The Dievai: Baltic Deity Guide
- Calley Smith
- 4 days ago
- 15 min read
The Three Pillars of Baltic Pagan Practice
To walk the path of Baltic paganism, one must understand its foundation—not merely as mythology, but as a lived practice woven into the rhythms of nature, community, and fate. While the myths offer a glimpse into the spiritual landscape, true understanding comes from participation in the cycles of sky, land, and destiny. These three forces—Dangus (Sky), Žemė (Land), and Lemtis (Fate)—form the framework of belief, shaping how practitioners engage with the divine, the ancestors, and the unseen forces that guide life.
Dangus: The Sky – Celestial Order & Divine Will
High above, Dangus is the realm of the gods of order, justice, and power. It is the home of the Sun (Saule), Moon (Menulis), and the thunder god Perkūnas, as well as the keeper of fate, Dievas. From here, the cycles of time unfold—marked by the passage of the sun and stars, the crack of lightning, and the movements of celestial bodies that reflect divine law.
To honor Dangus is to seek alignment with cosmic order, to sing the daina (sacred songs) that hold the wisdom of generations, and to uphold justice in one’s actions. Fire is sacred in this domain, as flames reach toward the sky and act as a conduit between mortals and the divine. Ritual fires, whether in the hearth or upon an altar, serve as offerings to the gods above, reinforcing the bond between humanity and the unseen.
Practices of the Sky:
Fire rituals—keeping a sacred fire as an offering to celestial deities.
Seasonal rites—honoring the solstices and equinoxes, as the turning of the sun dictates the balance of life.
Singing dainos—ritual songs passed through generations, containing both history and cosmic wisdom.
Thunder rites—calling upon Perkūnas for justice, protection, and the renewal of land through storms.
Bangu Mate/Sweigsdunka – The Whispering Sky
Bangu Mate or Sweigsdunka is mother of the four winds and the goddess of sea breezes and calm waters. She weaved the stars into the night sky, providing sailors with a way to navigate the changeable waters governed by her less benevolent partner, Bangputys. Offerings can be made to her on coastal shores to ensure calm seas. Appreciate the immensity of her starry creation on the calm, reflective surfaces of lakes and the open sea at night. Offer threads and mirrors to her altars.
Bangputys – Wind Father of the Sea
Bangputys is the wind father of the four winds, responsible for sea storms, tempests, and the ceaseless motion of the sea and winds. Sailors and gods alike fear him, and must ask him for permission to sail the treacherous waters of the Baltic Sea. Though often wrathful, he is also a giver of bounty, filling nets with fish and granting safe passage to those who earn his favor. To appease him, seafarers throwback fish, pour barrels of wine into the sea, carve protective charms on driftwood, and never turn their back on an incoming tide.
Rytys, Pietys, Siaurys, Vakaris – The Four Winds
The Four Winds are to be called upon, as with many pagan practices, before an offering or prayer is made to any of the gods, so that they might carry the message to whichever god is being called upon. Rytys is the crisp breath of the Eastern dawn, Pietys is the warm breath of the fiery South, Vakaris is the ominous breath of the Western dusk, and Siaurys is the cold breath of the harsh North. Open a window or hang wind chimes to monitor their whereabouts, scatter grains into the air, and thank them for their constant presence in the world of the living.
Dievas – The Sky Father of the Heavens
Dievas or Dyaus is the supreme sky father of the Indo-Europeans, including the Balts; a gentle and benevolent force that oversees cosmic law without major interventions. Minor interventions, however, are a favorite pastime of his. He often descends to Earth in the form of an old vagabond or wizard seeking to work farms, heal the sick, or punish those who refuse hospitality to the poor, transforming them into animals and redistributing their property to those more deserving. Honor him with hospitality, charity, good works, and a commitment to Heaven on Earth.
Perkūnas – Thunderer and Chief of the Gods
Perkūnas is the god of thunder, storms, and righteous fury, wielding his axe to strike down the wicked and exact divine justice. His voice is the rolling storm, his weapon the bolt of lightning, feared and revered in equal measure. As the protector of moral order, he punishes deceit and cowardice while rewarding those who stand with courage. To gain his favor, one may burn oak branches, carve his symbol into weapons for protection, or pour ale upon the earth in his name before a storm.
