Tag: Blót

In Sweden today, many people associate “midsummer” with the bright June evening when we dance around the pole, eat herring and celebrate summer. It's a fine and living tradition - but it's not the same as the old Nordic Midsummer. In the pre-Christian calendar, the midpoints of the year were not at the solstices, but at the midpoints of the halves. And that's where the difference starts.

On April 12th, we gathered at the ancient Inglinge mound, just outside Växjö in Sweden to hold our Victory Blót. When we arrived, a grey blanket of clouds lay over the site and a chilly wind swept through the air, as if winter was reluctant to release its grip. Sól remained hidden but occasionally let her rays peek through as we prepared the blót table, raised the banner of the Nordic Asa-Community, and our flags adorned with Yggdrasil. Just as the flags were raised, ravens appeared in the sky—they circled above us like guardians, and their presence filled our hearts with warmth. One could feel that the powers approved. To see and hear the Raven God messengers at that moment created a strong sense of harmony with the sacred.

This blót was held at the Mosslelund burial ground in Värnamo, Sweden. The location was carefully chosen. We had the blót table placed within a stone circle beneath a majestic oak tree. Mosslelund burial ground lies right in the middle of town, surrounded by residential gardens. A well-trodden walking path passes straight through a large ship setting.

The blót was held at 6 PM at the burial ground Boeryd, located just outside Jönköping, Sweden. We held the blót in one of the stone circles. There were seven of us standing in the circle.

On Saturday, April 12th, Blót kindred Idavallen was meant to hold its customary open Victory Blót at Hammarsudde, Hammarö in Värmland, Sweden. However, this was not the case this time, as our blót kindred leader and NBR Thommy Vähäsalo was unfortunately struck by illness. As a result, the planning fell through, and we decided instead to hold the Victory Blót separately.

The Blót kindred gathered for the customary Victory Blót on April 12th. The location was new to most of us—a burial field with a history stretching back at least 4,500 years. Yours truly and Ulfva Hvidegaard served as assistant officiant.

On April 13th, Blót kindred Sleipner held its annual Victory Blót, a ritual where we celebrate all past and future victories. The blót took place out in the Tinnerö Oak Landscape in Linköping, Sweden.

On a slightly cloudy, yet pleasantly mild Saturday morning, we arrived at Broborg, Sweden the largest ancient hillfort in Uppland, to hold a Victory...

On March 15, Blót kindred Vergelmer held a Disablót on the ice in Luleå, Sweden. A snowstorm struck, but the blot was carried out with dignity.

On March 15th, the Blót kindreds Yggdrasil and Sleipner gathered at Replösa Burial Ground for a joint Disablót. The weather was favorable, with the rain kept away, and Sunna let her rays warm the eleven participants standing in the circle. The focus of the moment was reverence, community, and joy.