Nordic or Finnish Spirituality Class?

[lestismitethee]

I would really appreciate a class on Nordic and/or Finnish spirituality: beliefs, gods/goddesses, magick, traditions, journeying, etc. Please let me know if there is a teacher out there or other people interested in learning these topics. Thanks!

-- Gally

[Rick]

As I stated in your post in Magic & Ritual, Norse & Finnish are two entirely sepatate, unrelated cultures. You'd need two classes. There have been some rune classes, should be archived around here somewhere.

[Nitefalle]

Oh yes, if anyone would like to teach a class on Finnish spirituality, specifically having to do with the Kalevala, I would be soooooo very interested!

[lestismitethee]

As I stated in your post in Magic & Ritual, Norse & Finnish are two entirely sepatate, unrelated cultures. You'd need two classes. There have been some rune classes, should be archived around here somewhere.

Yes, I realize they are two separate Paths, which is why I'm requesting one or the other. First, I need to see if there were any teachers or students interested in either b/c I am interested in both :] If there is a class on Norse stuff, I would like it go beyond Runes... perhaps about the deities, rituals, history, etc.

-- Gally

[Rick]

Although there may be others, Carickah is the only person here that I know of that follows the old Finnish (or maybe Lapp) gods(haven't seen him around much, though)... there are a couple qualified Heathens on the board, but don't know who might have time... ya might ask around in the ReCon Forum...

[SwordsFlameSong]

Rick is correct, I don't think we have too many heathens around - I wish there were more as I would love to see classes on Norse, Finnish or Astaru on here. I have studied on my own but am not qualified (imo) to teach such a class/classes.

As to runes, Rick's the man to talk to - also my opinion. =)

[lestismitethee]

Thanks a lot, you guys :] I've sent Carickah a PM, so I'll see if he is willing to talk with me about Finnish stuff. And I guess learning Runes would be a great first step towards leaning about Norse spirituality. I'm not very fluent; I can only write in Runes, I'm not familiar with too many of the meanings. So I will study this first and maybe it will lead me to more things. I will PM you, Rick, if I have any questions ^_^

-- Gally

[Rick]

It's a deal. :smile:

[Diotima]

I'm a Finn, and I know *something* of my country's heathen religion. I'm not sure if I'd be qualified to teach a class, but I could check if I can find some basic material on the subject.

Finnish religion and Norse Asatru are very different indeed- ancient Finns had their own Pantheon, own rituals and own legends. Kalevala and Kanteletar are our national epic, and contain something of those legends. However, they were put together by one man (Elias Lönnrot) in 1800s, and it is a well known fact that he left some "inappropriate" material out and took liberties in compiling the epics.

But, if you are interested, I could see what I can do once I get back from my journey abroad. :)

[lestismitethee]

Thanks so much, Diotima, that sounds wonderful! I didn't know about Elias, actually, so that's good info to know while I'm doing research.

I want to get my own copy of the Kalevala eventually. I only know basic stuff about Finnish mythology, such as who Ukko and Otso are. But I'm very interested in it, as well as Norse (need to get a copy of the Eddas) and Celtic mythology. That probably sounds all over the place ^^; But I want to learn about all of them b/c I feel drawn to them. I have personally worked a little bit with Cernunnos and Freja and it has worked for me, and I want to have that same connection with the Finnish pantheon.

Some people find it a bit odd that I'm of Asian decent but I identify so much with European culture and spiritual paths. But I don't think race has anything to do with it and if you feel something with a particular path, you should explore it! I'm sure the gods will welcome me as I learn more about them.

-- Gally

[Diotima]

http://www.taivaannaula.org/taivaannaula/finnish_paganism.php

This link contains a rather long, but very interesting article on Finnish paganism. There is more information eg. about different deities on these pages in Finnish- it seems that by doing some translating work, I might have enough material to start a Class.

Finnish pantheon and mythology is very rich -besides gods, there are also many other magical and mythical beings that have interacted with living people. Spirits, home gnomes, elves, spirits of the ancestors, mythical heroes and mythical animals...all have had their place in ancient Finnish world view.

I usually think of myself as a Pantheist, but there are certainly some Finnish Pagan undertones in my faith. I find it reasonable to believe that the beings my distant ancestors worshipped may not have left their home.
For example, whenever I step into a forest, I say a little prayer to Tapio and Mielikki, and I am also trying to think how to call any home gnomes that possibly hang around to settle into my home.

[lestismitethee]

This is great, Diotima, thanks a lot! ^_^

I'm the same as you, I associate with different pantheons, primarily Norse, Finnish, and Celtic. I also love Gwanse-Eum (or Quan-Yin) from Buddhism because of her unconditional compassion.

-- Gally

[Whitewolf]

Diotima, that link is awesome. Thanks for posting it.

