Also called Yarilo, Jaryło, Gerovit (possibly related).
Their story
In Russian and Belarusian villages, festivals called Yarilo were held in late spring and summer, and in some places a straw figure of Yarilo was buried at summer's end. Folk songs describe him riding a white horse in a white cloak, bringing spring. Reconstructions tell of his return each spring and his death at harvest.
Their day
Sunday. In modern practice, he is often honoured on Sunday for his link to the returning sun.
Best times to give to them
- spring
- Kupala at Midsummer
- St George's Day in spring
- Sundays
What they like being given
- green branches and flowers
- eggs
- fresh bread
- kvass, or spring water
- seeds
How to honour them
- Plant seeds in spring and dedicate them to him.
- Decorate your altar with green branches when leaves appear.
- Take up something vigorous and new, like a sport or a garden.
- Celebrate the first warm day outdoors.
How they can help you
- energy and vitality
- fertility
- new growth
- youthful courage
Symbols
- a white horse
- green branches
- ears of grain
- a wreath of flowers
- the sun
Jarilo is known from folk festivals and songs rather than early sources; his myth as a god is largely modern reconstruction.
Festivals
- Maslenitsa Moveable: the week before Orthodox Great Lent, usually between mid February and mid March
- Kupala Night The night of 23 to 24 June, or 6 to 7 July where the Julian church calendar is followed