SAUNA RETREAT OF THE LAKE MOTHERS

Friday–Sunday, August 15–17, 2025

Kotakylä, North Karelia, Finland

Sauna Treatments * Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna * Sauna and Dreamwork * Lake Mothers and Guardians

This sauna retreat invites you to the pristine nature and clear lakes of North Karelia, where forests and waters breathe deep tranquility. In these surroundings, far from the rush of daily life, we will immerse ourselves in sacred silence and the places of dreamers. Over the weekend, we’ll find peace in the natural beauty of the lake mothers and guardian spirits, tuning into the eternal wisdom and protective power of water.

The serene wilderness lake, Vaikkojärvi, in the heartlands of North Karelia, calls to us. Here, the sanctity of nature is palpable, and the rhythms of life can be felt anew. Kotakylä’s unique, hand-carved sauna world, featuring the Muasauna (Earth Sauna) and the Musta Kyly smoke sauna, provides the perfect setting for strengthening and healing sauna experiences alongside the lake.

Core values: natural purity, warmth, love for nature, authenticity, and sensuality. These values resonate throughout each moment: we bask in the calming warmth of the sauna, connect with ancient traditions in the dim light of the smoke sauna, feel the coolness of water on our skin, and hear the crackling campfire intertwining with old stories and dreamtime narratives. In the warmth of the sauna, we open our hearts. With the presence of lake mothers, we may experience feelings of gratitude and acceptance toward our lives, flowing outward as a protective and healing force.

We attune ourselves to the lake mothers and spirits, feeling their power and protection. These motherly lake spirits are called in the Finnish tradition emuut. Ancient wisdom lives within the lake mothers, and over the weekend, we will learn to sense their presence and messages. In Finnish folklore, these emuut are the matriarchs of natural elements, the creators of all nature. They were considered guardians of places and natural forces. For example, lake mothers were spirits or goddesses safeguarding specific bodies of water, ensuring the wellbeing of the lake, its fish populations, and its purity. If a lake became polluted or its fish disappeared, it was believed to signal an offense against the lake mother.

Lake mothers were strongly associated with femininity, symbolizing life, fertility, and nature itself. They represented the sacred and mystical power of nature, embodying both the lake’s physical manifestation and its spiritual protector. These figures were considered beings of the liminal world, dwelling between human and spiritual realms, bridging the forces of earth, water, and sky.

Video: Helena bringing an offering made of heathers to the Lake Mother of Vaikkojärvi in August 2024.

At Vaikkojärvi, we are held in the embrace of the lake mothers. Helena will guide exercises in listening to the voices of the waters. Together, we will connect with the powerful guardian energy that resides in these northern, beautiful waterways.

The surrounding nature of our sauna sanctuary will influence our retreat throughout the weekend. Guided by Helena’s teachings, based on her grandmother’s traditions, we will gather seasonal plants for our sauna rituals.

Will you join us in this sacred space where sauna, water, and fire merge with the powers of the lake mothers and spirits? This is a weekend to find peace, silence, strength, and a deep connection to the pure northern nature.

Program:

Friday:

• Arrival anytime between 3:00 PM–5:00 PM.

• 5:00 PM: Opening fire and circle. Helena shares more about the lake mothers. Drum ceremony to begin our shared weekend.

• Preparation for dreamwork and an evening sauna.

Saturday:

• Morning: Draw or write a symbol, feeling, or message from your dream to share during the circle. (If you don’t remember your dream, simply listen to others’ dream messages.)

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast.

• 9:00 AM: Meditation and dream stories.

• Collecting plants for the evening sauna ceremony. Special flower and herbal waters prepared for the sauna.

• 12:00 PM: Lunch break.

• Crafting sauna whisks and floral wreaths.

• Silent walk along the lakeshore or in the forest.

• Group silence maintained until the sauna ceremony concludes.

• 4:00 PM: Early light meal.

• 5:00 PM: Sauna ceremony.

• Closing with a small gratitude ritual for the lake mothers.

Sunday:

• Morning: Draw or write a symbol, feeling, or message from your dream to share during the circle. (If you don’t remember your dream, simply listen to others’ dream messages.)

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast.

• 9:00 AM: Morning meditation, talking stick circle, reflections on the sauna ceremony. Savor the herbal aromas from the sauna one last time.

• 11:00 AM: Optional canoeing or kayaking on Vaikkojärvi Lake.

• 1:00 PM onward: Departure at your own pace.

Is this retreat for me?

No prior experience or knowledge is required. The retreat is alcohol- and substance-free. Please note that the location requires normal mobility. We work in a small group with a maximum of 10 participants.

Location:

Kotakylä, Juuka, North Karelia
Kotakylä is like a hidden world by a wilderness lake, far removed from the stresses of modern life. Here, you can reconnect with your roots and be in direct contact with nature. Accommodations are available in cabins or your own tent.

Kotakylä features a magnificent, hand-carved sauna world with five distinct saunas, including the unique Muasauna and a smoke sauna. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are available.

Address: Kotakyläntie 197, 83900 Juuka, North Karelia, Finland
More info: https://www.kotaloma.com/

How to get there? If not by (rental) car, the best way to reach this place by public transportation is to take a train or fly from Helsinki to Joensuu. From here, we will coordinate the car pools/transfers to the retreat location. I can help you to think about the travel options, if you like. You might like to stay an extra night in Joensuu before/after the retreat, if necessary. There are plenty of hotels and Airbnb in Joensuu. I recommend also to visit Koli National Park on your way.

Course Facilitator:

Helena Karhu
I am a native North Karelian shamanism teacher and practitioner with a lifelong connection to sauna culture. The most influential figure in my sauna journey was my late grandmother from Liperi, with whom I have learned about sauna traditions since a very small  girl.  I am also a traditional Finnish blood cupping (an ancient Finnish folk healing tradition practiced in sauna) practitioner trained by Sanna-Kaisa “Ratanaula” Ilmarinen. My studies in sauna ceremonies were guided by Lithuanian teacher Justina Maslauskaitė.

My life’s work revolves around remembering and evolving folk wisdom through my foundation, Karhun Talo (Bear House) (www.karhuntalo.com). I am also conducting postgraduate research at the University of Eastern Finland, continuing to explore Finnish shamanism.

Registration:

Email: info@karhuntalo.com

Early-bird registration: €185 (incl. VAT 25.5%) by the end of February 2025.
Regular registration (from March 2025): €200 (incl. VAT 25.5%).

Additional accommodation fees:

• Two nights in a kota or in your own tent tent: €90/person (incl. VAT).

• Shared double cabin: €120/person (incl. VAT).

Participants are responsible for their own meals. A shared outdoor kitchen with refrigerators is available.

For more details, see the participant info letter, which will be sent about 1 month prior to the retreat.

Course fees do not include travel or insurance. Please read Karhun Talo’s booking, cancellation, and liability policies: https://www.karhuntalo.com/booking-and-cancellation-conditions

Wishing everyone a beautiful summer ahead!