Latvian mythology

Latvian mythology is based primarily off collections of folklore and song texts. Much of the information presented herein, and in the best sources on the subject, is purely speculation based off very limited facts.

In AD 98, Tacitus, a Roman, mentioned the worship of mātes, goddesses in the old Latvian mythology. Tacitus, however, did not speak Latvian and spent little time there. Later, reports of Christianization give similarly unbalanced information. We do know that some tribes had had their religious beliefs declining for some time, and accepted Christianity willingly. Others, such as the Curonians and Semigallians, resisted Christianization. Later texts by authors who presumably knew nothing of Latvian beliefs, substituted supposedly authoritative work substituting Prussian deities, adding extremely unlikely explanations and etymologies.
Although officially Christian era in Latvia started in the 13th century, the real christianization spread over Latvia only about 16th - 18th centuries. By this time the first religious books were translated into Latvian. So it makes Latvians the latest christianized nation in christian Europe. This is one of the main reasons why prechristian traditions in Latvia are still considerably popular.

The Latvian mythological beliefs are dominated by adorating the nature - Sun, Moon, stars (Auseklis - the Morning Star), Thunder. Mātes (The Mother Goddesses) are relevant to numberous natural phenomena.

The Latvians recognized eight different seasons to the year. The end of one season and the beginning of the next was marked by a festival. By now, there are three popular festivals - Ziemassvētki (Christmas), Lieldienas (Easter) and Jāņi (Midsummer Eve), the most popular one. All of them are closely related to celebration of breakpoints of Sun Year.

Modern Season/Latvian Equivalents/Boundary Festivals
Spring	Frost Time (Sersnu Laiks)	Meteni - Lieldienas
Spring	Spring Time (Pavasara Laiks)	Lieldienas - Jurgi
Summer	Planting Time (Sejas Laiks)	Jurgi - Jani
Summer	Threshing Time (Siena Laiks)	Jani - Maras
Fall	Autumn time (Rudens Laiks)	Maras - Mikeli
Fall	Spirits Time (Velu Laiks)	Mikeli - Martini
Winter	Ice Time (Ledus Laiks)	Martini - Ziemassvetki
Winter	Winter Time (Ziemas Laiks)	Ziemassvetki - Meteni

Other holidays:

List of deities and other terms