Yule 2022 Abanning
On January 22, 2022, The Ondheim Theodish Fellowship came together at Thunreshof to celebrate Yule. The event was well attended with many tribesmen and guests. The day began with a delivery of a cord of hardwood to keep the fire burning courtesy of Josh thrall. The folk all unloaded the firewood and began to set up the firepit for the needfyr to be started. The Horg was decorated with the offerings, oil torches, and other ritual items. This year a deer hide was provided by the children to be used a Horg covering. This hide was tanned by their hands from a deer that was taken during this year’s hunting season. The folk began the day socializing around the fire, which as is often the case in a snowy winter day devolved into a rousing snowball fight. Much fun was had by all!
Moving inside to warm up, the folk had a lunch consisting of homemade chili and 6-foot hero sandwiches. During lunch the folk began discussions on many different Theodish and philosophical concepts as we often do at gatherings. It is a practice we refer to as “Lunch and Lore”. There is no better way to broaden ones understanding of a concept than to partake in a round table style discussion on it. It is always interesting to get the views of our guests mixed in with those of us who have studied the concepts from a Theodish perspective. Experiencing varied viewpoints forces us to analyze things more completely using alternate perceptions, which helps to solidify and internalize those values we embrace.
After the informal Lunch and Lore discussions, we were treated to a very well researched presentation on Viking burial practices, both in the past from the lore, as well as modern laws. Geri Thrall is a funeral director by trade, and her experience and firsthand knowledge of the field made for an extremely well organized and thorough analysis on what is legal and possible under modern health department and law codes with regards to Viking funerary rites. She even thoughtfully presented a printed copy of burial and cremation laws for the folk to peruse. It even prompted one of our guests to contact her regarding planning his own final arrangements.
As dusk approached, we moved outside and did our Yuletide ritual, offering the wishes and hopes for the coming year tied to a Julbokk and burned so that the Julbokk could bring those wishes to the Gods and ancestors to ask for their speed and raed(guidance) in the coming year that we could achieve the goals we are working towards. During and after the ritual, the omens in the fire and around us were observed and recorded and it was judged that the Offerings of mead charged with might and maegns(energies) was well accepted. The ritual fire was so large and so hot that the folk observed it was indeed possible to feel sun-burnt in the front while battling frostbite from the rear…
Moving inside, the folk shared a feast of impressive proportions supplied by the folk, and mostly made from the meat we received during hunting season or the “Yule Cow” as this is the second Yule that the Gods provided us with a cow for the simple price of slaughtering and butchering it. Most certainly a result of the good works we have undertaken to build our tribal luck. Of course, there was a tray placed on the feast table where the folk placed a portion of their meal on it for the Gods and Ancestors, to symbolically share the feast. The folk being sustained by the work of the folk together. What more can we ask for…
After feast, we cleared away the food and brought out the tribal mead horn and blot bowl, and Symbel began. Many fine toasts were made to Gods, Ancestors, Heroes, and the Folk. And much tribal business was handled. In the third round, much tribal business was put into the well. First off, Chris Karl who has stepped up to fulfill the needs in organizing and managing tribal affairs despite it not being his station to do so yet was raised to the arrung(rank) of Bondi, a leader among the freed folk. The next step in the round was the freeing of the thralls that had satisfactorily completed their time of service and learning. The list of Freed thralls included: Skylar, Patty, Billy, Joanna, Rob, Josh, and Geri. An impressive graduating class to be sure. We look forward to seeing the great deeds and accomplishments they will perform to raise the gefrain(worth) of the Ondheim Theodish Fellowship! HAIL THE FOLK!
It is common for the folk to socialize and celebrate around the fire after symbel, which was where the majority of folk headed after symbel was closed. At this time the Gods plate and symbel mead was offered. It was at this time that it became apparent that the nights holy works had not yet finished. Two of the newly freed Karls, Skylar and Patty decided to swear their Hold Oaths on the spot to Chris Bondi. The guests had all gone, but the tribesmen came together to witness the swearing at the Horg and the fire. When the oaths were exchanged, and many congratulations and drinks shared, William Lord called for the attention of the folk. Once the folk was assembled, William proceeded to recant Chris Bondi’s long list of service done for the tribe and folk, then explained that now that he had men in hold to him, Chris should be acknowledged as a Thane from that moment on, as the work he has done over the last year was indeed the work of a thane. In Theodish belief, we are our deeds, and all ranks and acknowledgments are solely merit based.
Downloadable PDF 2022-Yule Abanning-FINAL