The gods of the ancient Slavs beckon through time in this comprehensive guide to authentic polytheistic practices rooted in Eastern European traditions.
This illuminating guide to the living traditions of Slavic Paganism unveils the rich cosmology of deities, folk magic, and the unique dual-faith tradition that blends Pagan elements with Orthodox Christianity. Drawing from her Serbian American heritage and decades of . . .
The gods of the ancient Slavs beckon through time in this comprehensive guide to authentic polytheistic practices rooted in Eastern European traditions.
This illuminating guide to the living traditions of Slavic Paganism unveils the rich cosmology of deities, folk magic, and the unique dual-faith tradition that blends Pagan elements with Orthodox Christianity. Drawing from her Serbian American heritage and decades of devotional practice, priestess and vračara (witch) Ana Urošević Applegate introduces powerful gods like Perun and Veles, alongside the nature spirits that inhabit forest, field, and home.
Learn to honor ancestors through traditional veneration techniques, create authentic altars, and perform seasonal rituals that connect you to the Slavic wheel of the year. No matter your background, this book provides practical tools for incorporating Slavic folk magic into your spiritual path while developing meaningful relationships with these venerated ancient deities.
"One of the most important books to come out of contemporary polytheism today. It fills a crucial gap in the literature available both to academics and, more importantly, to practitioners....Most importantly, Anna discusses syncretism, the blending of Christian and polytheistic practices...This book is essential for anyone interested in the potent call of gods that predated Christianity by millennia."
—Galina Krasskova, . . .
"One of the most important books to come out of contemporary polytheism today. It fills a crucial gap in the literature available both to academics and, more importantly, to practitioners....Most importantly, Anna discusses syncretism, the blending of Christian and polytheistic practices...This book is essential for anyone interested in the potent call of gods that predated Christianity by millennia."
—Galina Krasskova, PhD candidate, Theology, Fordham University; author of A Modern Guide to Heathenry
"A thoughtful work of cultural ambassadorship, merged with spiritual memoir, along with a good helping of anthropology, well-vetted folklore, history, and magick, capped off by compelling storytelling...This polytheistic, earth-centered, and, at times, Otherworldly, tome looks at the past to pave a road to a lively and meaningful Slavic Magick practice of now and the forevermore."
—Priestess Stephanie Rose Bird, author of Sticks, Stones, Roots, and Bones
"Appelgate's book begins with an exploration of the native, Pagan origins of the Slavic faith, and goes on to examine how this later became coupled with Christianity to survive as a Dual-Faith Tradition. Applegate includes rituals, prayers, and even recipes to provide a truly immersive experience for anyone who would like to learn more about the cultural traditions of eastern and central Europe."
—Alaric Albertsson, author of Wyrdworking
"Applegate, priestess and Serbian-American witch, invites readers to experience the mythic depths of Slavic faith, ancient and new. Magical stories from the author's own past and family tradition/history enrich her substantial scholarship with immediacy and depth...This book glows in its depictions of Slavic rituals and sacred space, and of the divinities and earthly powers in the Slavic world of the sacred."
—Paul B. Rucker, visionary artist at paulruckerart.com
"A masterful work of ancestral reclamation, demonstrating how folkloric heritage can be woven into a meaningful and beautiful spiritual practice. Equal parts scholarly survey and intimate memoir, this book guides readers through the rich world of Slavic folkways with clarity and care. By and by, Slava! is a profoundly resonant book."
—Kelden, author of The Crooked Path
"Applegate reveals the magical treasures of the Slavic Pagans. She invites us to join her as she takes us into folk practices of the Old World and teaches us how to incorporate them into the New. She weaves together Slavic history, Cunning practices, and her own family traditions into a book that feels like it's being read to you by the village witch."
—Chris Allaun, author of Whispers from the Coven
"Applegate's work is priceless for any seeker wanting to understand the process of assimilation, syncretism, and survival of Pagan deities and spirits within the Church... Slava! is much more than a book about the spirituality of the Slavs; it is a reunion of the author with her roots: an exercise of memory for her, for her relatives, for her people."
—Ness Bosch, Priestess, Iberian Shamaness, and author of Sacred Bones, Magic Bones
"Slava! invites readers of both Slavic and non-Slav background to learn about the nitty gritty of the traditions and beliefs of a huge area of Europe. More importantly, Urošević Applegate speaks directly and repeatedly to the question of dual faith, a question many readers from many backgrounds are tackling for themselves."
—Benjamin Stimpson, author of Ancestral Whispers
"A richly researched and exquisitely written book that fulfills such an important need, not just from a Pagan perspective, but from a cultural, historical, and sociological one...The deep love which Applegate brings to her lived experience alongside her breathtakingly vast historical and cultural knowledge has resulted in a brilliantly crafted, important work. A wealth of practical exercises, journal prompts, and traditional practices allows a welcoming pathway into engagement."
—Tiffany Lazic, registered psychotherapist and author of Psychopomps and the Soul
ISBN-13: | 9780738780672 |
Imprint: | Llewellyn |
Pub Date: | February 2026 |
Product Type: | Trade Paperback |
Page Count: | 360 pages |
Size: | 6.00 x 9.00 IN |
Weight: | TBD |
Case Quantity: | 32 |