Finland Based?

[Magnus]

Moi,

Asutko sinä Suomessa?

Translation: Do you live in Finland. In other words, is anyone on this board living in Finland?

Magnus

[Danustouch]

Not Me..but I have noticed someone else here, recently, posting about Finlandish practices (I think i remember....)...Ganga, Maybe? Or maybe that was MM? I get confused sometimes :) lol.

[Raindancer]

I had an online girlfriend from there at one time, does that count?
Raindancer

[Ganga]

En asu, mutta olen sielta kotoisin. Nykyaan asun Kandassa. Terveisin, Ganga :) :) :)

[Raindancer]

For what its worth, recently I saw a documentary on J.R.R. Tolkien and his life ( with focus on how his life and experiences affected The Lord of the Rings. I knew that Tolkien was a professor of languages, which as anyone who's read TLotR knows had a big impact, but I didn't realise that Tolkien was a great lover of the Finnish language, and had it in mind when he created Elvish. He tought himself to read Finnish just so he could read the Kalevala in the original Finnish. I wish I knew more of it than hello, and several ways to say I love you. Ah well... I'm still in touch with Kaisa, maybe she will teach me some more.
Raindancer

[Magnus]

Ganga,

I'm just the opposite. I'm a transplant to here (originally from the United States).

I'm quite eager to meet other Wiccans in the area, but it seems to be quite covert here due to the restrictions in religious laws. Oh well, the search continues.

Magnus

[Raindancer]

Magnus...have you checked out Witchvox yet? They have a directory of groups and people all over the world that is really amazing. If there is a coven or some kind of group in Finland at all I would be willing to bet that its there. What kind of religious restrictions do they have there?
Raindancer

Witchvox URL is:
http://www.witchvox.com/

[Magnus]

Thanks for the idea . . . but I tried that some time ago.

Religious freedom is not recognized. I do know that there is an internet group that is trying to get Wicca recognized in Finland though. There is no separation of church and state here, so other "ideologies" are not accepted on any level, and the national religion is Luthernism.

Magnus

[Ganga]

Oh c'mon, Magnus, of course religious freedom is recognized there. I was involved with a non-Christian group in Helsinki (not Wiccan, though). They are registered as a religious organization and everything - absolutely no problem.

But it's true that the Lutherans really have a strong stand in the country. When Tarja Halonen was elected as the president, some Christians were not too pleased. She does not belong to any church, and is not even legally married to her common-law spouse. (She's a wonderful person. Very competent in her work, and very down-to-earth.) But still she got elected by the people, which says something, doesn't it?

Lutheranism is the state religion, and religious classes are taught at schools. Anyhow, every school is obliged to offer alternative religious teaching (Muslim, Hindu, or whatever) if there are at least three students in the school belonging to that particular group. Believe me, I know. I found out when we lived in Finland for a year and our daughter went to school there.

Kalevala is an amazing epic - somewhere I read that it's the only epic in the world that doesn't have a big battle as its central theme. The central theme is magic. Unfortunately, due to the early Christian influence, Paganism has been rubberstamped as superstition, etc. as it has been in so many other countries. I think people hesitate to believe in something that is considered a fairy-tale. Still, many Pagan customs remain, particularly in the countryside. Midsummer is always celebrated with a huge bonfire, etc. I remember, as a little girl, collecting seven different wildflowers at midnight in midsummer, returning home without saying a word (and remembering to jump over seven fences on the way) and placing the flowers under my pillow to see the face of my future husband in my dream that night. Other customs remain, too. Every New Year Finns melt horseshoes made of tin, pour the mixture in cold water and predict the future from the shape that it solidifies into. In the village in which I grew, everyone still places a broom in front of their front door when they leave the house. When at home, the broom stays by the side of the door. I always knew when the neighbors had gone out, because the broom would lean on the door. Very practical.

Raindancer,it was a really interesting bit of information of Tolkien! I never knew he was interested in Finnish language and Kalevala! I think I understand now why I liked the sound of the Elvish language so much ;)

As for finding Wiccans, well, that might be difficult in Finland. Wiccan faith leans on Celtic background which is alien there. (Of course, so is Hinduism, but there are several Hindu-groups. So don't lose heart!) You could ask around in New Age stores. They have some sort of New Age/ Alternative Health/ Body-Mind-Soul exhibition somewhere in Helsinki every year (If I remember correctly, it was in Hakaniemi or Sornainen. I went there once, and they had everything from aromatherapy to Native American spiritualism. I even saw a local Finnish shaman in action.) Also, try finding something in the Internet or even phonedirectory under the name Pakanalahetys (Pagan Mission). I vaguely remember reading something about a group that goes by that name. Good luck, Magnus!

[Magnus]

Ganga,

When I speak of religious freedom, I'm speaking from an American point of view and offer no offense. As far as I'm aware, someone in the Finnish military can't ask for their Wiccan priest/ess, etc. And, case in point, my wife's cousin recently had a baby and wanted me to be the official godfather, but because I am Wiccan I was not "legally" allowed to be. Of course, the parents still refer to me as such. These are the type of things that I'm talking about.

I admit that "no religious freedom" it is a broad statement. It would be better to say "not recognized". But then again, I have a problem from the get-go with church and state with no division; although, one can choose not to pay church taxes if they are not church members and lose all of the "privileges".

I do know for a fact that there is a Wiccan group in Finland fighting to get Wicca recognized. I hope that they are successful.

