Vėjopatis- Baltic GodDeity
Also known as: Veopatis and Vejopatis
Domains
Description
Master of every wind that swept across Baltic lands and seas, Vėjopatis filled the sails of ships and bent the grain in the fields. Sailors whistled to summon his attention and threw coins into the waves to buy his favor, while farmers prayed for the gentle breeze that dried their harvest and feared the gale that could flatten it.
Mythology & Lore
On the Water
Baltic sailors knew Vėjopatis by his work. A favorable wind meant his attention. A storm meant his anger. Dead calm was worse: it meant indifference. Before every voyage, they made offerings. Coins thrown into the sea bought his favor. Whistling aboard ship could summon wind when the sails hung slack. In rough weather, no one whistled.
Disrespect aboard risked contrary winds or sudden squalls. There was no negotiating once the punishment arrived. A crew could only wait, bail water, and promise better behavior. Vėjopatis heard or he did not. Lasickis, recording Samogitian beliefs in 1615, listed him among the gods who received regular offerings.
On the Land
Inland, the same god bent the grain. Gentle breezes dried the fields after rain and kept the windmills turning. A gale at the wrong moment could flatten a year's rye crop the week before harvest.
Farmers prayed for the wind appropriate to the season and made their offerings. Vėjopatis answered or he didn't, and there was little to do either way but watch the sky and hope.