Runic Era Calender

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Feast Days and Days of Observance

This Asatru Calendar has been prepared to aid members of the Asatru Faith properly schedule Feast Days and days of mandatory ritual observance. Some Feast Days may be observed on the nearest Saturday to the actual observance. However, the High Feast days of Ostara, Midyear, Winter Finding, and Yule must be observed on the listed dates because of their solar significance. NOTE: This is year 2010 CE

Snowmoon / January

Snowmoon 3,
Charming of the Plow: This is the date of an agricultural ritual performed in Northern Europe from ancient times. Grains and cakes were offered for the soil’s fertility, and the Sky Father and Earth Mother were invoked to that end. Meditate upon your dependence on the soil, and crumble upon the earth a piece of bread as you call upon Odin, Frigga and the Land Spirits to heal the Earth and keep it from harm.

Snowmoon 9,
Day of Remembrance for Raud the Strong: Raud was a landowner in Norway who was put to death by (St.) Olaf Tryggvason for his loyalty to Asatru by having a snake forced down his throat. Rauds lands were then confiscated in the name of the king and his monks. Raise a horn in honor of Raud and all of his kinsmen who gave their lives, rather then submit to the enforced love of the kristjan empire.

Snowmoon 14,
Thorrablot: This holiday began the Old Norse month of Snorri. It is still observed in Iceland with parties and a mid-winter feast. It is of course sacred to Thorr and the ancient Icelandic Winter Spirit of Thorri. On this day we should perform blot to Thorr and invite the mighty Asaman to the feast.

Horning / February

Horning 2,
Barri: This is the day we celebrate the wooing by Ingvi Freyr of the maiden Gerd, a symbolic marriage of the Vanir God of Fertility with the Mother Earth. It is a festival of fertility, the planted seed and the plowed furrow. For those of you who garden, this is the time to plant seeds indoors, to later be transplanted in the summer garden.

Horning 9,
Day of Remembrance for Eyvind Kinnrifi: Olaf tortured him to death by placing a bowl of red-hot embers on his stomach until his body burst open. Eyvind’s crime was a steadfast loyalty to the Old Gods. A good day to reflect on kristjan kindness.

Horning 14,
Feast of Vali: This feast originally celebrated the death of Hothr at the hands of Vali. This late winter festival relates to the triumphant return of the light of the sun over the dark days of winter. Today it is traditional celebration of the family. A time for the customary exchange of cards and gifts with loved ones. It is also a time for the renewal of marriage vows and an occasion for marriages.

Lenting / March

Lenting 9,
Day of Remembrance for Oliver the Martyr: He was an adherent of Asatru who persisted in organizing underground sacrifices to the Gods and Goddesses despite decrees by St Olaf the Lawbreaker forbidding such activities. Betrayed by an informer, he was killed by Olaf’s men while preparing for the Spring sacrifice in the village of Maerin Norway. Many other men whose names are lost to us were also killed, mutilated, or exiled for taking part in such sacrifices.

Lenting 20,
High Feast of Ostara: This is the Spring Equinox. The end of Winter and the beginning of the season of rebirth. Today we honor Frigga, Freya and Nerthus with blot and feast. Pour a libation of mead onto the Earth; celebrate the rebirth of nature, Asatru, and the new hopes of our Folk.

Lenting 28,
Ragnar Lodbrok Day: Ragnar was one of the legends most famous Vikings. On this day in Runic Year 1145 he raided Paris. It just happened to be Easter Sunday. Today toast Ragnar and read from his Saga.

Ostara / April

Ostara 9,
Day of Remembrance for Jarl Hakon of Norway: As ruler of the western part of the realm, Hakon restored the worship of the Old Gods and cast out the alien religion. In the process, the common folk regained political liberties which were erased under the kristjan yoke, and the flame of our Troth burned brighter in an era of gathering gloom. It may be that Hakon’s defense of our ancestral ways helped encourage the survival of our traditions in Iceland, where they eventually became the seeds of modern day Asatru. On this day reflect on how the actions of the individual can impact world events and the future of Odinn’s Nation.

Ostara 15,
Sigrblot/Sumarsdag: Today we celebrate the first day of Summer in the Old Icelandic calendar. In Iceland it had strong agricultural overtones, but elsewhere in the Nordic world, it was a time to sacrifice to Odinn for victory in the summer voyages and battles.