Perkūna / Perkunele – The Rain Mother
Perkūna, Perkunele, or Perperuna is the mysterious Balto-Slavic feminine, nurturing mother, partner, or aspect of Perkunas, who can be treated as a goddess of rain in her own right. One might channel and honor her in the performance of rain dances and the collection of rainwater for conducting water rituals or the watering of plants.
Dievadeli Twins – The Divine Horsemen
The Dievadeli are the Divine Twins of the Baltic. Like the Greek Dioscuri and the Vedic Ashvins, they are celestial, horse-riding brothers, but, uniquely, they act as messengers galloping up and down the World Tree (Austras Koks) between Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. They even pull the chariot of Saulia across the sky. They protect travellers and inspire the hearts of warriors and revolutionaries in times of great need. Give them offerings in pairs, or even fours when considering their horses.
Meness – The Moon Father
Meness is the cold, contemplative face of the moon, a wanderer of the night sky who watches over warriors and travelers alike. He moves in cycles, measuring time, bringing dreams, and standing as both protector and judge of oaths. Some myths cast him as a scoundrel, pursuing lovers across the heavens, yet others show him to be compassionate and receptive to the prayers of mortals. He is honored through quiet reflection beneath the moon, offerings of silver, silk, or water, and by fulfilling one's oaths and promises.
Saule – The Sun Mother
Saule or Saulia is the radiant central force of the solar system and of the Baltic pantheon, the ever-burning Sun who provides warmth, light, and love to all, equally. She rides her golden-copper chariot across the heavens each day, guided by an entourage of deities. In the evening, she bathes with her horses and daughters in a sacred river, then retires to sleep in a Silver Castle atop a great golden apple tree (Austras Koks). But she doesn’t sleep long, for the Sun doesn’t rise where it sets. She gets on a Silver Boat and navigates the Underworld back to the other end of the Earth. Honor her by opening your windows to her Sunlight, go for a walk on a sunny day, and celebrate the solstices. Offer her candles, bonfires, or wear gold or copper belts.
Daughters of Saule: The Celestial Sisters
Vaivora - Mercury – The Messenger of the Sun
Vaivora is the 1st daughter of Saulia, corresponding to planet Mercury. Sometimes seen as an aspect of the fatal goddess, Laima, or of Perkuna, the rain-dancing wife of Perkunas, Vaivora is the wisest advisor of Saulia. She’s a messenger of the gods, using her rainbow ribbons to traverse the World Tree’s heights and depths. Honor her with colorful clothing, works of art, and by appreciating every rainbow after a storm. When doing divination, recognize her role in facilitating your connection to other divinities. Offer her meaningful poetry, books, or oracle cards.
Ausrine/Vakarine - Venus – The Morning and Evening Star
Ausrine is the 2nd daughter of Saule, corresponding to the planet Venus. She’s the brilliant goddess of morning light; a beacon of renewal, inspiration, and youthful energy. She is the daughter of Saule, rising first to prepare the way for her mother’s journey across the sky. Vakarine - her Evening Star form - prepares Saule’s bed for the night at dusk. She is honored through morning and evening rituals, wearing white or silver, acts of creativity, or the appreciation of beauty.
Ziezdre - Mars – The Midnight Star
Ziezdre is the 3rd daughter of Saulia, corresponding to the planet Mars. Having a reddish color and appearing in the sky at midnight, she is a harbinger of ominous energies: change, turmoil, and war. Shooting stars may also be interpreted as her warnings to humankind of impending doom. To heed her, one might make a wish upon a falling star, or burn incense to mark significant life transitions.
Indraja - Jupiter – The Stormy Star
Indraja is the 4th daughter of Saulia, corresponding to the outer planet Jupiter, the stormy planet. Like the Vedic storm god Indra or his female counterpart, Indrani, Indraja is a goddess of storms and rains which fertilize the soil. She has a particular interest in the gathering of safe and healthy mushrooms. To honor her, offer edible mushrooms and include her celestial energy in any rainwater rituals for Perkuna and Perkunas.
Selija - Saturn – The Patient Star
Selija is the 5th daughter of Saulia, corresponding to the outer planet Saturn. Due to the slow movement of Saturn, she tends to be associated with patience, elder wisdom, and larger historical trends. To honor her, one might seek out an elder’s wisdom, meditate on the deeper questions in life, or wear golden rings to reflect the bountiful rings of Saturn.
