Taara

In the “ Chronicle ” of Heinrich Livonian, Tarapita (Tharapita, Tharaphita, Tharaphitha), the supreme god of the inhabitants of the island of Saaremaa, is mentioned. Since the 17th century, this has been interpreted by researchers as the battle cry “Taara, help!” ( Taara, avita! In Estonian) and is associated with the Scandinavian god Thor .

The worship of Thor (Tooru in Estonian) was really widespread in Western Estonia, where, according to medieval chronicles, Estonians did not work on Thursday evenings (Thor day), but gathered in the holy forest, where they sang and danced.

In the 19th century, the creators of Estonian literary mythology made Taara the supreme god of the Estonian pantheon. However, Taara is hardly mentioned in authentic Estonian folklore. In the middle of the century, Taara became popular as a symbol in the national movement. From this period, the city of Tartu is poetically called the city of Taara (Taaralinn). At the beginning of the 20th century, the neopagan movement of believers in Taara ( Taarausk ) was born.

The connections of Thor, Taara, and Tarapita are still vague. Deities with similar names are found in the mythology of many Finno-Ugric peoples: the Khanty have Torum, the Sami Turms, the Samoyed Tere, the Finns Tuuri, Turisas.

The forest where Tarapita was born

Hearing this, the priests, grinning, shook off the dust on their feet and hastened to other villages; on the border of Vironia they christened three villages; there was a mountain and a very beautiful forest, where, as the locals said, the great Ezelian god was born, called Tarapita, who flew from there to Ezel. One of the priests went there and cut down the images and idols of their gods there, and people were amazed that the blood did not flow, and even more began to believe the priests' sermons. ^[one]

Appeal to Scrap in Monet Castle

The Christian army rejoiced, began to shout and pray to God. Shouted and besieged, turning to their own Scrape. Some called the sacred forest, others Jesus, in the name and for his glory, bravely went on the attack and reached the top of the rampart, meeting on the other hand a strong rebuff. ^[2]

Baptisms in the city of Valdia

The sons of noblemen were taken hostage; the first of them, with joy and great reverence, received instruction from the venerable bishop of Riga, and then was washed by him at the source of holy baptism. Others were baptized by other priests, and then they joyfully led them into the city to preach Christ and to overthrow Tarapita, who was a god among the Ezelians. / --- / When the sacrament was performed in the city of Valdia, ambassadors came from all the cities and regions of Ezel, asking for peace and seeking the sacrament of baptism. The army was happy and, taking the hostages, gave them peace with brotherly love. It was said that the Ezelians would return freedom to the captured Swedes. They obeyed and promised to return. They took priests with them to their castles to preach Christ, to overthrow Tarapita with other pagan gods and to baptize the people. ^[3]

Chronicle Conclusion

Having finished these deeds, christening the whole nation, overthrowing Tarapita, drowning Pharaoh, freeing the captives, return with joy, Riga residents! ^[four]

Taarausk ( Est. Taarausk - “Taara faith”) is a reconstructivist neopagan movement in Estonia. The main direction of movement is associated with the exaltation of Taar. The modern history of the movement begins in 1933. ^[5] The followers of Taarausk are united, together with the followers of another version of the Estonian neopaganism of Maauska, in the public organization Maavalla Koda . According to some statistical surveys among the population of Estonia, the Taarausk movement enjoys a certain sympathy for up to 11% of the country's inhabitants.