Ostara 22,
Yggdrasil Day: On this day we realize the great significance that the World Tree plays in our culture, heritage, and native spirituality. It is from the World Tree that we came, and it shelters and nurtures the Asatru today, and will offer refuge to the Folk come Ragnarok. Trees are the lungs as well as the soul of Midgard. Plant a tree today, nurture it, and protect it. In this act the Folk must abide.

Ostara 30,
Walburg: this is better known as Walpurgisnacht or May Eve. Walberg is a goddess of our folk combining some of the traits of Her better-known peers. Reflect on this day on Freya, Hel, and Frigga as the repository of the glorious dead, and you will have an idea of Wulburg’s nature. On this day pour a horn of mead upon the earth in memory of our heroes.

Merrymoon / May

Merrymoon 1,
May Day: The first of May is a time of great celebration all across Europe, as the fields get greener and the flowers decorate the landscape with colorful confusion. Freya turns her kindly face to us after the night of Walburg. Celebrate the birth of Spring and the gifts of Freya on this day.

Merrymoon 9,
Day of Remembrance for Guthroth: One of the upland minor kings. Guthroth had to the audacity to make a speech opposing the policies of Olaf Tryggvason, who at the time was busy killing people who did not want to become kristjans. For exercising his Gods given rights to worship his tribal Gods, Guthroth was captured and his tongue was cut out. Use your tongue for the Gods today! Sing their praises and recite some heroic poetry, tell someone of the Gods glory, and call a kinsman to keep in touch.

Merrymoon 20,
Frigga Blot: Today we rejoice in the warmth and splendor of Spring. A traditional time for a Kindred campout, perform blot to honor the AllMother and thank Her for the health and vitality of the Family, Kindred and Tribe.

Midyear / June

Midyear 8,
Lindisfarne Day: On this day in the year 1043 Runic Era (793 CE) three Viking ships raided the Isle of Lindisfarne, officially opening what is the Viking Age. Toast these brave warriors who began the noble resistance of the alien invasion of the Northlands and sought rightful revenge for the slaughter of the Saxons by Charlamange.

Midyear 9,
Day of Remembrance for Sigurd the Volsung: He is the model Germanic hero. His wooing of the Valkyrie Brynhild, the winning of the treasure of the Nibelungs, and the constant theme of Odinic initiation that weaves itself throughout his story are priceless parts of our Asatru heritage, that provide endless material for contemplation and inspiration for action.

Midyear 19,
Asatru Alliance Founding Day: On this date 2238 R.E. seven Kindreds of the former Asatru Free Assembly joined together by ratifying a set of By Laws to preserve and continue to promote the cause of the AFA and Asatru in Vinland. On this day reflect on just what YOU can do to preserve our Folk Ways.

Midyear 21,
Midsummer: This is the longest day and the shortest night of the year: Now Sunna begins its ling decline, sliding into the darkness which will culminate six months from now at Yule. Identifying the sun with the brightness of Baldur, we celebrate in honor of both. Hold blot to Baldur and High Feast. This was the traditional time for holding the AlThing in ancient times.

Haymoon / July

Haymoon 4,
Founder’s Day: On this day we honor the unselfish personal sacrifice and unswerving dedication to our Folk exemplified by the founders of modern era Asatru, H. Rud Mills of Australia, Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson and Thorsteinn Guthjonson of Iceland. On this day reflect on just what YOU can do to promote the growth of our ancestral religion and protect our sacred heritage and traditions.

Haymoon 9,
Day of Remembrance for Unn the Deep Minded: Unn was a powerful figure from the Laxdaela Saga who emigrated to Scotland to avoid the hostility of King Harald Finehair. She established dynasties in the Orkney and Faroe Islands by carefully marrying off her grand daughters. As a settler in Iceland she continued to exhibit all those traits which were her hallmark-strong will, a determination to control, dignity, and a noble character. In the last days of her life, she established a mighty line choosing one of her grandsons as her heir. She died during his wedding celebration, presumable accomplishing her goals and worked out her orlog here in Midgard. She received a typical Nordic ship burial, surrounded by her treasure and her reputation for great deeds.

