ZEME. In Baltic religion, earth (Latv., zeme; Lith., žeme) is sacralized. On this basis, the Latvian goddess Zeme and the Lithuanian goddess Žemýna (diminutive, Žemynele) evolved. Called in Latvian Zemes Māte...

A Latvian deity with somewhat indeterminate functions. In part it has the characteristics of a god of light, with special reference to the morning or the evening star; in part, again, it is connected with spring, and, finally, appears as a sort of...

(‘earth-mother’) Ancient Lettish earth- and mother-goddess. She takes an interest in man’s welfare, and looks after his fields and makes them fertile. However, she also plays the part of a ruler of the dead, merging here with →...

Old Latvian moon-god, husband of the sun-goddess (→ Saule) and tutelary god of travellers. He was invoked before setting out on a military campaign and at the consecration of a standard: that is to say, he had a military function as well. He also...

Latvian culture, along with Lithuanian, is among the oldest surviving Indo-European culture. Much of its symbolism (for example, the "fire cross" or swastika) is ancient. Its seasons, festivals, and numerous deities reflect the essential agrarian nature...

Astr[superscript one]de Ivaska. ... jo rudens ir mans atgrie}an[degree sign]s laiks. R[superscript one]ga. Preses Nams. 1998. 37 pages. ISBN 9984-00-344-2. This small assemblage of thirty-seven loose pages, titled "... for fall is the season of my return," is vintage Astr[superscript one]de Ivaska....

When sisters Mara Anderson and Ilze Berzins were growing up in Lancaster, their family's Christmas tradition raised their neighbors' eyebrows. On Christmas Eve, the family would light candles, singing the songs of their homeland as the flickering lights danced among the branches of their...