#The World of Manala

[moonloredraws]

Don't listen too closely to strange music you hear on the winds

#D&D #dnd #Orc #Necromancer #Bard #This is the avatar of the god of necromancy from Manala #He'll steal your soul when you listen to the music he plays on his cursed instrument #the world of Manala #Shadow Orc

[steadystudyparty]

Sunday 13.11.22

Mood of the day:

Holding onto heartache ~ Louis Tomlinson

My mum gave my family the silent treatment this weekend. I went back home to my flat as soon as possible.

I studied all morning and I am quite proud of myself. I have to be ready for my upcoming midterms.

I also wrote a little for my fic. I cannot wait to share it with the world.

My roommate and I had the greatest evening: we had hot chocolates and manalas while watching Harry Potter and talked about everything. Living with her really makes me the happiest.

#dear diary #digital diary #SoundCloud #my diary

[cantrollthatperfect20]

Drider on Manala

Since I’ve thrown Drow culture down the drain in Manala, I’ve also completely overhauled drider. 

Instead of being drow men who underwent a ritual that gets botched and results in them becoming monstrosities in the twisted image of Lolth... they’re now just spider-fae that are their own species. Which. I guess doesn’t make them Drider (Drow-Spider) but I’m still going to use the word because it’s a cooler term than Arachne or Spiderfolk or whatever the alternative would be.

They’re also not confined to only the Underdark! They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and any kind of environment a spider could be found in, they could be found in. So Daiye is based off a cave spider type (can’t remember which one), and is a large creature. Drider! Celestelle is based off a Jumping spider and is considered a medium creature. There’s also HUGE drider in the deserts and stuff based off those big fuck-off spiders in Australia who eat mice and those creepy Camel Spiders. Those driders are crazy huge and if they weren’t a Neutral Good Aligned Fae creature would probably cause a lot of nightmares for MANY people.

#Drider #The World of Manala

[homunculus-argument]

The way that finnish folklore is aligned, there isn't a definitive line between gods and other supernatural beings. There are the Main God families - the god and goddess of the forests, god and goddess of the waters, god and goddess of the sky, god and goddess of death, but the thing is, these are not individual gods, but god families. The goddess of forests, Mielikki, is not defined by her husband, the god of forests Tapio, but is individually as powerful, and it is her duty to herd and care for woodland animals, as it was traditionally a woman's job to care for cattle in the finnish culture - her task to keep up the household of the forest god family is as important as her husband's work of keeping up the woods, as caring for and harvesting grain was traditionally a man's job.

(the division of "men's work" and "women's work" is another faction of old finnish culture, and to this day there are people who struggle to figure out which factions of modern life are men's or women's work, and if you live with a man who refuses to learn how to wash dishes because it's "women's work", I advise you to throw the whole fucking man out.)

Anyway, there are no demigods in the same sense as the ancient greek and roman pantheons of gods had them - all of the gods (save for sky god Ukko/Perkele) had their own children in their own realms, and just like in the traditional finnish households of men, the children and servants were delegated different tasks of their own realm.

Mirroring the tasks of common people, there was a different lesser god for every task. The goddess of death (the underworld, Manala, works in reverse of everything in the living world, so there the goddess is the one who rules as opposed to her husband) has given birth to nine daughters who are tasked with creating suffering and different illnesses, and many of the spells and prayers to cure illnesses plead to the daughters specifically, asking them to take their work away from the patient.

While the forest goddess Mielikki is prayed for in hunting - and many of the traditional hunting prayers are sexual in nature, a hunter's attempt to seduce the goddess to favour him and herd her cattle to the hunter's sight - there are also lesser gods, her children, who are tasked with a specific animal. There is a specific lower-ranking goddess of hunting foxes, for one.

My own favourite low-ranking god is Käitös, the god of herding human cattle in the woods. As traditionally, finns herded their cows to forage in the wilderness, there were many spells and prayers to keep them safe from wolves, bears and evil spirits, there was a lesser forest god to pray to in order to protect them.

So if it happens that you were too stupid to keep your dog on a leash while in the forest, and your dog was also too stupid to come when called, and therefore becomes lost, there is a minor god whose sole task is to keep that little dumbass safe until you can find them again.

[theeternalsun]

when people indulge me a+ | @eternalbunni @ofrevas @chartedworlds

“… You know, I know that I never really knew my mother. She did have this dark eyes that seemed to always pull you in, warm, but there was always... something about her.” the silence lingers, drags on as if she is completing the sentences in her though but maybe even those words are lost on their way to her lips “Sometimes I miss her,” Manala glances up with a small smile, yellow apint across her nose and fingertips “And sometimes she just feels like a distant dream, like she was never here at all. All feverish dream. But I know she existed, she was here and she named me.”

credits: . . . . . . . . . . . .

#eternalbunni #ofrevas #chartedworlds #( when people love manala as much as I love manala #I know everything is right in the world ) #my precious sunshine ( manala )

[chaos-burst]

Tell us about your sexy Tiefling please =D

- he’s a druid (circle of the land / forest) in a world (enor, my world) where druidic magic is illegal and druids are hunted and locked away - has the noble background (which is all i can say bc my players might peak at this blog) - he’s a history and literature nerd and reads pretty much everything he can get his hands on which can prove difficult since he lives in a giant forest - has a falcon called manala (named after one of his favorite fairy tale protagonists. yes. i have canonical fairy tales for my damn setting) - he’s nonbinary and very pan, sleeps around a lot and is one hell of a romantic - has so many wanted posters put up in some places. officially labelled a terrorist for being part of a freedom fighter group. oops - is very much afraid of dogs - has a lovely singing voice and likes writing poetry as much as he likes reading it - he’s one of those “are you a boy or a girl?” “yes” type of people which is just very sexy of him if i may say so myself

#ocs #ask #d&d #nika #screeching into the void #text #anon #bless you for asking :D #i love my nb disaster bean #and i'm so pleased he was labelled sexy :'D #Anonymous

[mercysought]

@ourpyrrhicvictory​ . @forslaughter​ : [ nightmare ] for your muse to wake mine from a nightmare - okay but this could be efraim @ the priestess or harry @ his mom or harry @ his sister or blaise @ his mom or blaise @ his sister so one or any or all !  from word prompts compilation ( not accepting )

It is the first time that Amare understands that his mother’s sleeping is not the same as his, or his sister’s, or pappa’s.

Not the first time that Manala had come to realise it, though she had always been very sensitive to these sort of things. Efraim had known for years and, at times, it had become manageable enough that she could sleep in the same bed without feeling fearful as to how she would wake; that she might grow lax in her protections and her preventive measures as a way to make sure that they all could have a semblance of normalcy in their home when sleep came. The day would come where she would explain, where they would be able to understand in more specific and clear terms what it was to be sick and to live with such a sickness. It would not be an easy conversation, not one that would have a nice end to it but it was still one that needed to be had.