Haymoon 29,
Stikklestad Day: Olaf the Lawbreaker (“St. Olaf”) was killed at the battle of Stikklestad on this date in the year 1280 R.E. Olaf acquired a reputation for killing, maiming, and exiling his fellow Norwegians who would not convert to Christianity, and for carrying an army with him in violation of the law to help him accomplish his oppression. Today honor the Asatru martyrs who died rather then submit to gray slavery. Also honor the warriors who brought justice to the Lawbreaker.

Harvest / August

Harvest 9,
Day of Remembrance for Radbod: On this date we honor Radbod a king of Frisia what was an early target kristjan missionaries. Just before his baptism ceremony, he asked the clergy what fate his befallen ancestors who died loyal to Asatru. The missionaries replied that Radbod’s Heathen ancestors were burning in Hell-to which the king replied: “Then I will rather live there with my ancestors than go to heaven with a parcel of beggars.” The baptism was cancelled, the aliens expelled, and Frisia remained free. Drink a horn this day in memory of Radbod.

Harvest 19,
Freyfaxi: Freyfaxi marked the time of the harvest in ancient Iceland. Today the Asatru observe this date as a celebration of their harvest with blot to Freyr and a grand Feast from the gardens and the fields.

Shedding / September

Shedding 9,
Day of Remembrance for Herman of the Cherusci: Few mortals have privileged to serve our Folk as did Herman, a leader of the tribe called the Cherusci. We he defeated Varus’ three Roman Legions in 9 C.E. he blocked our amalgamation into the Mediterranean morass. Herman was very aware of his duties not only as a member of his tribe but also as an Asaman - indeed the two were probably inseparable with him. Shedding is the ideal time to give him praise, because the crucial battle for which he is remembered was fought during this month.

Shedding 23,
Winter Finding: The Fall Equinox; Summer and Winter balance for a moment and the cold, old man wins - for now. Brace yourself for longer nights and the onset, eventually, of the cold and darkness of Winter. Do blot to Odin for inspiration to get through your personal lean times, whenever they may strike. This is the traditional time for Fall Fest and the Second Harvest Feast.

Hunting / October

Hunting 8,
Day of Remembrance for Erik the Red: Praise the stalwart founder of Greenland, and father of Leif, the founder of Vinland. Erik remained loyal to Thor even when his wife left the Gods and refused to sleep with her Heathen husband. Pause in memory of Erik today; drink a toast to his honor. No doubt he gets enough warmth in Har’s Hall to make up for his wife’s coldness.

Hunting 9,
Day of Remembrance for Leif Erikson: this is a day that even the U.S. Government admits who should dedicate to the man who beat Columbus to the shores of Vinland by over 500 years. Don’t let it slide quietly - write your local newspapers and share the word of the Norse colonies with neighbors and friends.

Hunting 14,
Winter Nights/Vetrablot: In the Old Icelandic Calendar, winter begins on the Satyrday between Hunting 11th and 17th. Winter Nights celebrates the bounty of the harvest and honors Freya and the fertility and protective spirits called Disir, that She leads (often the Disir are seen as our female ancestors). Give glory to Freya and pour a libation of ale, milk, or mead into the soil an offering to the Disir and the Earth itself.

Fogmoon / November

Fogmoon 9,
Day of Remembrance for Queen Sigrith of Sweden: When Olaf the Lawbreaker had been king of Norway for three years, he asked Queen Sigrith of Sweden to marry him. She agreed, but when he insisted that she give up her ancestral Gods Sigrith replied, “I do not mean to abandon the faith I have led, and my kinsmen before me. Nor shall I object to your belief in the god you prefer.” As usual Heathen tolerance was met with kristjan imprecations and a blow to the face. The wedding was off - depriving Olaf of political power that could have sped the christianization of Scandinavia. As it were, history tells us that the Heathens held on for over 300 more years in the Northlands. Hail Sigrith, defender of Asatru, and women of stubborn virtue!

Fogmoon 11,
Feast of the Einherjar: The chosen heroes who sit in Odin’s Hall are the Einherjar. Today we honor those dead kin who gave their lives for Family and Folk. If you have friends or family who died in battle, visit their graves today, if that is not possible, drink a libation in their memory.

Fogmoon 23,
Feast of Ullr: The Feast of Ullr is to celebrate the Hunt and to gain personal luck needed for success. Weapons are dedicated on this day to Ullr, God of the Bow. If your hunting arms were blessed by the luck of the God of the Hunt, your family and tribe shared the bounty with a Blot and Feast to Ullr.

