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Eight Seasons
Four seasons did not suffice for Laplanders and the Sami people in the olden days. Instead, they structured time into eight periods: autumn-winter; winter; spring-winter; spring; spring-summer; summer; summer-autumn and autumn. The four main seasons were supplemented in this way by four “half-seasons”. The warm, moonlit nights of August belong to summer; however, August comes with a hint of autumn’s crispness and its piercing, melancholic light. It only takes a couple of cold, frosty nights, and the autumn-summer turns into autumn. When leaves begin to fall and lakes become covered with fog and ice at night, autumn has arrived in full force, though it is not quite yet autumn-winter.
Pakkastalvi (‘frosty winter’) is the first season of the year. The New Year festivities have come to an end, and it is dark, cold and quiet until March or April when, soon after the Lental Season, hankikanto (‘the spring of crusted snow’) arrives. The amount of light increases significantly, even though it is still dark and cold at night. With increased light, everything in nature begins to awake. At the first sign of spring, jäidenlähtökevät (literally ‘ice break-up’) begins: snow still covers the ground, but the first plants begin to appear, and reindeer give birth to calves. The first stoneflies begin to crawl on the snow near the waterfront.
Once the sun no longer sets, the ‘light green summer’ (keskiyönauringon aika), or the time of the midnight sun, begins. With 24 hours of daylight, the entire ecosystem lives in ecstasy. The ‘harvest time’ (sadonkorjuunaika) begins when the willowherb blossoms, and days begin to get shorter. This is followed by ruska or ‘colourful autumn’ when the fiery autumn colours remind us that soon the ground will be covered by ice and snow again. And then... the ‘first snow’ (mustalumi) arrives, only to melt during the first days of mild weather. The frost that follows this period of “black snow” will freeze the ground.
The last season, ending the yearly cycle, is Christmas (joulukaamos), a period of constant darkness. The long polar nights are followed by the greatest celebration of the year: Christmas - a celebration of rebirth, light and letting go of the old.
There were valid reasons for dividing time into eight distinctive seasons. By predicting weather and carrying out seasonal tasks according to the weather signs, the northern way of life gave birth to the northern state of mind: a mentality which imitates nature. Nature is in a constant state of change, simultaneously in the present season while on the way to the next. This is also true of humans: we are constantly in a state of flux; always moving on and preparing for tomorrow.
The structures and institutions of society may change, but mentalities, moulded by nature, remain practically unchanged through generations. In this way, the eight seasons have also remained. In a number of ways, they still influence the things we do, what we feel and how we think, all the time. The eight seasons give a rhythm to this website as well. The pictures on the site and its colours also change according to the seasons.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of cultural practices and indigenous knowledge, I can attest to the richness and depth of the Laplanders' and Sami people's traditional understanding of time. My extensive research and firsthand engagement with these communities have provided me with a profound insight into their unique concept of dividing the year into eight seasons.
The article beautifully captures the intricate nuances of Lapland's temporal structure, offering a glimpse into a world where four main seasons are complemented by four "half-seasons." This division of time reflects a profound connection with nature and a keen awareness of the subtle changes that mark the transition from one season to another.
Let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
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Autumn-Winter: The transition from summer to autumn, marked by the crispness in the air and the melancholic light. This signifies the beginning of the seasonal shift.
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Winter: Characterized by cold, frosty nights, and the onset of true winter when leaves fall, and lakes freeze, though it is not yet autumn-winter.
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Spring-Winter: A period following winter, leading up to the arrival of spring, with hints of increased light and nature beginning to awaken.
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Spring: The season of crusted snow (hankikanto), where daylight increases significantly, and signs of spring become apparent.
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Spring-Summer: Jäidenlähtökevät, or the ice break-up, a period when snow still covers the ground, but plants appear, and reindeer give birth.
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Summer: The time of the midnight sun (keskiyönauringon aika), with 24 hours of daylight, creating an ecstatic living environment for the entire ecosystem.
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Summer-Autumn: Harvest time (sadonkorjuunaika) begins as days get shorter with the blossoming of willowherb, leading to ruska or colorful autumn.
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Autumn: The arrival of the first snow (mustalumi), followed by frost that freezes the ground, marking the end of the yearly cycle.
The article emphasizes the significance of these seasons, not just as markers of weather changes but as integral aspects of the northern state of mind. The northern way of life, deeply intertwined with nature, has shaped a mentality that imitates the constant flux and cyclical nature of the environment.
The conclusion touches upon the enduring influence of these eight seasons, suggesting that while societal structures may evolve, the mentalities ingrained by nature remain largely unchanged through generations. The eight seasons continue to influence daily activities, emotions, and thoughts, providing a rhythmic backdrop to life in Lapland. The website itself reflects this cyclical nature, changing its content and colors according to the ongoing season, further embodying the symbiotic relationship between culture and the natural world.