To hide it would be to admit that it held control over herself and her mind and her children needed to know fully: their mother would never harm them, their mother would always keep them safe. But their mother… Their mother had days where her mind didn’t feel like her own and the world all around them was too loud, too dark, too much like a cage.

And sometimes, that disease took the shake of living and walking nightmares. Loud and real enough that they would plague her mind, sinking their teeth deeply into her mind. Sometimes they grew in anxiety, other times they made her reach for a weapon. On that night it was the former. Her mind had taken her off her bed, the bed that she slept alongside her husband who was sleeping deeply. That night, her mind had told him that she would be fine, walking down the stairs in the darkness of night, towards the kitchen. In her stomach a growing sphere of anxiety. Dark figures surrounding the home. She hadn’t been there when Lily and James Potter had been murdered in their home, but she could only imagine. She had read the reports and her heart was still filled with sorrow and sadness for their loss and what that meant for the boy that slept in a room upstairs. One hand on the door handle that opened outside.

   “Mama?” the voice is small and shy, but loud and bright enough to pierce through the fog. To snap black eyes into a blink, awake in the dark kitchen at night as the cold from outside their windows rolled in “Did you have a bad dream mama?”

Amare walks slowly towards her, into the kitchen eyes still filled with sleep. The priestess looks at her hands for a moment, feeling them shake, clammy with sweat as tears form over dark eyes. Scarred palms close softly, forming a fist that is brought closer to a thin frame, against the stiff muscles of her stomach. Her eyes seek the ceiling, unsure where truly they were looking other than attempting to reach God above them all. To ask for his forgiveness and to say thank you, thank you for giving her a sign that she could not grow complacent. They were not a normal family and to pretend that matters were simply normal was dangerous.

Amare’s hand feels warm as it rests against hers. She sighs, swallowing the tears before lowering herself to grab the boy’s hand, pulling him closer and lifting the dark, thick curls that covered his forehead. Scarred lips kiss his forehead, scarred the same as her dark skin, but with a lightning mark. Her boy, her sweet little boy “I did.” she picks him up with both arms, his head bobbing softly and coming to a rest in her shoulder “Did I wake you up, my heart?”

#ourpyrrhicvictory #forslaughter #the priestess ( muses ) #raven received ( meme replies ) #( the priestess has some serious issues with ptsd which often lead to very vivid nightmares that have her acting on them ) #( this is something that efraim would be very aware ) #( and also something that. at this stage in her life. would have been far more under control than in her younger years because she would #have been making an effort to make sure that she was stable for manala too ) #( but this is a sharp reminder that it's just a work that she has to continuously put in and just because she is better it doesn't mean that #she is healed and so. because of this small family. she is trying )

[burlveneer-music]

Rent Romus, Heikki Koskinen, Life's Blood Ensemble - Manala - a big band journey through the underworld of the Finnish Kalevala saga (Edgetone Records)

Manala is the metaphysical realm of the Finnish underworld referenced throughout Dr. Elias Lönnrot’s collection of traditional oral songs(runot) published as poetry in the Kalevala. It is both a metaphor and reflection of a world view and cosmic order that inspires an inherent feeling of mystery throughout the texts of this tradition. It is a place where knowledge and song successfully emerge from dark waters to aid in the world of the living. This is the second iteration in a series which began in 2014 with the Otherworld Cycle (Edgetone Records EDT4161) as a cultural research project into Romus’ Finnish heritage. Manala is a joint musical project built upon a thematic framework featuring compositions by Rent Romus and Heikki Koskinen using elements of Finnish pentameter rhythmic folk music intertwined with melodic themes as well as graphic and improvisational components expressed in American Jazz. In addition to Finnish mythology Romus expanded his research related to lore connected through the Uralic cultural language chain from the Baltic shores of the Livonian Coast the to the Northeast Arctic of Siberia and the Northern Sápmi (Sami). Rent Romus - alto & soprano saxophones, flutes, kantele, bells Heikki "Mike" Koskinen - e-trumpet, tenor recorder, kantele Joshua Marshall - tenor & soprano saxophones, flute Gabby Fluke-Mogul - violin Tom Weeks - baritone & alto saxophones David Samas - voice, han, prepared frame drum, song stones, cocoa pod, bells, waterphone, animal calls, Aztec death whistle, water Cheryl E. Leonard - Spiny, Baby Driftwood Pipe Organ Limpet Shell Spine, bowl of sand, stone slabs, clam shells mussel shells, mobiles: (driftwood, obsidian needles, petrified wood, crab claws, shells) feathers, fish vertebrae, Japanese bowl gongs Mark Clifford - vibraphone Safa Shokrai - double bass Max Judelson - double bass Timothy Orr - drums, percussion

#Rent Romus #Heikki Koskinen #Life's Blood Ensemble #big band #folklore #finland #manala #kalevala #edgetone records

[nuclearblastuk]

KORPIKLAANI | announce UK tour dates with Burning Witches + release video for new track Jägermeister

Finnish folk metal heroes KORPIKLAANI who are currently preparing for two Russian shows with Trollfest later this month, are pleased to announce that they will be returning to UK shores in March 2020 for a string of eight headline shows, as part of their ongoing Land Of A Thousand Drinks world tour! The final performance is set to take place at Hammerfest UK. Support on the tour will come from Nuclear Blast label mates Burning Witches. 

          In celebration of this news, KORPIKLAANI have today released a killer video for their new track Jägermeister, shot at their recent New York show. The video was directed by Vicente Cordero, with production by Industrialism        Films. Jägermeister will be available to purchase as a digital single on 13th December.           You can view the video for Jägermeister here: https://youtu.be/5fH0hHZkCJ8           Tickets for KORPIKLAANI's UK tour are set to go on sale Friday 13th December. Stay tuned for news next week.           Front-man Jonne commented: "As our recent North American tour began, we were discussing making a new    video and Jyrki (The 69 Eyes) recommended Vicente and he was a perfect        fit. At the time we did not even know what song to use and then we remembered we never released Jägermeister as this was recorded during the Manala sessions. We contacted Vicente and found out that he had free time the day we had our last show in New York. He flew out to NY, met us at the PlayStation Theater and then filmed around Times Square, backstage and during the show. Now it is time for your favourite medicine, perfect to warm up the cold          winter days and get you in that party mood! Come and drink with us!"                    w/ TROLLFEST          13/12/19  RU  Saint Petersburg - Aurora Concert Hall          14/12/19  RU  Moscow - Club Red                    LAND OF A THOUSAND DRINKS UK TOUR 2020          w/ Burning Witches          13/03/20  UK  Manchester - Rebellion          14/03/20  UK  Liverpool - O2 Academy 2          15/03/20  UK  Sheffield - Corporation          17/03/20  UK  Bristol - Thekla          18/03/20  UK  Southampton - The 1865          19/03/20  UK  Birmingham - Asylum          20/03/20  UK  Glasgow - The Classic Grand          21/03/20  UK  Great Yarmouth - Hammerfest UK *          *Korpiklaani only

