October 31, 1998
The sun was setting as people arrived at the home of Cliff and Elise to celebrate the end of the Asatru year. In all, about 10 kindred members and friends celebrated Winter Nights. The first order of business was the feast featuring chicken, a vegetable lasagna, a broccoli casserole and other goodies. Dessert included cookies and caramel apples.
After the feast, folks walked down to the blót site in a grove of trees around a fire that Elise had built. The moon was shining brightly in the crisp fall air. The blót was dedicated to Berchta and Freya and an extra warding was done due to the thinning of the veil between the worlds at this time of year.
Once the blót was finished, a seidh session was held with Elise as the seeress, Bernhard as the guide, and Cliff and Steve as the warders. Herne and Heather sang solos on the summoning song and raven song while Beth took care of drumming. It was apparent that the seeress was in contact with the Norns during the session. Many questions were asked and well answered. Everyone agreed it was a very powerful experience. This was the first seidh session for the kindred.
Following the seidh session, a three-round sumbel was held in which friends as well as
members of the kindred participated. After the last round, Heather entertained the group
with her fiddle and bodhran playing.
Not to be forgotten, the land wights rolled a log down the hill at the group
during the music.