February 21, 2004

Frey

This year Charming of the Plow was held at the Himes homestead, where guests began arriving about 1:00. It was a beautiful day with a hint of spring in the air -- sunny, clear and mild. All in all, a perfect day to turn thoughts toward a bountiful harvest for the year, with Sunna warming us from above and slowly awakening the Earth form her long winter rest.

The blót started fairly soon after all guests had arrived and was held in the usual spot down by the bogR . The space was hallowed with both antler and hammer, galdr was sung, and Alflord Frey was hailed in hope that the fruits of all our labors will prove successful in the year to follow. Finally, the garden plot was sprinkled and the offering made.

There was quite a feast, as usual, with lots of extremely hearty entrees this time around - beef and broccoli, lasagna, chicken and rice, low-carb fake-a-roni and cheese, plus the usual sides and tasty desserts.

Shortly after sundown, a sumbel was held inside, as the temperature outside dropped quickly. Horns were raised to the gods and goddesses, ancestors and loved-ones toasted, and hopes for the future and boasts were made.

After sumbel, the rest of the evening was spent in conversation and kinship until all the guests gathered their belongings made their journeys home.