[fay]

For those interested in Asatru, I would recommend taking a look at the 'What is Asatru?' videos on youtube by Vinterulf. I have found them very useful and informative. If you are looking for information on concepts, history, deities etc then these may give you the information you are looking for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSKv5V9X0IA

[lestismitethee]

For those interested in Asatru, I would recommend taking a look at the 'What is Asatru?' videos on youtube by Vinterulf. I have found them very useful and informative. If you are looking for information on concepts, history, deities etc then these may give you the information you are looking for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSKv5V9X0IA

Thanks so much for this, I'll be going through the videos ^_^

- Gally

[Libris]

Oh a class on Finnish mythology would be so great!

[SwordsFlameSong]

Aye it would. Do we know anyone who would like to tackle teaching it though?

[Libris]

Aye it would. Do we know anyone who would like to tackle teaching it though?


Hhhmmmm, nope, can't think of anyone :o

Still, it would be great and so very educational!

Or perhaps, are there any good books on Finnish Mythology out there? Maybe we could discuss one for the Mystic Wicks book club some day?

[SwordsFlameSong]

the book club is another good idea

In the future, I hope to have more paths covered in CoT but it will take time and good teachers. =)

[Libris]

the book club is another good idea

In the future, I hope to have more paths covered in CoT but it will take time and good teachers. =)


Both of which are hard to find O(-_-)

If I were vastly more qualified and reliable (neither of which I am at this point in my life), I'd volunteer :D

I'll bet someone will come along and teach this class eventually

Libris=Optimist

[Fiamma]

Or perhaps, are there any good books on Finnish Mythology out there? Maybe we could discuss one for the Mystic Wicks book club some day?

I don't know of any books discussing Finnish mythology, but one of the major sources is the epic The Kalevala.

[Libris]

I don't know of any books discussing Finnish mythology, but one of the major sources is the epic The Kalevala.

Thanks, I'll have to check that one out. Maybe someday the book club could discuss it, if there is enough interest.

[Aveline]

There is a book called Finnish Magick that you may be interested in. I'm at work now, but when I get home, I'll try to find it to get you the info (author, ISBN). I found it to be a very well written introduction when I first read it. It definately taught me alot about my heritage.

Some people find it a bit odd that I'm of Asian decent but I identify so much with European culture and spiritual paths.

Not at all! Spiritual paths are not confined by geography. :-) Also, it's ironic that you are Asian and looking at Finnish religion. I am Finnish, but until people met me face to face in college, they all though I was Japanese! We had a very large group of Japanese foreign exchange students and apparently my last name reads as well with a Finnish accent as with a Japanese one! :-)

[lestismitethee]

Thanks, Aveline!

-- Gally

[Aveline]

I just *knew* I'd forget to look for the book! Thus the reason I posted to say "I don't have what you're looking for... yet". lol Your response reminded me to go get the book and now it's in front of me. Here's the info:

Finnish Magic: A Nation of Wizards, A World of Spirits by Robert Nelson, PhD
Copyright 1999
Published by Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 1 56718 489 8

The description from the back cover: "During the long winter nights in Northern Europe, the song of the shaman is still sung. Finland's deep forests still echo with the stories of the epic _Kalevala_. And magic -- ancient and sacred -- lives on. _Finnish Magic_ explores the gods, spirits, rituals, folklore and shamanic practices of Finland's little-known tradition. Learn how to practice the magic of song and the magic of nature. Discover ways to use trance, ritual, spirit communication, healing ,dance, charms, sacred places, and the runes to live by the spiritual principles of the shaman. Finnish magic is a path of visions. It is a path of song, intuition, and reverence for nature, whose origins are lost in the shadows of time. The secrets of the ancients are not given away easily -- bu with dedication, reverence, and the guidance of this book, you too can follow the spiritual path of the shaman."

[haw_thrn]

Some people find it a bit odd that I'm of Asian decent but I identify so much with European culture and spiritual paths. But I don't think race has anything to do with it and if you feel something with a particular path, you should explore it! I'm sure the gods will welcome me as I learn more about them.

-- Gally

actually the sammi ,who at one one time lived all all across that northern part of europe, are said to have considerable mongolian stock. granted, i believe that they had their own unique culture which was almost exterminated and later influenced by norse culture.

i think this is a great idea i'd love to learn more about finnish mythology.

[Aveline]

actually the sammi ,who at one one time lived all all across that northern part of europe, are said to have considerable mongolian stock. granted, i believe that they had their own unique culture which was almost exterminated and later influenced by norse culture.

i think this is a great idea i'd love to learn more about finnish mythology.


And the Finnish language is actually more closely related to Korean rather than Swedish or even Russian.

Fascinating...

[haw_thrn]

And the Finnish language is actually more closely related to Korean rather than Swedish or even Russian.

Fascinating...

that is facinating i have a freind who is finnish and listening to her speak is amazing it's a beautiful language. she's caucasian but she has a flatish nose and wide cheekbones,

i've read that the sammi are biologically their own unique people, and that any norse dna is from a later influence.

i wonder if the sammi are related to the picts in any way

[Nightlady]

There are translations of the Kalevala to be found on the web for those interested, this is one...

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/kveng/

I support the thought of a class about Finnish paganism... I am a finn, or rather a finnish swede (meaning I am swedish-speaking but from Finland), but I do not know much about the ancient religion, I´ve read the Kalevala, but not more... I would love to learn!