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Feeding birds in winter, making birdhouses them to summer, leaving leaf-piles or making boxes to hedgehogs as their winter nests... Respecting the nature. These things are taught as kid and I think that these things are centuries old traditions to us

I am no lumberjack, but I do cut down trees occasionally. Before I cut it down I take a heavy branch and tap the tree three times. That gives the spirit of the tree time to vacate the premises so to speak 😀 I learned this as a youngster and I feel it is a mice touch. And better safe than sorry, better not to anger any possible spirits 😉

I'm a Finnish pagan. For me the contact to nature is important. I believe in spirits of the forests and water and such. The gods aren't as important as spirits. I feel like that way i have very strong connection to nature because the spirit of a certain place is right there and not far away. (not saying that this way is better than Christianity). Every week i go to a place by the river which i have decided to be a hiisi. I go there and say a spell for the spirits of the forest. It's for the nature to endure all this chaos. My faith doesn't have much rules. The gods or spirits don't order you to live your life certain way. Some might say that paganism promotes anarchy and violence but i disagree. The lack of rules doesn't mean that you can do anything. Violence, sexism, patriarchy, racism are all constructions. They aren't the neutral. There is no neutral. Everything we do is based on the culture we live in. My faith is about seeing the nature as mighty entity and is about respecting it. So if you are supposed to respect nature why not to respect people too. We aren't separated.

It is often said that "the forest is the temple of the Finns and there they find peace in their soul". This has been the case for thousands of years. During the Holy Crusades commissioned by the Pope in Rome, the Finns eventually became Christians. Many participated from Sweden, Denmark, Germany in these crusades because they could thereby seize land from the Finno-Ugric ethnic groups. Despite the fact that the Finnish people became Christians by force, it has not been possible to remove their need to be a part of nature.

Canadian with both Finnish and Sami roots. Also a practitioner of a Celtic and a Scandinavian shamanic practices that came naturally to me growing up. I have felt the natural magick within Finns, something in the blood and DNA. Your channel is great, well researched and causes me to long for the home I’ve not physically visited yet. I speak with nature, leave offerings before harvest, honour ancestors and sing with the wind.

How about foraging. And 'everyman's rights' (=jokamiehen oikeudet) that are very special part of Finnish culture and unusual from the rest of the world. Finns love berry/mushroom picking etc.

i probably do many things without even realizing. two things that first came to mind is i greet the forest when i enter and ask for what i'm looking for like specific mushrooms or a good berry spot, and i have special trees i visit. and when i bake something in the oven i say "älä tule paha kakku, (tule hyvä kakku)" which roughly translates to "don't become a bad cake, (become a good cake)".

As a pagan I have done research into Finnish traditional celebrations and holidays and learned what they were originally about before Christianity took them over. For some it just means celebrating it a little different. For Yule it meant for example leaving out all decorations that had Christian connotation. I've always loved nature, but I feel a different connection to it now, having a different perspective on it. I am agnostic at best about any sort of deity, but it makes me happy to acknowledge the gods our Finnish ancestors used to believe in.

My Finnish grandfather taught me to pile stones when walking in the woods as an offering to them. I will teach my children as well

I've been overcome with a sense of sacredness whilst wandering about in nature near my kins' ancestral homelands. There are known historical sites there like kuppikivis and kalmistos. Sometimes it's as if I can feel my ancestors watching. It has been especially true when we make votive offerings to deceased loved ones. It used to be done on kekri but nowadays it's passed on to be a part of Christmas festivities. Another date I feel an air of mysticism around is juhannus. We sing incantations in the sauna. Many Finns have regretfully forgot these traditions. There are plenty of things part of our pagan heritage that have adapted to be a part of cultural customs rather than spiritual ones. Knocking on wood, stories of näkki, saunatonttu, hiisi and the concept of etiäinen etc.

As a kid, early in elementary school, I didn't like the religion classes (christianity) or really "buy" the idea of umm.. biblical stuff. So I decided to think of somehing else to pray to (or honour) - and I thought that the sun and the wind would be good for that. So, on my way to school (biking) when it would be strong headwind (vastatuuli) I prayed for the wind to either calm down soon or keep the same direction and strength for when I came back from school xD. And the sun I think I just thanked when it was a particularly nice and warm weather. Another thing is from my adulthood. I was hiking in Lapland and yes, I left a small offering (don't recall was it a piece food or splash of drink) on a rock on top of a mountain. To honor nature.