  Watch 'Jägermeister' https://youtu.be/5fH0hHZkCJ8

 KORPIKLAANI have some more global tour dates currently scheduled for 2020:                    Japan Tour 2020          w/ Skyclad, Skiltron          29/02/20  JP   Osaka - Used amHall          01/03/20  JP   Tokyo - Shibuya Stream Hall                    06/03/20  FI    Lahti - Möysän Musaklubi          07/03/20  FI    Lievestuore - Laukaanhovi                    w/ Arzén          26/03/20  SK    Bratislava - Ateliér Babylon          27/03/20  SK    Trenčín - Piano club          28/03/20  SK    Ružomberok - Kultúrny dom Andreja          Hlinku          29/03/20  SK    Košice - Colloseum Club                    03/04/20  FI    Inari - Papana          04/04/20  FI    Kempele - ZRock          12/06/20  ES   Zamora - Z! Live Rock Fest          18/06/20  FI    Nummijärvi - Nummirock          28/08/20  DE  Crispendorf - Wolfszeit          06/09/20  DE  Selb - Festival Mediaval

  KORPIKLAANI released their latest studio album Kulkija ("Wanderer")          in 2018 through Nuclear Blast Records, and also released a special tour          edition earlier this year which included a bonus CD titled Beer Beer. The aforementioned disc includes 14 versions of KORPIKLAANI's iconic song 'Beer  Beer', graced by the likes of Christopher Bowes (Alestorm), Steve "Zetro"          Souza (Exodus), Andreas "Gerre" Geremia (Tankard), Jesper Anastasiadis (Turisas), Trollfest and many more of their friends' bands and musicians.          

Order 'Kulkija' HERE           KORPIKLAANI released their latest single 'Land Of A Thousand Drinks' (an English version of their original song 'Joumamaa') a couple of months ago. Purchase/stream recent track 'Land Of A Thousand Drinks' now: https://nblast.de/Korpiklaani-1000Drinks ICYMI: Watch the lyric video for the song here: https://youtu.be/HJwh5S3hukE          

Check out their various versions of 'Beer Beer': 'Beer Beer' [feat. Christopher Bowes | ALESTORM]: https://youtu.be/pYP-QPPt_p0 'Kaljaa' [feat. Vesku Jokinen | KLAMYDIA]: https://youtu.be/3ASMLds26m4 'Øl Øl' [feat. TROLLFEST]: https://youtu.be/Q_9YqRRcuMY 'Bier Bier' [feat. Gerre | TANKARD]: https://youtu.be/LfxfnAm7PK8 'Bír Bír' [feat. FLERET]: https://youtu.be/4drIAMzV7qg 'Pivo Pivo' [Meri Tadic | IRIJ]: https://youtu.be/-rN-Z_2vKDg More on 'Kulkija': 'Kotikonnut' Official Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/tzsUWvKsgqQ 'Harmaja' Official Video: https://youtu.be/AoTkmBB4yow 'Henkselipoika' Official Video: https://youtu.be/ZB7PyLYQyXg 'Aallon alla' Official Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/uul1tiTZ07Y 'Kuin korpi nukkuva' Official Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/q1HnD86aWS8

          With 14 tracks and a total running time of over 71 minutes, Kulkija is the group's longest album to date. Working with producer Janne Saksa for the first time, the album was recorded at Petrax Studio (Hollola, FIN) and mixed at Sound      Supreme Studios (Hämeenlinna, FIN). Mastering duties were handled by renowned engineer Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein etc.). The cover was designed by Jan Yrlund (Battle Beast, Manowar etc.), who has already created several artworks for previous albums and singles for the band.                    http://korpiklaani.com/          https://facebook.com/korpiklaani          https:/instagram.com/official_korpiklaani/          https://twitter.com/_korpiklaani          https://nuclearblast.de/korpiklaani

  BURNING WITCHES, who are currently working on their upcoming second studio album due in spring 2020, have today released their brand new EP Wings Of Steel. This is their first release to feature new front-woman Laura, having already toured with her throughout this summer           Order the Wings Of Steel EP here physically: nblast.de/BW-WingsOfSteel  Purchase 'Wings Of Steel' digitally or stream the track here: http://nblast.de/BWWingsOfSteel                    More info:          http://facebook.com/burningwitches666          http://instagram.com/burningwitchesofficial          http://twitter.com/burningwitches_          http://nuclearblast.de/burningwitches   

#nuclear blast #burning witches #korpiklaani

[moonloredraws]

Yesterday I had the question "What if Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 existed in Manala" and lo and behold, the man would look fabulous in my homebrew D&D world!

#fanart #art #artist #baldurs gate 3 #BG3 #Astarion #astarion ancunin #d&d #dungeons and dragons #dnd #astarion bg3 #The World of Manala

[battlestar-royco]

11/11/11 tag

@inkwingart thanks for the tag my friend!! Rules: Answer these 11 questions, tag 11 people, and ask 11 questions of your own.

What are your character or characters’ favorite place(s)? Evren: anywhere she can run out in the open for a long distance, especially if the weather is brisk. Sierra: apothecaries. Resya: her room at night. Faryn: the archery range. Zali: out late with friends.

What book universe would you want to live in? Harry Potter.

How many open WIPs do you have? Hm, like 5 or 6, depending on how you define a WIP.

DnD alignment and classes for your MCs? Evren is chaotic good; Sierra is chaotic neutral; Resya is lawful good; Faryn is chaotic neutral; Zali is neutral good.

Do you have any characters you struggle to keep consistent? I had a lot of trouble with Sierra and Zali when they first came around. Evren and Resya are both protagonists in their own stories, but Sierra, Faryn, and Zali came later. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with Sierra’s arc from pretty much the beginning, but I only just figured out what Evren’s arc was a few months ago. Now that I’m nearing the end of both of the drafts and I’ve spent many years with the five of them, I know them all like the back of my hand.

Pick a song to represent each MC. Evren: Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park. Sierra: Like You/Lose Control by Evanescence. Resya: Into the Mist by Eivor. Faryn: At the Gates of Manala by Apocalyptica. Zali: Bad Girls by MIA/Glory and Gore by Lorde.