Auseklis – The Dawn Bringer
Auseklis (Austaras) is the love-child of Ausrine and Meness, or so we prefer to think of him. He might also correspond to the Rooster mentioned throughout Baltic myth, signaling the new day. Like Lucifer, Auseklis guides Saule toward her final destination each day: the Dawn Tree (Austras Koks), a world-sized golden apple tree on an island paradise where the farthest East and farthest West meet. Atop the tree is a Silver Castle where Saule and her many daughters stay every night, while Auseklis guards the gates.
Breska – The Witch of Twilight
Breska is the goddess of the witching hour, twilight, just before dawn and just after dusk, the liminal space between darkness and daylight, conscious and subconscious.Dreams are also her jurisdiction. Honor her by journaling your dreams, twilight rituals, bonfires, and, of course, witchcraft.
Gabija – Keeper of the Hearth Fire
Gabija - or Matergabia (Mother Fire) to the Slavs - is the spiritual guardian of the sacred eternal flame of the hearth that protects each and every home, as well as the families who dwell in them. Neglect or disrespect the hearth, and she will bring you great misfortune. If you don’t have a fireplace or campfire to tend to, then honor her with a ritual lighting of candles, or with cooking and baking.
Kalevelis – The Unyielding Smith
Kalevelis or Teliavelis is the master craftsman who forged the very Sun and threw it into the sky, and whose hands shaped both the physical and the spiritual world. His skill is unmatched, and his blessings are sought by artisans, warriors, and those who strive to mold themselves into something greater. Blacksmiths honor him by striking their hammers against anvils in his name, and others may offer iron tools, nails, or symbols of craftsmanship to invoke his strength.
Žemė: The Land – Reciprocity & Everyday Practice
If the sky holds order and law, the land holds nourishment, stability, and the spirits that dwell within it. The Earth itself is a living force—Žemyna, the Earth Mother, sustains all life, and in turn, life must give back through offerings and respect. The Laumės (fairy-like spirits), Vėlės (ancestor spirits), and various guardian spirits inhabit forests, rivers, and stones, watching over their domains.
Unlike the distant sky gods, the spirits of the land are deeply intertwined with daily life. The rasa (morning dew) is sacred, believed to carry mystical properties, especially during midsummer. Rituals involving food, water, and physical acts of care—like maintaining a clean home and protecting crops—are ways of honoring Žemė.
To neglect the land is to invite misfortune, as the spirits require balance and respect. This is the realm where hearth magic, herbalism, and practical charms thrive, using the gifts of nature for protection, healing, and prosperity.
Practices of the Land:
Offerings to the Earth—burying bread, milk, or beer as a gift to Žemyna and land spirits.
Morning dew rituals—walking barefoot in the rasa to absorb its sacred energy.
Household purification—keeping one’s home and land clean and protected as a spiritual duty.
Herbal magic and charms—using nature’s gifts for healing, fertility, and safeguarding against harm.
Žemyna – Mother of the Earth
Žemyna is the living spirit of the land, the fertile force that sustains all who walk upon her. Every tree, river, and stone is under her care, and those who disrespect nature disrespect her. She is honored with every harvest, in every hearth, and in every seed planted with intention. Milk, bread, and flowers are offered to her, and care is taken never to harm the land without gratitude and purpose.
Žemeluks / Autrimpo– Spirit of the Hidden Earth
Žemeluks or Potrimpo is the princely master of the soil’s fertility. Every year, he is buried in the earth and resurrects with a bountiful harvest. With a wreath crown, he resembles Dionysus and other ancient Neolithic gods of agriculture and seasonal cycles. Offer him a fraction of your crop yields by leaving some in the fields each year to help restock the nutrients of the soil.
Medeina / Meza Mate – Mother of the Forests
Medeina or Mezamate is the forest mother goddess of the wild, ruling over animals, trees, and the deep, hidden places untouched by human hands. Rabbits are her sacred animal, and she protects certain animals from hunters at different times of the year. Offer leftover vegetables for her favorite hares in forests and prairies. Honor her by treading lightly in the woods, and defending the sanctity of wild spaces.
