The Slavic goddess Tara is the patroness of wildlife, the entire flora. The first mentions of it date back to the third millennium BC. Tara is considered Perun's daughter and Dazhbog's sister and assistant.
The cult of the goddess was most widespread among the tribes who hunted and lived near the forests. Therefore, Tara's main field of activity is the protection and enhancement of forest resources. They also turned to her in lean years, during periods of natural disasters. It is believed that Tara does not interfere in the daily life of people, preferring to keep a little aloof from them, as befits a higher deity.
The name of Tara is associated with the Pole Star, at the time of the ascent of which it was customary to bring gifts to the goddess - the fruits of the harvest and other items of vegetable origin. Idols of Tara were made from trees that had sacred meaning - ash, oak and birch.
The origin of the goddess's name has not been precisely established. There is a version that her name is a derivative of the word “ gift ”, but there is no strong evidence for this theory.
According to some researchers, Tara rules from early spring to late autumn, retiring to the kingdom of Navi for the winter. Presumably, the holiday of Tara falls on the last days of March, during the awakening of nature from winter sleep. The worship of the goddess was accompanied by abundant food, ritual ceremonies and fun.
In the view of the ancient Slavs, Tara had the appearance of a young beautiful girl, dressed in a white sundress, with a thick braid. Most likely, the goddess has light blond hair, blue eyes and white skin.
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Tara is the most ancient and little-studied character of the pagan pantheon. At the same time, along with Lada, this is the most revered and supportive of the human race.