Under the Sun and over the Moon: And Through the Stars of Hope

By Loretta Suliin Busch

Book synopsis

Under the Sun and Over the Moon...and through the stars of hope... is an absorbing retelling of the once sung runos in the Kalevala, which means "land of the descendants of Kaleva."

In a time as ancient as it seems, Loretta Suliin Busch, interweaves these myths with imagination and attention to detail. Each myth, although unsettling, becomes vibrantly alive as the portrayed characters, in their surroundings, endure the unendurable.

Among these myths you will find tales that will arouse your emotions in the complex mixture of adventures. There are trees and birds which talk, a Sampo with godlike powers, bees that seek healing honey, a homeless, pregnant bird, a resurrected man, a double suicide, six gold eggs and one iron. There are heroes with supernatural powers and women who are isolated in their hopes, dreams, joy, and tragedies as they try to understand their own lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483644028

Loretta Suliin Busch

About the Author Loretta was born in northern Minnesota and has spent her life in the landscape of trees and water. Her music has enabled her to take trips to Finland, Russia, Estonia, China, Mexico and the Caribbean; these sights, scenes and people have made an indelible impression on her writings. Her work “Song-land of the Kalevala,” accompanied by the DVD features the Vienna Karelian Folklore Villages where the sites of epic poetry were sung and recorded by Elias Lonnrot. This presentation resides in the Archives of Juminkeko, Kalevala Culture Centre, Kuhmo, Finland. She presents programs on the Kalevala, which include segments of music and art to the University of Seniors of University of Minnesota—Duluth, and to the Cloquet Community Schools; as well as presentations to numerous Finnish programs. She served on the Board of Directors as Music Chair for the FinnFest 2008, “Sharing the Spirit of Finland” Duluth, MN. Loretta has Bachelor of Science degrees from UMD-Duluth, MN of Music KK-12, Elementary Education and Mild to Moderate Mentally HDCP. She also taught as an adjunct instructor of music curriculum at the College of St. Scholastica, in Duluth, MN. Loretta has traveled extensively, and documented her experiences. Her collection of artifacts also brings back vivid memories. “Over the moon, under the sun, and through the stars of hope”…is a quote that Lemmikainen’s mother paid to the Honey-bee to give him strength and courage to fly for the third time to the ninth heaven to get the healing salve. Rune 15

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Loretta Suliin Busch.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013909591

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4836-4401-1

                Softcover       978-1-4836-4400-4

                Ebook            978-1-4836-4402-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 06/06/2013

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Xlibris Corporation

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www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Drifting on the Winds Forever

Mother of the Water

The Bog

The Red Ribbon Incident

The Weaver’s Spell

The Sorceress of Darkness

The Devoted Mother

The Unwelcomed Guest

The Blue-Stockinged Son

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank my daughter-in-law, Lori Busch, for supporting me in clarifiying and simplifiying the text. I appreciate her time and friendship. My thanks to my husband Don and my family who have shared in the interest of this work and our Finn heritage. Melody, Steve, Brad and his family: Ashley’s Finnish artistry, Bradley’s tonality music, and Andrea’s flute, have inspired me in this work. The pronunciation of Finnish names caused us to smile many times. We were all pleased when this book was—Finnished.

Drifting on the Winds Forever

Back in time our minds will wander to the beat of ancient drumming

Muffled tones express the haunting, secret wisdom of all ages

drifting on the winds forever

drifting on the winds forever, stories of a land enchanted

where the songs of Väinämöinen charmed and mesmerized all creatures

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

with illusion of existence,

Sacred bird song, golden cuckoo would respond to love and gladness,

would predict the pearls of sadness

heavy burden—grief of mothers

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

heavy burden—grief of mothers,

inner wailing voiced their torment

Hope travailed against the cold wind, baked the bread, and swept the boards clean

as their tears flowed into rivers

heavy burden—grief of mothers

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

as their tears flowed into rivers

to the dismal, dreary North Farm

Cloaked within a sphere of darkness was a shaman they called Louhi

who possessed the magic Sampo

as their tears flowed into rivers

heavy burden—grief of mothers

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

who possessed the magic Sampo

would have wealth and peace forever

It she locked behind nine closed doors, there secured a valued treasure

otherworldy in its power

who possessed the magic Sampo

as their tears flowed into rivers

heavy burden—grief of mothers

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

otherworldly in its power

raising homesteads out of ashes

Ciphered lid of many colours in a circle comprehended

cosmic love beyond dimension

otherworldly in its power

who possessed the magic Sampo

as their tears flowed into rivers

heavy burden—grief of mothers

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

cosmic love beyond dimension

yearned for it a life immortal

Was released without assumption, birth and death in endless motion

mystic transformations beckoned

cosmic love beyond dimension

otherworldly in its power

who possessed the magic Sampo

as their tears flowed into rivers

heavy burden—grief of mothers

with illusion of existence

drifted on the winds forever

mystic transformation beckoned

drifting

on

the

winds

forever

Loretta Suliin Busch

October 2007

Luonnotar, Daughter of the Heavens

also known as Ilmatar, Spirit of the Air

Mother of the Water

before her the flowing water, behind her the clear heavens

Rune 1. Ensimmäinen Runo

She who created the universe

Before the world was created, high in the celestial heavens, she floated in the infinite sky, content and serene. Her life was tranquil because time was endless and everything remained the same—clouds above the heavens and water below. Her kinship was inherited. Little was known of her father except that he resided in the clouds, high above an endless expanse of water. She was the daughter of Ilma, the sky, when there was nothing but air and wind. But gradually, she became curious as self-awareness entered her mind and remained there. She looked up at the blue sky and looked down at the tranquil sea. Although wrapped in a curtain of air, she became as restless as the wind and grew weary of always being by herself. She felt the urge to change the course of her life because loneliness, sadness, and hopelessness engulfed her whole being. She knew if she was guided by her instincts and dove into the deep sea, she could no longer be Luonnotar, Daughter of the Heavens, otherwise known as Ilmatar, Virgin Spirit of the Air.

The swirling wind currents carried her down to where the waves crested, waiting to catch her, and where the waves lapped over her body. Because there was no land, she floated on the waters and the wind tugged at her wet hair. For a while, the winds and waves tossed her back and forth. Soon the sea surged up into angry billows, and the wind from the east whipped itself into a furious storm.