Zvoruna – The Howling Huntress
Zvoruna is the wild goddess of hunters and warriors. Thought by some to be the same as Medeina, she is slightly less protective of wild animals. She punishes those who hunt certain animals out of season, but she is herself a huntress, and her sacred animal is the wolf. She may be related to the Indo-European wolf warriors who left their tribes to found new tribes. Honor her by adopting a dog or hunting respectfully and sustainably, and according to the appropriate seasons.
Puškaitis – The Wild Steward of Trees
Puškaitis or Berstuk is a wildman who dwells beneath the roots of trees, ruling over the small spirits of the earth that emerge in the form of mushrooms. He is a steward of trees roaming from forest to forest. He is honored by treating fungi with respect, leaving small gifts near mushrooms in the wild, and tending to the welfare of trees and woodlands.
Milda – Goddess of Love and Freedom
Milda is the spirit of passion, love, and the unbound heart, encouraging all to follow their desires without shame or restriction. She is the protector of lovers, the guardian of self-expression, and the defiant force against oppression. Flowers, poetry, and acts of fearless devotion are offered in her name, as well as the courage to love without apology.
Žaltys – The Sacred House Serpents
Žaltys, in the form of Grass Snakes, are messengers of the earth, bringers of fortune and health. Snakes are sacred to Saulia and Zemyna, as hunters of vermin and guardians of the Earth’s bounty. Bowls of milk are left at thresholds in his honor, and those seeking wisdom should listen for their whispers of insight.
Žilvinas & Eglė – King and Queen of Serpents
Eglė was a mortal woman who married the serpent king, Žilvinas, joining him in his palace beneath a sacred lagoon. Unfortunately, when she returned to her hometown, her brothers slew Žilvinas. Grieving her loss, she transformed her children and herself into trees. To honor her, one may offer water to trees, wear serpent symbols, or embrace the lessons found in hardship.
Lemtis: Fate – The Weaving of Life’s Threads
While the sky commands law and the land sustains life, it is Lemtis—the force of fate—that dictates the course of all things. This is the realm of the three fates: Laima, Dalia, and Karta, who measure, cut, and distribute the threads of human destiny. Unlike some traditions where fate is seen as rigid, the Baltic view allows room for willpower—one’s actions shape how fate unfolds.
To engage with fate is to understand the power of words, oaths, and blessings. Spoken words carry great weight, and blessings or curses can ripple through generations. Rituals surrounding birth, marriage, and death are crucial moments when fate is most fluid, and offerings must be made to ensure a favorable path.
This is also the domain of omens, dreams, and divination—ways in which the unseen world communicates with the living. Practitioners may cast lots, observe birds, or interpret natural signs to seek guidance from Laima and the spirits beyond.
Practices of Fate:
Oath-making and name-giving—speaking with intent to shape destiny.
Divination and omens—reading signs from nature and ancestors to understand one’s path.
Rites of passage—celebrating birth, initiation, marriage, and death as pivotal fate-weaving moments (think knots).
Ancestor veneration—keeping the memory of the dead alive through offerings and remembrance.
Laima – Weaver of Destiny
Laima is the spinner of fate, shaping the course of each life from birth to death. She whispers omens and blessings over newborns, decides the trials of adulthood, and stands at the end to measure what has been done. Though she can be stern, she is not unkind; she offers wisdom and guidance to those who are deserving. She descended to Earth from her diamond throne on a cloud to look after humankind, especially innocents. Butter, honey, and bread are given in her name to the same spots in nature where fairies tend to reside.
She is the singular form or mother of the Laumes, who are wild fairy spirits of sacred lakes, rivers, trees, and houses. They tend to have one eye and can take the form of various animals, including satyrs, harpies, centaurs, and werewolves. Over time, they were hunted, killed off by cold winters, and demonized into ugly, vicious monsters.
Marija/Māra & The Māhtes – The Mothers of Life
Māra is the great mother of all, the guardian of birth, death, and everything in between. The Māhtes—her many aspects—each tend to a different part of existence. Every female Latvian deity is a Māhte, and the lack of ancient evidence for Marija probably means that she was a synthesis of them all into Mother Mary. Nonetheless, the mothers are honored through care for the land, respect for mothers and elders, and offerings of bread and milk left at sacred places.
