On a sunny Saturday, October 11th, the Blót kindred Idavallen gathered for the first time at the Mogården burial ground to hold the Winter Nights Blót. This time, marking the end of summer’s idleness and the harsh arrival of winter, felt far away on this particular day. The sun warmed us generously as we held our ceremony among ancient graves in the presence of the Powers.
As I now recount our blót, the wind has turned and the plains of Värmland are touched with frost sparkling in the morning sun. And so, as we have celebrated Winter Nights across Midgard, we welcome winter.
Thirteen people were present at the blót, including some who had traveled long distances to join us in holding the sacred. It is always an honor to have people present who choose to dedicate their time and resources to be with us and blót to the Powers.
This was the very first time that the Blót kindred Idavallen held a sacred ceremony at the Mogården burial ground. A holy site used from the Late Iron Age until the end of the Viking Age. Located in Kils municipality, just north of Karlstad, 22 modest burial mounds rise in the company of 5 round stone settings over the otherwise flat surrounding farmland. A reminder through generations of the people and deeds that once lived here and worked this very land.
The blót was led by NBR Thommy Vähäsalo, who, as usual, provided a safe and reverent ceremony. He always manages to maintain a fine balance between solemnity and ease, something reflected throughout the group. We toasted in honor of the Powers, ancestors, and kindred, and thanked the gods for what we have received and for the time that has passed.
After the Powers had been called forth and the circle reopened, refreshments and meaningful conversations followed.
It is an incredibly beautiful fellowship that we continuously build within the heathen sphere. Meter by meter and mind by mind, we restore Ásatrú to its rightful place in the North.
I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us all.
Hail Idavallen!
Hail Nordic Asa-community
Hail Asatru!
/ Lucas Gustafsson, Event Coordinator Idavallen
