In ancient times, the transition from October to November marked a significant turning point in the year, particularly in many European countries that practiced farming. This period, when nature began to die, also symbolized rebirth, which is why it was considered the start of a new year. In Lithuania, this holiday is known as Vélines, or the "Time of the Dead." Similar celebrations can be found in other cultures as well. In Finland, the festival is called Kekri, in Wales it is known as Calan Caef, and in Ireland, it is referred to as Samhain. During this time, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, allowing spirits to enter the world of the living. The term "Véle" refers to a spirit, ghost, or ancestor. Vélines, the holiday of the dead, begins at the end of October and lasts until the end of November.

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Jako-aika: October 28 - November 10

This period was known for the movement of evil spirits, similar to the Wild Hunt. Finland once followed the Julian calendar, which is currently about 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar we use today. As a result, there were some "extra" days at the end of the year that were not officially recognized in the calendar and thus did not officially exist. These non-existent days, were collectively referred to as "Jakoaika" (dividing time) and lasted roughly from Simo (Day of St Simon October 28) to Martti (Day of St Martin November 10).

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Lot of people compare Mielikki to Artemis, she is more like a mixture between Artemis and Demeter. She represents the wild free archer and at the same time the maternal caring mother goddess who looks after those who are called by her. 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.

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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).In Finnish folklore, the divine feminine is expressed through a blend of mythic figures, archetypes of nature, and ancestral beliefs rooted in the old pagan worldview. Rather than a single goddess figure, Finnish tradition presents a web of feminine powers tied to the land, fertility, death, and cosmic order.

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Austéja was the goddess of bees and symbolizes growth, abundance, and reproduction. Austéja embodied both a woman and a bee. Her name is associated with the Lithuanian verb "austi," meaning "to weave" (like linen), and "austyti," which signifies "to fly swiftly everywhere" and "to repeatedly shut and close doors." These meanings serve as metaphors for gathering honey and building honeycombs. Pūķis the dragon was believed to be a sorcerer’s familiar. They would steal grain and other treasures to bring them to their owner. If Pūķis felt unappreciated, they would burn down the house. Pūķis demanded respect and was always served first at mealtime. In Latvia and Lithuania, belief in dragons was inspired by fiery meteorites.

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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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Lupercalia, A mid-February fertility and purification rite held on February 13–15 in honor of Faunus (the Roman god of agriculture) and the legendary founders Romulus and Remus. Priests (Luperci) sacrificed goats and a dog, then struck bystanders—especially women—with strips of goat hide to promote fertility and ease childbirth. Though not about romantic love, the festival’s themes of fertility and pairing later helped it merge with Christian traditions. By the 1400s, European nobles exchanged love notes or “valentines.” Surviving examples include a 1415 letter from Charles, Duke of Orléans, to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.

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Jack Frost is a personification of winter’s chill in Northern European and later American folklore. He’s not tied to a single mythological tradition but emerges from old tales of frost sprites and winter spirits.,Often shown as a mischievous young man or sprite who paints frost on windows, nips noses and toes, and brings crisp cold air. In Victorian-era poetry and 19th-century children’s stories, he became a playful trickster. In European folklore, fairies (or fae) are nature spirits tied to seasons. Winter fairies embody frost, snow, and the hush of the cold months. They’re usually described as delicate, icy-winged beings who dance on snowflakes, freeze dewdrops, or guard the quiet of winter woods. Anne Boleyn was Henry VIII’s second wife and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. She was executed at the Tower of London in 1536 on charges of treason and adultery.

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