Goddess Beware!

Let's take the rant to the next level: Deities, nothing less.

The Sami are the indigenous people of Finland, Sweden, Norway and North-West Russia. Not so long ago they still led a nomadic life herding semi-domesticated reindeers. They also fished, hunted, traded their goods and later also farmed. How is this relevant here? I come from an old Sami family, so this is my heritage we are talking about. I could tell you tons of things, but actually I had one particular topic in mind: Mythology.

Among other deities and spirits the Sami have four important female deities, the Akka goddesses. Madderakka is a very ancient and highly respected goddess, the mother of mankind, and she has three daughters, the other Akka goddesses -- Sarakka, Juksakka and Uksakka. One of the most important roles of the Akka goddesses is to take care of the birthings of men and animals. Madderakka receives a soul from a supreme god, which according to some would be Radien who I personally interpret as a later form of the original thunder god, a very major deity for especially the Sami in the area of Finland. Madderakka hands the soul over to her daughters. Sarakka grows flesh around the soul in its mother's womb and makes sure the birthing goes well. Juksakka changes girlbabies into boys in the womb. (Yes, we perhaps see where this is leading...) Finally, after the baby is born, Uksakka looks after it and makes sure it doesn't hurt itself while playing or doing chores.

So. What can I say? Damn Juksakka, you missed me!!! You know, if you only have one single duty in the world and you are a goddess for crying out loud -- how difficult can it be to pay a little attention? Gaah. And here I am, stuck in a body I cannot stand. Thanks a lot. As I said earlier, this is my heritage. I'm Sami and damn it, I believe in the Mother Goddess. And her daughter does this to me?

One day I'm going to tell you about bears.