Fostering Community in Modern Asatru and Paganism: Celebrating Diversity

Modern Asatru and paganism are diverse spiritual paths that honor a variety of gods and goddesses, and there is no single "right way" to practice these religions. As such, building a strong and supportive community can be a challenge. 

However, by celebrating diversity and respecting each other's differences, we can create a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports us all in our spiritual journeys.  There are several advantages to gathering in a group for Asatru rituals and kinship, which include:

Shared Experience: Gathering in a group for rituals and kinship allows participants to share in a collective experience. This shared experience can deepen connections between group members and strengthen bonds within the community.

Amplified Energy: Group rituals can create a powerful energy that is difficult to achieve when practicing alone. This amplified energy can help to focus intentions and increase the effectiveness of the ritual.

Learning Opportunities: Group gatherings provide opportunities for individuals to learn from each other. Experienced practitioners can share their knowledge and skills with newcomers, and new perspectives and ideas can be introduced to the group.

Diversity of Perspectives: When practicing in a group, individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives can come together to celebrate their shared spirituality. This diversity of perspectives can enrich the experience for all involved and lead to greater understanding and acceptance.

Support and Encouragement: Group gatherings provide a supportive environment for individuals to connect with others who share their spiritual beliefs. This support can be especially important during difficult times and can help individuals feel less isolated and alone.  While practicing alone can be rewarding, the benefits of gathering in a group can help individuals deepen their spiritual connections and create a sense of community.

One of the challenges of fostering community in modern Asatru and paganism is the fact that people honor the gods differently. Some may be drawn to specific gods or goddesses, while others may worship multiple deities or a pantheon. Additionally, some may prefer to practice alone or in small groups, while others may prefer large gatherings and communal rituals. It is important to recognize and respect these differences, and not judge others for their choices.

Another important aspect of building community in modern Asatru and paganism is creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. This means creating a space where all individuals, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or any other factor, feel welcome and valued. It also means being aware of the language and imagery we use, and ensuring that it does not exclude or marginalize anyone.

Asatru language and imagery are deeply rooted in Norse mythology and culture, and they are an important part of Asatru practice and tradition. However, it is also important to recognize that some people may find certain aspects of Asatru language and imagery to be offensive or triggering. As such, it is important to balance the preservation of tradition with sensitivity to the needs and experiences of others.

One reason why it is important to keep Asatru language and imagery is that they are integral to the practice and tradition of the religion. These symbols and stories have been passed down through generations of practitioners, and they hold deep meaning and significance for many people. Removing or altering them could erode the authenticity and richness of the tradition.

At the same time, it is also important to be sensitive to the experiences of others who may find certain aspects of Asatru language and imagery to be offensive or triggering. Asatru practitioners should be mindful of how their words and actions may impact others, and make an effort to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

One way to do this is by being intentional in our language and imagery. This means avoiding language and symbols that are known to be offensive or triggering, and being open to feedback from others about how our language and imagery impact them. We can also be proactive in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment by actively seeking out and including diverse perspectives and experiences.

Another way to balance tradition with sensitivity is to recognize that language and imagery can evolve over time. As we become more aware of the impact of certain words and symbols, we can make a conscious effort to use language and imagery that is more inclusive and respectful of others. This does not mean abandoning tradition, but rather evolving it in a way that reflects our changing understanding of the world around us.

In order to foster community in modern Asatru and paganism, it can be helpful to create opportunities for people to come together and connect. This can include regular rituals, gatherings, and events that bring people together for shared spiritual experiences. It can also include online forums and social media groups where people can connect and share their experiences and ideas.

An established Asatru kindred is a formal group of individuals who come together to practice Asatru and celebrate its traditions and rituals. A kindred is often more structured than a meetup group or online group and typically has an established leadership structure and a defined set of bylaws or guidelines. Kindreds may also have a physical space, such as a dedicated meeting hall or outdoor ritual space (Vé), where they regularly gather to practice their faith.

