The old Finns calculated time according to the moon, and the word for a moon phase was kuukausi. The word kuu is still used in conjunction with a month’s name.
The Finnish word for January is Tammikuu, which is thought to mean “middle month”, as January divided the winter period into two. January and February, the coldest months in Finland, were sometimes referred to as one and called Iso and Pikkutammi, meaning "big" and "small" middle month respectively.
According to the old Nordic calendar, the winter peak was on the 13.1 or 14.1 which explains another old name, Sydänkuu, meaning “core month”.
The first week in January was still a lazy, holiday period with special foods. The remaining period, however, was characterised by much activity in the forests. It was considered the best time to fell trees for building-timber. This wood did not rot, get mouldy or split easily, and got no woodworm.
Old men, women and children were also put to work when branches and twigs of conifers were brought home to be spread on the floor of the stables. This emitted a pleasant forest aroma and provided a clean surface underfoot for the stabled animals.
According to folk weather forecasts, the weather in winter corresponded to the weather in summer. Generally the rule was that the colder the winter, the hotter the summer, but in some areas exactly the opposite rule held true.
New year’s Day was important to weather prophets. Sunshine promised a good harvest, even if the sun peeped through the clouds for just as long as it took to for a person to jump onto the back of a horse. A red sky in the morning meant many snowstorms were yet to come, while the snow-laden trees meant corn-laden fields in summer.
In the southern regions the crows usually remain in the area over winter. In earlier times their actions were carefully observed. If they cawed in the morning, mild weather was to follow, but if they cawed in the evening, bitterly cold weather was in store. Likewise, the cat curling up by the oven was a sign of approaching freezing weather. Plenty of snow in January was believed to predict a good barley harvest.
The Finnish Folk Year in January was compiled from the book "The Finnish Folk Year" by Anneke Lipsanen. A collection of articles from the book can be read at Anni Arts http://www.anniarts.com
I am the author of the original book which is no longer in print. You may use the article in its entirety, providing you include the above paragraph and link back to Anni Arts.
Thanks
Anni
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