September 15-16, 2007

Spence takes his kindred oath. All hail the Oathtaker!

Frozen Head State Park in September rarely dissapoints, and this year was no exception. The weather was practically perfect as Thrudheim members and friends gathered together there for this year's Winter Finding gathering.

Saturday afternoon found us enjoying the cooler temperatures, watching the kids play in the bright sun and visiting and catching up with one another. The mood was very relaxed and peaceful all afternoon.

At sundown, we gathered around the fire and the kids roasted marshmellows until it was time for sumbel. It was a smaller group of campers this month and the rounds of sumbel went by a bit faster than usual, however, the end result was the same as always. The Gods and ancestors were honored, boasts and brags were made, and hopes for the future were shared in a way that always brings us closer together and makes us stronger as a group.

Shortly after sumbel most folks made their way to their tents to get some sleep while a few stayed up a bit later to enjoy the cool night air.

Most arose early on Sunday to a wonderfully refreshing and cool morning given the extremely warm temperatures of late. We ate breakfast, cleaned up and broke camp all before noon and still had plenty of time to lounge around in our camping chairs before it was time for blót. Several more members arrived to join us and about 12:30, Herbert called everyone to the vei.

Herbert presided over blót this month, and performed an Odin blót, as is our Winter Finding tradition. The Allfather was honored and all his sacrifices for us here on Midgard were remembered. Each member of the kindred took a rune from our bag of kindred runes and had the chance to reflect upon the meaning as they prepare for the approaching winter.

During kindred rites this month, we welcomed Spence into the kindred. He was called forward and asked to grab the oath ring as Herbert administered the kindred oath that Spence swore to uphold. As always, the moment was magical and powerful, both Spence and Herbert felt the heat and energy coursing through the oath ring as they held it. ALL HAIL SPENCE! ALL HAIL THE OATHTAKER! ALL HAIL OUR NEWEST MEMBER!

Take the fact that Odin blóts in Frozen Head are always most memorable and add in a new member oath and you get the recipe for a very powerful Winter Finding.

To make things even better, the day was not done after blót. We gathered back around the picnic tables for a most satisfying feast. Some of the dishes included tasty kale salad, an array of cheeses, fruit salad, Steve's rice, beans and franks, a Southwest pasta salad, banana bread and chocolate cake.

Full in belly and full of frith, eventually folks made their way back to their cars for the drive home after a most memorable Winter Finding weekend.

Click here to view some photos from the weekend