Svenska
Location: Dye Domarringar, Karlstad
Date: 8/11
Time: 16:00
Blót officiant: Thommy Vähäsalo
Assistant: Linnéa Hultman
Contact person: Lucas Gustafsson, [email protected]
Once again, the blót kindred Idavallen gathers according to tradition at the historic Dye Domarringar in Karlstad, Sweden to hold our annual Álfablót.
This blót is open to the public, making it an excellent opportunity for the curious to gain insight into what we do.
Perhaps you have long been within the heathen sphere and wish to meet like-minded people.
Perhaps this is something you have only recently discovered and want to learn more about.
The Nordic Asa-community and Idavallen welcome all with an open mind and good intentions.
The Álfablót falls on the first full moon after the Winter Nights and lasts for a day/night.
Álfablót is one of the two blóts mentioned in the Icelandic sources and is considered part of the ancestor veneration that runs like a red thread through our faith.
This feast is dedicated to reverence for the elves.
In Ásatrú, elves are mysterious and powerful beings, often connected to deceased ancestors, fertility, and nature. The Álfablót is an important occasion to honor them, seek their favor, and ensure a harmonious relationship between the worlds of humans and elves. The concept of elves is connected to our forefathers, foremothers, family members, relatives, and kin who are no longer with us today.
In other contexts, they are perceived as nature spirits, closely tied to specific places such as groves, hills, or burial mounds. This dual connection to both nature and the ancestors underscores the important role of the elves in maintaining the balance between the human and the spiritual within Ásatrú.
About the location:
Dye Domarringar is an Iron Age grave dated to around 500 CE. The stone circle consists of eleven raised stones and one broken central stone and impresses with its size.
However, its present appearance is the result of several incorrect restoration attempts.
An archaeological investigation in 1971 showed that the site originally consisted of two smaller stone circles placed next to each other, probably sharing one stone.
In the center of one circle was a burial chamber containing cremated remains of a human and a dog, as well as an iron rivet.
The other stone circle, however, contained no finds.
Limited parking is available within short walking distance.
What can you expect?
Depending on the season, we hold blóts for different reasons.
But the central concept remains the same: we honor the powers and the ancestors, and we offer to them through thoughts, toasts, and gifts.
The hope is to receive something in return.
What that may be is up to the practitioner.
As it is written in Hávamál: “Gift calls for gift.”
During the blót, various ritual toasts will be held, allowing participants to honor deities or beings that are significant to them or can provide assistance.
The first toast is a power ceremony.
This is a silent toast where no drink is consumed.
The second toast is a god toast, where you choose one or more divine powers to honor.
This toast is either drunk or offered by pouring it out.
The final toast is a free toast, where you have the opportunity to say whatever you feel like
It may be a greeting or a tribute to someone or something.
It may also be something you wish to say before the group.
This toast is also either drunk or offered.
It is important to note that all toasts are performed with mead.
This beverage contains alcohol, and if you do not consume it for any reason, it will still be offered at the site.
The above is only part of the ceremony.
Other elements are included as well, and these can vary from one occasion to another.
Good to Know:
• Noric Asa-community is apolitical, and we therefore do not accept any politically charged messages during our blóts and rites.
• To participate, you must swear by the god Tyr.
If you cannot do so for any reason, you will not be able to join the blót circle.
• Bring a drinking vessel.
Which will be used for the different toasts.
• We encourage you to bring offerings in the form of things nature itself can take care of, such as fruit, berries, grain, etc.
Please also bring a stone about the size of a fist.
These are placed on the harg over the years as a monument of our presence.
• Dress according to the weather.
The ceremony is stationary, and being cold is never enjoyable.
• We offer an initiation rite on site after the blót.
This means that before the powers, you may step into Ásatrú.
This costs 100 SEK — the fee goes directly to the blót kindred and helps us finance our activities.
If you also want a physical certificate of the performed rite, there is an additional cost of 60 SEK.
Payment by Swish is accepted.
How to get here:
Set your GPS to “Dye domarring” – this is the easiest way. If the GPS cannot find it, you can easily get here from the E18. Turn off towards Råtorp in the western part of Karlstad. Continue north along the Klarälven on its western side. Keep left towards Råtorps IK football field. Then cross the railway tracks and continue on the gravel road until you reach a T-junction. There is a small parking area here, where we leave the car. Then walk about 200 m along the crossing road to the left (relative to the road you came on). The stone circle is located a short distance away on a small hill on the left side in the forest.
Map link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KUHvoFGJt1Qn8ozQ8
(Photography and videotaping may occur at all Blót and community events and subsequently published on the community’s various platforms).
