The Red Maiden is a figure in Slavic mythology that I’ve often imagined, but tucked away on my list of stories to learn later. Lately, a passion for the old stories of my Polish and French roots has driven me back to that imagination. I couldn’t ignore the call to them even if I ran screaming from it. Those deep longings aren’t easily shaken.
Nature As The Vehicle
Yesterday, I woke up at 5 a.m. and had a serious urge to go for a walk. I fought it long enough to have a cup of coffee and wash my face, but found myself outside and in awe of one of the most gorgeous, brilliant red sunrises I have seen in a long while.
It is my regular practice now to slow down and really listen to the crows as they let others know I’m on my normal walking route. I’ll watch for the owl in tall maples just before the sky acknowledges morning. Even in the city, there is plenty of nature. However, it was the moon low in the sky that needed me to hear it.
The Red Maiden Myth
It drew me into the Slavic legend of the Zoryas – the triple goddess; morning, noon, and night. An incarnation of the mother goddess Hekate, or Mokosh. Zorya Utrennyaya is the morning star, the red maiden.
Learn more about the Zoryas HERE.
Sometimes, Inspiration Needs to Simmer
Thoughts of the Zorya churned in my head throughout the day. I scribbled ideas and little notes to myself, kept tracing the red maiden’s journey through the sky in my mind. Finally, about 10 p.m. last night, the Zorya decided to let me write about her.
The photo in the background is from my trip last October to Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud. There, too, I found myself up at dawn, meeting up with the red maiden.
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