I adapted Kekri traditions with my methods to make this past year special. It was the first holiday since arriving in Finland, where it felt natural. As I learn more, I take more quiet moments when I am out and about and reflect on things. Such moments of introspection and still dead calm are still punctuated by humor fits regarding old traditions. For instance, when you spoke about the fighting between wise men and the oral and sung traditions, it made me comment that historically speaking then, Finland might be the first people to settle things via rap battle. Mindfulness is perhaps the most potent tradition of old that all of us can carry forward regardless of religion, path, practice, or absence of any of the aforementioned.

I have always felt close to nature…I love living in the country. I am born in Canada with Finnish parents.

I must say that I'm not sure if this is very common today but even about 19-22 years ago when I had my daughters, it was common not to divulge the name of the baby (the given names) to the people right away. Of course the parents had names picked out and perhaps would tell them to the grand parents but perhaps not to others members of the family or family friends. The parents would also often use a nickname or a more general term of endearment when talking about the baby. Only after the christening or the name giving ceremony/celebration (if not being member of any church or religious organization) would the name become public. I believe that for a long time it was believed that a new born baby would be easy prey to evil spirits or demons if his/her name would be known before the Christening because the baby would be without the protection of the church. I think it reflects that our ancestors believed that knowing the true name of something gave power over it, and I think this has also been widely believed in many other cultures.

I greet all animals that wander to our back yard or when I meet them on my walks. I thank our Sauna Tonttu for good löyly and let them enjoy the last one. I say sorry and thanks when I want to pick something from nature. I use to do love divination and love spells on Juhannus, when I was a teen, lol.

Thank you for a nice video. As a finnish pagan I did really enjoy you to talk about this subject. I leave flowers and food as a sacrifice for the forest and spirits when I do outdoor drummings with my shamandrum. Especially on fullmoons, darkmoons, equinoxes and solctices.

I am part Finnish, and I lived in a Finnish area of Russia for a bit. I remember there were sacred valleys, on holidays there would be a lot of sacrificial offerings. Pagans would dance and sing throughout the night. I remember there were a lot of bones in the valley the next morning, Christians used to say it was from sacrificing animals, but I think it was just their holiday meal.

I like Skyrim music in this video, it fits very well in the atmosphere. You have developed quite deep understanding of the Finnish culture and history.

That was a bad one, to ask to tell about our secrets. :) In our family we do not keep any bird figures in the house - sorry, Oiva Toikka!. Also, I noticed that after the funerals I might be more aware about little birds I see. I might even greet a bird which is approaching me in unusually familiar way. If cutting something - a plant, tree - I feel a bit quilty, like telling in my mind I am sorry. - What I noticed as a difference between some other cultures is the attitude towards death. Some foreigners found it horrible that their office windows were towards a cemetary. Their Finnish workmates were more than happy to change the rooms with them because they got such a beautiful, peaceful view.

I suppose the only pagan rule that I use regularly, is no whistling on a boat or ship, if there is already wind. I was told as a child that whistling when there is wind, it could cause a storm.

Finnish people are able to tell what kind of weather is coming because they observe the state of nature eg if the horizon is bright red in winter it knows that the weather is getting colder i don't know if you've ever noticed but before the rain the air smells differen the wind sounds different just before the thunder

Sometimes when I catch a pike and set it free I'll ask it to swim to underworld and carry my regards to all my ancestors. A pike can move between the underworld and our world.

