Latvian mythology

Latvian mythology is based primarily off collections of folklore and song texts. Much of the information presented herein, and in the best sources on the subject, is purely speculation based off very limited facts.

In AD 98, Tacitus, a Roman, mentioned the worship of mahtes, goddesses in the old Latvian mythology. Tacitus, however, did not speak Latvian and spent little time there. Later, reports of Christianization give similarly unbalanced information. We do know that some tribes had had their religious beliefs declining for some time, and accepted Christianity willingly. Others, such as the Curonians[?] and Semigallians[?], resisted Christianization. Later texts by authors who presumably knew nothing of Latvian beliefs, substituted supposedly authoritative work substituting Prussian deities, adding extremely unlikely explanations and etymologies.

The deities were believed to live on a mountain called Debeskalns.

The Latvians recognized eight different seasons to the year. The end of one season and the beginning of the next was marked by a festival.

Modern Season/Latvian Equivalents/Boundary Festivals

Winter	Winter Time (Ziemas Laiks)	Ziemassvetki - Meteni
Winter	Frost Time (Sersnu Laiks)	Meteni - Lieldienas
Spring	Spring Time (Pavasara Laiks)	Lieldienas - Jurgi
Spring	Planting Time (Sejas Laiks)	Jurgi - Jani
Summer	Threshing Time (Siena Laiks)	Jani - Maras
Summer	Autumn time (Rudens Laiks)	Maras - Mikeli
Fall	Spirits Time (Velu Laiks)	Mikeli - Martini
Fall	Ice Time (Ledus Laiks)	Martini - Ziemassvetki

Other holidays:

1. Barbes Diena
2. Bertuli Diena
3. Biezputras Diena
4. Binduli Diena
5. Dveselu Diena
6. Gregoru Diena
7. Jekaupa Diena
8. Kazimiras Diena
9. Kustonu Diena
10. Labrenca Diena
11. Pelnu Diena
12. Septinu Bralu Diena
13. Septinu Guletaju Diena
14. Tanis Diena
15. Tipsa Diena
16. Tris Kungu Diena
17. Urbanas Diena
18. Veja Diena
19. Vitus Diena
20. Zalu Diena
21. Zirgu Diena

List of deities and other terms

1. Auseklis
2. Austras Koks
3. Bangu mate
4. Cela mate
5. Cerklicing
6. Darzamate
7. Dekla
8. Dekla mate
9. Dewing Uschinge
10. Dewing
11. Dieva deli
12. Dievini
13. Dievs
14. Dievturiba
15. Gausu mate
16. Janis
17. Jumis
18. Juras mate
19. Kapu mate
20. Karta mate
21. Karta
22. Krumu mate
23. Laima
24. Lapu mate
25. Lauka mate
26. Lauku mate
27. Lazdu mate
28. Lietus mate
29. Linu mate
30. Lopes mate
31. Lopu mate
32. Majas gars
33. Mara
34. Martins
35. mate
36. Meness
37. Meza Dievs
38. Meza mate
39. Meza Virs
40. Mieza mate
41. Miglas mate
42. Mikelis
43. Moschel
44. Perkons
45. Pirta mate
46. Pukis
47. Ragana
48. Rijas mate
49. Saule
50. Saules meitas
51. Senu mate
52. Smilsu mate
53. Sniega mate
54. Tirgus mate
55. Udens mate
56. Upes mate
57. Usins
58. Vadatajs
59. Veja mate
60. Veli
61. Velns
62. Velu mate
63. Vilkacis
64. Zalksti
65. Zemes mate
66. Ziedu mate
67. Ziemala mamulina
68. Zvaigznes