40 beautiful cards with inspiring ideas for modern daily rituals.

According to the Finnish and Karelian national epic, the Kalevala, the world begins when a sotka bird, a common goldeneye, lays her eggs on the knee of Ilmatar, the air maiden, who is lounging in the primordial sea. As Ilmatar shifts, the eggs break open, giving birth to the entire Universe. Ilmatar also brings forth Väinämöinen, the great shaman, tietäjä, after being impregnated by the Wind itself. Thus, the spring equinox is the perfect day to remember Ilmatar, who could be considered the matriarch of Finnish mythology, the origin of all life.

Climb to a high or windy place – a cliff, a balcony,  a seaside. Close your eyes and let the wind blow across your face. In your mind, connect with our matriarch, the primordial mother, the Ilmatar. Feel and sense how the unbroken chains of our foremothers have carried your cells and the building blocks of life into your body and into this moment. Give thanks to spring, rejoice in Ilmatar and praise the unbroken chains of the ancestors with gratitude for this new cycle that begins at the spring equinox.

Reetta Ranta: Nordic Forest Rituals Oracle Cards

Coming this spring a beautiful set of Oracle Cards – a source of inspiration and insights from Finnish folklore and traditions.

The content of the cards emerges from the depths of our childhood landscapes, the Finnish forest, its trees, plants, spirits, and animals, as well as the stories hidden within the forest’s embrace. The cards and a digital booklet which come with the cards draw their content from Reetta’s latest book, Rituaalikirja, “Timeless Nordic Rituals,” which was released last autumn in Finland.

These cards bring Finnish nature and timeless Nordic rituals to you in a playful and incredibly beautiful form. If you’re interested in pre-ordering the cards, which will be released at the summer solstice, you can do so at our Sauna Animals store.

To learn more about Finnish rituals, subscribe to Reetta’s Year of Rituals Newsletter!