Yule / December

Yule 9,
Day of Remembrance for Egil Skallagrimsson: Odin was his God, and the blood of berserks and shape-shifters ran in his family. His lust for gold and for fames was insatiable. Yet the same man was passionately moved by the love of his friends and generously opened handed to those who found his favor. The same brain that seethed with war-fury also composed skaldic poetry capable of calming angry kings. Can it be by accident that Egil worshipped Odin, the great solver of paradoxes and riddles? Indeed all Asafolk - but especially those who follow the one-eyed God of battle and magic - can learn much from the life of this amazing man.

Yule 21,
Mother Night: As the night before the Winter Solstice, this is the time when the New Year is born. We honor the beginning of Sunnas return and the breaking of Winter’s spell. This is a time to honor Thor and Freyr, celebrate by Blot, Sumbel, and High Feast. Burn a Yule Log and jump the flames for luck and purification.

Yule 22,
High Feast of Yule - Beginning of Runic Year - Sacred to Thorr and Freyr

Yule 31,
Twelfth Night: This culminates the traditional twelve days of Yule. Each day of which is a month of the preceding year in miniature. Reflect on the past year. Take stock and lay a course for the future. Make New Years resolutions in the old way by swearing your oath on Freyr’s boar or on your Hammer.

This Runic Era Calendar is made available to the Asatru Community by The Asatru Alliance of Independent Kindreds Post Office Box 961, Payson, AZ 85547 USA / Vinland

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YULE (O.N. Jól)
The Reason for the Season!

Yule begins on Mother Night, (about Dec. 20) the night before the shortest day and the longest night (winter solstices). We honor the beginning of the Sun's return and the breaking of Winter, (which is most noticeable in five days) and is celebrated over a twelve day period. We know there will be no Fimbulwinter which proceeds Ragnarok.

It is a time of the year when our deceased Ancestors are closest to us; this is when the dead (draugar) are more active than any other time. Yule is when Jólnir another name for Odinn leads the procession of the Wild Hunt through the sky's with sprits of humans, horses and dogs. This procession occurs during all twelve days of Yule.

It is a time for great feasting, honoring Thorr for driving back the frost etins, Frey to give us prosperity in the coming year, Odinn as leader of the Wild Hunt, and of course our Ancestors. Jólablót, have a Yule party with family and kindred. Decorate a tree with sunwheels and light a Yule Log.

The Yule Tree is the symbol of our cosmology; it’s the Great tree Yggdrasil. From the Voluspa;

"Yggdrasil its name.
With water white is the Great Tree wet;
Thence come the dews that fall in the dales.
Green by Urths well does it ever grow."

And so the evergreen tree is the most appropriate, to remind us of the eternity of Yggdrasil, as it last through out winters Ever Green.

Yulelog

The burning of a Yule Log is an ancient ritual; our ancestors kindled a huge oak log in honor of Thorr. Today we burn a smaller log during the Yule Season. When lighting the new Yule Log it should be with the charred remains of the previous year's log, which is, keep to guard the house against lightning and fire.

Oath-Boar

Twelfth Night (about Jan. 1) culminates the traditional twelve days of Yule. Our Ancestors at this time consecrated a boar to Frey, led it out so everyone present could lay their hand on the boar and swear a solemn Oath. This was to honor Frey for prosperity. Oaths sworn on the Oath-Boar are very binding during this time, than any other time of the year. Make a New Year's resolution in the old way by swearing your oath on Frey's boar or on your hammer.

The Yule is no exception when it comes to christian plagiarism of other cultures Holidays. There is no doubt that the Yule Tree, Yule Log, the Singing and exchanging of Gifts are from our Northern Culture. Click here, and I will show you proof from their bible, what time of the year Jesus was born.

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Norse Holidays and Festivals

The ancient Germanic/Norse year was divided into two seasons: Summer and Winter. Summer began at the festival of Eostre, close to the Spring Equinox, and Winter began at the festival of Winternights, close to the Autumn Equinox. Between these two festivals was the festival of Midsummer (Lithasblot) at the Summer Solstice, and the festival of Jul (Yule), at the Winter Solstice. There are other minor festivals that are celebrated in between these four major ones, listed below in the table.

