sister of hope

the four sisters of hope
are there when I fall
from my journey in the sky
onto stone

the four sisters of hope
reach out their hands
hum reassuringly
embrace my
quivering shoulders

the four sisters of hope spin a golden web
of protection
strong steady and vulnerable
the four sisters of hope in the shape of gods

sister of hope
fly to migratory realm
fly now
before they come
the ravens, the screaming gulls, the carrion eaters
fly to the sunny peak of the shaman woman
the source of dream power
fly sister and
save yourself

the four sisters of hope
were all there
to bring me back to life
singing in happiness
in rhythm with the drums
while the shawl’s threads softly caress
the green, the red, the yellow

with words I would shape
the path home for
the sisters of hope

Goddess images from drums: Máttaráhkká  (First Woman), top, and two versions of, left to right,  Juoksáhkká (Bow Woman,) Sáráhkká, Uksáhkká (Door Woman)

The goddesses,  Máttaráhkká, Sáráhkká, Uksáhkká, and Juoksáhkká,
 played key roles in the conception and birth of a human being.

Máttaráhkká was the ancestress.  She was "the leading woman" who played a vital role in the procreation of a human being.  She received the human soul from Ráddiáhkka, created the body for the soul and then handed it over to Sáráhkká who allowed the soul in the womb to grow into a fetus.  She had three daughters.

Sáráhkká was the first and most distinguished of these.  The Sámi word sárrat can mean to create, separate, or deliver by opening the womb.  Sáráhkká protected the fetus and was the midwife who helped the human being into the world.  She resided in the árran, the open hearth in the turf hut, and was also called the mother of fire.  Several traditions are linked to her, among others that she was the guardian goddess of women.  After the Sámi became Christians, it was not unknown for the child, when it had been baptized in church, to be taken back home, bathed and given a new name in honor of Sáráhkká.

Uksáhkká (the door wife) resided beneath the threshold. She guarded the entrance maintaining watch over those going in and out, and she assumed responsibility for the mother and child after birth had taken place.  She protected the mother from illness and allowed the child to grow and thrive.

Juoksáhkká exerted her influence over the sex of the child and was able to transfer a girl into a boy.  The ancient beliefs held that all children were created to become girls, but Juoksáhkka was able to interfere and change the sex of the fetus.

The Ancient Religion and Folk-Beliefs of the Sámi, Odd Mathis Hætta, Alta Museum 1994, p18.

“sister of hope” appeared in Gába, issues 1&2, 2004. Published by the Forum of Sami Women, Gába features articles written by women.