Hyvää Päivää

Hyvää päivää from the North, this soap greets with a happy hello! In Finnish päivää means ‘day’, but it is also the folk-name for the deity of the Sun. The cheerful scent of Lemongrass mingled with bright Coriander, the green of Fir Needle and Clary Sage, and a gentle grounding of Carrot Seed are altogether uplifting. This blend gives ode to the Sun’s light and warmth and the role it plays in the cycle of growth and good health.

We hope this soap brightens your day and blesses your skin! Hyvää päivää!

For those who want to read more… Our local Finnish population instituted a festival which at its heart celebrates the return of päivää with a focus on the coming of longer, warmer, sunny days. The festival is called Heikinpäivä and takes place in the middle of January to mark the passing of mid-winter.

This uniquely Finnish-American celebration is based on folk stories from the homeland which depict this time as when ‘the bear rolls over’. Hinting at the hibernating habits of the northern bear, I also suspect it may play off the changing position of the ‘celestial Bears’ in the night sky. Ursa Major and Minor are directly linked to the ancients’ ‘wheel of time’ and were noted to mark the changing of seasons.

Much of the festivities take place outdoors in some of the coldest temperatures, with a parade, costumed dances, outdoor games, including the ‘Wife Carrying Contest’, and even a Polar Bear Dive! Indoors there are markets, music and classes on traditional Finnish crafting. Heikinpäivä participants show their Sisu by championing the Sun’s return and the lengthening of day, despite being surrounded by a frozen winter wonderland.