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What if trees weren’t just plants but also protectors, teachers, and even family? That question has been echoing in my head, so I had a new plant friend tell me everything about it! Her name is Niina Niskanen, and she’s a Finnish illustrator, author, and researcher of Finnish folklore and tree worship.​

Trees in Finland, in Niina’s world, are guardians of families, holders of väki (life force), and partners in everyday rituals.​ She’s here to share everything about Finnish tree worship, what spirit trees actually are, and some simple rituals you can borrow to build a relationship with the trees right outside your door. Let's dive in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:26] Meet Niina and her life growing up in Finnish forests!
• [03:39] How she went from “weird” folklore kid to researcher
• [04:50] Why Finnish mythology centers on “animism” and not on heroic gods
• [05:48] A bit of Finnish history!
• [07:45] What is the concept of väki?
• [09:24] What does Finnish tree mythology represent in daily life?
• [11:36] Why spirit trees are seen as guides, healers, and places to seek advice
• [12:41] What is the story of “The Giving Tree”?
• [13:03] How are these beliefs practiced socially vs individually?
• [15:45] Experience rich and antioxidant-packed Manukora honey!
• [17:28] Start your seed starting season with Espoma Organic’s premium gardening products!
• [19:58] How Finland’s month names followed seasons
• [21:54] What are some tree-centered traditions tied to birth, death, and life cycles?
• [23:40] Offerings and sacrificial trees!
• [25:33] What “tree spirits” are and how they’re imagined in Finnish lore
• [27:41] Hunting rituals and making offerings to forest deities
• [28:31] Favorite stories about  Mielikki and Tapio
• [30:07] Is there a resurgence of interest in Finnish folklore and old names?
• [31:40] Tree hugging, forest bathing, and tourists seeking Finnish woods!
• [32:33] What are some practices to start building your own relationship with trees?
• [34:28] Modern rituals: offering, gratitude, and everyday connection
• [35:01] What is Niina’s personal relationship with trees?
• [36:48] Where to find Niina online and how to get her illustrated tree folklore book!

 

 

 

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

 

 

What Is Tree Worship?

You might be familiar with Zeus, Hera, and all the Roman and Greek soap opera shenanigans. Finnish tree mythology is different because it’s quieter and kind of rooted in trees, stones, and forest spirits.

Niina called it “animistic,” which means everything has a spirit or life force (väki). There’s väki in people, but also in trees, stones, fire, water, etc. The whole idea is very practical.

 

 

Choosing a Spirit Tree

Niina mentioned that in Finnish tradition, when a family moved to a new home, they would choose a spirit tree. Then they would care for that tree because they believed that their well-being and abundance were tied to the happiness of that tree! Animals living in or under that tree are also cared for.

Other types of trees:

• Holy trees – connected to a specific deity or used in healing/magic
• Favor trees/servant trees – you’d ask permission first before taking wood, bark, etc.
• Sacrificial trees – where people leave offerings like eggs, herbs, turnips, etc.
• Sacred groves – people place their carved deities in these clearings

 

 

Tree Deities, Forest Goddesses, and the Stories

In Finnish tree mythology, the gods and goddesses are basically woven into specific trees. It’s not like the other mythologies, where the gods and goddesses seem to be out of reach. In these stories, you get very close relationships between a forest god and his spruce, or an earth goddess and her rowan.

• Pine and the sky god / thunder god (very “ballistic” tree)​
• Rowan as the tree of the earth goddess​ Mielikki
• Spruce as Tapio’s (forest god) tree, with hunters burying the first caught animal under spruce as offering.​
• Birch as a summer, purity, and even “universe” symbol.

 

 

Simple Spirit Tree Rituals You Can Try at Home

Here are some easy ways to bring this whole spirit tree ritual idea into your real life!

1. Choose Your Spirit Tree

Why not walk your property slowly and notice which tree you feel drawn to? Stand under each tree and check how your body feels. Ask out loud/silently, “Which of you wants to be my spirit tree?”

Note: If you live in an apartment, your spirit tree can be a tree in a nearby park, a courtyard, or even a big old street tree you pass every day.

 

2. Introduce Yourself

Visit your chosen tree alone for a few minutes, place your hand on the trunk, and talk to it. You don’t have to say the perfect words. Just speak the way you’d talk to a friend in the garden.

 

3. Start a Small Offering Practice

You can share your first sip of coffee or tea with the tree, or offer a flower, leaf garland, or a small stone you love

Note: Keep offerings natural and biodegradable, of course!. Think simple and respectful.

 

4. Make Tree Time Part of Your Day

You can sit with your tree for 5 minutes and just breathe. If you’re into meditation, this can become your outdoor “green altar” where you ground yourself before or after a busy day.

 

5. Mark Life Transitions With Trees

You can plant a plant or dedicate a tree in memory of someone you’ve lost, or for a birth/big beginning. Say goodbye to the trees you’re leaving behind when you move.

 

These rituals don’t have to be huge or formal. Even a quiet “thank you” and a gentle hand on the bark can turn an ordinary tree into your spirit tree.

 

 

Reconnecting With Trees

If this idea of spirit trees is tugging at you, don’t leave it on the page! Pick one simple action and try it this week. Choose a tree. Introduce yourself. Leave a tiny offering or sit in silence for five minutes and see what shifts.

Let Niina’s book be your next cup of inspiration. It’s packed with illustrated tales of Finnish sacred groves, tree deities, and everyday rituals that feel both ancient and surprisingly accessible.

 

 

 

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 322: From Plant Care to Nature Therapy: A Solo Heart to Heart
• Growing Joy Episode 298: Tree Communication 101: Science, Spirit, and Synchronicity with Rachael of Our Infinite Nature
• Little Book Of Finnish Tree Magic (Finnish Mythology With Fairychamber) by Niina Niskanen

 

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

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Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

 

 

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Website
Instagram
All her products
Courses

 

 

 

 

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