My daughters do the juhannustaika of picking seven different flowers on juhannusaatto (Midsummer's Eve) and placing it under the pillow. You're supposed to dream of the person you're going to marry. They've not told me exactly what they've dreamed of, however... :)

As a Finnish heritage-holder in the U.S. I was delighted to find your channel! I was raised in the old beliefs by my father, and my family practiced them underground for centuries. My father taught me to respect the spirits in all things, and how words were so important and the world was made of song and light by the primal bard. Over all was Ukko the Unknowable, who is beyond the knowledge of the gods and heros, who is present in the animating breath that infuses the universe. We are Bear Clan, from a lineage of were-bears. While I do ritual on occasion, I live in what my husband calls a "tribal universe" where all these things are constantly present in my life. Whenever it is necessary to disturb the being of something in nature, I issue an apology and explain the necessity to its spirit. Music is constantly present in my universe, living within me. BTW, my grandfather (whom I regretably have never met except in dreams) was a trained windsinger whom my father actually watched call wind out of nowhere, on occasion.

I just had that revelation come to me in 2021 I had this strong urge to be in nature and hunt and stuff since then I have been doing just that, while I do believe in God being in nature is spiritual to me also brings me peace 🦌

If i see tapionpöytä in the forest i leave the heart of the first catch

I was called to the Craft in 1980, when I was 19, and then in 1992 Mielikki came to me and once again life changed. That was long before I had the internet, so I learned through experience. I am Cherokee and Irish, and my heart and life belongs to the gods. I incorporate them into my rituals, my writing, and live my life as honorably as I can. Thank you for your channel. It fills a void.

I have alot of old traditions. I do call ancient names pretty often, like Ahti, Tapio, Mielikki, Perkele. What i use less is Lempo, väki (kalman, kirkkon) and tonttu's, but when i use these words i can only smile since i know these are not a common word at 2022's. When i take my fishing pole i grab few beers with me always. When i finish beer i sacrifice las drops of beer to Ahti to achieve some fishing luck. I do also hunt and every august 10th i pack my backpack with retkikeitin so i can cook my pigeon if im lucky to get one, as i leave rest to Tapio to pick it up. I would like to belive that most of finn's haven't forget their ancestor's ways of life. I live pretty much ''midle of forrest'' myself and my friends have their own traditions.

I found an old tree in the forest behind my house. It is used as an "iron tree". Old iron tools, sickles and scythes and some parts of carriages I recognized. Also nearby were some tiles from an old sauna.

Wow! The scenery! No wonder my Finnish ancestors settled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! Especially the Keweenaw! Lots of Finnish copper miners, however both my grandfathers were carpenters and built houses. Always had a door on the second floor to get out of the house in deep snow of winter! 😄💖

In the New Year many still cast a tin to see what's happening in the next year... I offer wine/beer for the straw goat at the Kekri/christmas (pouring drink to straws for Ukko) and raise a toast at the christmas morning for Päivätär (she is going to wake up also). Never forgetting to make offerings to Tapio and Ahti (hunting and fishing). Thanking/remebering my ancestors... Juhannus kokko... And other traditions...

Ooou I loved this! It'd be awesome if you could do more videos on Finnish paganism and mythology - the stuff I've been able to find so far has been limited, but super cool!

Nature is our church. To all of us finnish pagans

Really like ur stuff here in youtube. Keep up the good work. Love and peace to you.

My mother is from eastern Finland and week before Easter all children goes out with stick of willow cats and they visit people with Magical Greetings: ”Virvon varvon tuoreeksi terveeksi tulevaksi vuodeksi” It means: I wish you good healht year ahead

American With finnish roots, been practicing paganism for years now, I've always had a deep connection and appreciation for nature. Your channel is great, informative and well researched. I've felt the natural magik within finns and a deep longing for a home i haven't physically been vistied yet.

You find safety from the forest. Forest is a friend, god and church all combined.

Sir you did well once again! I really like that you been doing your research well :)

I am LOVING this Irish-sounding accent you have!!!

thank you still learning

This video is so beautiful that I almost lost what you were telling. Amazing 😍

American with finnish roots. pagan. I've always had a deep connection with nature. I have felt the natural magik within finns. something in the blood and dna. Your channel is great, informative and well researched, and causes me to have a longing for a home that I've not phyiscally visted yet. I speak with nature, honor ancestors and sing and dance amongest the trees

So interesting! I did not know anything about Finnish paganism. Love to learn more !

Good vidio.The pagan rituals here are more english/celt,it's intresting to see the Finn version.

