Joulupukki

Today for the Holidays I wanted to write about Joulupukki, a Finnish Christmas figure. Joulupukki was originally depicted as a goat who would visit after Christmas feasts and ask for leftovers. He is thought to share an origin with Julbocken and Krampus, however due to synchronization he now more resembles Santa Claus or Ded Moroz.

Mēness

With the full moon tonight I wanted to write about Mēness, a Lithuania moon god. Mēness was the husband of Saulė who is in a feud with Perkūnas. He had an affair with Aušrinė so Perkūnas punished Mēness by cutting him up (causing the Lunar Cycle). After Saulė and Mēness separated, they did not want

Lemminkäinen

Today I wanted to write about Lemminkäinen, a Finnish folk hero and shaman know for his red hair. Lemminkäinen drowned in Tuonela, trying to impress Louhi‘s daughter. Lemminkäinen’s mother manages to bring him back with the help of Ilmarinen and some magic honey stolen from Ukko. Lemminkäinen later when on to battle the dog like

Pikne

Today I wanted to write about Pikne, an Estonian god of lightning and the protector of the Võhandu river. He’s a son of Ukko. He was once banished to earth by Ukko after Vanapagan stole his whistle stopping it from raining. Take it Pikne,the bull we are offeringwith two hornsand four hoovesfor ploughing and harvestingIs

Kalevipoeg

Today I wanted to write about Kalevipoeg/Sohni, an Estonian hero and giant. Kalevipoeg is the youngest son of Linda and Kalev. When Linda is kidnapped, Kalevipoeg travels across Estonia and Finland to rescue her, creating the lakes and mountains of Estonia along his journey. When he returns from his journey, he battles with his brothers

Aitvaras

For Dragon Week II: The Scale Wars, I wanted to write about Aitvaras, a Lithuanian snake-chicken-hybrid spirit associated with luck and fortune. An Aitvaras is born from an egg laid by a 9-15 year old rooster. Aitvaras often look like a black rooster with a fiery tail. If an Aitvaras is killed, they become fire.

Vanapagan

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Vanapagan, an Estonian folk demon and ruler of the underworld. Vanapagan is an unintelligent Oger who is consistently bested by Kalevipoeg and Kaval Ants (Crafty Hans). Vanapagan is also know for stealing the musical instrument belonging to Pikne. Another enemy of Vanapagan is Toell the Great.

Louhi

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Louhi, a Finnish witch-goddess who may be a name used by Loviatar, a Finnish goddess of death. Louhi is only mentioned a few times in the Kalevala where she is described as being a power queen with the power to shapeshift. She’s the major opponent to

Akka

Continuing with spooky season I wanted to write about Akka, an Estonian, Finnish, and Sámi spirit or group of spirits/goddesses responsible for both birth and death. Maderakka is one of the five Akkas, she creates bodies and is the goddess of women and children, she has three daughters: Sarakka, goddess of love and fertility, Juksakka,

Linda

Today I wanted to write about Linda, an Estonian goddess connected to an island in Lake Ülemiste. She’s married to Kalevi and is the mother of Kalevipoeg. Not only is Lindakivi in Lake Ülemiste named after her. Lindanise, a previous settlement near Tallin, is also named after her. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_%28Estonian_mythology%29?wprov=sfla1

Birutė

Today I wanted to write about Birutė, a Lithuanian goddess/deified historical figure. Birutė was a priestess to Gabija. When Grand Duke Kęstutis heard of her beauty he travelled from far away to propose to her, she initially refused because of her devotion to the gods but he eventually kidnapped her for their wedding. Together the

Lauma

Last month I received a request to write about Lauma, also spelt Laumė, a Baltic goddess of weather, and forests, who is a protector of humans, especially children. Lauma was engaged to Perkūnas but the two never married as Lauma fell in love with the moon and Perkūnas married Saulė, the sun goddess. In other

Kullervo

Today I wanted to write about Kullervo, a Finnish immortal wizard that us a central figure in the Kalevala. Kullervo is the son of Untamala, a woman who was sold into slavery after her entire village was brutally murdered. Untamo, the man that killed Untamala’s village, attempted to kill Kullervo three times: once with water,

Kuu

With the full moon tonight I wanted to write about Kuu, also called Kuutär, a Finnish goddess of the moon. She’s a daughter of Ilmatar. She is also the twin sister of Päivätär; Kuu was formed from the egg white while Päivätär was born of the yolk. She’s also the sister of Väinämöinen. She is

Ilmatar

Today I wanted to write about Ilmatar, a Finnish goddess of wind and air. She’s the mother of Väinämöinen as well as Kuu and Päivätär. The asteroid (385) Ilmatar is named after her. She is sometimes given the name/epithet Luonnotar. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmatar?wprov=sfla1

Saulė

Today I wanted to write about Saulė, a Lithuanian and Latvian goddess of the sun. She was married to Mēness but he had an affair with Aušrinė so Perkūnas punishment Mēness by cutting him up (causing the Lunar Cycle). After the two separated they did not want to see eachother but still wanted to see

Väinämöinen

Today I wanted to write about Väinämöinen, a Finnish god of chants, songs, and poems. He’s a son of Ilmatar and Kalevi. When he was born he swam in the primordial waters to find land. He’s the brother of Päivätär, Kuu, and Ilmarinen. He’s been compared to Vanemuine and Odin. Väinämöinen is described as a

Ilmarinen

Today I wanted to write about Ilmarinen, a Finnish god who is a great inventor and blacksmith. In Finnish mythology he created the Sampo, a magical device that can create grain, salt, and gold. After the loss of his first wife he attempted to make a second wife out of gold and silver, however she

Potrimpo

Today I wanted to write about Potrimpo, a Prussian Baltic god of the earth and sea. He is part of a trinity along with Perkūnas and Peckols. He was often equated with Neptune as well as Castor and Pollux. Some Baltic people would pray to him while pouring wax into water as a form of

Ukko

Today I wanted to write about Ukko, a Finnish god of thunder, the sky, weather, rowan trees, and the harvest. He is married to the goddess Akka. Ukko wields the hammer Ukonvasara. Ukko is often compared to Perkūnas and Thor as well as Yahweh. The minor planet Ukko is named after him. Ukonvasara shaped pendants

Žemyna

Today I wanted to write about Žemyna, a Baltic goddess of the earth, fertility, and death. She’s a consort of Perkūnas. She was eventually combined with the Virgin Mary. Beer and chicken bones would often be given to her by the head of the household at weddings and harvests. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDemyna?wprov=sfla1

Peckols

Continuing with spooky season I wanted to write about Peckols, a Baltic god of the underworld and the dead. He is related to the Gods Perkūnas and Potrimpo, possibly brothers. He was somewhat associated with Pluto. He was worshiped alongside Perkūnas and Potrimpo at the temple of Romowe. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peckols?wprov=sfla1