gora (1015 m). Pilgrims o