In contrast, a meetup group or online group is often more informal and less structured than an established kindred. These groups are typically formed for the purpose of bringing like-minded individuals together to share ideas and experiences related to Asatru. Meetup groups may meet in person for social events or rituals, while online groups may interact primarily through social media or messaging platforms.

Another difference between an established kindred and a meetup group or online group is the level of commitment required. Joining an established kindred often involves a more significant commitment of time, energy, and resources than joining a meetup group or online group. Kindreds may have membership requirements, such as regular attendance at meetings and events or participation in community service projects, that are not necessarily required by less formal groups.

Finally, established kindreds may also have a greater sense of community and cohesion than meetup or online groups. This is because kindreds often have a more long-term vision for their group and may work to establish relationships with other kindreds or organizations within the broader Asatru community.

The main differences between an established Asatru kindred and a meetup group or online group are their level of structure and organization, the commitment required to participate, and the sense of community and cohesion they offer. While both types of groups can provide valuable opportunities for practicing Asatru and building connections with like-minded individuals, the level of involvement and sense of community may differ between the two.

It is also important to support and encourage each other in our spiritual journeys. This can involve offering guidance and advice to those who are new to the path, or providing support and encouragement to those who are struggling with challenges or setbacks. By supporting each other, we can create a stronger and more resilient community that can weather any storm.

Fostering community in modern Asatru and paganism requires celebrating diversity, creating a safe and inclusive environment, and supporting each other in our spiritual journeys. By doing so, we can create a vibrant and supportive community that honors the gods and goddesses in our own unique ways, while respecting and celebrating each other's differences.  It is my opinion that it is time for us to put our differences to rest and come together for the good of our communities.  We don't have to agree an a single point in the personal execution of this belief.   As long as we can agree that this way is made of a diverse group of practitioners.   As a result everyone is entitled to respect, regardless of their personal lifestyle choices, heritage, or interpretation of the way. 
 

þórr viki

Blood Magic, is it relevant across the ages?

I am often asked about the pros and cons or even the legitimacy of blood magic in modern pagan practices.  I am not qualified to speak directly about any practice other than that of the Norse Heathen and Asatru.  I myself use rituals that involve my own blood very sparingly.  I understand that there is historical precedence for this practice during the viking age and before.  But, I want to make it abundantly clear that the act was about connections and the essence of human creation, it would have nothing to do with the ordeal of self inflicted harm.  The acts of cutting and bloodletting for the sake of self harm is a psychological condition, destructive, self limiting and holds no power or magic.  The magic is in the practice of sharing our most sacred commodity with the divine for special access.  Sharing our psychological dysfunction for the sake of attention welcomes all manner of nefarious entities into our life and practice, rather that is goal or not.  

This article is for informational use only and the author does not endorse the use of blood magic. 

As the Vikings believed in the interconnectedness of all things, blood was considered a powerful substance with potent magical properties. The use of blood in rituals was widespread in Viking culture, and its various applications in magical practice have been documented in several sources.

One of the most prominent examples of blood magic in Viking culture was the blood brotherhood oath. In this ritual, two people would mix their blood and swear a sacred oath of loyalty and brotherhood. The ceremony was considered to be a powerful bond that would connect the two individuals for life. The Gisli saga describes such a ceremony:

"Then Vestein bared his arm and cut it across, and Gunnar did likewise. Then they both took hold of the hilt of their swords and smeared the blood on the hilt, and mixed it with water in a wooden bowl. Then they swore oaths of fidelity and brotherhood, and said that they would share the same fate, whether it be good or ill." (Gisli saga, Chapter 5)

Another example of blood magic in Viking culture was the use of blood sacrifices. Blood was seen as a valuable offering to the gods, and sacrifices were often made before battles or other important events. The Hervarar saga describes such a ritual:

"Then he called for the sacrifice, and all the people brought their offerings to the altar. The blood of horses, cattle, and men flowed freely, and the smoke of the sacrifice rose up to the sky." (Hervarar saga, Chapter 8)

Blood was also used in divination practices. Seers would use blood to create runes or other symbols, which would then be interpreted for guidance or advice. The Hávamál, a collection of Old Norse poems, references this practice:

"I know that I hung on a windy tree

nine long nights,

wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin,

myself to myself,

on that tree of which no man knows

from where its roots run.