What’s your favorite genre to write in? Fantasy for long stuff, sci-fi and sometimes horror for shorter things. IDK, I like to bend genres together in different ways for everything I do, so I can’t 100% say one or the other!

What are you best at? Dialogue, action, etc. Probably dialogue and clear descriptions :)

Pick a line from your WIP to use as an inspirational quote. From WIP 1: Beneath the earth, the air was warmer, but not comfortable. In summer, the tunnel felt cool. The temperature was constant, just like the ancient pulse of blood magic. It crinkled like static if you went dangerously close to the mountain base. Sometimes, it coursed through Evren’s veins like a warm drink. From WIP 2: “No matter where you are, you can always see the stars,” Resya explained. “If you know your stars well enough, you can follow them anywhere. They travel across the sky every year for everyone to see. And when the sun is up or the clouds are out, you know they’re still there.”

Which character are you most proud of? In terms of creating them: Veda from WIP 1. She’s an anti-villain, a mother, and an abuse survivor, and she’s got a lot of layers. In terms of character development/what they’ve been through: Resya. She’s managed to persevere through all I’ve put her through since she was a kid with a soft and hopeful spirit.

Favorite adjectives? Depends what I’m describing! I love using unique colors to describe stuff (I really like periwinkle), and unconventional words to describe otherwise cliche or mundane things.

My questions:

If your character lived in our world, what would be their favorite singer/band?

Movie/show?

Book?

Are you a plotter or pantser or a little bit of both?

What’s your favorite part of writing: outlining, drafting, revising?

What’s your favorite POV? Third, first, present tense, past tense?

And what’s the maximum amount of POVs you’d ideally put in one book (disregarding editor influence or readership)?

Do you write for yourself first or do you always have an audience in mind?

What’s your favorite character trait/flaw to explore?

What’s your favorite time of day in which to set a scene?

Similarly, what’s your favorite time of day to write?

I’ll tag @spaceshipkat and @longsightmyth and @mybookisbad. If you’re a writeblr, you follow me, and you’re comfortable sharing, consider yourself tagged! Tag me in the answer please :).

#tags #my writing #it took me so long to find the quotes too like;; that awkward moment when you're not done with the character arcs #so all the thematic elements are really dark and sad before they can grow into better people

[cantrollthatperfect20]

Just a whole bunch of maps from various campaigns I’ve run in Manala! The first is the world map, the second is Chezhett, where the party for Elysium is. The third is in the border between Reuxverte, Vozari and Auldloren, when my Eden party is at, and the fourth is for a campaign that I’ve since scrapped. The second and fourth maps have cracks in the landscape, because the cataclysmic Final Calamity left many cracks on the surface of the world.

The first map is hand drawn, the other 3 are made with Inkarnate!

#The World of Manala #Manala #Maps

[mindsmade]

❛ mercysought / priestess.

The priestess waits, to see if he wanted to continue talking since it was a subject that neither of them really touched on. Even now the priestess felt like it was probably not something that she wanted to dwell on. What was the point of talking about such things? Apart from relieving the pain after years of it happening? Maybe it was different for Sylvan, the same way that it was different for many of the people that too refuge in the Temple, to let the world hear their pain into words was sometimes all that they needed. The woman wished that simply reaching out, lending her hand to help pull him back on his feet to the future would be enough but she knew better than to place such simple solutions in complex problems.

   “I felt the same way a very long time ago.” no one from her family would remember such a thing. She hadn’t met Perry during her younger years, nor did she have Manala. Maybe Himsulem had been the only person to be able to understand or even remember what she meant, but he was no longer there and the priestess didn’t want to relieve the memories of her younger years, nor the years at Himsulem’s side.

If it hadn’t been for the temple, however, the people that she had met here and the feeling that she finally had something that she could help build instead of just destroying. Perry, Manala, Kane, they were all now people in her life that made it all the better, every day. “I’m lucky to have the family that I have, if not for them I would not be here.”

And now Benjia and Sylvan were also part of that family. The priestess eyes lift to focus on him with a gentle smile, her hand resting against his, holding and squeezing it. Dark eyes calm even when faced with the realisation that… well… It didn’t matter. She was old enough to know that attraction came in waves and that it could leave just as quickly and that this could very well be his way of saying nothing is going to happen between us in the softest way that he could. The priestess appreciated it all the same.

She gets up from where they were sitting, inhaling sharply still with the same tight smile on her lips “Hopefully you’ll eventually be able to feel the same, and be able to carry on.”

                   He looks the priestess in the eye after staring at her hand, resting on atop his still, for ... well, a while. Seconds, perhaps even a whole minute by now. Strangely enough, it’s the squeeze she gives that tears his gaze away from their sole point of contact. His attention shifts from the contrast between their skin tones to her eyes as a result. In his apparent state of vulnerability to hyperfixation, he’s tempted to sink into the richness of the darkness he finds there and stay silent. But he doesn’t. Rather, he drums his other ( unoccupied ) hand’s fingers along the edge of the makeshift bench ( that is, an old trunk ). Once, twice, repeating the pattern to the beat of the crackling fire to ground himself.

                ❛  I know,  ❜  he then responds — perhaps somewhat suddenly, yet not at the cost of his sincerity. Sylvan nods affirmatively and finally rediscovers his normally everlasting smile. It climbs slowly from the corners of his lips towards his eyes, shallowly dimpling his cheeks.  ❛  Neither would I.  ❜  But what family does he speak of? The limited duo of himself and Benjia, or the extension upon which he so coincidentally and fortunately came months ago? Both, in truth, though he daren’t assume any such thing out loud in front of the binding force of said extended family. He’ll not impose so freely, so brazenly, but at the core of his statement lies that sentiment all the same: she and hers are his family, too, now. Sylvan does believe that, truly and deeply.

                   Something however shifts between them in the ensuing instant. It’s hard to put his finger on what exactly it is that changes and why it does, but he can feel it all the same. An intuitive sort of vibration renders him more alert now, more lucid than his dreamy gratitude had permitted him to be. That same intuition speaks to him of something never voiced between them so far. To his mind, it never required voicing, either. It was just there. Existing, appeasing — and comfortable, most of all. Nevertheless does he feel an urge to speak out about it now, even if almost haphazardly so, and finds he’s only seconds away from losing the opportunity to clarify his thoughts.

                    The priestess rises and as she does so, she speaks, granting Sylvan the final window of time on which to pounce. It’s this, or letting things slide out of general meekness. Whilst generally not at all confrontational by nature, he’d rather deal with the strange, unprecedented sort of insecurity now suspended between them head-on.  ❛  Wait.  ❜  He takes her wrist in his hand, his grasp loose but still there all the same. Just because he’s been welcoming of her touch so far ( and she has — in his eyes — given it freely ), doesn’t mean the same goes the other way again. Eyes again drift to their hands, though this time to linger only between two heartbeats. 

