Nordiska Asa-samfundet

On Sunday, February 1st, the blót kindred Idavallen gathered at the Mogården burial ground in Sweden to hold a communal Midwinter blót for the first time since I joined. This blót was closed, and was thus held intimately within our own little community that we have built up over the years within the Värmland expanses. Midwinter blót in particular has always been a time for reflection and thought in solitude for me. A breathing space where I detach myself from the noise and sluggishness of everyday life and truly go within, almost meditatively.

On Saturday, 31/1, Gungnir and Draupnir jointly held Midwinter blót. The location was Vårkumla passage grave outside Falköping in Sweden, a site with origins dating back to 5000 years before our current era. A well-chosen place, offering a view over the surrounding countryside and the nearby plateau mountain. The weather that day offered severe winter cold with several degrees below zero and, at times, strong winds that made the cold cut straight through marrow and bone.

On 24/1, the blót kindred Vergelmer held a midwinter blót out on the ice in Luleå, Sweden. The day offered intense cold, just over −20 degrees, but we took our time to ensure the day was carried through.

A cold and crisply clear Saturday afternoon, Ymer called for an open Midwinter Blót. We gathered behind the Royal Mounds in Old Uppsala in...

Today marks the beginning of the Yule celebration, a festival which in heathen contexts is also known as the Midwinter Blót. It is a time when community stands at the center, and when the turning of the year is observed through gathering, gift-giving, and shared celebration. Under the light of the full moon, horns are raised to Odin and Freyr, gods associated with wisdom, fertility, and responsibility for both humankind and the world.

The Nordic Asa-community presents the Annual Rites – a new ritual order developed by the Goði/Gyðja-circle, which was put into use at the turn of the year. These rites follow the movements of the sun and the changing seasons and mark points in the annual cycle: the spring and autumn equinoxes as well as the winter solstice and the summer solstice.

On Sunday, December 21, parts of the blót kindred gathered at Ale Viking Farm to hold a rite in honor of the winter solstice. For all of us, this was a new way to observe and celebrate the year’s darkest day. We gathered at the farm, and as always, many were happy and expectant.