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Home , Fensalir, Gothi, Midgard, Wild Hunt, Wyrd, Yule

Odinic Rite Vinland AND Donars Hearth OR Presents:

Midwinter Festival

The Danish Heart (Julhjarta) is a beautiful symbol of Freya and Frigga. The loving caress of our warm our hearts and souls through the cold dark season. • Cut a rectangle 2 1/2 inches by 9 inches from red and white construction paper. • Fold the rectangles in half. The folded sheets should be 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. • From both the red and white rectangles, cut up from the fold, three 3 inch slits. • Opposite the fold, round off the top. • Weave according to the picture. (C over 3, B through 3, A over 3, etc…) • Cut a handle and glue or staple the handle. The Story of Baldur Gods were doing to Baldur. said that they were throw- ’s Refusal Baldur’s Dreams ing all different types of objects Baldur the good had at Baldur and not a single weap- The Aesir sent messen- some really bad dreams about on or tree could harm Baldur gers to every part of the people hurting him and killing because she had asked for an to ask all trees, creatures, rocks him. When he told the Aesir Oath from all things. Loki (the and metals to cry for Baldur so about these dreams they went old woman) asked Frigg if ev- he could come back from . to get protection for Baldur erything had given an Oath and Everything agreed to do this, from everything in the world. Frigg at this point told him of a (this is what we see when all Frigg asked for an Oath from little bush of that she things unfreeze from in frost), fire and water, iron and all met- did not ask an Oath because and when the messengers were als. She asked for Oaths from she thought it was too little to returning they saw Loki who stones, , trees, animals, harm Baldur. Loki left and was disguised as a Giantess poisons, and serpents. They all went to find the little bush of sitting in a cave. Loki said his said that they would not harm mistletoe, and with it he created name was Thokk. They asked Baldur. a small dart out of its branches. her to weep for Baldur as all After this had been done, all of other things agreed to do and the Aesir used to think it was When Loki returned to she said: where all of the Gods were hav- funny to throw darts, rocks, Thokk will weep ing fun he saw Baldur’s blind arrows and blades at Baldur be- Dry tears brother Hod. Loki asked him cause he could not be harmed. At Baldur’s embarkation: why he wasn’t having fun with The old fellow’s son the other Gods and Hod said Was no use to me Baldur’s Death it was because he didn’t have a Alive or dead weapon and couldn’t see where Let Hel hold what she has. Remember how all Baldur was standing. Loki things promised not to hurt guided Hod towards the others Baldur? Well there was one and passed the dart of mistletoe Loki’s Punishment little Mistletoe bush that was to him and said that Baldur was not asked. Frigg thought it right in front of him. He said Loki had done many too little to ask. When Loki, join the other Gods at some fun bad things to the Gods and ’s son, saw that every- and honor your brother as the they were very angry with him. one was having such a fun other gods were doing. He was going to be punished throwing things at Baldur for what he did to Baldur. and that he was not being hurt Hod took the mistletoe When Loki heard of how an- he became very angry. He and threw it at Baldur. The gry the Gods were he ran away dressed up like an old woman dart went right into Baldur’s and hid in a mountain. In this and went to visit Frigg in her heart and killed him. This was mountain he built himself a hall, . There, Loki the worst that had ever house that had four doors, one asked Frigg what all of the happened to the gods and men. in each direction so he could see each way. During the day jumped back over the net and Loki would change himself swam up the waterfall. The into a salmon and hid in the Gods saw where Loki had waterfall called Franang. Loki gone this time. The Gods would also make nets and went into two groups in the practiced how to escape from water, they dragged the net them because he thought that again while stood back this would be the way that the and waded in midstream. Aesir would catch him. Loki once again had to either had seen from his thrown, go into the massive ocean and , where Loki was be lost or try to jump back. hiding and Loki threw this net Loki tried to jump back but into the fire and once again this time Thor was there to turned into a salmon and catch him. He slipped in jumped into the river. his hands but Thor held on tight to his tail (that is why the When the Aesir finally salmon tapers at the tail). came, , the wisest of them all, went into the house Loki was taken to a first. He looked at the fire and cave forever and was bound saw the net that Loki had built. over the edges of three stones. He knew that it was something Loki’s sons