On Saturday, June 14th, the blót kindred Idavallen held its annual summer gathering. We all met at the home of Ida and NBR Thommy Vähäsalo to carry out the Idavallen Championships, half-year meeting, and Summer Solstice Rite.
Present were 10 adults, of which 7 were members of the blót kindred, including both full members and prospective members, as well as 12 children.
Sunna smiled upon us as we arrived one by one to share a meal together before the championships were to begin. With hamburgers in our bellies and new energy in our bodies, we kicked off the second most honorable championship of the year (only surpassed in glory and fame by the NAS/NAC Blót Kindreds Contest).
The following events, which all participants took part in, were loosely scored:
Wood stacking
Nail in the coffin
Closest wins
Toppling knights
Water transfer
Outside the official scoring board, there were also activities like archery, axe throwing, darts, beanbag tossing, and a quiz walk.
The final winner, who can now proudly hold Idavallen’s challenge trophy for the next year, was Thommy Vähäsalo — congratulations!
Once the championship was concluded, it was time to decorate the sun cross with flowers — a task we were fortunate to receive help with from our talented children. The sun cross was adorned with various flowers and greenery, and later came to play a central role in the upcoming solstice rite.
Then, at last, it was time for our rite. As we now follow a new ritual order, this ceremony became particularly special — both because it was the first of its kind and because it offered new impressions and elements different from what we were used to.
The circle was sealed in the traditional manner to the sound of the drum, after everyone present had sworn to Týr to uphold peace during the rite. Where we previously used a mead-filled horn for the offering, we now instead let the sun cross we had crafted earlier be passed around the circle, much like the sun travels across the sky above us.
The sun cross was then hung in the center of the circle, where it remained for the rest of the rite. It was a beautiful and symbolically powerful addition, and I am deeply thankful that it is now part of our ritual order.
All in all, the rite was conducted in a dignified and proper manner. The fact that rites now clearly distinguish themselves from blóts — yet still share so much that we recognize a consistent thread in how we within NAS/NAC conduct our gatherings — is, in my opinion, truly phenomenal. A remarkable balance has been struck between the new and the familiar.
With the rite concluded, it was time for a much-needed barbecue, followed by our half-year meeting. The children played freely and joyfully throughout the day, running between various activities and the ever-tempting pool, which was undoubtedly their highlight.
As always, a wonderfully pleasant day marked by family, fellowship, and the faith of Ásatrú.
I am deeply grateful both for NAS/NAC and for my beloved blót kindred, Idavallen.
A special thanks to the Vähäsalo family who made this event possible for all of us. I already look forward to next time.
Hail Idavallen!
Lucas Gustafsson,
Event Coordinator, Idavallen
