William Lord

William Lord

Mayday 2023 Abanning

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On April 29th, 2023 The members of the Ondheim Theodish Fellowship gathered together to celebrate the arrival of spring and the planting season. This is the time we perform the Sigrblot or “Blot

for Victory” performed every year in the spirit of being victorious in the challenges and ordeals that we will assuredly face. The gathering was held at Thunreshof, the ancestral Hof on the land of Lord William and Lady Diane, and the weather reports leading up to the event called for torrential downpours all weekend. In preparation, the folk gathered, bought, and put up several rain shelter canopies, totaling an amazing 700 sq. feet of shelter to make the folk as comfortable as possible under the expected weather conditions. Our ancestors would not allow the weather to deter them from their plans, and neither will we!

We began our day with much rain, though not as much as was initially forecasted, which made the usual Mayday events (Kubb, archery, axe throwing, etc) less than ideal, but the folk gathered under the shelters, and shared conversation and knowledge, and built and strengthened our bonds of fellowship. We were blessed with the attendance of a neighboring tribe, Visdreng Volk, led by Will, a long time friend and respected Gothi and Hof builder, as well as some local Asatru folk that we have been maintaining frithful relations with as well as the usual goodfolk we have grown close to. Erik Karl led a discussion on the Viking Sail and shipbuilding techniques and theorized that sails were likely in use by our ancestors prior to the Oseberg ship. A very interesting presentation and well done. Afterwards, Chris Thane gave a demonstration and explanation of the swedish Maypole or grapevine-wreath used at our midsummer celebrations. We are planning to begin demonstrations of how to craft the items to be used in upcoming gatherings and events in order to help the folk prepare for thingtides and improve our traditional skills while promoting the mindset of our ancestors and internalizing their worldview. The resulting grapevine wreath was then put up as a raffle item. It is the goal we all share to learn, grow, and adopt the mindset of our ancestors despite the modern cultural indoctrination that our host society keeps us immersed in.

 

The ritual was powerful and moving, as was evidenced by the magnificent fireball when the mead was offered, making it clear that our gifts were accepted and Victory in the coming year was to be ours. Through mead, rune chants, and Galdr the Gods, Ancestors, and Landvaettir have been “given theirs”, and through their Raed and Speed, so shall we earn ours in the year to come!

The feast was plentiful and good, with all eating their fill, and multiple cases of mead ready for symbel. Symbel went late into the evening, with many great toasts and yielps made, songs in the elder tongues sang, deeds proclaimed, and goals laid out for the folk moving forward. It was a moving and energized event! It is through action that we grow and become more, and will ever be our goal to improve ourselves and Honor Ancestors, Gods, and the Folk!

Hail the Ancestors, Gods, and Landvaettir!
Hail The Ondheim Theodish Fellowship!

2023 mayday abanning

MayDay 2022 Abanning

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On Saturday April 30, 2022, the Ondheim Theodish fellowship gathered at Thunreshof to celebrate the beginning of spring and Walpurgis / May Day.  The gathering was well attended, having most of the Theod and some guests as well.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, which was especially good given that only a week ago we had had a snowstorm with actual accumulation.  The folk came together around noon and the day began with kubb, axe throwing, and archery practice and contests, then lunch was served, consisting of Heroes and an amazing assortment of quiches supplied by Skylar and Patricia!  

Lunch and socializing were followed by one of our teenage kinfolk Jason giving a demonstration and workshop on making blankets, which was one part of his Eagle Scout project he is in the process of completing with his scout troop.   He is raising money and making blankets for the Snowball Express, which is an organization that is for children who have lost a parent or sibling in the military.  We are all dedicated to supporting service members and their families in any way they can.  The workshop went well, and blankets were made to add to the donations Jason will be making as a part of his project.

The folk then performed the Sigrblot ritual to ask The Gods and ancestors for victory in our goals and ordeals in the year ahead.  Gifts of might and maegn, as well as a spear were given to the Gods and our pledge to continue striving and working to achieve our goals to better ourselves and our community in the coming year.  In return we asked the Gods and ancestors for help and inspiration in our pursuits that we may better bring honor to our names.  May the Folk be granted victory in the coming year!

After the ritual, we began the feast, which consisted of an assortment of dishes from smoked brisket, lamb, and kielbasa to roasted pork loin, potatoes au gratin, mixed vegetables and pasta.  The folk feasted well, and much was placed on the sacral offering plate to Gods and ancestors.

After feast, we moved into the Symbel hall and held formal Symbel.  Symbel opened with a reciting in old Norse and translation into English of an excerpt from Sigrdrifumal.  Then the traditional three rounds of Symbel commenced with many good and worthy words were spoken and deeds recounted.  Songs in ancient tongues were sang, boasts and brags were made, tears shed, and all was good in the hall. The Ondheim Theod even accepted a new thrall into the fold.  It was a beautiful ritual, and the folk were truly inspiring to our guests.  May the Gods and ancestors SEE us as we are, and may we continue to build Worth, Frith, and lasting accomplishments both in the secular and sacral worlds we inhabit!

Hail The Folk!

Yule 2022 Abanning

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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

Ondheim Leadership Update

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As of July 7, 2021, with great regret we must inform our membership of the resignation of Joseph Bloch, and Karen Bloch from Ondheim Theodish Fellowship. After a dispute with other tribesmen, Joseph refused to bring the matter to thing or arbitration and called for the removal of the other person without having the matter heard before the folk or arbitrated on by William Lord. When his demands were not met he chose to resign and leave the Fellowship. In Theodish belief, leadership is service, and we are all responsible for and accountable for our actions, but we have systems in place for due process that must be followed. NO ONE is above that, including the leadership itself.