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Frøy & Frøya (Freyr & Freyja) by Johan Egerkrans

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Heathenry: The Blót

A blót (blote) is an incredibly important ritual that a heathen can incorporate into their practice. It can be as simple or as ornate as you wish. It can be held alone or with others. It can be indoors or outdoors. It is not binding rules of a blót that makes it special, but rather the reasoning behind it. It is a time where you can set aside everything to honor the gods. So what is a blót anyway?

The word comes from Proto-Germanic blōtą, meaning to worship with sacrifice. The Old Norse word, blóta, has been used within such words as blót-hús (house of worship).

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In Heimskringla, written by Snorri Sturluson, one can get a clear picture of the purpose and feeling of a blót.

The text below speaks of a blót held by Sigurd Håkonsson, son of the first jarl of Hlaðir: Håkon Grjotgardsson.

Sigurd, earl of Hlader, was one of the greatest men for sacrifices, and so had Hakon his father been; and Sigurd always presided on account of the king at all the festivals of sacrifice in the Throndhjem country.

It was an old custom, that when there was to be sacrifice all the bondes should come to the spot where the temple stood and bring with them all that they required while the festival of the sacrifice lasted.

To this festival all the men brought ale with them; and all kinds of cattle, as well as horses, were slaughtered, and all the blood that came from them was called “hlaut”, and the vessels in which it was collected were called hlaut-vessels.

Hlaut-staves were made, like sprinkling brushes, with which the whole of the altars and the temple walls, both outside and inside, were sprinkled over, and also the people were sprinkled with the blood; but the flesh was boiled into savoury meat for those present.

The fire was in the middle of the floor of the temple, and over it hung the kettles, and the full goblets were handed across the fire; and he who made the feast, and was a chief, blessed the full goblets, and all the meat of the sacrifice.

And first Odin’s goblet was emptied for victory and power to his king; thereafter, Niord’s and Freyja’s goblets for peace and a good season.

Then it was the custom of many to empty the brage-goblet; and then the guests emptied a goblet to the memory of departed friends, called the remembrance goblet.

Purpose

While it is more common to hold a blót for the gods, you may also sacrifice to the landvættir (land wights), the álfar, the dísir, or your ancestors. In heathenry, the idea of “a gift for a gift” runs deep within our practice, just as Odin gave his eye for his wisdom. You will most likely never see a heathen get down on their knees and pray to a god (or an ancestor) for help without giving anything in return. Instead, you will see them give a sacrifice (whether it be a physical item or an action) and ask for the strength in helping them achieve what they wish to achieve.

A side note: as a heathen you should be primarily looking to your ancestors for help in your daily life. While it’s important to honor the gods for all the gifts they have given (that is if they’ve taken the time to give you any) - they do not and will never care for you as much as your ancestors do.

A blót does not need to be held just because you have a request. A blót may also be held simply to honor any of the beings I’ve listed above. There is no wrong reason to hold a blót, just so long as it is done with respect.

Specific Blóts

Many heathens hold a blót during a specific time of the year. While a blót can be held anytime, here are only a handful that are held during certain times of the year:

*Winter Nights (vetrnætr)

*Dísablót

*Yule Blót

*Sigrblót

There are many others, some held as a tradition only in certain countries and to certain gods, so feel free to research these if you wish to incorporate them into your practice!

Offerings

While the slaughtering of animals has come out of style for modern heathens, there is still much to give to the gods during a blót. The most popular choice is alcohol, usually mead, or for those who are not able to drink alcohol, juice or any other non-alcoholic beverage will suffice.

A blót can be as simple or as detailed as you wish to make it. The same goes for any offerings you wish to give. Some have even offered weapons, sex, poetry, or food alongside (or rather after giving) their alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) gift.

The important part is not the expense of what you’re giving, so if you cannot afford expensive alcohol, do not think you are not worthy of holding a blót. As I’ve said above, as long as it is done with true intent and respect, then you are doing it right.

Other Items

Along with your drink of choice, you should have something to hold the drink in to pass around. The typical go-to item is a drinking horn, however anything that can hold liquid will be just fine. Along with your horn (or cup) you will also want to have a hlautbowl, or an honoring bowl, for the libation at the end. Some people opt to have a sprig of evergreen so that they may sprinkle the drink that is being offered as a blessing.

Of course, anything else you see fit is welcome at a blót such as statues of the deities, a lit fire, weaponry, etc. It is supposed to be an occasion that you put your heart into, so include items with meaning.

Hallowing the Space

While one can hold a blót anywhere, just so long as the space has been hallowed, our ancestors mostly held their ceremonies in sacrificial sites. One example is Onsholt, Odin’s Holt, located in Jutland. However, unless you are lucky enough to be in a sacred site, you will most likely have to hallow a new one that is closer to you.

You may use a hörgr (an altar made of stones, a sacred space outside as opposed to a hof which is a sacred building) or a vé (a shrine, like most of us have for the gods within our homes) for your space. You can also hold your blót within a lund (grove), or a haug (sacred mound). While some places, such as sacred mounds, are not within our reach – it is best to create a space that feels right.

Before inviting the gods to witness what you have to offer them, it is important to hallow the space in which you will be hosting them. The ritual of hallowing a space absolutely varies from person to person but generally follows the same outline.

For example, when I hallow a space I have not ever used for ritual purposes, I first make an offering to the landvættir by giving honey, milk, or bread. I then call upon Thor to consecrate and protect the space in which I am about to use. I then hallow each item I will be using for the ritual by making the sign of Mjölnir over each object (think of it as an upside down T) and asking the deities that will be honored to accept each item that will be offered. After, I set up my items as they will be placed for the ritual itself.