I'm Celto-Germanic, but call Karelia home! Born in the US! Wonderful video, neighbor! Subscribed!

I am such a person of nature and a Fin in the USA. My family is all outdoor, tree hugging folk. We don't practice pagan, but you would wonder.... with all the symbols and gardens and just nature we demand for happiness. I hope to go to Finland someday and visit the place my family came from in Salla, Lappland, Finland. I have a very strong connection and so does my children. We would love to go home. French name but I'm a Ollitytar of Salla.

You mentioned hunting at the end; it's still a tradition that a hunter group after felling a bear or a moose hold "peijaiset" which originate as a way to celebrate and honor the spirit of the animal, in essence it's a funeral party to ease the spirit back to it's home.

I don't think there's a whole lot of pagan traditions alive in the city life of Finland. But you don't have to go too far in the past to find a rich culture centred around these traditions, at least further into the country side. My grandparents still took their young kids to a healer instead of the hospital and I've visited a local witch called Sanna with my grandpa when his bicycle was stolen and he wanted it back. (He did get it back btw.) My mother remembers being taken to a wise woman when she hurt her leg as a kid, they lived by the lake back then and the public health services were far away. I was taught as a kid that the Hiisi lives in a well at our backyard, just so I wouldn't go poke my nose in it. (Which is why I was dead afraid that the damn thing will crawl out of the floor drain one day.) Some traditions stick harder than others, a lot of people still give the first 'löyly' to the sauna and bird feeding is definitely sticking hard. I've taught my kids to leave a handful of berries or mushroom to the forest when we leave, they also loved to put out cookies for the elves around Christmas, doing midsummer spells and so on. And of course you have to mention the Easter time 'virpominen', which is an obvious spell tradition along with bonfires that are lit I suppose during Midsummer at some part of the country and during Easter in Ostrobothia. My husband's grandma still plants a tree for every kid that is born in the family; there's a lot of spruces on the family lot. And I'm quite sad that the tradition for Santa is so different nowadays. Back when I was a kid, our 'Santa', or Christmas Goat, came in with a lamb coat turned inside out and a mask on his face. I remember being super afraid of this. lmao.

Have you filmed all this yourself? Amazing shots 👏

Same here i like being outside.. I'm drawn to the forest and woods.. I've been camping since the age of 10.. once in a while I swear I hear voices.. lol ha ha ha

I have a personal deep connection with my Nature's side.A A really great friend pointed out that she was surprised by my makeshift dresser that had all these symbols of nature, with a bronze / copper crucifix in the middle. She said surprisingly, " I thought you were Catholic " ? I said yes, She then pointed out to hat this more along druid or Wiccan. As she informed me of all the water and Earth signs. I have even further deeping in shamanism With that in Finish heritage, and bring An American, I am also of Bohemian German Polish, Hungarian, with Native American, ( Houma tribe ). I have always felt things more intently and with my gut. And the fact that people often compared me to VIKINGS, IN A BERSERKER WAY. SO YES THE BEAR IS BOTH TO ME A SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND LOVE.

The Skyrim music in background

Well one thing that came to my mind is that kids often play tag which in finish is called hippa and hippa is the name of the forest elf in old religion.

Kitos! Here in British Columbia...I leave a fish for every 10 fish I catch...on the ground, for Mother Earth.

Decades ago,I was serving in Finnish defence forces in rukajärvi ,Lapland. Originally I'm from Outokumpu,eastern Finland. One day I was compell to make 3 wooden figures and leave them there. I don't know why. Glad they are still there.

Is there a Wise Woman tradition in Finnish culture? Can you recommend some books we can read to learn more?

To respect nature. I think that's the biggest thing.

I remember when I was a kid that even if it was -20..-30 celsius degrees outside we were forced to go outside and play. The weather or coldness was no excuse to stay indoors. Even if we did something productive inside, we had to go outdoors. But now when I'm older I don't want to go outside to wade in snow anymore. I just feed the birds and that's it.