No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn,

downwards I peered;

I took up the runes, screaming I took them,

then I fell back from there." (Hávamál, Stanza 138)

While blood magic was an integral part of Viking culture, it was not without its risks. The use of blood could be dangerous, as it could attract unwanted attention from malevolent spirits or deities. Additionally, the misuse of blood magic could result in negative consequences for the practitioner.

Blood magic was an important aspect of Viking culture, and its use in rituals and practices was widespread. From blood brotherhood oaths to blood sacrifices and divination, blood was seen as a potent magical substance with many uses. However, practitioners of blood magic were also aware of its risks and understood the need for caution and respect when working with such powerful forces.

The use of blood magic in modern Asatru practice is a subject of much debate and controversy. Some practitioners believe that blood offerings or rituals can be a powerful way to connect with the gods and ancestors and that it can be a valid part of a spiritual practice. Others view it as an unnecessary or even harmful practice that has no place in modern religious expression.

Those who support blood offerings and rituals argue that it is a way to offer something of great personal value to the gods, and that the act of giving blood can create a deep sense of connection and devotion.  This connection is not only with the gods, but also with our ancestors who's blood is flowing in our very veins. They also point to historical examples of blood rituals in Norse mythology and literature, such as the blood oath between Odin and Loki, vaguely referenced in the Lokasenna, and the blood-brotherhood rituals practiced by Viking warriors, such is demonstrated in Gisli's Saga..

On the other hand, opponents of blood magic argue that it is a dangerous and unnecessary practice that can lead to physical harm or spiritual danger. They point out that blood offerings were often associated with human sacrifice in ancient times, and that even today there are some extremist groups who use blood rituals as part of their violent practices.  Some groups also use blood as a consecration tool for objects such as Mjolnir amulets and ritual tools.  While this is not entirely UPG, it does relate back to the time when all major rituals spilled the blood of sacrifices, both animal and human.  

The most prominent blood magic ritual in Norse mythology is the sacrifice to the gods, known as Blót. Blót was a significant event, usually performed at the beginning of the winter or summer solstice, to honor the gods and secure their blessings. The sacrifice could be an animal or a human, depending on the occasion and the importance of the ritual. The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the altar or the participants, and the meat was cooked and shared as a communal feast. Today, our sacrifices are mostly of home brewed alcoholic beverage and thus, would be the "blood" of our sacrifice, which is used to the same effect.  

Another important blood magic ritual in Norse mythology is the use of runes. Runes were believed to be a source of magical power, and their symbols were often carved into objects or inscribed onto pieces of wood or stone. Blood was used to activate the runes, either by painting them with blood or pricking the user's finger and allowing the blood to flow onto the rune.  An example of this is written in the Saga of Egil Skallagrimsson, where he scratched runes on an ale horn and reddened them.  He then uttered a chant and the horn burst open, revealing that the drink had been poisoned.

There are also accounts of blood magic being used for protection and healing. Blood was sometimes used as an activator for important tools and artifacts. Blood was also used in healing magic, where it was believed to have a purifying effect on the body and could be used to cure illnesses and injuries.

Blood magic was a significant part of Viking Age culture and religion. Blood was used in various rituals and practices to connect with the gods, ancestors, and spirits, and to gain power and protection. The use of blood in magic and ritual was seen as a sacred and potent practice that could bring about significant changes in the physical and spiritual world.

In modern Asatru, and Norse Heathenry practice, many groups and individuals choose to avoid blood magic altogether, instead focusing on other forms of worship and devotion. Others may choose to incorporate some elements of blood magic into their practice, but do so with caution and care, taking steps to ensure their own safety and the safety of those around them.

Ultimately, the decision to incorporate blood magic into one's own pagan practice is a personal one, and each individual must weigh the potential risks and benefits for themselves. It is important to approach any form of spiritual practice with respect and caution, and to seek guidance and support from experienced practitioners or trusted mentors when needed. 

If you are considering the possibility of making a blood sacrifice using your own blood, I would ask you to consider visiting your local blood bank and donating blood there instead.  Certainly the potential to save a life has more power and influence with our gods than simply spilling your lifeforce on the ground.  That is a great modern solution to a historic magical tradition.  You might even get a cookie and some juice, Bonus!

þórr viki

References:

Gisli saga. Translated by George Webbe Dasent. London: J.M. Dent & Sons, 1896.

Egil's Saga. The sagas of Icelanders.  Lifur Eiriksson Publishing LTD.1997

Hervarar saga. Translated by N.Kershaw. Viking Society for Northern Research, 2007.

Hávamál. Translated by Carolyne Larrington. Oxford University Press, 2014.

Crawford, Jackson. "Blood Magic in Norse Mythology." The Nordic Anthology: Myths and Legends from the Viking Age. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015.

DuBois, Thomas A. Nordic Religions in the Viking Age. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999.

Gundarsson, Kveldulf. Teutonic Religion: Folk Beliefs and Practices of the Northern Tradition. Llewellyn Publications, 1993.

Paxson, Diana L. Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism. Citadel Press, 2006.

Heathen Self Healing, And My Morning Routine

Good morning heathens,  Today I thought it would be a good day to talk about routines.  And the best way that I can bridge the subject of morning routines is to walk you through my own personal practice and why I do the things that I do.  

For starters I will say that it is not easy to develop any routine, much less a morning routine, and I don't want to make it seem like it is.  I think many people, at least the ones that I have talked to, find it almost impossible to change the routine that they have established over their lifetime.  Let's first understand that everyone has a routine, period. Even someone that wakes up in a new place and situation every morning has established some morning patterns.  One example would be to grab a cup of coffee and pour over social media while catching up on what you missed while sleeping. While this is probably not the best practice, I'm not here to judge.  Think back on what you do every morning while getting ready for work or school.  Now consider when those morning routines were adopted.  It is easy to adopt a new routine when your life has had a major change. As an example when I retired from the Marine Corps I maintained some of my morning routine while easily dropping others, most notably the 5am physical training session and morning formation.    In time I fell into a different habit of sleeping in late and watching the TV news morning shows.  

We could argue that those are not routines but just being lazy.  I suppose that both are correct.  There is some evidence to show that repeating the same action over and over for (x) many times, is how you establish a pattern.  I don't disbelieve that data, but I think it can be much more simple than counting 10k repetitions or whatever the most current study suggests.  I also believe in creative visualization, so if the first phase that routine is to visualize yourself completing the rest of it, you are mentally and emotionally triggering the reaction that you want, which is to say, completing your routine.  

The biggest hurdle to establishing a beneficial routine is to break through the already persistent tendency to do as you have done before.  This does not mean that you are lazy or unmotivated.  There is actually a medical reason why this is hard.  It is called "homeostasis" and it means that the body and mind seek stay in a comfort zone of established patterns. But we can all agree that growth does not happen in a comfort zone.  Those will include an unconscious routine and even poor eating habits.  The act of breaking out of this unrewarding, automatic reactive lifestyle is to break the loop of stasis.  That is why adopting a new routine after a major life change is easier than doing it out of the blue.  This may be the origin of the story of bouncing back from rock bottom.  But I wont go down that road right now.  

The best way to describe the process that has worked for me is to just cover my routine and when I adopted it.  So here is my current wake up routine, and how I keep it going.  

Wakeup is usually around 0600, I get up with the kids for school and usually have a cup of coffee while I write in my journal and visualize the rest of my ideal morning.  I may also take a peek at the socials to see if there is anything urgent that I should address.  Not the best first step but the socials are more than a distraction around here so they do require constant maintenance.  The journaling part is easy because I have been doing it off and on since high school.  I was once in a conversation about my military tour in Somalia and after some points were a little fuzzy, I pulled out my journal from that deployment only to read that I was misremembering a large portion of the events.  This made journaling seem like the most important tool that I had for self reflection, remembering the lessons learned the hard way, and passing on accurate information to future generations.  I do fail to record periods of my life but knowing the importance of it I do come  back to it if I fall off the wagon for a while. I always try to keep an accurate journal, so I can trust the information years down the road when I forget the major details.  It is also important to note that I will return to that journal throughout the day and before bed, to add accurate info as it happens.  It is a self limiting practice to try and remember a whole days worth of information and write it all down at one sitting.  That is a sure fire way to set yourself up for failure.  And if you miss a day or three, jump back into it where you are, not where you left off.  It takes the pain out of the process, and it will eventually become a cherished routine.

After I get that squared away I sit down for a meditation.  I think mediation is one of those things that most everyone wants to do routinely, says they do often, but barely ever engages in.  The reason is that when people try, no matter how well intended, meditation is boring and uncomfortable. I wont tell you how to sit or hold your hands. I wont tell you what to think or even how to empty your mind.  I can only speak on what works for me to break through that startup phase.   Now, I light a candle on my personal altar to establish a connection with the gods, and I burn an incense, usually chosen for the mindset that I want to cultivate for myself for the day. But often I meditate outside or when traveling without those luxuries.  I like to get my meditation in fairly early in the morning when my mind is not fully awake or engaged yet.  That helps me clear my mind and get into the right headspace, but again I consider that a luxury as well.  I do my meditations in multiples of three minutes, I found that is the perfect increment in which to upgrade or downgrade this activity.  So start by setting a timer for 3 minutes.  Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and start the timer.  If you have an itch, scratch it,  no need to suffer, these distractions will pass in time.  If you are uncomfortable, adjust, no one is judging you, but you.  Three minutes will go very fast and if you do this every day you will eventually be comfortable enough to do 6, 9, 12, 15, etc.  My standard is 15 minutes but in times of instability in my life, I increase this time up to 30 minutes when needed.  Don't be concerned with the benefits, or seeing results, just establish the routine.  Much like switching to a whitening toothpaste, results take time to be noticed, but they are happening.   The last thing I'll say about meditation is that I try to avoid thinking about the topics of the day and instead focus on how I want to feel today.  Focusing on tasks alone, makes me feel unnecessarily anxious for the rest of the day.  I will also down a glass of water to wake up my cells and I put in wireless headphones with some mediation music to block out the external noises.  Once mastered you can do this anywhere just to clear out your headspace and shake off some frustration that is affecting your mindset.  But like any tool, you first have to learn how and when to use it.      

The third phase of my routine is my morning cold water therapy.  There are a great many physical and mental health benefits from an ice bath and that is certainly not the focus of this post.  I will say google is your buddy on this one.  I started my cold plunge routine with a cold morning shower.  I started by blasting the cold water after my showers but I felt that the benefits were diminished by the initial overheating.  So I switched to stepping into a cold shower first, I immediately had flashbacks to the cold morning canteen showers in bootcamp.  Perhaps they actually knew what they were doing after all. Eventually I got lucky and found a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank on clearance because of a cracked rim.  I picked this up and began the morning plunge routine.  By far this is the best way that I have found for me.  I started this practice during the summer to establish my routine, but now it is the dead of winter and I have to break up the ice every morning just to get in it.  My times in the winter usually hover around 2 to 3 minutes but I can do much longer if I want to.  Two minutes is my minimum but it didn't start out there.   It started out with just stepping in, dropping to the neck and getting right back out.  One thing that I do Is when I wake is put on my swim trunks. If I skip the tank I have to change out of my trunks and into work clothes, knowing that I skipped the tank, and that leaves me a little embarrassed, so mentally I try to avoid disappointing myself, and just do it.   After a while the need to challenge ones-self will set in and longer times can be achieved.  I think this desire to challenge yourself and do the hard stuff first is an unspoken mental benefit to this practice.    

I was on a float trip with some veteran friends on the Smith river in Montana and we were doing some holistic healing techniques each morning of the trip.  When the morning came to do the cold plunge I felt a strong urge to challenge myself.  Being that I am the only person in the group that does this routinely, I went in first with the sole intent of staying in until everyone else was done.  Granted there was no ice on the water, but it was still unreasonably cold.  I did of course accomplish this even though some of them caught onto what I was doing and tried to make it as hard on me as they could.  Because that's what friends do, hahaha.  In short, if you feel an challenge internally, go for it,  You might surprise yourself.

If you are considering cold water therapy then I would suggest that you talk this over with your doctor before beginning. For all the health benefits there could be some risks depending on your individual health situation.  Anther factor to consider is the act of getting warm again.  For many cultures these cold water plunges are coupled with a sauna session.  That is a great idea, although, not always available.  I myself have a hot tub that I can escape to after my plunge.  I don't always use it but it is always available.  A hot shower or a steamed up bathroom is also an affordable alternative.  If I am engaging in this activity in a forest lake or stream then I will make sure I have a camp fire and wool blanket ready to go for a warm up, after the dip.  As always, self preservation is always a good idea. The act of moving between hot and cold is reportedly beneficial to blood vessels by promoting elasticity and also increases your bodies ability to thermally regulate its temperature which give you a much wider temperature comfort zone.  

After my morning dip I will enjoy a hot breakfast and then head up to the office to begin my day.  I find that during the day when things get a bit overwhelming I often feel the need to climb back into that cold tank for a reset.  I believe that is my body and brain looking for that endorphin boost to improve my mood when frustrated.  In a lot of cases, since I am so familiar with the feeling and process, If I meditate on it for a couple minutes, I can also receive that mood stabilizing boost.      

In any case the big three of my routine are self reflection (journaling), meditation, and  cold water therapy. All of these together or separate are ancient practices that our ancestors used to maintain a healthy body, mind, and lifestyle.  These are the medicines of our forefathers that have slowly been marginalized, demonized, and  ridiculed by the pharmacological industry, therefore, being pushed to the very fringes of main stream health practices.   Fortunately Sports medicine has once again legitimized Ice therapy and it is finally making a healthy come back.   -þórr viki           

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Northwoods Kindred's Next Trip Around The Sun.

Heilsa Folks, Gothi Bodvarr here.  I just wanted to drop a new post and let you know that this blog, while neglected in favor of all the other online responsibilities,  is now back on the list of priorities for this next trip around the sun.  I want to come in here and say that there is no better time to go follow the Northwoods Kindred on all the platforms.  We have new content coming out daily across the web.  It is all original content and most in tune with the current events of the Asatru community at large.  We get a ton of questions daily and although we might not always answer them directly, they do lead us to produce content that removes the barrier of entry into the Asatru community for everyone that is interested in learning more.  

We have an exciting year planned with lots of new content, rituals, training and kinship in the works.  Just as we did with last year we will be producing high quality videos for each of our gatherings. We will be covering not only the seasonal and household rituals, but also the comradery and kinship that we all share.  In addition we will have a few crafts and other types of bonding events that are sure to foster kinship, and strengthen the kindred bonds and self reliance capabilities of your group.  

We will be doing a story time series just for the kids to help lighten the load on our heathen homeschool families. Our Discord community was discussing some of the issued with homeschooling their young heathens.  In response to this we have decided to produce a simple children story time, with a few other surprises.  While still in the planning phase, this will happen and your input would be valuable in putting this series together.   

