Ancient Latvian gods and goddesses ?
Care should taken that in the process of translation concepts are not introduced that do not exist in the origin language. Lately I have come across a number of articles in english about ancient latvian beliefs. This is laudable, provided care is taken in the translations. In latvian sources , the dainas, gods and goddesses,(dievi un dievietes) are not mentioned. God and Gods children, sons and daughters , are mentioned. There are no ancient latvian gods and goddesses, and therefore should not appear in the translations.
I would like to expound on the above that I posted a couple of years ago. Some who decide to study the dainas start with the preconceived idea that latvian gods and goddesses are mentioned, and what is left to do, is to describe and catalogue them.
Then they come across the hundreds of “mothers” (Meža Māte etc.} mentioned, and declare that hundreds of goddesses are worshipped. In fact, the talk here is about “Mother” as the guardian and protector not a goddess. To the ancients a guardian mother made more sense than a winged guardian angel flying around , or a patron saint.
Consider the following: When “Mother Earth” is mentioned everybody understands what is meant. Mother Earth is real. Mother Earth exists. You are standing on Mother Earth. Mother Earth is not a goddess sitting somewhere on a celestial throne.
From dainas: God is the Creator, and all the mothers mentioned, just like the mothers everywhere today and in the past, give birth, nurture, guard and protect, all His creations.
Visu labu,