                    He thumbs the outside of her wrist once, though doubts that’ll take away the tightness in her smile.  ❛  I don’t ... want there to be any confusion, and I’m afraid I must’ve said something that came across wrong. Maybe I should’ve been clearer ... sooner.  ❜     ( @mercysought / priestess )

#mercysought #❛ thread / sylvan timbancaya. #❛ setting / generic. #❛ timeline / modern day. #THANKS SKELLS

[thesirmourretreat]

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most picturesque states in India. The place is dotted with quaint little villages and scenic hill stations that seem to be straight out of a storybook. It has lush green valleys, numerous trekking options and is welcoming for families as well as solo travellers, adventurers and backpackers. You will run out of fingers if you start counting Place to visit in himachal pradesh. However, for your convenience we have picked out top places that you must visit in Himachal Pradesh.

Nahan

It is one of the up-and-coming hill stations in Himachal Pradesh that offers great options for trekking, scenic views, calm and tranquillity and has some of the best hotels in Himachal. You can choose to explore the ancient Indian architecture on display at places like Jaitak Fort and Jagannath Temple. You can also choose to be one with the nature when you visit Kangojodi, which is an offbeat location lined with pine trees and surrounded by hills and ravines. There is also Suketi Fossil Park, which is also the only fossil park in Asia which is built on a site where actual fossils were found. The Park has a collection of vertebrate fossils and skeletons that date back to the prehistoric times. If you are looking for options to stay in this place, you must check www.thesirmourretreat.com 

Spiti Valley

It is a remote village located in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3810 metres. It is located in cold desert mountains, but is famous for the many Buddhist monasteries scattered throughout the area. On top of that you can enjoy activities like white water rafting, mountain biking and wildlife spotting. Even though the road leading up to the village is not the easiest to cover, it is an experience in itself. 

Bir Billing

Bir Billing is also known as the Paragliding Capital of India and rightly so attracts many tourists looking to experience this adventure sport. Even though it is a small place it offers some great views and spectacular landscape. The weather remains excellent through the year and it is also a place with great stay options in Himachal, be it hostels or hotels. 

Khajjar

It is one of the most scenic towns of Himachal Pradesh. Khajjar is surrounded by deodar forests and snow-capped mountains. It is also referred to as the “Mini Switzerland of India” because of its spell bounding scenery. You can also get to see exotic wildlife at Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. If you prefer outdoor activities, then you can indulge in forest trekking, horse riding, zorbing, and paragliding. There is also a magnificently built 12th century Khaj Nag Temple. 

Kasol

This photogenic hill station is located on the banks of River Parvati. It is a town most frequented by solo travellers and back packers as it offers innumerable affordable places to stay. Since the 1970s it is one of the most visited places in India by Israelis and it has also come to be known as ‘Little Israel of India’. There are many small treks that lead you to villages which are full of history and culture, like Manala village, which claims to be the world’s oldest democracy. 

Also Read:- 4 Steps to Pick the Best Hotel in Nahan

KasauliIf you are not looking to go too high into the hills and want to get away from the bustle and adulterated city air, then look no further than Kasauli. It is only two hours drive from Chandigarh and has great colonial architecture on display. Owning to its proximity to the big towns it has amazing hotels and resorts in Himachal. The place has a peaceful ambiance and abundant nature.

#best hotels in Himachal #places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #stay options in Himachal #Resorts in Himachal

[kittensartswriting]

Finnish Mythology Part 2

Part 1 | Part 2

In the first part of this series I talked about the concept of soul that ancient Finns had. Now I’m going to talk about the gods and spirits. Like in every ancient mythology their gods had variations depending on place and time. All Baltic Finnish tribes had almost same gods, who might have varied a little on names and stories. But they were basically same. Sami people are also closely related to Finns and they had a lot of similarities but also a lot of things differed from Finnish mythology. That said, I’m not going to cover all variations, I’m going to concentrate more on the most used names and stories. So lets dive right into it.

In Finnish mythology gods didn’t have great drama and personal problems like in Greek and many other European mythologies. Finnish gods were always elemental, there’s no gods of immortality or love, rather they were all related to nature and elements. Also all gods had their goddess counterparts who were their queens. Many goddesses were respected as emu which means the root mothers. They were the king and queen of their element and the spirits were their subjects. They also had all their own mansions where they ruled. The Finnish gods and goddesses can be divided in four groups: deities of sky, deities of water, deities of land and deities of death.

Deities of Sky

(Lemminkäinen in a fiery lake, E. W. Ekman, 1867 - Ukko pictured on the left.)

Ukko the supreme god (Ukko Ylijumala) was the god of thunder. He had a lot of common with Scandinavian Thor - he also had a hammer as his symbol. He was considered the ruler of all gods. Ukko actually means old man. Originally it was very respectful term and may have referred to a lord. It is possible that Ukko was originally Ilmarinen, the god of sky and wind, as they have also the hammer and forging in common. (Ilmarinen was a smith god.) Ilmarinen was actually name used by Karelians, Finns in the East, so it may also be their version of Ukko. Akka is the wife of Ukko. Akka means literally old hag, but it was, like Ukko, very respectful term used referred to a noble elderly women and meant something like a hostess. Akka was the goddess of lightning and was as feared and respected as Ukko. Their daughter Ilmatar was the goddess of air. 

All though Ukko and Akka were the ruler of the sky, all the elements on sky wasn’t in their power. These elements had their own lesser gods that Finns worshiped too. God and goddess of the Sun had son Panu, the god of fire, and daughter Päivätär, the goddess of day. Finns thought that fire on Earth came from sun. Stars, Otava (Big Dipper) and Moon had both their own gods and goddesses who had all daughters and sons. The god of stars was the North Star. Daughter of Stars was Tähetär, daughter of Otava was Otavatar and daughter of Moon was Kuutar. The daughters were often referred as Luonnotar, which means something like the maidens of Nature. All the daughters were young and beautiful and magically powerful. Kuutar and Päivätär were the most famous of them and they were thought to be great weavers. There is a lot more sky related maidens, like goddess of mist and goddess of wind. 

Deities of Water

Ahti was the god of water and her wife was Vellamo. They were old, rich and very respected by Finns. They lived in the abyss of the sea. Drowned souls were welcomed to their realm and became the spirits of water. The realm of Ahti and Vellamo was not limited to sea but it included all the waters, for example rivers and lakes. Other deities of water were the Little Man, who was small but strong, Aallotar the goddess of waves, Daughter of Rapids and many others. People prayed to both Ahti and Vellamo when wanting to get fish or good weather for sailing. When fishing for prey the Little Man was also asked for help.