In addition we will be introducing a series to enable new or aspiring kindred Gothar to be the best leadership that they can be for their respective kindreds.  In this series I will do the best that I can to mentor the new Gothar by showing resources, and duties of kindred leadership.  In addition to organizing gatherings, holding rituals for the seasons and life events, I will discuss less tangible skills like fostering community and meeting like minded heathens in your area.  Of course we will also go deep into the good and also the dark history of our path in America and abroad.   

 

Of course all of that is in addition to the already growing list of how-to vides on all things Asatru and Asatru kindred related. 

And if that wasn't enough we have also launched a new podcast covering some of the most misunderstood, or requested topics in Asatru by those that are new here.  We already have 5 episodes published so jump right in and get up to date on the conversation.  This allows us go deep into some of these topics for an hour or so without trying to condense every thing down to a couple minutes on a video.  Currently the podcast is only on YouTube, Spotify, and Anchor but I have more outlets in the works so stand by for that.  

I know that I have made quite a few claims in this post and we are moving forward with these and few that I am not ready to fully disclose yet.  It is going to be an exciting year for the Northwoods and everyone that wants to take this journey with us.  

Join our Discord for even more stimulating conversation in one of the only truly, open and inclusive Asatru online communities around.  Below is our link tree along with some useful free downloads and our amazon bookstore for all those hard to get resources.  þórr viki

Northwoods Kindred podcast YT Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtFRJqdu0CbCerXqcOwsbXc64UwRShShn

Our Amazon affiliate store and book store https://amzn.to/3Q3y1hm

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How to blot FREE download:  https://www.survivalhardwarellc.com/product-page/rituals-of-asatru-blot

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Northwoods Kindred April 16th Gathering Report

Day before gathering finally arrived with a flurry of kinsmen ready to work hard and play even harder.  Sindri had actually arrived Thorsday to help Bodvarr and I with any last minute plans before the rest of our kin and our invited guests were to arrive.  Frejyasday dawned and with it came our tribe rolling in from as far away as Montana & the rest from Washington.  Stig and his friend Erik were the first to arrive and Stig's truck was laden with provisions for the weekend.

Anthony was up next followed closely by Leif & Aurie.  Nicodemus was the next to arrive along with our kids Egil & Sasha both of whom were picked up at school by Nic. Last but not least Vidarr arrived and we were finally all back together again.  

Once everyone got settled in and dropped their gear in their chosen spots they all got quickly to work preparing for gathering day.  Later in the afternoon Sindri began grilling a stack of bacon jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwiches while Anthony whipped up a tater tot casserole to accompany it.  

While the casserole was baking, Anthony ran back out to the Ve to continue it’s “Spring” cleaning and seasonal beautification.  Sindri tirelessly made sandwich after sandwich with Vidarr hanging out and keeping him company.  

After a very delicious dinner, which I had no part in, I wrangled up the kids and set them to the task of dyeing our Ostara eggs, and then I gave a brief instruction to Erik on how to make & sew a quest hood  for himself. 

While I was running around giving everyone jobs, Bodvarr was making a strawberry rhubarb crisp in his dutch oven for dessert.  While the crisp was baking we gathered the oathed members and began our monthly kindred meeting. 

Once that business was taken care of we all grabbed a warm bowl of steamy strawberry rhubarb goodness and sat down to study the Havamal with as many translations as we could find ( I think we had eight)  and really go in depth with the meanings of each stanza and our interpretations of it, thus ending day 1 of Ostara gathering weekend.

Day 2 began with gallons of fresh brewed coffee, 5 dozen eggs and a couple pounds of bacon and sausage links  Stig cooked up breakfast for everyone with a quick assist by Bodvarr to help cook the eggs on the blackstone and to keep them from running down the back of the grill and into the grease trap.  This lesson was learned at a previous gathering. 

After breakfast was over the guys went back outside to continue the cleanup of the Ve and to begin building up, repairing and decorating our ve fence now that the winter season was over.  I set the girls to preparing & decorating the Ostara offering basket with colored raw eggs and sharpies for the upcoming ritual.  