Jul
20 - 31 December

Celebration of the Norse New Year; a festival of 12 nights. This is the most important of all the Norse holidays. On the night of December 20, the god Ingvi Freyr rides over the earth on the back of his shining boar, bringing Light and Love back into the World. In later years, after the influence of Christianity, the god Baldur, then Jesus, was reborn at this festival. Jul signifies the beginning and end of all things; the darkest time (shortest hour of daylight) during the year and the brightest hope re-entering the world. During this festival, the Wild Hunt is at its greatest fervor, and the dead are said to range the Earth in its retinue. The god Wotan (Odin) is the leader of this Wild Ride; charging across the sky on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir; a very awe-inspiring vision. In ancient times, Germanic and Norse children would leave their boots out by the hearth on Solstice Eve, filled with hay and sugar, for Sleipnir's journey. In return, Wotan would leave them a gift for their kindness. In modern times, Sleipnir was changed to a reindeer and the grey-bearded Wotan became the kindly Santa Claus (Father Christmas).


Thurseblot
(Thor's Feast: Full Moon of January) Minor feast honoring Thor, the protector of Midgard. During this time, the height of the Storm season, Thor's power is invoked to drive back the frost Jotuns so that Spring may return to Midgard.


Disting
2 February

Festival of the Idises, when the effects of Winter are beginning to lessen and the world prepares itself for Spring. Corresponds to the pagan holiday of Imbolc. Disting is characterized by preparing the land for planting. In ancient times, Disting was the time when the cattle were counted and one's wealth was tallied; thus making it a festival of finance as well. It was said that new calves born during Disting were a sign of great prosperity for the coming year.


Valisblot
14 February Many modern Asatruar celebrate Valisblot, or Vali's Feast, even though there is no historical precedent for associating Odin's youngest son with this festival; other than the name Vali associated with "Valentine." The hero Svenfjotli, son of Sigimund, was reputed to have been born at this time, and often blots are drunk to him as well.


Ostara
20-21 March

Festival of Ostara (Eostre), the Spring Goddess. This is a festival of renewal, rejoicing and fertility, although for most of the Northern People, the forces of Winter are still at full sway. In ancient times, the gift of colored eggs to one's friends and loved ones was a way of wishing them well for the coming season; a magical ritual of prosperity and fecundity. The rabbit was the symbol of this festival as well because of it's re-emergence during this season, and for its reproductive ability. These two rituals have survived into the modern holiday of Easter (which derives its name from Eostre) as Easter eggs and the Easter bunny. Like most ancient heathen rituals, they are relegated into the world of children; held for naught among adults; but the race memory lingers on.
Walpurgis/
Thrimilci
22 April - 1 May

The festival of Walpurgis, a night both of revelry and darkness. The nine nights of April 22 (interestingly enough, the modern festival of Earth Day) to April 30 are venerated as rememberance of the AllFather's self-sacrifice upon the World Tree Yggdrasil. It was on the ninth night (April 30, Walpurgisnacht) that he beheld the Runes, grasped them, and ritually died for an instant. At that moment, all the Light in the 9 worlds is extinguished, and utter Chaos reigns. At the final stroke of midnight, the Light returns in dazzling brilliance, and the bale-fires are lit. On Walpurgisnacht, the dead have full sway upon the earth; it is the ending night of the Wild Hunt. May 1 is the festival of Thrimilci; the beginning of Summer. Thrimilci is a festival of joy and fertility, much like Ostara; however, most of the Northern World is finally escaping from the snow at this time.


Einherjar
30 May Minor modern Asatru festival honoring the warriors who fell during battle and who asceded to Valhalla's halls. Corresponds with the modern American holiday of Memorial Day.


Sigurdsblot
9 June Minor festival honoring Sigurd (Sigifrith or Siegfreid), the great hero who slayed the dragon Fafnir and won back the treasure of the Rhine.