Vali and to catch fish and he told this were also captured and Vali to the other Gods. The Gods was turned into a wolf, and then made a net like the one then he ate his brother Narfi. that Loki had made and they Skadi took a poisonous snake went to the river to cast it into and fastened it up over Loki the waterfall. Thor held one and the venom dropped onto end of the rope and the other his face. His wife sits Gods held the other side. The by him and holds a basin to Gods dragged the net along catch the poisonous drops. the bottom. When the basin is full she leaves to empty it, but while Loki was however hid- she is gone the drops fall ing between two rocks and onto Loki and he shudders in wasn’t caught. The Gods tried great pain (that is where earth- again and this time went very quakes come from). This is low so that nothing could es- where Loki will lay until Ragn- cape. Loki tried to get ahead arok. but the ocean was near, he Yule Yule, an ancient tradition, a half and dark half. Later the to be born on the to time when families gather to year progressed into thirds Frigga and Oðin. This birth exchange gifts, and enjoy the and finally fourths. The year of light also coincides with time they have together, a time was also viewed as a ring that the rebirth of the sun. Up when the days are short and in passed in cycles. (Grimm) There until Mother’s night, the sun some places our Folk reside is some confusion regarding was waning. From Yule till the sun never, or rarely, shows the actual date. Some believe Summer Finding the sun herself. What are the origins that Yule was in what is now waxes, during which Baldur of Yule, the traditions, spiritual January from either the 7th diminishes into Hel to only be foundations, continuations, and to the 19th, or the 13th to the reborn again on Yule in the finally, modern celebrations by 25th. Regardless of the ancient great cycle of the year. Here those who still hold true to the origins, Yule (or a very close lie many intriguing myths that ways of Our Ancestors? In the variation) has been, and still hold the spiritual truths of our following these questions will is, the most celebrated holiday Folk. be answered, so the reader can across European/Western understand this beautiful ex- Civilization. As related in myth, Oðin pression of the hospitality and goes wandering during the giving nature of Our Folk past Spiritual Foundations winter . Beginning with and present. Winterfinding and possibly To understand the ending on Walpurgisnact, Origins of Yule spiritual foundations of this Oðin leaves to , the Folk Celebration, one must hunter, to wander . Although the ancient understand our Northern During this time Oðin visits the origins of Yule are lost in the Folk. Our Folk lived in a homes of His Folk. Leaving a annals of time, we, as a Folk, harsh environment that saw gift for the gifts left for Him by can determine from the anywhere from 15 to 20 hours the household. It is said that a several constants. Yule was of darkness during the winter there was a great war (referred at the end of the year and months. They had no outside to in the as the First War heralded in the rebirth of the distractions being confined to between the Aesir and ) Sun. Held on the Winter only their longhouses or close and Oðin was dethroned. Ullr solstice (around the modern surrounding land. This was is said to take the throne and Dec. 21st), Yule, which literally the time to develop their minds rule Asgard till Oðin’s return. means wheel, was the ending through meditation and mind Ullr is considered the Winter of the cycle of the year. There challenging games. Through King. Although not definitively is no specific reference in mediation they became known, Ullr could be texts of 12 days, but there synchronized with the Gods another face of the All-father. is reference to a several day and Goddesses within them Traditionally children would celebration extending beyond, and their kin. During this time leave out hay and sugar for at least 7 days. The first night Oðin wanders Midgarð visiting (Oðin’s eight-legged is dedicated to Mothers, called His faithful Folk. Being steed), in return Oðin would The Mother night Blot. The the God of wisdom through leave a gift for the children. last night is called the “Twelfth meditation, it makes sense that Night” where oaths are sworn our Folk would meditate and This is also the time that for the coming year. The challenge their minds during the Folk would celebrate the ancients first believed the year these dark and cold months. return of the sun. They would to be split into halves: light Baldur the shining God is said go into the woods and bring back a large tree to burn all Folk kept the Folk way alive tree on Mother’s Night (Yule night. This fire was tendered in their homes by bringing eve) and decorate that day. all night—the longest night of a fresh cut tree to decorate. Although it is still a strong the year—to welcome back