Grandmother Swallow

I am not recognized as an expert on any of the information I research.  I’m an autodidact who’s never formally studied these subjects. For over fifty years I’ve collected many respected books, articles, and art on Northern, Eastern, Baltic, Scandinavian, Finnish, and Celtic paganism and mythologies. I will make sure that what I write is as well researched as possible.  I will provide a bibliography on a separate webpage citing books, websites, and other works I have used in my explorations.  That way, you as my reader can have access to further information. Any opinions I state will be mine alone and will be clearly stated as mine.

This blog is a work of love. I know that information on the goddesses, spirits, and minor deities is out there but attention is usually focused on major gods of major religions and easily recognized mythologies. Because of that, my interest eventually turned to the study of Goddesses, Spirits, and Minor Deities of the regions mentioned above.

Information on the Celtic culture and mythology is extensive. It’s easily found and accessed either in books or online. Norse mythology, which covers most of Scandinavia is also abundant.  Druidry and Celtic gods, goddesses, mythologies, and other stories are so well covered that I will be brief.  I will talk about the deities and spirits that are either nominally covered or seldom mentioned.

It’s important to note that Finland is not a part of Scandinavia.  It’s language is not Germanic but Uralic which is “a family of languages spoken from northern Scandinavia to western Siberia” (Oxford Languages Dictionary). It has its own culture and mythology which diverges significantly from much of other northern European countries and regions. I enjoy studying Finnish mythology and paganism so will try to name as many goddesses, spirits, and deities as I’m able.

There are many Gods and Goddesses in North American traditions but I focus on Goddess traditions in Northern European, Slavic, Russian, and a smattering of Greek and Roman mythology. I do that because it’s my heritage, in my DNA, and because it’s important to me to find out what my ancestors believed. Because of my age I’m quite interested in the Crone goddesses, myths, fables, and folk tales.

Additionally, as a “Reconstructionist Druid” my path focuses on my American local place; its geology, flora, fauna, customs, and traditions.  I study American mythology and folklore, and our American and local history.  I believe it’s important to understand where you live now and also where your ancestors lived.