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.
The blót was officiated by Lena Hildebrand Svensson and Peter Karlsson with assistance from Ulfva Yr. Despite the harsh weather, 27 people and one four-legged little dog stood in the ring around the burning fire. Several had sent their regrets due to illness. On occasions like this, we meet kinsmen and kinswomen whom we do not encounter very often. Toasts and thoughts were exchanged, and the sense of community within the group felt warming. And of course, the raven was heard in the distance, just as it should be at our blóts.
After the well-conducted blót, we held four initiations, which were carried out by Uwe Pötter. Many remained and stood silently during that ceremony. Even though we were likely beginning to feel thoroughly chilled, it was a solemn moment in which we welcomed new people into Ásatrú.
After we had together cleaned the site and carried everything down to the cars, it was time for a rousing feast with plenty of good food. Everything from wild boar, deer, and moose. Many happy laughs and conversations with new visitors and old acquaintances ran like a red thread through the evening. The location for the feast is an old pig barn that has been rebuilt for precisely these kinds of events. A very fine venue that everyone appreciated. Some had traveled many hours to take part in the blót and feast and departed a bit earlier than the rest of us. With joint efforts, everything was cleared away, and we headed home with the always equally good feeling in the body after our blóts and feasts.
A big thank you to all of you who took part and made this year’s Midwinter blót yet another unforgettable memory.
Uwe Pötter, writer.
