What religious duties were performed by Baltic seers, augurers, and clan leaders?

In Baltic religion, there was no formal priestly class or religious hierarchy. Instead, religious leadership was held by sacral persons—often the patriarchs of large extended families or heads of clans—who were sometimes referred to as seers, augurers, or necromancers.1

These individuals performed two primary religious duties:

• Ensuring Welfare: They were responsible for the community's well-being and means of existence. This involved performing appropriate rites at work sites and during holy festivals to secure prosperity.1
• Ritual Oversight: They ensured that proper procedures were followed during significant life events, including birth, marriage, and death.1

These figures were highly influential within their clans, and historical records indicate that they were treated with a level of reverence comparable to that afforded to Christian bishops. While these leaders were essential to maintaining the community's connection to the divine, it is important to note that Baltic religion itself was characterized by a healthy rationalism rather than mysticism, with humans participating in a divine rhythm of life set by the gods.12