These deities were considered usually helpful and at least in some sense good. But there were also terrifying spirits in the sea like Vesi-Hiisi, Iku-Turso and Vetehinen. Vesi-Hiisi (literally Water Goblin) is a troll of the sea, a sea monster that can topple ships and disrupt fishing. Iku-Turso is a beast of the sea that has been there from the beginning of the world. According to a theory he was also a god of war. Vetehinen is a female spirit who lures people to water to their death. Probably they were not bad spirits by origin but became so in the influence of Christianity.

Deities of Land

The greatest deity of land is Maaemo, Mother Earth. We don’t know much what ancient Finns thought of her, save they respected her above all other goddesses and asked her help in many things, because not many poems about her remains. She was a goddess of fertility. In Sami mythology she had husband but it is not certain that she had husband in Finnish mythology too, though that is probable. Pellervoinen, god of fields, was a male deity of fertility and lands. He had power over other things than fields too, like crops and beer. Liekkiö was god of grass and roots but also guardian of killed children, probably because they were usually buried in forests. Most gods of fertility were lesser gods (except for Maaemo) as in Finland the land was unforgiving and the main living was fishing, hunting and gathering.

Therefore gods of forests had more respect. The most powerful of them was Tapio. He was an old and tall man, usually described much like ents from Lord of the Rings. His wife was beautiful Mielikki, not an old lady like most of the major goddesses. Hunters had to always ask a permission from Tapio and Mielikki to hunt animals, for they owned all the animals in the forests. Mielikki was a healer and healing herbs were in her power. They lived in Tapiola, which was often portrayed as beautiful castle in the woods.

Most of forest spirits were women, also maidens of nature (luonnottaria), but Tapiola and Mielikki had at least one son. He was Nyyrikki, a beautiful young man, who helped travelers lost in forests. Tellervo was their daughter, her task was to look after Mielikki’s cattle but also cattle of people. She was considered beautiful and curvy and she had golden hair. Tuulikki had the task of taking care of Tapio’s cattle and hunters asked her to give them prey. There were also female spirits who were guardians of threes. Hiisi was like Vesi-Hiisi, an evil spirit. Metsä-Hiisi (Forest Goblin) and Vuori-Hiisi (Mountain Goblin) lived on land. All goblins were probably originally a mythology species who lived in an upside down world under the ground (called maahiset or maan haltijat - spirits of ground) who were not evil at all. But not much information before Christianity is left of them.

Deity of Death

(Mother of Lemminkäinen, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, 1897 - The River of Tuonela pictured.)

Tuonela was the place where the dead went. Before agriculture and Christianity bodies were usually burned. At that time Tuonela was a cold land in the north behind the river of Tuonela. The dead had to cross the river to get there. After Finns began to bury their dead, Tunela got new name Manala (derived from maan alla = under ground) and it’s location moved under ground. My theory is that at that time the goblins were mixed with spirits of death and so they were made evil. Manala is pictured as dark and gloomy place and it’s gods as evil, but it’s probably just influence of Christianity and it’s idea of hell.

The god and protector of Tuonela is Tuoni and his wife is the lady of Tuoni (her name has not remaind). Tuoni did not cause death, he was the one to guide souls of the dead to the lands of Tuonela. They had a daughter, Tuonetar, who helped people over the river of Tuonela. They also have daughter named Loviatar. She is the root mother of wolves, snakes, disease and ache. According to some stories when she gave birth to them she was impregnated by Iku-Turso. Loviatar was often asked to discipline her children and help with the trouble they have caused. She has also supernaturally beautiful daughters, maidens of North, who were a lot like maidens of nature. One of the daughters of Tuoni is Kiputyttö or Kiputar, a goddess of pain and diseases. She was not considered bad, she rather helped healing diseases.

There is countless numbers of Finnish deities, and here is not nearly all, just the most important ones.

#finnish mythology #deities #gods #goddesses #spirits #ancient mythology #mythology #my writing #art #mythology article

[noita-taika]

Notes on “Tales of Finnish History – The Pagan Times“

Tales of Finnish History – The Pagan Times, Chapter V - by Julius Krohn, 1877

ISBN 978-952-5774-02-3

Notes by Hukkatar / @noita-taika​

Disclaimer: The original text is in Finnish and written in an old font. I have done my best to translate accurately what I have deemed to be the most important information. Please do not hesitate to send me asks!

1. The general nature of the religion

Ancestors believed everything has a spirit. Not only did they speak to animals as if they were people, but also things such as e.g. iron.

At the birth of iron, it had been tainted by snake’s poison, corrupting its true purpose.

To addition to all of the spirits, there were countless haltija that took care of nature. Every stone, tree, river, and animal, including humans, had a haltija that took care, guided and protected

Hukkatar’s note: In modern Finnish, haltija means “owner of something”, while haltia is used when talking about elves and sprites. However, when these two words are spoken out loud they sound exactly the same. I believe that these words most likely didn’t have any difference for the ancient Finns – an elf of the tree is a haltija.

If someone wished to call for something or protect themselves from something, they would turn to the haltija of that thing with prayers and offerings.

Not all haltija are equally powerful. Some were tied to specific trees or species of trees, while others had under their control the entire element. E.g. Pihlajatar is the haltija of rowan, while Tapio is the haltija of the forest.

The more powerful haltija were also called gods.

Ukko, the god of the sky, was considered the High God. However, while he did have a large influence and was often prayed to, most of the gods were independently powerful in their own elements.

2. Ukko, the Sky God

 Ukko, being the first revered god, was often simply called ‘Jumala’, meaning god, which is nowadays the word for the Christian God.

The origin of the word ‘jumala’ comes from the word ‘jumu’, or thunder, and the suffix –la indicates a location. Therefore, ‘jumala’ means home of the thunder - the sky.

Hukkatar’s note: Other such similar words are: Tapiola, Ahtola, Pohjola, Tuonela

When other gods began to appear, the name Ukko was given to the Sky God. It is an honorary name that showed people saw him as the High God.

Other names: Sky Father

Pitkänen, for ‘pitkänen’ (lit. long one) also means lightning, his weapon

Pauanne, for ‘pauke’ (lit. loud noise) means thunder, his voice

Ukko means ‘old man’. He was described to wear blue socks, colorful boots, and a fiery shirt. The rainbow was his hunting bow, from where he shot his steel arrows. His sword, Lightning, had a fiery blade that gleams and was pulled from a fiery sheath. But the most terrible was his voice, which even enemies didn’t wish upon each other

Ukko lived on the ninth heaven, upon the clouds, himself on the center of the sky. The road there went amongst the stars.

