Dievturība was first established in 1925, based on ancient Latvian folklore, old folk songs and stories. It is not identical to the beliefs of the ancient Latvians themselves. For example, there is no evidence that the ancients divided their deities into groups of three; in Dievturība, Dievs, Māra and Laima are a trinity of fate gods and goddesses.
Ernest Brastins (1892-1942) was the person mainly responsible for the early developed of Dievturība. He was an artist, an amateur historian, a folklorist and an archaeologist. He documented many ancient Latvian temples and castles, writing Index of Mythological Notions of Latvju Dainas.
Dievturiba is essentially a monotheistic religion. Other deities are either aspects of the one god, or other types of non-deific spirits. In Dievturiba, several triumvirates of deities and concepts are recognized.
Gods of fate, the primary triumvirate
Dievs (who is the one monotheistic god and emanates the others as aspect of himself)
The difference between dvēsele ("soul") and velis ("astral body") is a fine one. The dvēsele is eternal. It comes from god (Dievs) and will return to him after the death of the miesa. The velis stays near the body, gradually melting and disappearing over time (similar to the concept of a ghost).
External link
Dievturi writings (http://www.ailab.lv/dievturi/d.htm) - mostly in Latvian, but one article in English
Latvian church Dievturi is the revival of Latvian ancient religion.
Dievturi Church does not negate others religions and understandings of God but they think that every religion must be in its own place: Hinduism in India, Islam in arab countries, Judaism in Israel, and so on...
Dievturi Church is interested in contacts with all persons, movements and religions with similar ideas and activities.
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