Finnish Neopaganism

A uniquely Finnish religious path rarely sought by any outside the Northern
European countries and those of Finnish blood because of the general
inability of most non native speakers to understand and pronounce the beautiful
Finnish and Saami languages.

Finnish Neopaganism is an ultra animistic religion. There are hundreds of minor
Gods and Goddesses for what would seem like everything down to Suonatar the
Goddess of Veins and Sinetar the Goddess of the colour blue.

There are no set holy days in Finnish Neopaganism as there were none in times
past. The major Gods and Goddesses have some borrowings and many similarities to
the Norse Gods as both people had frequent interactions. The Finns are known by
the Norse early on as "Great Magicians" Weather Witches and shape-shifters.

The great body of Finnish tradition is oral as the nomadic Finns did not have
writing until they were  ruled by Sweden. That is why the Finnish language is
spelled in phonetic Swedish. The oral tradition was kept by telling and retelling
the lore in song form called "Runonlaulua Suomesta" Finnish Runesongs.
Elias Lonrot compiled these tales into the "Kalevala".

One thing often mentioned in Kalevala for spiritual purposes as well as cleaning
is the Sauna. A small structure out of doors and apart from the house. The fire is
kindled and rocks are heated. Water is ladled onto these hot rocks which produces
the "Loyly" which is the Sauna Spirit, the steam that is used to open the pores and
the lungs. Birch branches are then used to beat and brush the skin as an active
constituent in the birch is antiseptic and invigorating. It is easy to reach a
trance state under these conditions. Saunas are used by Finns to this day
and at one time everyone of them was born in a Sauna.

Strong ties to the spirit world are felt by all. Those who work directly with
them are the Shamans. There is a long tradition in Finland of Shamanism and
those who are to become Shaman are likely to be selected by a Shaman and taught in
their cabin for years before Shamanizing on their own.

The Reindeer plays a large part of the everyday life of the Saami, the indigenous
people of upper Finland who to this day depend upon them for meat, fur and money. Many
still heard them though now with snow mobiles. The Reindeer is also a Shamanic symbol
to these people. This is from where the "flying reindeer" idea comes.

Sacred to the Finns, the birch is used in Shamanic work and is seen both as the tree
of life and the ladder the Shaman can use to climb to the upper world. When a young
Shaman is being initiated he pulls up and replants three slender birches in front of
his or her cabin and ties bright ribbons to the limbs.

The Finnish Folk tradition was largely untouched by Christianity due to the
inaccessibility of the land and the migratory nature of the people. As such the Finnish
Folk spirit has stayed strong.