Midsummer
20-21 June

Celebration of the Summer Solstice, when the power of the Sun is at its height. It was at this time that most foreign trade was conducted, as well as shipping, fishing expeditions, and raiding. Thus, Midsummer was the festival of power and activity. It was not without its dark side as well. Midsummer was recognized as the longest day of the year; thus, the year began to age after this time and the days grow progressively shorter. The god Baldur is said to have been sacrificed at this time, but is reborn at Jul; the hero Sigurd was also said to have been slain by treachery at Midsummer by his blood-brothers Hagan and Gunthur (Gundahar).
Lithasblot
31 July - 1 August

The harvest festival; giving thanks to Urda (Ertha) for her bounty. Often alms are given to the unfortunate at this time, or loaves in the shape of the fylfot (the Sun-wheel, which fell into regrettable disrepute during the dark times of the second World War when the symbol was perverted as a symbol of chaos and darkeness). Interestingly, Lithasblot 1941 was allegedly the time when the magical lodges of England performed rituals to keep the Nazi forces from invading their country; which may have worked, since Hitler eventually abandoned plans to invade Great Britain. Lithasblot has long been associated with ceremonial magic and magical workings.


Harvest End
(Mabon)
22-23 September Mabon is a minor blot acknowledging the end of the Harvest Season, also associate with vintage and mead-making. Most people held off the full celebration of this holiday, though, until the main festival of Winternights.


Winternights
29 October -
2 November

The beginning of the winter season for the Northern folk. Rememberances of the dead and one's ancestors were made during this feast. Winternights was a ceremony of wild abandon; much like the Carnivale season in the Mediterranean countries, and it marked the end of the summer season of commerce and travel and the beginning of the winter season of hunting. Much divination was done during Winternights to foretell the fates of those entering the coming year. It was said that if one sat on a barrow-mound (grave) all night long on Winternights, one would have full divinatory, shamanic (galdr and seith), and bardic (skaldr) powers . . . that is, if one retained one's sanity! Winternights marked the beginning of the Wild Hunt, which would continue until Walpurgisnacht. This festival corresponds roughly to the Celtic Samhain, and the modern American festival of Halloween, although the darker aspects of the festival are not as pronounced among the Norse people. (The Norse festival of darkness was Walpurgis, a full 6 months away).

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An Asatru Calendar

• Mother Night of Yule - Traditionally held on the evening before the Winter's Solstice, Mother's Night is a time when the world between the living and the dead are very thin. It is a time to celebrate family, exchange gifts, and look with wonder to the year ahead. The 12 days of Yule are a time to remember our past, and tell the stories of our people. It is our tradition to celebrate a blot each night during Yule, because each night of Yule corresponds to a month of the year ahead.

• Yule - Celebrated on New Year's Eve - it is a time to ring in the new year, and to make oaths & resolutions concerning the year ahead.

• Thorrablot - Traditionally held in the middle of January, originally to make a show of strength against possible starvation (Thorrablot/thorriblot means 'starvation time blot', more or less), it has become a blot dedicated to Thorr.

• Feast of Vali - Held around Valentine's Day in mid February, this blot celebrates the actions of the younger Gods, particularly Vali. Ravenswood Kindred celebrates its founding on this feast.

• Oestara - Held on the Vernal Equinox, Oestara is a time to welcome Spring with colored eggs, fertility symbols, and related festivities. The name comes from an ancient Germanic Goddess of Spring. We traditionally greet the Sun with drawn steel on this day.

• Walburga - Held on May Eve, this is a celebration of fertility magic and psychic powers. Dedicated to Odin and Walburga, another German Goddess - of magic in this instance, we traditionally celebrate with home brewed May Wine and a bonfire.

• Midsummer - Held on the Summer Solstice, Midsummer is a celebration of the peak of Summer's power, and an acknowledgment of its' mortality. Bonfire's are another tradition for this blot, as is a special blot to Balder and his wife Nanna.

• Thingstide - Ravenswood holds its' annual Thing in late July. It includes a blot to Tyr, God of justice and war, as well as a business meeting.

• Freyfaxi - Held in mid August, Freyfaxi is a Frey's blot, where we celebrate the first (wheat) harvest.

• Winter's Finding - Held on the Autumnal Equinox, Winter's Finding is a celebration of the first stirrings of Winter, in which Ravenswood remembers and re-enacts the three ordeals of Odin to prepare ourselves for the coming season.

• Winter Nights - Held in late October, Winter Nights is traditionally a Disablot, and a celebration of the last (corn, i.e.. maize) harvest. At this time we remember the departed matriarchs and other female ancestors in our line. We believe this time to mark the beginning of the thinning of the walls between the living and dead which reaches its' peak at Yule.