the Instead of Baldur’s birth or the tradition to bring the tree in sun from her slumber. The birth of a God (as in Mithra), from the cold to the warmth of remnants for the log were Christ was born on . the Family Hearth, others still carefully gathered and put Although frustrating with all decorate a tree outside their aside to kindle the flame of the the bastardizations, these homes. It is hoped that this next Yule. This was a tradition absorptions have ensured the small step will herald in the re- that was continued unbroken. continuance of the traditions awakening of our Folk and vic- It was believed that if the fire of our ancient Folk till now. tory over the dessert God. The did not burn all night that the The folkway never died, it was Tree is topped with a shining sun would be weak or non- only taken on a 1500-year + symbol, either a representation existent the light half of the detour to be saved for future of the Polar star (Tyr’s Nail) year. The sun Sunna generations to re-ignite. Much or of the (the World would not bless the land with like Ragnrok and the ensuing axis, appropriate for Yggdras- her life-giving rays. It could , our Folkways are sil). Also, the tree is decorated also symbolize the flame of shrouded in a thin veneer of with red and white symbols the Folk, and its importance to alien doctrines. The Folkway in either lights, red berries, or continue the ageless traditions is just now coming out of the as is the Yule wreath. of the Folk. The perseverance cold alienation to the warm On New Year’s Eve, the gath- to stay with the flame and home of the True Folkway. ered Folk swear oath’s on the never letting it go out all night for the coming year. showed the dedication to the Old ways, New This tree or log is burned on good of the Folk. New Year’s eve and is lit with Such is the variety of the previous year’s Yule log. The Yule tree, represen- our Northern folk, so to is the Remnants from the Yule tree/ tative of the Great World Ash variety of celebrations for the log are kept for the next year. () would be decorated return of the Sun. The way This tradition can be mirrored and honored. The tree chosen one celebrates is completely with a piece of the trunk of the was left alive outside to honor individual, and individuality Yule tree to represent the Yule the endurance of life in the is a trait of our Folk, so the log and placing three candles: coldest, darkest of nights. As following modern celebrations red, white, and green, atop it, to is the symbol of the wreath are only a sketch of the myriad thus re-igniting our Folkway. made with fresh sprigs from of way to honor the High Ones the evergreen, is a enduring and Sunna’s return. This is The Wanderers Visit symbol of life. a good time to meditate on the years activities. It is also a To honor the good time to call on the powers Wanderer, Oðin, the children Continuation of Traditions of the Gods and Goddesses as (and parents) leave out their well as the ancestors. This is a stockings accompanied Since Christians couldn’t time when the veil between the with milk and cookies, or get rid of this holy celebration, is thin and the ancestors whatever gift they wish for they decided to absorb it. can more readily share their Oðin and Sleipnir, to refresh Instead of Oðin visiting, it was wisdom. the wanderers on their long a Saint who rewarded faithful journey. Oðin in turn leaves followers of the Christian God. The Yule Tree/Log gifts in the stockings. This Since celebration of heathen is celebrated each of the 12 traditions were punishable Many chose their Yule days, representative of the 12 by torture and death, the months of the year. Often a candle is also left out each evening to light Oðin’s way to the home. Yule is the victory of the light over darkness, the turning of The Sun Reborn another year, and to enjoy the warmth of kith and kin. The To honor the sun re- enduring Will of our Folk and the High Ones has kept these born, a Blot is performed to ancient traditions alive. This Yule when one is opening gifts usher in the victory of the Sun. from family and friends, raising a glass toasting the greatness It was believed that the Winter of our comrades, eating the Yule feast, pondering the waning and Summer battled and at year and making plans for the next, singing carols, and each respective Solstice one or decorating the home and tree know that it is these simple acts the other won. The Winter that keep the Flame of our Folk alive for future generations. prevailed in Summer and vice versa. (Grimm) To ensure vic- tory of the Summer, Heathen References: Folk now kindle a fire to be Teutonic Mythology, Grimm. tended all night until sunrise. Mother Night Blot, Odinic Rite: Book of Blotar This not only symbolizes the , Larrington Translation return of the sun, but also, it is a testament to our Folk and their ancient ways. Candles can be in place of a fire. It is what that flame symbolizes, that is important.

