October 31st is not only Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve and Samhain. It’s also Veles’s Night in Slavic folklore. And it’s not just costumes and candy. It’s when five powerful deities meet at the crossroads to mark winter’s arrival. Think magic, rituals, and a night charged with ancient energy.
The story of Veles’s night is deeply rooted in Slavic folklore and mostly passed down orally through generations. So, here’s what you need to know about this night:
October 31: When Slavic Deities Gather
According to Slavic lore, on the night of October 31st, five mighty deities gather at the crossroads, each with a role in marking the changing season.
Belobog, the god of Light and Creation, hands the key from the Vessel of Wisdom and reign over our world to his twin brother Chernobog, the god of Darkness and Destruction, who oversees the “dark" half of the year, from November 1st to April 30th. Meanwhile, Morena, the goddess of Winter and Death, steps in for Makosh, goddess of Destiny, as the season’s chill officially settles in. November 1st, fittingly known as Mara’s Day, is when that first winter breath is felt.
Then there’s Veles, the god of the Three Realms. He’s the gatekeeper. He is the only god who can open and close paths between the three Worlds to let these deities move in and out.
It’s a night that pulses with ancient magical energy, where the crossroads aren’t just intersections but meeting points of the three Worlds.
Why Crossroads?
In Slavic culture, crossroads hold a unique power. They’re places where the three Worlds meet. Folklore warns against standing at a crossroads on Veles's Night. Unless you’re looking to interact with otherworldly forces, that is.
Historically, crossroads were sacred ritual spots, ideal for summoning spirits or performing magic. Quite often, demons were summoned and released at crossroads, and some say that the dirt collected in places like that holds a lot of power. The element of Earth rules crossroads.
So if you’re wandering through a woodland trail on Veles's Night, maybe steer clear of the intersections... Just saying...
Embracing the Magic or Playing It Safe?
Veles’s Night is an incredibly powerful time. For magic practitioners, it’s the perfect moment to develop their magical abilities and perform rituals.
But as always... there’s a warning...
On this day, the veil between the realm of the dead and the world of the living is thinner than ever, and this time is considered to be dangerous. So, if you’re not familiar with the power this night holds, stay safe, stay indoors, and avoid those crossroads.
A Sneak Peek at the Divine
Some say that on this night, you might glimpse the five deities in a timeless meeting.
Can you imagine? Belobog, Makosh, Chernobog, Morena, and Veles, standing together under a sacred spruce tree, presiding over the mystical energies that shape our world.
So there you have it… October 31st is more than Halloween. It’s also Veles’s Night, where ancient Slavic spirits linger just a little closer to our world.
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