The Blót

Depending on who you are with and what you wish to achieve, the ritual will vary greatly. Usually, when holding a blót with a kindred, the Goði or Gyðja will lead. However, your blót does not need to be as intricate as they can sometimes get when working with a kindred.

After hallowing the space, as I’ve mentioned above, you will invoke the deity (or your ancestors, wights, etc) to be present. It is then time to pass around the mead (or whatever liquid you have) and make a toast to the deity. Usually there is more than one round of passing the vessel in which the drink is in. Some people opt to use this time to honor a different deity. In that case, invoke the deity and pass your drinks again. When given the drink you may speak aloud to the deity, honoring their name and their deeds, or you may simply say a simple hail to them such as, “Hail Odin!”. After each round, empty the remaining drink into the hlautbowl and refill your horn.

When the passing of the drink is finished, again, pour the remaining drink into the hlautbowl. At this point, you can take the sprig of evergreen (if you have it) and sprinkle the drink from the hlautbowl all around the space in which you’ve held the blót, or on the altar or shrine, if you have one. You can even sprinkle it on the foreheads of the attendants as a blessing. If you do not wish to do this, you can then pour the contents of the hlautbowl into the Earth and thank the gods (or whoever you invited) for attending.

While the blót can end there, some opt to continue their celebrations after, especially if sharing this time with other heathens. It is a great way to bring frith into the space, and a even greater way to build the bond between you and your folk. Eat, drink, and be merry.

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There are so many other ways to host a blót. As long as it’s done with heart, feeling, and honor – you are doing it right. Thank you for reading.

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The death of a giant

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What is a Blot?

A blot, is a ritual  sacrifice, to the gods, the wights, ancestors, alfr etc. Any of The Holy Powers. They are a way to communicate with them, to ask for intangible gifts and give them in return. “A gift for a gift as it must always be.” There is a debate as to whether or not the word “Blot” is apprporiate for non blood sacrafices, many practionores will also use the term “Faining” as an alternative if it is not a blood blot.

Read More…

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So Far, So Good

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My Aesir altar grows a bit more with these beautiful figurines of Odin and Loki, as well as this little owl incense burner, I found on Etsy. Samantha Chilton does such amazing work and I have her making a Sigyn statuette for me.  The Norse gods …feel right in the same way the Gaelic ones I venerate do.  

And maybe, just maybe I’m a slut for altars.

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Hail the Volva! Hail the wise woman! 

The Volva was a woman who was not only wise but also a practitioner of Seidr. The Volva was a follower of Freyja , who is said to be the original practitioner of Seidr, and while some men did practice Seidr it was usually the fairer sex that did. The Volva would cast aside her normal role in society to wander far and wide giving her spiritual services in return for room and board. The Volva held immense power and respect, a lot of the time holding more power than a chieftain’s wife but in different aspects. While a chieftain’s wife would also choose to serve Freyja, her role was different than that of the Volva.

The Volva would be called for before battle and if she saw fit the army would fight, if she saw defeat the army would fight another day if possible. Weaving her magic the Volva could either doom or bless a man and army.

Women filled many roles in Norse society, from the lowest to the highest and many times in ways that were unique to women. Women held rights that were not given to women of other cultures of the time . Some took up arms and fought with men on the field of battle, a woman carried the chosen slain to the Great Halls and as such it should never be forgotten the power women hold , the power of death and the power of life, for it is not your sex that makes you great, it is your worth that makes you great.

Photo credit: elenasamko

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Danish vikings attacking Paris (885-886).

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Runic inscription Rr05

þąsi.hamar miluiʀ.fasista þæ̨(s)si hamarr mølviʀ fasista ‘this hammer smashes fascists’

(*mølviʀ unattested, but likely for ON based on MIce. 3.sg. mölvar, Goth. malwjan, < PGmc. *malwijan-)

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aesthetics → loki

Ale you brewed, Ægir, and you will never again hold a feast; all your possessions which are here inside— may flame play over them, and may your back be burnt!

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Freyja 

She is married to the shadowy figure Od, who traveled frequently and one day did not return. Freyja wept for her missing husband, and it is said that she wandered the worlds looking for him. She is a goddess of battle, magic, love, and sex, and she gets first pick of those who fall in battle. Both slain warriors and women can go to her hall after death.

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thor · god of thunder 

Thor was one of the most important and famous gods in Norse mythology. He was the son of Odin and Fyorgyn, the earth goddess. Thor was considered the storm-weather god of sky and thunder and also a fertility god. His wife was Sif, a goddess also linked to fertility. He had a red beard and eyes, he was huge in size, he had an insatiable appetite and not much wit. Thor was the strongest of all gods and men according to The Prose Edda. Thor was very talented at slaying giants; many of his stories revolve around violent episodes between him and his enemies. In order to perform his duties, Thor had a hammer, Mjollnir, a deadly weapon also associated with lightning and thunder, which was built by the dwarves. He also had iron gloves and a belt named Megingjard that doubled Thor’s strength once buckled on. There were also some other less destructive aspects of Thor. As a weather god he was associated with the fertility of the earth. He was also regarded as a guide for those travelling over the sea because of his power over storms and wind.Thor had a chariot to travel across the sky, which was drawn by two giant goats: Tanngniost and Tanngrisnir. These powerful animals had a very convenient magical property: they could be killed and eaten at any time, and as long as their bones were undamaged and returned into their skins, they would regenerate overnight and the following day would be alive, just like new.