JOURNEY TO THE GOLDEN WATER SPRING

AT KAINUU ARCTIC OF FINLAND

- a spring excursion to a Karelian village and sacred places in nature

Friday-Sunday 24-26 May 2024

Let's travel to the old sage's homestead and visit sacred nature places.

GUIDED BY KEIJO AHTONEN AND HELENA KARHU

Welcome to a join a journey to Rimmi village in Kuhmo, and experience a northern destination off the beaten path. Rimmi is one of Finland's three Viena Karelian villages at the Kainuu region of the North-East Finland. During the journey, we will stay at the old sage Rimmin Uljaska's old log house. At the family farm, we hear stories, enjoy traditional delicacies, sauna, and accommodation. Rimmin Uljaska was a sage, who was also an inspiration for the national romantic painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela for his triptych of Kalevala, for the model for the Väinämöinen, the old wise one.

Uljaska's descendants guide us to the mythical Kultalähde water spring in the border zone, for which we need a special permit for our group. On the trip, we get to know the mythology of the springs and the stories related to the Golden Spring. The spring bubbling up as gold is mentioned in written documents as early as the 18th century. On the Tervehys muanšilmä excursion, we visit the spring, looking at the bubbling sand, drink "healthy cups", and give the spirit of the spring a return gift.

Photos: Keijo Ahtonen / Vienan portti

We also visit Pirunkallio boulders near the border zone. It is a steep rock formation where Uljaska cast a spell to make the devil quiet.

We will visit a beautiful local cemetery, the only Orthodox cemetery in Kuhmo, and hear the history of Rimminkylä cemetery.

Tuliniemi's evening bonfires:

- On the historical and really beautiful cape, we keep the evening bonfires until the night gets dark

In the cheerful Uljaska, we stay in a Karelian cultural environment and enjoy the atmosphere of an old log house. Finally, we get to the steam room of the family farm's old traditional smoke sauna.

Itinerary:

Friday:

at 17:00 Arrival at Rimmin Uljaska

17.00 Dinner and Welcome words from the host

18.00 Spell and talking stick circle led by Helena Karhu

Smoke sauna

Saturday:

at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in a cheerful mood

at 9:00 a.m. Trip to Kultalähde “Golden Spring”

A visit to Pirunkallio boulders

Lunch

Tuliniemi's evening bonfires

- On the historical and really beautiful cape, we keep the evening bonfires until the night gets dark

Dinner by nature:

  e.g. with an open flame

  - filleted salmon

  - vegetarian option

  - other fish caught yourself

  - other grilled meat

Sunday:

at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast

at 9:00 a.m. Morning meditation guided by Helena Karhu

at 10:00 a.m. Visit to Kalmismaa cemetery

The return trip home - or the option to continue the trip together to Hossa National Park and the rock paintings

Your tour guide:

Helena Karhu

I am a North-Karelian shamanic teacher, culture producer, and researcher. The soul task of my life is within Karhun Talo (House of Bear), which aims to remember our deep connection with nature, as the source of awareness, wellbeing, and connectedness for everyone in community. I wish to understand, remember, and live folk cultures and wisdom traditions together with all of you. I am a chairwoman of a local culture association called Pielisen Tietäjäkeskus ry., which aims to promote, strengthen, and live the ancestral wisdom traditions of North Karelia.

My world journeys have taken her across the Northern and Arctic regions in quest for meaning of life. My passion is to bring forth the light-increasing, co-operative, and empowering aspects of the ancestral practice, where everyone can rest as they are, yet have freedom to become who they are. As a retreat guide, my ambition is to be of inspiring and positive guidance, where simplicity and naturalness of life are the key focus.

Practical information:

Registration: info@karhuntalo.com

The price is EUR 390, including the itinerary, accommodation for 2 days at Rimmin Uljaska's house and the meals mentioned in the program. The accommodation is for max. 8 people in the cozy log house, and it is also possible to stay in a shed (max. 6 people and own winter-warm sleeping bags). The booking fee for the trip is 100 EUR, and the rest is paid later.

The trip does not include trips from your home to Rimmi and back, and travel insurance insurance. We organize carpools so that we can travel with as few cars as possible. Booking and cancellation terms:

https://www.karhuntalo.com/booking-and-cancellation-conditions

How to get there?

Your tour guide will start the journey from Joensuu. You can also approach from Kuopio or Kajaani directions. We will coordinate car pools. Here are maps of the location: