2008 Workshops
TBA
If you would like to lead a workshop or class, please contact Ratatask.
2008 Rituals
* Seidh The seidh rite of seeking visions for the
folk was old at the time of Erik Saga. It fell out of favor and
use when Christianity became the dominant religion in Scandinavia.
In 1989, Hrafnar began to work on recreating this rite. Laurel
Mendes was a part of that process.
Today, there exists a wide variety of groups practicing the
recreation of this ancient art, in as many varied ways as there
are goups. Laurel will present one face of this practice in
workshops throughout the weekend, and in a seidh rite Saturday
evening.
** Sumble (Old English Symbel; Old Icelandic sumbl) is one of
the few Norse rituals recognizable in the Lore. In essence, a
Sumbel is simply ritualized rounds of toasts made over a mead or
ale-filled horn or cup. Many modern Heathens incorporate at
least three rounds: the first round honors the Gods (the Aesir
and Vanir); the second round honors the Ancestors (the Alfar and
Disr); and the third round is often open for boasts, toasts, and
oaths.
Words spoken over the Sumbel horn are considered sacred. Not
only are those words woven into the speaker’s Wyrd (similar to
fate), but the Wyrds of all those present are woven together.
One finds examples of Sumbels in great poetic works such as the
Lokesanna (Old Icelandic), Beowulf (Old English), and Heliand
(Old Saxon).
***Blot The word “blot” is generally agreed upon as meaning
“sacrifice.” While it is likely that our Ancestors offered animal
sacrifices, modern Heathens make sacrifices of mead, ale, honey,
or milk, among other things (mead and ale are the most common
offerings).
In its simplest form, a Blot involves dedicating a horn of mead
(or an item) to a God or Gods and then offering it. The offering
may be made my pouring it on the ground, into a bowl, into a
Fire, into a body of water, etc. Blots are performed as a way to
share our bounty with the Gods. Additionally, our Norse
Ancestors understood that a gift demands a gift. We receive much
from Gods, and it is right that as we receive, so should we give.
Each Blot reaffirms and solidifies our connections with the Gods.
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