July 16-17, 2005

An offering to Thor

Saturday morning saw kindred members and friends shove off and sail toward an invasion of Big South Fork Recreation Area, which played host to our Founding Day Blót and annual Tennessee Moot. The weather was warm and soggy, with several cloudbursts keeping the ground damp and the humidity high. We, however, are a hearty bunch and refused to let the weather dampen our spirits as we took shelter under the cover of the long pavilion to wait out the rain.

This year we were honored to be joined for the annual Tennesse Moot by our Nashville friends, Vidarshof of the Highland Rim. We were also joined by newcomer Brandon, who we all had interacted with previously via e-mail. It was good to finally put faces with names.

After time spent chatting, getting to know one another, and catching up on news and events since our last gathering, Johnny, goði of Vidarshof, called us all together and held a blot to honor heathen heroes and the Einherjar. It was a powerful blót that ended with the sacrifice of a beautiful drinking horn, which was given to the fire in remembrance of heroes past.

Immediately following the blót, drinking horns were filled in preparation for sumbel. Toasts and boasts were made in a long and heartfelt sumbel that went well past the traditional three rounds and deep into open sumbel. It was early Sunday morning before post-sumbel kippers were eaten and even later by the time the last campers finally sought the comfort of their tents to get some rest. Rumor has it that a couple of bears with distinctly Nashville-accented growls visited the campsite in the wee hours of the morning ;-). I can neither confirm nor deny these reports.

Sunday morning came all too soon for some. The skies still threatened, bun no rain fell. We were happy to be joined later that morning by Kel and his girlfriend, who we haven’t seen for quite a while.

About noon we all gathered in a circle for Thruðheim’s founding Day Blót, administered most masterfully by Bernhard, one of the kindred’s founders. Thruðheim’s patron, Thor, was honored, as were patron deities of individual members. Bernhard reminded us that we are the sum our deeds, and that united together as kin we are ever-strong. Indeed, we are Thruðheim – the home of the strong.

Feast was held after blót, and as always, included some tasty fare including Kel’s home-cooked hamR, black bean and corn salad, chicken and broccoli casserole, fried chicken, jambalaya and several flavors of potato salad to name a few items. After all had eaten their fair share, it was time to clean up camp and head home. No, really… we had to clean up and leave immediately as the next group of campers was due to arrive any minute. It was definitely a Founding Day to remember.

Hail Thruðheim Kindred!

Click here to view some photos from the weekend   (requires Flash7)