Katsikõue

Katsikõue is a Finnish term that translates to "midwife's lightning" or "childbirth lightning." It refers to a phenomenon where a sudden, intense electrical storm occurs, often accompanied by thunder and lightning, during the period surrounding childbirth. Historically, this event was considered a sign or omen associated with the birth of a child. The intensity of the storm was sometimes interpreted as reflecting the intensity of the labor or the significance of the child's arrival.

In Finnish folklore and traditional beliefs, katsikõue was not seen as a mere coincidence. It was believed to be a supernatural event, with various interpretations depending on the region and the specific context of the birth. Some believed it was a blessing from above, a sign of divine intervention or protection for the mother and child. Others viewed it with more apprehension, associating the ferocity of the storm with potential difficulties or hardships the child might face in life.

The term highlights the strong connection between natural phenomena and human life events in traditional societies. It reflects a worldview where the boundaries between the earthly and the spiritual, the natural and the supernatural, were often blurred. While modern science attributes thunderstorms to atmospheric conditions, the concept of katsikõue speaks to a historical and cultural understanding of the world, where such events held symbolic meaning and were woven into the fabric of community beliefs and narratives surrounding birth.