Aug 16-17, 2003

This year’s Freyfaxi blót was held at Standing Stone State Park in Hilham, TN. The weather was exceptionally hot and muggy as members started to arrive and set up camp late Saturday morning. With rain threatening, and memories of previous rain-soaked events at Standing Stone still in mind, the weather-wise group erected the Viking LongTarpR Lite! (a.k.a. the Viking NotSoLongTarpR) as a precautionary measure.

Kindred members continued to arrive in a steady stream as the afternoon gave way to early evening. The usual visiting, catching up, and exchange of news went on until about 10 p.m., when it was declared time for sumbel. And what a sumbel it was!

Lasting well into the late, late rounds of open sumbel (longer than any in recent memory), the tone was mostly serious and very heartfelt. Among the highlights … Johnny, from Skaldheim, and Steve swore an oath that they would become blood siblings at Yule. Also, John announced that he would take his companion oath, as did Herbert (both will take their oaths next month at Winter Finding). It was a special time of renewed frith and troth, with the kindred emerging even stronger and closer once the circle was broken and horns put away for the night.

Sunday morning arrived just as hot and muggy as the day before. Campers ate breakfast, broke down their tents, and discussed the events from the previous evening until it was time for the blót to begin. As this blót was dedicated to Frey, the space was hallowed with both antler and hammer. Frey was hailed and thanks were given, with each kindred member placing their hands on a sacrificial bread boar and offering a silent prayer of thanks for a successful harvest.

After the blót, it was time for the traditional stone soup feast. Beth prepared the soup using random ingredients brought by the kindred. This year’s ingredients included venison, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, Anaheim peppers, onions, and more. As always, it was delicious.

Once feast was over, the kindred went down to the dam to witness the sacrifice of the lucet cord, woven by Beth at Summer Finding, and other personal kindred items. Cliff bound the items together with the cord, Odin was hailed, and the items were thrown into the river as offerings.

As the group headed back to the campground, the skies unleashed a torrential downpour. Several members managed to get to their cars in the nick of time and headed home, others huddled under the LongTarpR Lite! to wait until the storm slowed down. Even the rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the kindred … It was a wonderful and memorable weekend!