As the Sky God, Ukko took care and governed all the events that happened in the sky. Therefore he affected peoples’ lives outside; hunting, fishing, farming

Protected and took care of human and cattle. He was also a master at medicines and people prayed for him to drop some of his miracles with the rain. Wounds and pestilences were seen as evil spirits, and thus Ukko was prayed to defeat them with his sword and arrows. He also punished murderers, thieves and other evil.

Naturally he was also a god of war with his fiery weapons. He had a different name when in his war aspect, Turisas (also Tursas, Turis, Taara, Tyrjä), never used in other occasions

3. The Creation of the World

Despite Ukko being seen as quite mighty and powerful, the Finns didn’t believe this world to be only his creation. The only part which Ukko did was to separate the elements: with his hand he separated water from air, from water he separated the earth. However, everything was left unshaped and unorganized.

In the air, where it was very lonely, the youngest of the Air Maidens, Ilmatar, descended into the sea and became pregnant. A bluebill bird noticed Ilmatar’s knee poking out of the sea, and laid its eggs there. While incubating these eggs, Ilmatar moved her knee and the eggs broke into bits and pieces. From these pieces the world was formed.

At this point, the rest of the work was given to the sons of Kaleva (Kalevanpojat).

Hukkatar’s note: Referencing to Mythologia Fennica, Kaleva was a giant and a father of 12 sons; most of the names are forgotten. Kalevanpojat were also giants who worked miracles on the land

Väinämöinen, who was born from Ilmatar, and was the oldest and the wisest of all the sons, arranged the waters and lands into a more orderly fashion.

Pellervoinen decorated the land with all sorts of plants; pines, spruces, birches.

Ilmarinen, the great smith, raised above the heavens. He forged the Skylid (Taivaankansi).

The nature of creation of living beings varies and they didn’t all appear at once. Different poems tell the creation of these beings

4. The Haltija of the Sky

 Maidens of the Sky (Ilman Immet)

Daughters of Nature (Luonnottaret) also lived in the heavens, usually weaving and spinning.

Utu-tyttö or Terhenetär weaved fog

Uteretar made the steam in the sauna have healing properties

Päivätär, who weaved the silver of the sun; sun goddes

Kuutar, who weaved the gold of the moon; moon goddess

Otavatar, haltija of Ursa Major

Tähdetär, star goddess

Also male deities were present

Päivä-poika, god of day. People prayed him to return the next day. During winter they asked him to start the next cycle of the year.

Kuu-poika, god of night. All important things should begin when the moon is waxing to ensure good luck.

Poika Pohjantähti, god of North Star

Three homes in the heavens; Päivölä (home of day/sun), Kuutola (home of moon), and Tähtelä (home of stars)

Tuuli, wind god (* of varying moods and loyalties

*)Tuuli is today a feminine name

Tuuletar, wind goddess, daughter of Tuuli

Etelätär/ Suvetar. Goddess of summer winds and cattle.

Puhuri/Hyytämöinen, God of cold and north

Pakkanen, son of Puhuri. God of north wind.

5. The Haltija of the Sea

The highest haltija of the sea are Ahti (also Ahto, Ahta) and his wife Vellamo. Ahti is described to be an old, honorable man, with seaweed as his beard and sea foam as his clothes. Vellamo on the other hand beautiful, dressed in a reed dress. She is usually more even-mooded and helpful to humans than her husband

Live in Ahtola, in the bottom of the ocean, but also visit waters inland.

Have a large amount of children and servants, mainly female

Vellamo’s maidens

Aallotar, goddess of waves

Kuohu-neiti, goddess of rapids

Melatar, goddess of paddles

Pikku-mies (lit. little-man); first appears as a tiny little man, barely up to the belly of the woman. However, he suddenly grows up tall enough for his head to reach the clouds. Cut the massive oak tree that prevented the sun and moon from shining for Väinämöinen; also known as Tursas, Iku-Turso.

Asked for help when fishing or traveling on water

Everything that goes underwater becomes Ahti’s. Drowned people become his servants. Many treasures which Ahti uses to test humans from time to time. The pieces of the broken Sampo fell into the sea.

6. The Haltija of the Forests

 The ancient Finns thought the godly beings of the forests to be the most benevolent and helpful. As hunting and gathering were the main sources for food and materials at the time, this is only natural. Although Ukko is mighty with his thunder and lightning, the people loved more the haltija of the forests who gave them food to their bellies.

This changed when agriculture became more important. Ukko’s power and position rose considerably.

Tapio is the highest forest haltija with his wife Mielikki. Tapio is described to be a very tall old man with lichen as his beard; a hat made out of sprigs, and a jacket of moss. Due to his tall hat, he is also sometimes called Hippa.

Hukkatar’s note: Hippa is still one of the most popular games in Finland. The game itself is similar to tag, where you yell “hippa!” when you catch someone. “Hippasilla” also means to hide in a playful manner from something.

Tapio is described to be very precise with his kingdom and in all his doings.

Mielikki, sometimes called Mimerkki or Simanter, is the gentle forest hostess. She is described to be clean and dressed in a blue cloak and red socks. By nature she is gentler than her husband, an skillful in many ways. She carries the golden keys to Tapiola

Nyyrikki, son of Tapio, takecarer of squirrels

Hillervo or Tellervo, daughter of Mielikki, takecarer of otters

Tuulikki, daughter of Mielikki, goddess of grain

Metsän tytöt (Forest’s girls) or Sinipiiat (blue maidens) – Mielikki’s servants

Every tree species has its own haltija

Hongatar, Tuometar, Katajatar, Pihlajatar, Lemmes

Some animals have been nursed or brought to life by Mielikki or by one of her many children

Käreitär was the mother of foxes

Live in Tapiola, in the wildest of the Wilds. Also called Metsola, Lumilinna (snow castle), or Sarvilinna (Horned castle)

Three castles stand side-by-side; one of wood, one of bone, one of stone

 Mielikki serves there mead (sima)

7. The Haltija of the Earth Mother

There was little agriculture in ancient Finland, and what prayers were needed for the crops usually went to Ukko as he controlled the weather. However, the people still believed that the Earth itself also had a haltija, often called Maaemo (earth mother), Eukko or Akka (old lady). She is said to be Ukko’s wife. Together they watch the world, one from the heavens, and one from below the earth.

There are a few mentions of other haltija of agriculture; Pellervo or Pellervoinen, one of Kaleva’s sons, sometimes called Pellon Pekka; the Finnish harvest festival Kekri was most likely held in honor of the god himself, but if Kekri was a separate entity or another name for Ukko is not certain.

8. Tuonela or Manala; the Underworld

 All dead went to a place below the earth, far away from the living, across nine and a half oceans. What marked the border of Tuonela was Tuonen joki (Tuoni’s River), a river of black, angry water. It encircles Tuonela and was never mentioned without fear. Vows made by the river were the most sacred, most binding ones.

