Mayl 8-9, 2004

The flag waves in the night sky

This year's Walpurgis / May Blót was held at the Gee Creek campground in Hiwassee Scenic River Park , about six miles south of Etowah , TN. The weather couldn't have been much nicer - sunny and pleasantly warm with no rain in sight to darken the mood.

After setting up camp, members and guests visited, sang, played musical instruments, and generally played "catch-up" with one another. Things proceeded on like this until right about sundown when Steve called for everyone to gather around the campfire. He then presented two amazing gifts. The first was a replica Viking throwing axe which he presented to Herbert. The second gift, presented to Ted and Beth, was a hammer that Steve decorated himself.

The gift-giving completed, everyone agreed that the mood was right for sumbel. Toasts, boasts and hopes for the future were made and bonds of friendship kinship were strengthened in the way only sumbel can accomplish.

Following sumbel, with cameras ready to document the never-before-caught-on-film tradition, everyone gathered around a small camping table for KipperTimeR. Saxons and Vikings everywhere (well, at least in Thruðheim ) agree that nothing says happiness like a cracker full-o-kipper.

Happy and full, everyone sat around the campfire until the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday morning was bright and sunny as the campers stumbled forth from their tents for coffee and breakfast. After camp was broken down, it was time for the blót in which Dea acted as gyðja. Walpurga was hailed, and worries were released as torn pieces of paper were burned in a fire.

Once the blót was over, the kindred visited a while more, then headed home after an event-filled and satisfying weekend.