As the golden light of autumn ripens and the air turns crisp, nature invites us to pause and gather what has grown — not only from the earth, but from within ourselves. Across the Slavic lands, this season is known as a time of harvest and preparation, when herbs are dried for winter and rituals honor the healing power of the land.
In Bulgarian folklore, October culminates with St. Dimitar’s Day (Dimitrovden, October 26), marking the turning of the year from summer’s warmth to the long rest of winter. People used to say, “St. George brings summer, St. Dimitar brings snow.” It’s a time to bring the animals indoors, share stories by the hearth, and finish gathering the last roots and berries that hold the earth’s final pulse of power before it sleeps.
In creating The Slavic Soul oracle deck, we drew inspiration from these ancient traditions, where every leaf carried meaning, and every scent whispered a story. Each card in the deck embodies not only plant magic but also the soul’s wisdom.
Here are a few autumn guardians that inspired our journey:
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
The plant’s genus comes from the Latin calendae for “the first day of the month,” because the flower was believed to bloom on this day each month.
The brighter the flower color, the greater healing substances the plant produces. Marigold has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent effects, making some people call it a pharmacy in one plant.
In Bulgarian folklore, the plant was considered one of the most healing herbs. It was a protection against spells and the “evil eye” (uroki). Having a bouquet of the flowers in your home protects you and your family from harm and gives everyone more energy. The plant also protects people from bad thoughts and can give them prophetic dreams.
Brides and grooms wore it to ensure dragons and Samodivi didn’t harm them. In addition, at Slavic weddings, newlyweds once danced barefoot on the ground. Afterward, their fathers dug up some of that soil, put it into a pot, and planted marigold, because it was believed to bring joy, affection, love, and longevity to the couple.
Rose (Rosa × damascena)
The word “rose” comes from the Greek rodon for “red,” the color of the flower grown in ancient civilizations. The flower is the symbol of divinity.
Bulgaria is the biggest producer of rose oil in the world, accounting for approximately 70-75% of global production, particularly from the Rosa damascena variety grown in the Valley of Roses. This region offers ideal growing conditions, allowing Bulgaria to maintain its long-standing reputation for high-quality rose oil, which is prized in the fragrance and luxury skincare industries for its refined aroma
Herbalist Emil Elmazov says women should consume jam made from roses to keep their skin soft. This advice comes from a century-old tradition in which certain city ladies met every Friday and ate rose jam together. Over time, they noticed their skin became more radiant. Today, research shows that roses have a healing effect on the skin.
Roses are so important to Bulgaria’s history and culture that every year, on the first Sunday in June, people hold a Festival of Roses. The air is filled with fragrance, and the streets with traditional songs and dances.
Roses have long been the symbol of love, and rose oil, too, helps you achieve that. A ritual to awaken tender feelings from even the hardest heart involves rubbing essential oils from roses, rosemary, basil, and ginger into the middle of your forehead. Rose oil also restores trust and heals emotional grief, whether it’s from bereavement or a heart hardened from abuse, despair, or rejection.
Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
The genus name comes from a Greek word meaning “courage,” as the plant was considered a source of courage. For this reason, women gave war-bound men gifts that included thyme leaves. The specific name comes from a Greek word meaning “to creep.”
Thyme has been used in official and traditional medicine for a long time (centuries for traditional medicine). Wild thyme seems to be less effective than common thyme, however. The most popular folk remedy is as an infusion or syrup for respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, whooping cough, and sore throats.
In Slavic culture, thyme is called “mother’s soul.” A famous Czech folk belief is that upon dying, a mother’s soul is changed into this fragrant flower. Wherever the plant grows wild, it’s believed it purifies its surroundings and enlivens spirits with its fragrance. From thyme, Slavs make a ritual bread called bogovitsa, “god bread.”
I remember my grandmother in those days — her hands stained green from herbs, her kitchen filled with the scent of thyme, savory, and dried peppers. She gathered thyme to make Sharena sol, the colorful salt that flavored not only our meals but our memories. A pinch of it carried warmth through the long winter and a blessing for health, love, and home.
The Slavic Soul Oracle Deck
The Slavic Soul oracle Kickstarter campaign goes live on Tuesday. October 14, at 9 a.m., Eastern time. It’s a celebration of nature, art, and ancestral wisdom brought to life through 78 magical cards. Along with the cards, we have a beautifully illustrated expanded guidebook, an art book, and lots of digital add-ons.
Join us to be part of this journey where ancient folklore meets modern intuition.
Follow the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ronesa-aveela/slavic-divination?ref=3dp9ve
This witchy season, may your home be filled with the aroma of herbs, may your heart be full of gratitude, and may your spirit be guided by the quiet magic of the earth.
ARC Opportunities
From time to time, I have get word about advance review copies from authors I know. Here are a couple I think you might enjoy.
“I lie best when I believe it myself, and even better when the truth could get me killed.”
For fans of The Hunger Games, Red Rising, Ender’s Game, and Scythe.
Sixteen-year-old Wren thought she was saving lives. But when her resistance mission goes wrong, she’s sentenced to death by the Equilibrium. Her only choice? Become a pilot in their Shadow Squadron—a brutal program that turns teens into perfect weapons.
Each mission keeps her alive… but erases more of who she is.
Finalist, Faulkner-Wisdom Competition.
Download your free ARC today, enter the cockpit, lose yourself.
https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/236754/the-conduit-trials
Surrendering to the immortal fae king was never her choice. Falling for him will be her greatest betrayal.
Deirdre’s fate was sealed before birth: one day, she would become the bride of the Deathless One—a title that promised more chains than vows.
Desperate to escape that future, she risked everything to flee with the man she loved. But when her defiance ends in blood, the immortal fae king drags her to his isolated realm, not as a queen, but as a captive.
With the vicious creatures and ancient magic of Kane’s kingdom bending to his will alone, Deirdre’s only hope as a mere mortal lies in wielding deceit like a weapon to cut down his defenses. Yet each clash with the fae king sends her resolve wavering between hatred of her immortal captor, curiosity about his secrets, and a genuine allure as inescapable as her situation.
The closer she gets to uncovering a weakness to destroy him, the more she’s ensnared by his shadowy charms. To escape, she must find the weakness that could destroy his soul, but with every whispered promise and stolen moment, Deirdre’s resolve wavers.
The Deathless One is not what she thought, and with war brewing on the kingdom’s borders, neither can afford her hesitation. But honoring her original plan will shatter both their fates…and following her heart will destroy the very world she vowed to save.
Uprooted meets The Cruel Prince in this lush, dual-POV fantasy romance that’s perfect for readers who love epic worlds, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance, and meddling pixies.
https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/228793/queen-of-sorrows