Anna Urošević Applegate’s, Slava! was a delight to read.
The book itself is beautifully done, the pages seem to me to be a nicer quality of paper than is generally found in paperbacks, and the cover (depicting Perun and Veles with the World Tree) is gorgeous. I was especially delighted to find that the rich and bold red of the cover was to be found inside as well for titles, title pages, and illustrations.
For a newcomer to Slavic culture and faith, I was very glad to read about the openness with which anyone might learn of and practice Slavic Native Faith regardless of their own ancestry. Urošević Applegate welcomes all— and anti-Semitism, ethnocentrism, fascism, xenophobia, and any other -ism that looks to gatekeep this faith is NOT welcome.
Urošević Applegate’s writing is very engaging and intelligent, and she blends her personal experiences with history, facts, and exercises for the reader in a way that always keeps you reading and wanting to learn more. I recommend that anyone buying this book should also purchase a blank journal to go with it, as the exercises are interesting, thought-provoking and well worth doing.The contents of the book come in three parts and is broken down into chapters within those parts. Readers will learn of Slavic Native Faith past and present, Slavic gods, saints, spirits, plants, and the actual work of observances, prayer, offerings, spells, and the tools that might assist in those things. To accompany these topics are journalling prompts and friendly guidance.
I must admit to lingering a little over the chapter about the gods as I share a name with the goddess Mara who transforms from “beautiful maiden to a horrible, death-dealing goddess of winter”. A silly little thrill, perhaps, but it made reading even more interesting!
I also particularly enjoyed the chapter “Bajanje (Healing Magic) and the Magic of Plants”, as many of the plants mentioned are common to many areas of the world, and can often be found right in your own backyard or easily grown in planters – garlic, dandelions, onion, sunflowers…. All of them with both magical and medicinal uses, not to mention some of them are excellent sources of food.
For anyone curious about Slavic Native Faith, this is an excellent book and will serve well as a resource and an enjoyable read.
~review by Mara McTavish
Author: Anna Urošević Applegate
Llewellyn Books, 2026
Pp.: 325
Price: $22.99 USD