Tuonen tyttö (Tuoni’s daughter) ferries the dead across the river. Her face is dark and in her heart she is evil like the other denizens of Tuonela.

Everything is in Tuonela the same way as in the world of living, but by nature more evil and deadly. The soil is full of adders and the beer given to Tuoni’s guests is full of frogs and worms.The only source of light is a cold moon.

The ruler of Tuonela is Tuoni, other names are Threefingers, Mana and Manalainen. His wife is Tuonetar or Manatar, an ugly hag who weaves iron string. From this string Tuoni makes iron nets that his son, Tuonen Poika, uses across Tuoni’s river catching the undead that try to flee. Hence the saying: “Many go to Tuonela, but few return.”

Tuoni himself didn’t kill. Usually he sends Kalma to take care of it, or one of the deadly diseases. Loviatar, also Louhi, created diseases. She is the worst of Tuoni’s daughters, the most evil of Manattaret (female haltijas of Manala). She gave birth to nine diseases; sting, colic, gout, rachitis, eschar, cancer, abscess and plague. Her ninth son was the witch.

Hukkatar’s note: In some occasions Louhi is considered to be the wise of Tuoni or even the true ruler of Tuonela.

Another Tuoni’s daughters Kivutar or Kiputytyttö (pain daughter), took care of Kipuvuori (Painmountain) or Kipumäki (Painhill), which stood in a delta of the Tuoni river. It was possible to ask for her aid to take illnesses or pain, punish it, and force it to return to the mountain.

The dead work as servants to the haltijas but otherwise continued life as they had when living. Evil people Tuoni punished by giving them burning stony beds with adders as covers

Dead spirits were greatly respected and feared, but if pleased could give invaluable help and advice.

9. Hiisi and Lempo

A different kind of evil from Tuoni, Hiisi was maliciousness himself. He was called also Lempo or Paholainen. Hiisi and his people lived under the mountains, in a place called Hiitola. Other names are Piru and Perkele, words that come from the Samí thunder god Perun and Perkunas

Hukkatar’s note: Paholainen and Piru are today used to name the Christian Devil.

Hiisi’s favorite past time was to cause havoc and chaos. He created Syöjätär, an evil she-demon who then gave birth to animals like snakes and frogs, and caused their nature be corrupted. Hiisi also created wasps to sabotage Ilmarinen’s work and thus corrupted iron.

However, the ancient Finns rarely saw haltija as only evil or good. Ukko could sometimes seek revenge, or Ahti drown someone to get his treasures. Hiisi could be asked to punish robbers or ask for his moose to quickly ride the pain away.

10. Sukkamieli

Sukkamieli (lit. sock mind) or Lempi was the Finnish goddess of love. She had the power to alter the minds of others, for good or bad. Young women had various rituals to make prayers and offerings to her and ask for love.

11. Celebrations

At the end of November, the ancestors were ready for the winter and held a celebration for the upcoming year, called Vuodenalkajaiset. This was also time when the dead were allowed to come check on the living, which is why it’s also called Henkien päiviksi. The sauna was heated up as if someone was going to use it, and good food was brought to the ancestor spirits to enjoy upon. If pleased, they would give many blessings to the living for the year to come. The host himself would welcome the invisible guests and a day later wish them farewell. The dead also enjoyed silence, and people went to great lengths to avoid causing noise during these liminal days.

Kekri was most likely the same celebration

Another main celebration was Vakkue or Ukon Vakat in May, when the seeds were sown into the earth. A vakka was filled with sacrifices and then taken to a sacred mountain for Ukko. This was to ensure a good summer weather so that the crops would grow and hunt plentiful. Helajuhlat were also celebrated around this time. Girls and boys would dance around a bonfire, called helavalkeat. To young girls women wished luck with marriage, and to women girls wished luck with children.

Hukkatar’s notes: These two celebrations, Kerki and Hela, are in nature very similar to Samhain and Beltane. Vappu is Mayday, a somewhat modern thing but I believe it happens at the same time as Hela and/or Vakka did – it simply was too cold to sow the seeds before May. The image below is my take on the Finnish Wheel of Year with personal touches. The year begins from Kekri (Samhain). Take it for whatever worth; I only have historical evidence of Kekri and Hela/Vakka/Vappu.

 12. Sacrifices and Sacred Places

 Usually sacrifices were given as ways for the haltijat to have a taste of what the people have to offer, or to please by giving the best. Animals were usually offered to the forest haltija, while silver to the water haltija. To Ukko people gave only the best, such as sheep, oxes, or goats.

Sacred places were high mountains, clear springs, raging rivers, certain trees or rocks, entire areas. The name “Pyhä” in front of a place name tells of a sacred location. E.g. Pyhäjärvi.

To the haltijat of the house, offerings were usually placed in corners or in places where they could take them without being seen. Most households also had a specific tree (usually a spruce) where they took their offerings.

13. Seers

Often the master of the house was also the priest of the house. He took care of any dealings with the haltija as he was a haltija of the household in a manner, too. But for bigger workings a seer was called. Although priests, they were also doctors and diviners.

 Like the Samí in the North, it is thought very possible that the seers used drums in their workings. However, when Christianity came the seers changed their tools into less suspicious ones.

The seers also used songspells while dancing and thus entering a trance state. They could, for example, sing about the creation of a disease and then ask why it is bothering this person. By knowing the creation of things, it was believed the seers could control it to some degree.

When the seer fainted or otherwise entered an altered state of mind, it was believed he had entered to world of haltija, where he could access divine knowledge that had been beyond his limits before.

Hukkatar’s note: So the word ‘to be in trance’ would be ‘olla haltijoissaan’

While his body lay as if dead, it was said his spirit moved as a bird, or a fish, or whatever shape necessary for him to take. Sometimes he had to go to the Upperworld, where Ukko and his folks lived, or visit Tapiola, or Ahtola, or even Manala. The journeys to Tuonela were the most dangerous ones.

Because seers usually knew better prayers and poems to the haltija, they were usually also the ones to ask, beg, threaten, pray or otherwise alter whatever was going on. Since everything has a haltija, it was possible to affect them.

Seers were both women and men, but more commonly men. Usually the songspells and the skills were passed on from father to son, mother to daughter. The songs were public property and were sung by everyone, just with varying degrees of knowledge and skills. Sometimes they took pupils in which case it was important for the pupil to get a new name.

Skillful seers were of course held in high respect. Wisdom and the skill of spells was considered more valuable than courage. Some powerful seers have become haltija, for example Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen ascended to godhood after the events in Kalevala.

Let me know if there’s anything you wish to ask!

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