Ancient spring rituals revive as Yarilo's Day blesses livestock and land

On the morning this verdict was delivered, young people would go from house to house at dawn on the day when, for the first time after a long and bitter winter, livestock were solemnly driven out to pasture—a tradition known as Yarilo's Dew.

Before the cattle were led out, their owners would stroke the animals' backs with an egg dyed red or yellow-green, which they would then give to the shepherd as a gift. The livestock were then driven from the yard with a willow branch and fed byashki—special ritual breads. Just before leaving the homestead, a belt was placed on the ground for the animals to step over, ensuring they would always find their way home. The herds grazed until the dew had dried.

Prayers were offered to Yarilo—the patron of shepherds, guardian of domestic animals, and the Wolf Herdsman—begging him to protect the livestock from predators.

The shepherd would sound his horn to announce the start of the obkhod ritual. Taking a sieve in hand, he would circle the herd three times sunwise (for life) and three times counter-sunwise (against death).

When performed correctly, this ritual created an invisible magical fence around the herd, shielding them from "the creeping serpent, the mighty bear, the swift wolf." The enchanted circle was then sealed with an iron lock.

Another key ceremony took place that day—Unlocking the Earth, also called Zarad. On this day, Yarilo "unlocked" (fertilized) Mother Earth and released the dew, sparking the lush growth of grass.

Plowing began on Yarilo's Day, with the saying: "Even the lazy plow stirs on Yarilo's Day."

From this day forward, spring weddings were held. Men and women would roll across the fields, believing the magical dew would grant them strength and health. The evening ended in festive revelry for all.