Feasting This has never died out among our Folk. The Yule Feast, often some form of pork, is celebration of kinship and comradeship. This is the time when kith and kin gather to partake in the warmth of family and friends. There is a great celebration with several Folkways continued. The ritual meal is often pork and late harvested crops such as squash. The Boar, sacred to Frey, sacrifice and eaten to partake in the fertility of Frey and His ability to grant fine crops. Some Folk also swear oaths on a representation of a boar. During the feast a sumble is performed in which the gathered Folk boast, oath, and even sing/read poetry. It is also a time to play mind challenging games such as chess, charades, etc… with the gathered Folk.. Joy to the Worlds

Joy to the worlds,

Of Gods and Men,

Let Midgard sound her horn!

The Yule Boar is near

Our sumbel oaths to hear

And witness to the Aesir

And witness to the Aesir

And witness , and witness the oaths made hear.

Joy to the Worlds

Of Gods and Men,

Let kinfolk gather near!

And honor all the Gods

Alfs, Idises, and Weal-

Most Sacred to us here

Most sacred to us here

That Blessing and luck will come

Throughout the Year Deck the Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Fa la la la la la la la la

Tis the season to be jolly

Fa la la la la la la la la

Don we now our gay apparel

Fa la la la la la la la la

Troll the ancient Yuletide carols

Fa la la la la la la la la

See the blazing Yule before us

Fa la la la la la la la la

Strike the harp and join the chorus

Fa la la la la la la la la

Follow me now in merry measure

Fa la la la la la la la la

While I tell of Yuletide treasure

Fa la la la la la la la la

Fast away the old year passes

Fa la la la la la la la la

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses

Fa la la la la la la la la Sing we joyous all together

Fa la la la la la la la la

Heedless of the wind and weather

Fa la la la la la la la la The Twelve Days Of Yultide On the first day of Yuletide On the seventh day of Yuletide,

My true love gave to me, My true love gave to me

A branch from the Yggdrasil tree Seven serpents circling

On the second day of Yuletide On the eighth day of Yuletide

My true love gave to me, My true love gave to me,

Two crowing ravens Eight squirrels a-scurrying

On the Third day of Yuletide On the Ninth Day of Yuletide

My true love gave to me, My true love gave to me,

Three weaving Nine Herbs a-Brewing

On the Fourth day of Yuletide On the tenth day of Yuletide

My true love gave to me My true love gave to me

Four Irminsils Ten children singing

On the Fifth day of Yuletide On the Eleventh day of Yuletide

My true love gave to me, My true love gave to me,

Five oath rings Eleven swan maids swimming

On the Sixth day of Yuletide On the Twelfth day of Yuletide

My true love gave to me, My true love gave to me,

Six hounds a-howling Twelve Sowilos swirling. Silent Night

Silent night, Solstice Night

All is calm, all is bright,

Nature slumbers in forest and glen

Till in springtime She wakens again

Sleeping spirits grow strong!

Sleeping spirits grow strong!

