Žemyna

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Žemyna is the goddess of the earth in the Lithuanian mythology. She personifies the fertile earth and is identical to Latvian Zemes māte. The word žemė in Lithuanian means "earth".

Žemyna was prayed to with reverence by the Lithuanian people.

Those who worship Žemyna bring offerings and say the following prayer: "dear Earth, you give to me, and I give to you".

While Žemyna is honored throughout the year, she is honored in the springtime by pouring ale onto the earth or by burying barley, wheat or rye bread in a field. When making this offering, farmers kiss the earth and say the following prayer: "the Earth, my mother, you have given me life, you feed me, you carry me and after death I will rest in you." In old Lithuania, remembrance of the dead was a central feature in every holiday.

See also: Parvati