• Feast of the Einherjar - In mid November, with the bite of Winter beginning in earnest, we offer a toast to the departed warriors who will issue forth from Valhalla on the last day to fight the Fenris wolf, and the Jotun hoards - it will be REALLY cold then!

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The Blot is the principle religious observance of the religion of Asatru. It is, at its heart, an offering service. Blots fall into four basic types -

•  Seasonal Blots celebrate the cycle of the year. Principle blots of this type are Yule, Oestara, Walburga, Midsummer, Winter's Finding, and Winter Nights.
• Deity Specific Blots celebrate the power and wonder of individual deites or classes of deities. Examples of this type are The Feast of Vali, Thorrablot, Tyrsblot, Freyfaxi, and Disablot.
• Ancestral Blots celebrate the honor and memory of ancestors and other inspirational (deceased) humans. Examples of these might be - The Feast of the Einherjar and memorials such as a blot to remember Lindisfarne Day.
• Personal Blessings celebrate both the rites of passage such as births, funeral services, and weddings - as well as addressing the needs of Asatruar, such as asking for assistance in finding employment or inspiration on a craft project,

• Preparation of sacred space - The Hammer Working is usually performed to sanctify the area, and create an atmosphere of sanctity.
• Reading - A portion of the Eddas, Sagas, or Mythology of our people is read or recited, to remind us of our past, as well as to build an understanding of the lore which forms the foundation of our practice.
• The Rede - A statement of the purpose of the blot.
• The Invocation - A call to the subject of the blot, inviting their presence.
• The Offering - A libation of sacred drink to the deity to which the blot is dedicated.
• The Blessing - The symbolic asperging of the attendees, demonstrating the return gift from the deity invoked.
• The Leaving - A formal leave taking, clearly delineating the end of the rite.

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Sumble

The ancient and holy rite of Sumble is, for all intents and purposes, a formal series of toasts. This rite was so widespread that it survives to this day in such places as wedding traditions, award ceremonies, banquets, as well as around the Thanksgiving dinner table.

This rite is one the most loved in today's practice of Asatru. A horn is passed from participant to participant, who raise a toast in their turn. It is a moment when each person has the attention of all gathered, to honor a favorite ancestor, a patron deity, share a special bit of news, or announce a noble intention.

The format that we usually follow is this -

• The Sumble is formally opened by the Godhi.
• The first round of toasts is offered to the Gods, the Aesir and Vanir (The Godhi's toast is offered to the Allfather).
• The second round is offered to the ancestors, heroes, or family members.
• The third round is an open round.
• The remainder of the Sumble is varied depending upon the will of those gathered.
• The Sumble is formally closed.

Sumble Notes

• A very large horn is often used, to allow the horn to pass among the group without the need for frequent refilling.
• In some kindreds, the participants drink from their own horns, and the leader of the sumble- or their designee, usually called the "Valkyrie"- walks around and pours from the horn or pitcher into their horns. It is considered the height of rudeness to drink from a shared horn when ill.
• Most often, beer or ale is used for Sumble, but sometimes mead, wine or some other beverage is used. The less alcoholic beer is perhaps preferred to minimize the possibility of drunkeness - in keeping with the teachings of the Havamal. "Serious" drinking - if that occurs at a celebration, it is after the Sumble is over.
• When children are present, a secondary horn filled with a non-alcoholic beverage is kept handy.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The Tools of Asatru Ceremonies

This is a short and by no means exhaustive look at the tools and regalia of an Asatru ceremony.

The Ve
The Ve is the area set aside for an Asatru blot. Ideally the Ve is outside - open to the sky, and preferably with a good view to the North. At need, however, the Asatru ceremony may be held indoors as well.

The Harrow or Horg
The harrow is the Asatru altar - typically made of stone, and found outside. Many harrows are made of dry laid stones, some even simply a pile of such stones. In rare cases the stones may be mortared together for permanence. It is raised and consecrated before use, and blessed every time a blot is celebrated. An indoor altar is oftimes called a stalli, and usually made of wood.

The Horn
The drinking horn is a central part of the Asatru faith. Usually made from a cow's horn, and often beautifully decorated, the horn is used to make offerings to our deities and raise a toast during sumble. Follow the link above to see my simple instructions for rendering a horn suitable for drinking.