Silent night, Solstice night,

Silver moon shining bright

Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth

Yule fires welcome the Sun’s rebirth

Hark, the Light is reborn!

Hark, the Light is reborn!

Silent night, Solstice night

Quiet rest till the Light,

Turning ever the rolling Wheel

Brings the Winder to comfort and heal

Rest your spirit in peace!

Rest your spirit in peace! Riders we have seen on high, H cross the Northern Sky H Take these gifts we’ve laid for you

Guard our house the whole year through a (Chorus) a Hail and ! i Hail and Wassail! Hail and Wassail Mighty Hunt! i l Riding through the Yule sky. Hail and Wassail! l

Hail and Wassail!

Hail and Wassail Mighty Hunt!

Riding through the Yule night sky. O Hail the spirits of this night, T Faring home to kindred hall

Hail Ancestors, Gods, and Wights, d Welcome we give one and all o (Chorus) i Blessing bring unto this Hearth r Weal and Fame to all within

As we give our Troth tonight n Standing with our sir Kin. Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Oh come all ye faithful Oh come let us remember

Gather now for sumbel Oh come let us remember

Raise a tale of courage Oh come let us remember

Glory, and might The souls gone before

Praise to our heros Oh come all ye faithful Honored still among us Gather now for sumbel Oh come let us remember Oath Ring and Sacred Boar, Oh come let us remember Your promise receive Oh come let us remember Boldly and bravely The valiant today! Speak we now our Yule Oaths

Oh come all ye faithful Oh come let us remember Gather now for sumbel Oh come let us remember Praise ye our ancestors Oh come let us remember Who live in us still. The Vows Made today! Call out their names and

Let their deeds be counted Design a Shield Heraldry is the ancient form of identifying different families and tribes. In Medieval times Heraldry was very important. Just by seeing their heraldic shield, a person could tell exactly who the person was and from whence they came. In Vinland, we still identify our selves from whence we came, but also where our families are from today. Below, create a shield with a coat of arms that tells everyone who see it who you are, from whence you came, and what is important to you. There are some common symbols of heraldry, but try and think of some symbols that are from today such as symbols from Odinism, or from the area you live. Be sure to share it with your family!

WritingwritN Inin Use the Runes below to write your name or create your very own Bind Rune. Our Folk used Bind Runes to create a positive energy to help change things whether it was a healing bind rune, or a strengthening one. Try making a Bind Rune with the letters in your name! The Odinic Rite Blot of The Mother Night Yule the Midwinter Festival

Odin Vili Ve

F u T a r c xg w H n i j I P z s T b m E l N o d

THE CLEANSING. All present should stand for two minutes in silent meditation, to still the mind and prepare for the Blot.

THE HALLOWING. : In the names of Odin, Balder, Frey and Thor: We hallow this place to the worship of the Aesir and Vanir, that we may truly understand, fully assimilate and properly use the Divine Powers that are within us. Frigga, , Freya and : Be our guides and our comfort.

THE SACRED FIRE. The Gothi (or an assistant) shall light the Sacred Fire (which may be represented by candles) saying: In the names of the High Gods, we kindle the fire of cleansing and creation, the first mystery and the final mercy. Let flame be quickened by flame, that through the darkness we may come to the light. And may the holy flame of our Faith and Folk which ever burns, grow again to bathe Midgarth in its sacred radiance. All: Hail our Gods! Hail our Folk! Odin Hail!

