The constellation Leo is linked to Hercules’ first labor: defeating the invincible Nemean Lion. According to Greek myth, the lion’s hide could not be pierced by weapons, so Hercules wrestled it and strangled it with his bare hands. After his victory, the goddess Hera set the mighty lion among the stars as Leo, honoring its strength and the hero’s feat.

Fairychamber's Witching Hour is created by Niina Niskanen.

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Mielikki is the goddess of the forest, hunt, material and spiritual wealth and abundance. Mielikki is associated with summer and autumn. She is also associated with beauty and healing. Tapio is the god of hunt, woodlands and the forest animals. Tapio is associated with winter and spring time. People worshiped bear as a god. It was believed that bears were related to humans. Karhu the bear, is a great witch and a shaman. Karhu did not have a human form but appeared in the form of a bear. In some stories it is Mielikki who creates the bear, she can also transform into a bear and even ride a bear. Tapio can also transform into a bear. Goddess of the earth is Akka. She was also known as Rauni (originating from Swedish rönn meaning rowan). Akka is the soil, the hay, the grass and the goddess of growth and harvest. Ukko is the god of thunder, sky and the rain. He is the god of community, god of human relationships, fertility, order and communication. Ukko was honored during a summer festival called Ukon Vakat. An older Finnish god of the air was called Ilma and he had a daughter, Ilmatar. Vellamo is the goddess of the sea, lakes, rivers and all water areas. She is the protector of fishermen and sailors. Vellamo rules the winds, sea currents, waves and storms. Vellamo’s spouse is Ahti who rules the same areas. Both are deities of sealife, and protectors of water animals. Both Vellamo and Ahti can transform themselves into any water bird, seals and any fish. 

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Back in the days Summer Solstice was celebrated to honor Ukko, the thunder god. He was honored in a festival called Ukonnvakat. The name "Ukko" literally means "old man," but in ancient times, it was an honorary title given to men who reached old age. The Finnish word for thunder, "Ukkonen," is derived from "Ukko." He was regarded as the god of fertility, agriculture, community, luck, abundance, communication, thunder, lightning, rain, and the sky. While many cultures associate thunder gods with warfare, Ukko was known as a peaceful deity. He also represented love and relationships, as well as the fertility of both the land and its people. The word "Vakka" means "sacrifice." During Ukon vakat, food sacrifices were offered to Ukko, typically consisting of bread, beer, and grain. Ukonvakat was a communal celebration where multiple groups of people gathered to partake in festivities. These celebrations usually took place on a hill near a body of water and were most common during the summer, a time when all four elements were believed to merge. In many cultures, thunder gods are associated with warfare, but Ukko was a peaceful deity. Additionally, Ukko was a god of love and relationships, as well as the fertility of both the land and its people. The term "vakka" means "sacrifice,". He was also a god of love and relationships, representing both the fertility of the land and the fertility of people.

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The origin of Easter in Finland is quite fascinating. In pre-Christian times, people across the northern hemisphere celebrated the spring equinox between March 19th and 23rd. In Finland, the spring equinox was known as Matopäivä, the Day of the Snakes. The word "mato" in old Finnish referred to both snakes and worms, encompassing everything that slithered. It was believed that on the day of the spring equinox, snakes and worms would awaken from their hibernation. Finnish folklore contains several myths explaining how snakes came to be. According to one version, Akka, the earth goddess, was responsible for their creation. During the spring equinox, Akka would awaken, and all the snakes would emerge to dance in her honor. The origins of Akka and the snake cult were most likely introduced by the Baltic tribes.

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Autumn time included multiple festivals in ancient Finland, mostly related with the harvest. Mikonpäivä, Kekri, and other celebrations marked the turning of the year, blending agricultural cycles with spiritual practices. Mikonpäivä (St. Michael’s Day), celebrated around the end of September, became significant during the Christian period but retained older agrarian customs. It marked the end of summer work, the bringing in of cattle from pastures, and the beginning of autumn tasks. In some regions, it was also considered a time for fairs, hiring new workers, and trading goods.

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he bull stands as a symbol of enduring strength, fertility, and devotion. For the ancients, Taurus represented the fertile fields, the season of planting, and the eternal bond between earth and sky. The constellation of Gemini reflects the myth of Castor and Pollux, the inseparable twin brothers. Born of the same mother, but different fathers, one was mortal (Castor) and the other divine (Pollux). Virgo is often linked with Demeter and Persephone, or with Astraea, the Star Maiden. Astraea, daughter of Zeus and Themis, was the last immortal to live among humans during the Golden Age. Together, Taurus, Gemini, and Virgo remind us of the great arc of human life: the grounding of the body (Taurus), the curiosity of the mind (Gemini), and the discernment of the spirit (Virgo).

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Norse mythology: The Vikings believed the aurora was the reflection of Valkyries’ armor as they guided fallen warriors to Valhalla—symbolizing honor, bravery, and the afterlife.

Sámi people (Indigenous to Lapland): The lights were treated with reverence and awe. Whistling at them was forbidden, as it could summon danger. They symbolized spirits of the dead or divine energy.

Inuit traditions: Some groups believed the aurora represented souls playing games in the sky, while others saw them as spirits of animals like seals, whales, or deer.

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Finnish folklore is deeply tied to nature, animism, and shamanism. Before Christianity, Finns believed that every element of nature—rocks, rivers, animals, forests—held a spirit (called väki). The traditions are part of the broader Finno-Ugric cultural heritage, with connections to Sámi, Baltic, and Siberian mythologies. Finnish folklore is rooted in animism, shamanism, and oral tradition, with deep respect for nature, spirits, and mythic beings. It blends pre-Christian beliefs. In this episode, you will learn about the creation myth behind bugs and the position of bugs in the pre-Christian folklore.

Fairychamber's Witching Hour is created by Niina Niskanen.

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Welcome to The Fairychamber’s Witching Hour. I’m Niina, your host and guide. This podcast is a journey into myths and legends, witches, storytelling, and fascinating discoveries. You’ll find remastered versions of some of my older videos here, alongside plenty of brand-new episodes.

I’m a writer and illustrator, and Fairychamber has been with me for a long time. It was the name of my very first blog as a teenager—back then, I spent years painting fairies and mermaids, which inspired the name. Today, my art has grown to include many other subjects, but the name stayed with me and eventually blossomed into a brand.

I invite you to step into these magical worlds with me—I hope you enjoy the journey.

Fairychamber's Witching Hour is created by Niina Niskanen.

Visit my website http://www.fairychamber.org

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fairychamberart/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.