Every year in Midsummer's Eve, I place three pieces of silver in an eye of a swamp, and retrieve three stones in return. To keep these stones togehter without losing any is meant to keep you healthy (or alternatively, all your three souls in place)

I follow the old way. I call this väenusko, which translates to "belief in väki-forces" and "belief of folk". Sometimes I call this väentapaisuus, meaning "customs related to väki-forces" and "customs of folk". How do I do it then? I celebrate Kekri, Talvennapa, Ukonvakat, Karhunpäivä, and some other significant days of the year like midsummer and winter solstice. I sing old runic songs, use ancient spells, and give regular offerings to the deceased of my familial line. I also give offerings to place spirits and certain deities. I revere the bear as my ancestor, and as a source of great väki-power and wisdom. I practise traditional noita-šamanism, and seek to help others with rituals and such. My väenusko and väentapaisuus is expressed daily in such a multitude of small and big ways, that they are hard to describe here... Suffice it to say that everything in the world is alive and has agency. If any of you find the subject of Finnic traditional belief system interesting, there are some good sources in English (mainly books) that I can share. And stuff in Finnish as well, of course! To get a glimpse of this ancient worldview, one can also check my blog called "Sammenluola". There I have one text in English, called "On souls, väki-force, and healing". All the other texts are in Finnish. sammenluola.home.blog

Very interesting. I am trying to learn how to become a Finnish pagan Also do you take ideas or suggestions for videos ? There is something that may happen in Finland very soon which maybe you could talk about or at least mention

I am Finnish Karelian. Son of Karelian refugee an expat in the UK for more then 10 Years...in Aberdeen. Life is storage thing. I am a Finnish pagan. But somehow an Irish dude lecture me of my culture. I love your videos. They really teach me more of my own heritage by an Irish dude. Thank you very much. PS. I am not liking or commenting much. Just want to say you are doing good job. Jukka

I pick little stone from the lake or sea and keep it my pocket for luck. After random period of time I take it back and lay it to my granny's or father's grave. My mom taught me that, I guess she is pagan.

I am one of Karelian shaman family by heritage. I do not do much of the rituals today but I know how they work. Some of the real meaning have been lost due fact the commercial world have strange ways destroying roots. I live in Lahti. I could tell you how nature links to reality even today.

I am Christian but interested in Finnish paiganism really much

I am an atheist. I love literature, folktails and so on, because of great mythic narrative. But I do not "believe" in Kalevala, although it is for me the greatest poetry ever created. I love our rich history in folklore and stories. But we never think they are "true". Then again I am an atheist and christianity feels even more farytail to me than, for example, believing that a Great Bear has magical powers. 😉😄

you should walk to haukiluoto

❤

ukko the all mighty!

Hedgehog is not just a some spiky fella. We still love to feed them in summer and autumn so they can sleep till spring. Same hedgehogs come every year! I'm so sad hedgehogs are tragically disappeared in past 20 years 😭

🍀🍀

Eu celebro a roda do ano,as 8 celebrações sabats e estbats,estou conectada aos elementos da natureza,terra,ar,fogo e água ,a natureza é sagrada para mim,sou descendente de tribo e nunca me adaptei a religiões impostas...realizo rituais com o poder dos elementos ,rejo me pela energia lunar por ser mulher...

Words that nobody should say because they are red flags: "lappish" "shaman" "totem"

It has been scientifically proven, that that humans feel less stress and less anxiety when surrounded by nature. But the type of nature we like depends on what we are used to, Usually it comes from our childhood experiences. Being in a strange environment, (nature or urban) might feel frightening, instead of calming. Some people prefer a northern pine forest, others prefer being on the sea, desert or a more urban park enviroment. Personally I'm quite allergic to everything that looks or sounds like organised religion, but I very much understand why being in the forest makes people feel like being surrounded by some "sacred" thing.

