She is an imaginative field of possibilities, rooted in the past, yet free to travel new paths. Although more a creation of his fancy than any one rune, the story of Aino has become one of the most beloved. Somewhere inside the roll of tangled wool, the eyes of the original Aino peer out. With an imagination steeped in classical epics, Elias Lonnrot created Aino by knitting together threads from a variety of old Finnish runes and fragments that featured Aino-type women. Infuriated, she Text and graphic art © Katja Maki, 2009 The story of Aino is continually unravelling, leading in unexpected directions, like a ball of wool dropped from the lap. His eyes followed the lengths of her hair which flowed down her back like rivers of spun gold. wear your finery only for me! Put on your golden crosses and pearls only for me!” he crooned as he drank in her skin, translucent as the milk from her mother’s cows. The one I have been searching for! Look at you! Are you dressed for me, lovely one?” the old man asked, reaching his hand out towards her. A deep unease settled over her like a dark cape.
Aino’s breath caught in her throat as his rheumy eyes travelled over her body. He sensed with growing excitement that the depth of her lake eyes could cause drowning if he was not careful. He looked eagerly into her clear water-eyes that were as blue and deep as the lake at the edge of the forest. As he came closer, she saw his eyes light up and a smile curl his lips. Even from such a distance, she could discern the silhouette of an old man. Around the bend of poplars where the mushrooms grew, she saw a figure approaching.
#Mauno linna lake worth fl skin#
The vision of the steam pricking her skin and making her breath hot made her hurry down the path. As she walked, she thought of preparing the sauna. She bundled up the vihtas into her apron and began following the well-worn path back home. That Bear, Sweet Honey-Paws, was on the other side of the glen, foraging for his meal.
She knew that Rabbit had just birthed a new litter. Aino knew every tree and wildflower in the forest their names were songs she sang as she went about her work. Everything was infused with spirit and she had learned that taking without asking could bring down the wrath of Tapio and Mielikki, the god and goddess of the forest. As she picked, Aino asked each birch tree’s permission before removing the branches she needed. Her eyes and hands were expert at selecting just the right supple branches with lots of leaves. She loved gathering birch branches for the vihta. The scent of the birch forest reminded her of home, of the cottage she lived in with Mother, Father, Sister and Brother. Winter – 2010 The Fate of Aino: A Woman Betwixt the Stars and the Sea by Katja Maki Aino took a deep breath of the birchladen air and smiled.EXPLORING FINNISH CULTURE New World Finn Vol 11, # 1
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