Dalia – Keeper of Fortune and Struggle
Dalia measures the wealth of both the fortunate and the unfortunate, her hand weighing who shall have abundance and who shall endure hardship. Unlike Laima, she does not weave fate but instead doles out its rewards and burdens, ensuring balance between gain and loss. Those who work hard and respect the land find her generous; those who squander gifts or cheat others find her hand turning against them. Offer her woven cloth, carefully measured grain, or silver.
Karta Mate – The Final Thread
Karta is the unseen force that cuts the thread of life when its time has run its course. She is rarely invoked except in moments of great finality, guiding souls toward their journey’s necessary end. To acknowledge Karta, one might keep a single unbroken thread in their home, representing the course of their own life.
Austėja & Babilas – The Honeybee Gods
Austėja is one of the 7 Deivas Valdyotojos (Governing Goddesses), who weave the fates of humankind into garments for the gods. She and her husband, Babilas, are divine beekeepers. Like a queen bee, Austėja protects families and can be called upon in matters of fertility. Offer them honey, flowers, and sugar. And should you wish to honor them, take up beekeeping or gardening to help restore bees and flowering plants to your local ecosystem.
Velnias – Commander of the Deathly Winds
Velnias or Peckols is a shapeshifting and fittingly complex deity of death who has been syncretized with the Devil, thus accumulating more mythemes over time than he originally had. He’s a ghost-herding psychopomp, like Odin, and a ruler of the underworld, like the Slavic Veles. Sometimes a trickster, hiding from the lightning of Perkunas in various guises, and other times a chief of the ancestors against the forces of darkness, like during the Winter Solstice. Give him the honor he deserves by connecting with your own ancestors, adopt a reptile, toad, or cat, take a walk through the woods, or offer him coins for his trouble.
Velu Mate – Mother of the Underworld
Velumate, “Mother of the Veil” is the silent mistress of the underworld, the keeper of those who have passed beyond the mortal realm. She is not a cruel or vengeful figure but a patient and inevitable force, ensuring that all souls find their proper place in the cycle of life and death. She watches over the boundaries between worlds, guiding the lost and guarding the mysteries of the afterlife. Those who seek her favor may honor her with offerings of black stones, moments of quiet remembrance for ancestors, and acts of kindness toward the grieving.
Ragana – The Witch Mother
Ragana is the ancient and unpredictable goddess of magic, prophecy, and transformation. She exists beyond the boundaries of light and dark, feared and revered for her knowledge of the unseen. She is the teacher of those brave enough to seek her out, but her lessons often come at a cost. To honor her, one may burn herbs for divination, offer the first eggs of spring, butter, cheese, sheeps wool, menstrual blood and practice stillness to hear the hidden, and embrace change without fear.
Andojas – The Father of Humankind
Andojas was the Baltic First Man, later interpreted as a manifestation of Dievas and taken as a name for the Christian God. Dievas was bathing in a cloud one day, when a raindrop fell down to the Earth, and out sprung Andojas.
Jūratė and Kastytis – The Love Beneath the Waves
Jūratė is a beautiful sea goddess who fell in love with Kastytis, a mortal fisherman. As they danced joyfully in her Amber Palace under the Baltic Sea, Perkunas struck it with a sea storm, breaking it into millions of amber pieces, which regularly wash up on the shores of the Baltic. Or, perhaps, ambers are the tears of Jūratė mourning the drowning of Kastytis. To honor them, one may leave or wear offerings of amber, and listen for the faint melody of Jūratė’s Siren song amidst the crashing waves of the sea.
Conclusion: A Living Tradition
Baltic paganism is not a system of passive belief—it is an active practice, where one engages with the forces of sky, land, and fate through ritual, song, and daily life. By understanding the roles of Dangus, Žemė, and Lemtis, a practitioner builds a meaningful relationship with the gods, spirits, and ancestors.
Unlike some religious frameworks that focus on worship and submission, the Baltic tradition emphasizes reciprocity—giving back to the land that sustains, honoring the ancestors who came before, and participating in the cycles that shape existence. Through offerings, song, and careful observation of the world, one can become part of this living tradition, rather than simply studying it.
The journey begins not with grand ceremonies, but with small acts of respect and awareness—a song sung at sunrise, a piece of bread left for the spirits, an oath spoken with conviction. In time, these gestures weave a thread into the fabric of fate, binding the practitioner to a tradition that has endured for millennia.
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