Cerklicing

by Aldis Putelis

 
The Latvian god of fields and corn. Mentioned by a little known Jesuit under the name of Joannis Stribingius in his mission journey to Eastern Latvia in 1606. Describing the territory as having returned to paganism due to the lack of attention from the Christian church during the Livonian War, he lists the deities worshipped by these pagans under the leadership of “Pop” (curiously enough – a name used in Russian to designate an orthodox priest). The list comprises a god of sky/heavens (Latin “qui habet curam coeli”), then those of the earth, fertility and different particular animals.