Soon after breakfast our final 3 guests arrived, they are a local heathen family looking to learn the ways and build their own kindred.  They reached out to Bodvarr and I through social media and after a first meet & greet at a coffee house, we put the vote to our kinsmen as to whether or not they would be invited to Ostara.   Of course we have the most generous kinsmen and they graciously agreed to share Ostara with folk they had not yet met and based solely on mine and  Bodvarr opinions.  Due to being all over social media from Facebook, to YouTube to TikTok among other platforms our kindred is not actively looking for new members although we are never opposed to meeting up for coffee cause you never know where or who the Norns might lead you too. 

Our guests came loaded with an assortment of yummy foods to add to the feast and after a quick introduction to the rest of the kindred and a quick tour of the land, the brothers jumped right in to help us return our beloved Ve back to her previous glory before the harsh winter had beat her down.

  As soon as all  the wood was stacked & chopped and lit on fire and the fence was built up strong again and decorated with evergreen, Sindri did a final rake on the ground before we all headed back to the house to prepare for Sigrblot, a ritual dedicated to Odin & to Victory.

After  brief instructions to our kin & our guests about the purpose of the procession, we all fell in line behind our Gothi as he led us out to the Ve.  

Once offerings were given to Odin and his blessings were shared among the folk, we began the ritual of personally decorating the colored Ostara eggs with runes.  Once everyone drew the runes on their eggs, we buried them in the Ve to plant the seeds of our hopes and desires for the coming year so that they may grow and blossom throughout the year.  Once the eggs were buried and we each threw a handful of dirt on them we got back into the circle to continue on with ritual.

  Sindi had other business than needed attending to and asked Bodvarr to bless his favorite blade so that he may gift it to Nicodemus in gratitude for services provided and in the hopes that it will serve him well in his new and upcoming travels.

 

Now that all the work had been finished Bodvarr closed out the Sigrblot and we all filed back inside the house to anxiously await our 2nd annual Ostara Quest.

This year's quest is currently in the editor and will be released soon but in the meantime….here is last year's (2021) Ostara Quest for you to enjoy. 

 While waiting for Bodvarr and I to tie up some last minute secret quest loose ends, Stig began making his lunch board for everyone to enjoy while waiting for the much anticipated Ostara Quest to begin .  Piled high was pepperoni, summer sausage, prosciutto, pepper jack cheese, smoked cheddar, goat cheese, spinach artichoke dip, green olives, habanero huckleberry jam, and assorted crackers.

I don’t want to go into much detail about the Quest and spoil it for you, all I can say is, it was a most epic Ostara Quest!  Here’s a few pictures for you to enjoy and to get your imagination going.  

Once the quest was won and the MVP of the Quest was announced and awarded the coveted 2022 Ostara Quest map, we all shared in the spoils on our way back to reality.  Now that we were all back in the house, we began setting up for a “build your own kabob” feast.  We had 3 different types of unseasoned beef cubes, another bowl with marinated beef, sriracha venison, cajun shrimp, meatballs, smoked sausage and veggies galore.  There were sweet peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, pineapple, mandarin oranges and that was just the food we put on sticks. 

 Also on the table was Mediterranean bean sprout salad, homemade canned baked beans, colored deviled Ostara eggs, cottage cheese, green grapes and farmhouse rolls.  Bodvarr fired up both the Weber & the Blackstone and while the gods' food was being cooked everyone else got busy building their kabobs and waiting for the grills to become available. 

Once that feeding frenzy was over we all got ready for our three rounds of Sumble to begin, both Vidarr and Leif generously brought mead that they had recently bottled, to offer in Sumble. 

Shortly after Sumble ended our guests took their leave as the gathering had come to a close, the rest of us on the other hand devoured the beautiful & delicious apple cupcakes with honeycomb candy for dessert made by Leif & Aurie and then we all finished off the night just being kin.

Happy Ostara,

Skogul Allensdatter 

Gydia of Northwoods Kindred