Kostroma

"KOSTROMA" IS A RUSSIAN FERTILITY GODDESS AND THE PERSONIFICATION OF "SPRING", AND MUCH LIKE THE GREEK PERSEPHONE, SHE IS A DYING AND REBORN DAUGHTER WHO SYMBOLIZED THE LIFE AND DEATH OF VEGETATION. SHE DIES AT THE END OF SPRING AND RISES ONCE MORE AT THE END OF WINTER. SHE IS USUALLY DEPICTED AS A GIRL DRESSED IN WHITE WITH AN OAK BRANCH IN THE HAND. SHE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FERTILITY AND DYING GOD, "KOSTROMO." THE "'BURIAL OF KOSTROMA'," A PRIMITIVE RITE IN WHICH BONFIRES WERE KINDLED AND A MAIDEN CHOSEN WAS HONORED AND CARRIED IN A PROCESSION; AFTERWARDS, SHE REIGNED OVER THE GAMES AND DANCING. GIRLS DANCED AROUND HER FIGURE AT THE SOLSTICE RITES. THERE IS ALSO A TRADITION OF DROWNING A STRAW GIRL IN THE RIVER OR BURNING HER ON THE BONFIRE TO DISPEL THE WINTER. THIS CEREMONY IS SUPPOSED TO GUARANTEE THE SEASON'S FERTILITY. LITTLE BY LITTLE THE POWER OF THIS GODDESS HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN, AND "KOSTROMA "TURNED INTO A DELICATE YOUNG GIRL.

Origin: asatru-religion.blogspot.com