I left the christianity 'cause it didn't feel natural to me at all. I have felt more peace when I left the church as christianity just felt like a cage to me. Sins this and sins that, lower you head human or else. God and devil yada yada.. Instead, I think it's more healthier to find your own power and your true potential and doing good with those. And I think respecting nature is one of the best things you can do. It looks like I'm going back to my roots. I have always loved nature. I might talk to animals I encounter or trees I see in forests. I feel bad if I have to cut a stick from the tree and usually thank nature if I take something from there. Rowan has always been sacred to me and last year I put some rowan berries to the ground, hoping to one day have a rowan in my own yard as I feel it's having a protective nature. Spiders and red robins are good sign to me, I love magpies, grey crows and jackdaws, snakes and cats, and bear is definetly my spirit animal (I have seen it in my dreams always when I have needed to remember my own power). I think most of our rituals are so natural to us that if we think about it, most of them even don't come to our minds :D. Me and my SO are going to start celebrating Kekri again this year. We sacrificed some ale to the fire when we made a fireplace to our yard. We say ".. ja Henkiväelle omansa".

Two ads in 5 minutes?

"... that he will return one day" Interesting. Especially when you consider the Neopagan movement. Perhaps this is a hint at what's to come... 🤔

leav offering to deer? yes, easir to catch even with dogs

That's what I love to do..I've been camping since the age of ten.. I am also drawn to Maliki and tapio.. I love nature and everything in it..I might be back out in it soon here..I might be homeless again..I've homeless more times than I can count.. Maliki is my goddess.. of course Christian people around me keep telling me that I'm going to go to hell.. how can I go to hell when I don't believe in their hell.. they should not push their religion on somebody else.. I really wish I had the millions of dollars to visit the country.. unfortunately a church mouse has more money than I do😂😂..

You just have to eat the heart of a bear that is still beating. And you need to rip that heart out with your bare hands. It's not easy or fun to be Finnish pagan, but certainly worth it.

During recent years, I have ditched christianity and turned to paganism and a bit of new age. All these makes more sence to me than an angry "sky daddy". I have turned from begging for Christ to really listening to nature and trying to awoke my own power to sence the supernatural. Instead of praying I practice magick or manifest the things I need into my life. For example: we have a certain rock formation in the back yard, our "hiisi", near forest, where I go to gather my thoughts and to say my words to make things happen. Often, after putting my hand on the biggest rock, and talking to the anchient spirits of the rocks and forest, I feel relieved and content. They always reming me, how small and contemporary my problems are, and it's easier to find solutions that way.

Maybe "in the 21st Century" would be a better title, as I'm sure this will be valid for a long time to come. 🤷‍♂

can a non-finnish become a suomenusko?

Would you go look and take pictures of my family farm perish

fun fact Finnish people are not Indo-European

Short answer: not possible. The Finnish mythology, as it is being called, was a pre-modern way of trying to understand the world and have some controll over it. For centuries, it co-existed with Christian religion. With the folk education, starting in the 19th century, - people learning how to read and write and being able to go to newly founded Finnish-speaking schools, these mythological interpretations were slowly replaced by a rational, scoence-based understanding of the "world" and nature. It was the modern-type of education - biology, history, geography ect. - that gave a better explanation of the world, of man's place in it and replaced the premodern mythological explanations and creatures. And there is no way of going back - we live in the modern age, and as we can not step in the same river twice, the historical Finnish paganism is not longer within our reach.

Very interesting! But the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala, is correctly pronounced KA-le-va-la; in Finnish words, the first syllable is always emphasized.

Isn't seita a Sami thing? I'm pretty sure seitas have nothing to do with Finnish Paganism. Maybe you meant Hiisi?

Nice, but personally I strongly oppose the use of the term neo-Pagan. Suomenusko (Finnish faith) is a direct continuation of the ancient traditions of the Baltic Finns. Its central values are respect for folklore and folk tradition, and above all nature. It does not fall within neo-Paganism.

Strangely, I think a more provocative title for a video would be “How to Be a Finnish Christian in the 21st Century,” since there are so few Finns who actually profess to holding fundamental Christian (Bible-based) beliefs. Living here, I’ve recently had the thought that it’s very much like ancient Lystra, where Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to people who were convinced they were Mercurius and Jupiter, respectively. Those two preachers were successful in reaching some of the nature-worshiping people by turning their attention to the very Author of nature.

Could you please add your own subtitles in English? No matter how much volume I put, I just cannot understand/ hear everything. It's so frustrating! Your sound quality is very poor, had to say it straight.

Paganism is cringe. Come to Christ my friends. The way, the truth, and the light ☦️