THE . Gothi: We have gathered again in kinship to celebrate the Mother Night and the Yule Tide. Though it be a time of dark and cold, we are warmed by our comradeship and the light of the Gods guides us. We hail our kinship and our bonds of blood and faith. We call to all our Gods and Goddesses to be with us. We call to the Spirits of our Ances- tors to be with us. All that is good and holy we call to be with us, and may that which is unharmonious not enter this sacred place or our hearts. Creation moves in cycles and we celebrate the turning of another year. The Sun, sustainer of life is now low in our Northern sky and nights are long. From dark Winter, to Spring, to High Summer and vivid Fall has turned the year, and now the Sun is at its weakest and the dread wolf may seem triumphant. Yet we know that and end and a begin- ning are at hand, and though we too may go down into shadow like the Sun, so also as the Golden Summer which follows Winter: We shall rise again! And this is the Mother Night, the night of the Sun’s rebirth! Hail to Mothers and the Sun reborn! All: Hail to Mothers and the Sun Reborn! Gothi: Though the teeth of winter will become sharper yet and their bite yet harsher, the Sun returns to usher a new Spring. And though this dark age may get darker yet, that we and others like us gather together is the promise of the coming New Spring for our people. May the Gods sustain us through this dark time, through the Winter. Hail to Uller, the Winter King! Hail the turning of the wheel, hail the Sun! All: May they be with us, we hail them! Gothi: Now let us be aware of the God force within us and around us. THE FIRST READING. Reader: Wassail all over the town, Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown, Our bowl it is made from the bright linden tree. With a bowl we sing to thee. And here’s to the uncle and his rosy cheeks, And to you and your kin, a good piece of beef, And a good piece of beef that we may all see. With a wassailing bowl we sing to thee. And here is to cheery and to his right eye, And to you and your kin, a good piece of pie, And a good piece of pie that we may all see. With a wassailing bowl we sing to thee. And here is to Woden and all his God kin, And a happy New Year,to us all may they bring, And a happy New Year that we may all see. With a wassailing bowl we drink to thee. (Traditional ‘wassailing’ song variant).

THE ANCESTORS AND THE SUCCESSORS. Gothi: Like the Winter Sky, in azure garbed and golden crowned, the Gods of sit enthroned. Within the door- way stands each noble Norn, together bearing date’s rune-written shield. They made laws, and chose life for the Chil- dren of Ages and for Men. All: In the name of the High Gods. Urd, Norn of the past, we offer thanks for the blood ties of our House and Family. Verdandi, Norn of the present, and , Norn of the future, may we not be a failing people and a Springless Autumn. Grant that we hold by the ways of our forebears and to their memory, with every atom of our blood, and may we speak our own North tongue until the end of days. Now, to our Children’s children and their children, we send our words as messengers, the way we shall not pass along: Kinsfolk! unseen, unborn, unknown! Since we cannot see your face or clasp your hand, we send our Spirits through time and space in Odin’s name to greet you!

THE REDE. Gothi: Gather round you sons and daughters of Heimdall and hail to them that listen. As the earth slumbers, so it prepares for renewal and new life. And we remember Yggdrasil, the great tree of life. We remember the Irminsul, the pillar and great axis. In this season of slumber, the ever greens still stand sentinel over the Mother Earth, still vibrant with life. The green of living things, the bright red berries, symbols of the life blood which flows in us. Ahead lies a new year, let us embrace it gladly and boldly. Let us rejoice in renewal, in the wheel of creation. In life is sorrow and joy, light and dark, all we must face, but on this Mother Night let us be for friendship and kin. Let us remember the places of feasting and warm hall of old. Glad now should we be. May we be in the company of comrades and family, generous to the guest and host, be glad towards them and forget not gifts for them. Neither forget to relieve the aged, the lonely and sad and luckless, nor let kind deed be checked by cold counsel. May joy surround us. All: By Odin’s power may this be so.

