Sometimes dance is the main part of the magical rites.For example, it was in the old Slavic "wires Mermaids" - rituals related to agriculture and committed at the beginning of summer, when nivam needed moisture.Rusal and rain were a rite of appeal and petition for the future harvest.Merrymaking mermaid week led a special "rusalschiki" or "rusaltsy."They performed magical acts with water and herbs - Arcane potions - repeating the dual function of mermaids.
In Bulgaria, it was in the XIX century.Yound rusaltsev (from 3 to 13 people) went from village to village in a circle - so that by the end of the week mermaid back to the village, where the leader.Rusaltsev squads were formed from local farmers, but the adoption was arranged rusaltsy almost as complicated rites, as a Masonic lodge.This is due to the fact that the church authorities persecuted pagan cults.For rusaltsev it was important that they were full mermaid week is not baptized and praying in a Christian under any circumstances.
All affairs supervises the leader ("vatafin"), which obey unquestioningly.In ordinary life - this is one of the villagers, but it is distinguished by the title of hereditary leader rusaltsev he received from grandfathers and great grandfathers.The right to inherit the title of strictly limited.The leader-vatafin Rusal is the main figure;without rusalskie festivities impossible as church services without a priest.Only the leader of the sorcerer can collect magic rusalskie grass, but he knows all the spells he consecrates the flag, he directs plays, only he obey the pagan gods - and samovily mermaid - half-woman, half-bird.
The leader chooses new rusaltsev and dedicates them.Rusaltsem can only be honest and honorable man, teetotal, a good family man, a healthy, well-built, able to dance and jump.He must resist the hypnotic power of the leader is obliged to strictly keep rusalskie secrets.In the collection of information about the candidate they take weeks.Neophytou given a mentor, forced to fast 3-7 days, and then in a circle of his old rusaltsev sprayed water with incantation of the sacred herbs, and he gave a terrible oath to fulfill all rusalsky row and keep the secret.Oath began a solemn curse for breach of the covenants, "Let go off the hearth in my house, let snakes and lizards sovyut their nests in it ..." and ended with no less severe punishment: "Do not take the land of my bones ...ยป
Before Rusal leader Magus convenes rusaltsev, prepared in front of their new banner of the new fabric with sewn into the corners of the sacred herbs (including "Perunika", named in honor of the god Perun), watering banner Arcane water and distributes rusaltsam held by him"toyagi" - sacred wands with sacred herbs, often passing from father to son.At the end of the rite blow this rod is broken earthen vessel with sacred herbs.Rusaltsy put wreaths entwined samovilskimi flowers, and hung to his belt and shoes bells, jingle while walking and dancing.Rusal indispensable party - "svirets" or "Svirachi" - flutist who knows the special samovilskie, rusalskie tunes.The most temperamental final samovilskaya tune in Bulgaria is called "Floricica", recalling the magical sense Rusal associated with growth and harvest.
Rusalskie games consist of a variety of dances and dance - whirling, meandering, jump.Runaround is carried at a furious pace, it seems that rusaltsy not touching the ground.The dance is accompanied by shouts, cries.Charter rusaltsy reinforce garlic extract itself from the magical spell.The game ends in that rusaltsy reach ecstasy and fall unconscious.
Based on the book BARybakov "Paganism of Ancient Rus', Moscow: Nauka, 1987.