One of my family members is a Finnish MP and a friend of Tarja Halonen. In fact, I made her a center point of a mentalism effect that I performed on Finnish television a few months ago.

You may be interested to know that I have several pieces of magic in my show based on Kalevala. In fact, last month I performed one of the pieces on a Saturday morning program called "Lauantaivekkari". And I will be presenting an illusion routine on another show this summer based on the Sampo.

I am quite interested in Kalevala and have read it (admittedly in English) four times. You may recognize the symbol that I use for my business which is on the homepage of my website.
www.geocities.com/americanmagic/

I must admit that moving to Finland was the final straw to push me to follow my current path. In my opinion, Finns are more in touch with their Pagan roots than they may even know. The things you mentioned are very evident. The thing that impressed me is the almost religious respect that Finns give to nature. I also teach English here. One thing that most Finns have trouble with is articles (for example, the), but when it comes to talking about nature it is always . . . The Nature. I have found this across the board with people I have talked to and taught. I think you can understand what I mean.

I was aware of the Tolkian/Finnish connection. Did you know that Christopher Lee, who played the evil wizard in the film adaptation of "LOTR" is a great admirer of Kalevala and speaks Finnish fluently? Just another piece of useless information. :-)

One more thing that may be of interest to you . . . there was a tv show on the other night with a short piece about an area that is being excavated near Helsinki which is known as "The Door to Manala (sp?)" and the top of the hill is known as "Lemminkäinen's Temple". Are you familiar with the place?

Moi moi,

Magnus

P.S. Unfortunately, I'm still learning the language.

[Ganga]

Wow! You've really done a lot over there. I liked your web-site, too. Unfortunately, I'm a bit out-of-touch with the Finnish entertainment/art -scenario.

I didn't know that they had excavated Door to Manala and Lemminkainen's temple. Have they made a web-site yet? Let us know!

[Magnus]

I've tried to find something on the Internet about Ovi Manalaan, but with my limited Finnish skills I wasn't very successful. Ganga, maybe you'd have more luck at www.fi.

Blessed be,

Magnus

[Raindancer]

If you're interested, my former online-girlfriend, but still friend, Kaisa, is lead singer for a Finnish folk music band, Tarujen Saari, and she might be able help you with Finnish skills and other info that you might need. I'm in a hurry now, but if you want, I can send a link. Tarujen Saari has a website though. They do all their music, including translating traditional folk tunes in Finnish. If you tell her that I sent you, it might help, though she's very friendly and helpful anyway. She might remember my Craft name, but if you tell her that you're a friend of Tom's in New Zealand, it would ring more bells. Gotta go now, but if you're interested, I can send you Tarujen Saari's website when I get more time.
Raindancer

[Ganga]

Yes, it would be interesting, Raindancer! I'd like to check out the web-site. I'm always on a look-out for good Finnish music. If it's anything like Varttina, I'll like it!

[Raindancer]

I just have a second, todays my big shopping day for the week. Her's Tarujen Saari's website: www.vuorenk.pp.fi/tarujensaari
They're pretty good, inspired by Steel Eye Span, and other such groups, they felt that there should be groups doing it in Finnish. Kaisa has a great voice too, I'm sure you will like it, and of course if you contact them, please send her my best.
Raindancer

[Magnus]

Thanks Raindancer,

I will try to contact her this week. This information could be quite helpful for me.

Blessed be,

Magnus

[Ganga]

Raindancer, I just received an e-mail from Kaisa. She was happy to get your greetings and had many nice things to say about you :)

[Raindancer]

Kaisa is a wonderful warm human being. We were very very close at one time, but unfortunately were on opposite sides of the planet, and couldn't do anything about that. We aren't "together" now, but are still in touch, still care about each other. I will never speak ill about an ex-girlfriend, but Kaisa is special and I consider myself lucky to know her and be her friend, and I don't mind that now everyone here knows it. Finland is lucky to have a daughter like her.
Raindancer

[MagickalHack]

Do any of you know how I might learn the Finnish language? It is one I want to learn.

[Green Gnome]

It's interesting how you people spell Finnish names without ä's and ö's. :)

[Æon Flux]

I'm not from Finland, but I have Finlandian roots since my dearly departed grandmother(fathers side) was from Finland. I myself live in Sweden but very interested in Finland.

My skills in the finnish language are VERY slim. I can count to seven, that's it.

[Ceffyl]

Do any of you know how I might learn the Finnish language? It is one I want to learn.
Have you checked out available books at Amazon.com? Five or six books come up, including Talk Now! Learn Finnish! (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000899MC/qid=1113882097). You might also contact the Finnish embassy to see if they have any recommendations or a listing of schools that teach Finnish.

Fair warning, it's not easy at all.

Good luck!

[hilary.]

Do any of you know how I might learn the Finnish language? It is one I want to learn.

Also, where do you live? If you live anywhere near the upper-midwest, I would check around your community/state for actual language classes, which will make learning Finnish a bit easier. I heard there are/were a lot of Finns in Florida too, so if you live near there that is an option.
Here are some good websites that have useful language tools:
University of Tampere (http://www.uta.fi/~km56049/finnish/)
The Finnish Language Site (http://members.tripod.com/suomenkieli/grammar.html)
and my personal favorite: linkki.info (http://etusivun.linkki.info/) -- it's a HUGE database of Finnish resources where I frequently lose hours of my life browsing through different sites. :smile:

Have at it and good luck!!