THE SECOND READING. Reader: Ah dreaded Winter you would be And hated were it not for me; But when your sway is most severe, To Earth I come and sojourn here. Then smiles to faces sad return, Hearts with mirth and gladness burn: I banish care; I banish pain, Till all the world seems young again. So loved by all good folk am I, They all rejoice when I am nigh. (Song of the Spirit of Yule - from Empire Reciter) THE RESTORATION OF LIGHT. At this point the sacred fire is kindled and it is appropriate to kindle a sunwheel (if the blot is conducted in the open) or perhaps a token sunwheel if indoors. The oldest person present should light the sacred fire on this occasion and candles given to those present lit and passed by the oldest, who gives the first candle to the youngest present (providing they are old enough to be safe), to symbolise the eternal cycle of creation. If a sunwheel is kindled the Gothi shall say: Alight the sunwheel, for the sun is reborn, hail the light, hail our faith, folk and family. Those assembled will respond: Hail the fiery sunwheel, hail the sun reborn, hail our faith, folk and family. For the lighting of the sacred fire the Gothi shall say: In the names of the High Gods, we kindle the fire of cleansing and creation, the first mystery and final mercy. Let flame be quickened by flame that through the darkness we may come to the light. And may the holy flame of our Faith and Folk, which ever burns, grow again to bathe Midgarth in its sacred radiance. As the oldest member passes on the flame to the candles, the Gothi shall say: From oldest to youngest passes the flame, token of the eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth - an unbroken chain. Hail the flame of our faith, hail the flame of our folk! The Yule Candle is now lit and should ideally be left to burn all night (though if this is unsafe DON’T). The Gothi shall then say: I wish you all a happy Yule, a merry feast and a wish fulfilled new year. Wassail! All present may return the Gothi’s greeting and wish Merry Yule etc. to all gathered.

THE GEALDOR. f

THE PETITION. Gothi: In the name of the High Gods! All: Balder, inspire us with truth and the love of mercy and justice, and grant us strength to bear the decrees of the Norns, for into close hearts they see. Thor, endow us with courage and aid us in the fight against the enemies of our Faith, Folk, and Family. Odin, give us wisdom and words, and while we live, give us healer’s hands. Freya, assure our posterity, that the corn be all one sheaf, and the grapes be all one vine. And Frey, grant our desire for the goodwill of our fellow-men, and especially to surround ourselves with a steadfast circle of devoted kinsmen and faithful friends and comrades.

THE JARL’S RALLY. Gothi: May those who lead be true, may those who follow be loyal, so that we may be bound in a circle of unity and honour!

THE MEMORY CUP. The Gothi shall hallow the meadfilled horn by saying: Light down from high Asgarth descends, ether pure in flowing bowls. Light up to Asgarth ascends, a mediator for our souls. Sign we now the bright mead... (with the Meadhorn, or with hand, or a hallowed item, the Gothi shall make the Hammer sign over the mouth of the Horn, thus “signing” the contents) ...in the names of Odin, Balder, Frey and Thor and all our Holy Gods. From Heidrun’s breast and Lerath’s bough, may we obtain the food of Odin, which is wisdom; of Fiolnir, which is being, and the blood of Kvasir, which is knowledge. May we have the power of luck and the honour of fellowship, and may we be blessed with fine harvests and all well- being in Midgarth. The Gothi raises the Meadhorn saying: Receive now this, the Holy Cup of the Raven God, and drink in happy hour. Health and peace be with you at your going and your coming. Be whole! The Gothi drinks and passes the Horn sunwise. Special toasts, vows etc. may be made before drinking. Before replac- ing the Horn on the , the Gothi pours any remaining Mead on the ground, or into the Trygill containing soil of the Mother Land, saying: We praise our Holy Mother Jorth! Then the Gothi shall say: All praise to the High Gods. We have become one with them and we have shared their glory.

THE TROTH. Gothi: Once more we have met at the heildom as friends and kin in the fellowship of Odin. May we be guarded and guided by the Gods and have their blessings so that we meet again soon in a circle of Kinship. Let us now speak the words, that year by year, our Sons and our Daughters must hear.

All: We shall not fail to defend Family and Folk and our Holy religion from the force of spears and the powers of fate. In the name of Thor we shall have strength! In Freya’s name we shall hold our faith! In the name of Tyr we shall have