Also called Korochun, Kračún, Kerechun.
The tale
The Novgorod First Chronicle for 1143 says the autumn was rainy "until Korochun", using the word as a date around the winter solstice. In Slovak, Hungarian and Romanian neighbours the related word kračún means Christmas. In Russian the phrase "Karachun got him" means someone died suddenly. Some modern writers treat Karachun as a god of winter death, but that is a reconstruction from these words.
When they are met
- the winter solstice
- Koliada
Staying on their good side
- a candle kept burning through the longest night
- porridge or kutia
- bread for the household
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Keep a candle lit on the longest night and welcome the returning light.
- Check on older neighbours during hard frosts.
What their tales teach
- facing the dark season
- marking the solstice
- compassion in hard winters
Symbols
- the longest night
- frost
- a candle in the dark
Karachun is securely a word for the solstice; a Karachun god is modern reconstruction.
Sources
- Novgorod First Chronicle, entry for 1143
More Slavic folklore
- Baba Yaga The witch in the hut on hen's legs
- Domovoi The grandfather who lives behind the stove
- Leshy The master of the forest
- Rusalka The maiden of river and birch
- Kikimora The spinner in the dark corner
- Koschei the Deathless The sorcerer whose death is hidden
- Kostroma The straw maiden of spring and summer
- Dodola The rain-bringing girl of summer