Beaivi: The Sun Goddess's Journey
The myth of Beaivi, the Sámi sun goddess who travels with her daughter through the sky in an enclosure covered with reindeer bones and antlers, bringing spring. In winter, she disappears below the horizon for two months in the far north. On the winter solstice, white female reindeer were sacrificed to ensure her return. Butter was smeared on doorposts to strengthen her. Madness was believed to result from her absence during the dark winter months.