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Thruðheim Kindred Feast of Thor Blót 2009
January 17-18, 2009
The vei set up for Feast of Thor |
A celebration to honor Thor Odinsson was held Sunday, January 19th, 2009 at the home of Steve and Glenda in Knoxville, as the gathered Folk of Thrudheim fared to worship once again in frith and hope. The Feast of Thor, as it is called, is one of our favorite holidays and drew almost all of the Kin from their wintry abodes together in the fabled hospitality of the Thompson homestead. And, true to our virtue of Hospitality, friends as well as members were greeted, toasted, fed, and blessed by our spiritual family, and felt the love and good fellowship provided as only good Heathens can.
Richard came with Clint, and old friend Mel and new friend Cian stopped by to experience the flavor of all that is good at this special time of year. While the children played vigorously in the guest bedroom, the adults enjoyed good conversation and low humour until the time had come to worship.
The sacrifice of the Blot was in honor of Thor, the Warder of Midgard. Facing each other proudly atop the Vei were the small white statue of the Thunderer that was Make’s gift many years ago and a seated version of Thor, a present greatly valued and given by Glenda last Yule.
Cliff called the gathered Folk to worship, foregoing the sounding of the horn since all were assembled indoors. The wardings were set with the Kindred Hammer, so that no distracting forces would disrupt this Holy Rite. Cliff stressed the importance of the rune Uruz, symbolic of the Primordial Force, which could manifest itself as massive storms or wild occurrences of Nature, which Thor could both cause and defend against, at his will.
The God of Might was invoked and toasted then, by all, as Felecia honored us by her service as Valkyrie. After all had drank who wished, Kindred Rites were called for, and some Folk asked Eir for blessings on their ailing Kin. Herb was proud to bring his new sword, Soul Keeper, to be blessed by Tyr for the protection of his family. Suzanne, too, then brought forth her new blade, the Saxe-knife Solveig, and it too was strengthened and sworn in the defense of Kin. Hail the stout defenders!
The Kin then adjourned to the backyard, where the Mead of the Blot was poured out in offering to the Aesir, and especially our Lord Thor. Cliff declared the Rite ended with his doxology (or socdollager), and the chilled but not quite yet frozen Folk returned to Steve’s kitchen and living room for some well-deserved feasting!
As has become traditional, the feast at Feast of Thor is comprised mainly of soup, but also deliciously composed of differing types of bread, cheese, nuts, and of course desserts, and 2009’s Feast proved no different. No less than five different types of soup were represented, including two types of chili, and Jada’s excellent clam chowder. Roughly a half an hour later, with some chairs groaning under the weight of their occupants and the sink full of empty bowls, the Feast was declared a rousing success!
Kindred Business was last on the list, where Folks were called upon to do their part to help the Kindred plan future Blots. Bernhard encouraged us, and some volunteered to contact and arrange camping sites, and follow through with contacts that had been made with other like-minded Asatruar. The schedule was soon set, and all then knew his job to do.
Bittersweet then was the parting, when the last guest had stepped out the door towards home. The body was nourished with more than enough homely fare, the mind sharpened against the wit and wisdom of fellow Kin, and in the heart—quieter now but still coursing, the thrumming of the Song of the Thunderer, which would last until all would meet again in the blessed worship of the Aesir.
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