The Hammer
Central to the preparation of the sacred space in which our ceremonies are celebrated is the hammer. Symbolizing Mjollnir, the hammer of Asa-Thorr, it is used to define and sanctify the Ve and harrow. Most hammers used for this purpose are symmetrical on both faces (like a drilling or sledge hammer - no pein, two faces). Another use of the hammer to consecrate an object, or to bless a bride with fertility magic.

The Ring
Upon the harrow will be found a ring on which to take and administer oaths. In olden times this ring was an essential feature of any heathen altar, and it was the responsibility of the godhi to wear it at all formal functions. Both open and closed rings may be used for an oath ring - but many people prefer a closed ring for it symbolism of continuity. Ravenswood uses an open ring - but that is a matter for oathed members to understand.

The Bowl
The wooden bowl upon the harrow is used to contain the offerings from the blot, that they may be available for use in blessings, and to hold them for later gifting to the Earth. These may be decorated or plain, and ideally hand made.

The Blot-Tine
Upon the harrow will also be found a a twig. used to asperge the harrow and celebrants during the blot. Typically an evergreen twig is used, but a branch from a deciduous tree is fine as well.

The Hunting or Signal Horn
A horn with a trumpet or trombone mouthpiece is used to signal the beginning of blot and sumble. It is symbolic of the Gjallarhorn of the God Heimdall that will signal the end of time.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Originally the May feast was a festival of what modern pagans would define as the “Great Rite” on the “Quorn Planting Moon”. Aside from hand-fasting, the festivities included animated dances, noise making and sacred fire rites to banish the last frosts. Rather, it was in the course of Christianizing the Frankish domains, that the festival was renamed after the 8th century English nun Walburga, upon her cannonization on that date about a hundred years later. The story is that her and her brothers Saint Willibald and Saint Winibald, had come there to assist their uncle, Saint Boniface in evangelizing the region, and attest to her gift of healing. However, this did little more than put a Christian meaning to the rites of purification and fertility, this represented by the Holy Walburga holding a sprig of quorn. In fact, the Carolingians were more inclined to doubt the existence of witchcraft altogether.

It wasn't until the Black Death went pandemic in the Middle Ages, that hysteria easily lent to the idea that biblical doomsday was nigh. Thus the holiday became synonymous with scourging and witch burning, to drive away the devil's curse. Often times the blame fell on Jewish communities as their mysterious rituals seemed like black magic to the naïve. Midwives were often blamed for congenital defects in newborns, whereas unwed mothers and spinsters were accused of whoremongering, and soforth. It seems there was no limit to the cause for alarm. While some councils persised in the denial of witchcraft, more power-hungry authorities inclined to employ self-styled inquisitors and exorcists; though not always sanctioned by a Papal Bull. Nonetheless, the craze readily made popular such misleading works as the Malleus Maleficarum and the Witches Sabbat.

When 18th century revolutions finally introduced federalism, exonerating such esoteric movements as the Rosicrucians and Freemasonry, all previous Witchcraft Acts were finally disbanded and gradually replaced by more humane laws against esoteric fraud; especially false mediums and healers. Nonetheless, the myth of fornicating witches riding around on brooms still lives on in the Black Catholic reaches of the High Black Forest and Upper Bavaria, making the burning of witches (though in effigy) an integral part of sacred fire festivals.

That the May Festival became established as a public holiday, was mostly due to Karl Marx favouring it as an occasion to honour labourers. In Nazi times, however, Walpurgisnacht was conveniently celebrated in conjunction with Hitler's birthday (20th of April). Ironically, the 30th of April was also the day he committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. While some assume the Nazis revered the holiday as Germanically pagan, Hitler was an avid Black Catholic, exploiting much the same conspiracy theories about the Jews. Rather, it was Heinrich Himmler's own theosophical desire to Arisophize religion away from Semitism by suggesting Indo-Aryans as the root of higher civilization. Thankfully, recent DNA studies are finally dispelling the whole Aryan racial myth. Not only were the Indo-Aryans not even the same haplogroup, but they never ventured beyond the mountainous confines of their domain between Persia and the Indus Valley.

Thus, after all misconceptions have to naught, Walpurgisnacht has been restored by modern German pagans as the original fertility festival it was meant to be, as well as what the Holy Walburga would have wished. 

by Quasizoid, SFW