Every February 28th the publication of The Kalevala, The Finnish National Epic, is celebrated. Published this day in 1835 and again in 1849. The Kalevala ( pronounced “KAH-lev-AH-la), is the great national epic of Finland. Based on old stories that were sung and recited by the population of Finland, as well as the Baltic countries and Western Russia. The Kalevala itself was assembled from folk sources in the 1800s
Archives for February 2020
The New Thread Moon
Recently I discovered an old rune song in the Finnish archives which speaks of the spinning of new linen thread to end the last few weeks of winter by preparing a garment. This new garment signifies the handwork of winter during the darkest time of the year. This old rune song jarred memories from growing up with my fiber-filled Gotlander/Swedish family. My grandmother, an accountant by day, was a