Glossary

Ladanka
An amulet and talisman, worn to ward off intruding spirits, negative thoughts, sorcery, illness, and misfortune and bring well-being, health & healing, empowerment, love, and desired circumstances.  Ladanki (plural) are small bags, containing a variety of substances, generally worn around the neck or sometimes attached to one’s belt (at the solar plexus).*   Some items include herbs, roots or bark from sacred trees, snake skin, animal fur or other dried animal parts, stones, prayers written on paper or other fibre, soil from one’s native land or birthplace (to prevent homesickness and disease, as well as provide a piece of home if one dies while in a foreign land), and basically anything considered useful for one’s spiritual, mental, emotional or physical well-being.  It is not worn displayed, but rather, hidden from view.

*The solar plexus is considered to be the belt-line as Slavic women believe that to wear skirts or belts lower on the torso restricts the flow of energy and causes infertility, menstrual problems, and generally inhibits a woman’s power.


Molfar (masculine)/ Mol’farka (feminine)
Earth medicine practitioner.  Works with nature spirits, elementals, Earth-Mother, weather, ceremony, herbs, prayers, hands-on-healing, land healing, sound and whisper healing, spirit journeys.  Usually born into their abilities, or called into the traditions by the spirits.  Are not fully given the title until they have reached menopause or eldership, having spent many decades developing skills, life wisdom, and experience in their medicine work.


Obkuryuvanya (short for Обкурювання травами (Obkuryuvannya Travamy: Smoke Purification or Fumigation by Herbs))
(Partial translation of an article in Ukrainian, http://3varta.com.ua/obkurjuvannja-travami)

“The ritual of purification can be carried out by means of smoke from herbs, touching the body with dry herbs or the creation of a plant wreath (Vinok). Also, the listed options are combined with the washing of herbs. The option of cleaning by touching the body with dry plants is known to all, it is often practiced in baths. Any plant has a certain property that it can exhibit in the process of curing, in contact with the body, in the manufacture of amulets. Each herb has its own strength, and is used for various needs.

When using smoke, the dried plant is carefully shredded, poured into small dishes (or you can use a sea shell), in which the plant can slowly smother and produce smoke, energy from herbs smoke spreads indoors or on a person. When smoking a person, smoke is allowed in the direction of the heart, then to the head, then to the feet. In the end, the person in a circle bypass three times, smoking it counter clockwise.”

Some common herbs used in Ukraine (a very partial list):

~ Шавлія, Shaviya, Sage
“After sage, it is recommended to use wormwood, as it would neutralize the remnants of \"mental dust\" after sage. Polin [most Artemesia plants are named Polin and commonly used] helps clear the \"atmosphere\" from external influences - someone or your own negative thoughts. A polynomial cure can drive virtually any evil thing from home. It is used to cure the patient's household. If a twig of the wormwood hangs over the front door or put in a vase, then it will be enough to protect your home.”
~ Ялівець, Yavilets, Juniper
~ Звіробій, Zvirobiy, St John’s Wort
~ Коров'як звичайний, Korov’yak zvychaynyy, Mullein
~ Кедр, сосна, Kedr, Sosna, Cedar, Pine
~ Зубрівка, Zubrivka, Sweet Grass
Found naturally in the steppes, Ukraine is a large producer of Sweet Grass seed.  Sweet Grass is traditionally used in ritual-fires of spring, placed in mattresses and on floors for protection and scent, burned in bundles for purification, and also used in bundles to tap a body for health and protection. It is also used to flavour vodka.
~ М'ята, M’yata, Mint
~ Материнка, Materinka, Marjaram
~ Полин, Polin, Wormwood
~ Чебрець, Chebrets, Thyme
~ Рута, Ruta, Rue
~ Кропива, Kropyva, Nettle
~ Розмарин, Rozmarin, Rosemary
~ це полин, Ce Polin, Sagebrush
~ меліса, Melissa, Lemon Balm
~ лаванда, Lavanda, Lavender
~ мучниця, Mučnycja, Bearberry


Vidma (Vedma)
Wise Woman, Witch.  Notice that the two definitions are synonymous.  However, in the 1200’s and later, “Vidma” took on negative connotations – an attempt to erase the wisdom and raw power of those who worked with healing arts, herbs, midwifery, earth traditions and spirituality.  Witch-hunting remains problematic world-wide today, with thousands of people tortured and killed yearly for being (or accused of being) witches.

Vorona (ворона)
Crow…  When I sat with the Teachers, the name I received was the title Vorona Mol’farka.  Crow Molfar is an ancestor entity and Teacher, who likely existed in the region of my grandfather’s birth: Bilche Zolote in Ternopil Oblast, of what was Galicia at the time (now Ukraine).