On October 9, 2025, The Folk and guests of the Ondheim Theodish fellowship met at the homestead of Chris Thane and his family to celebrate Winternights. The weather was clear, but cool and crisp, as is appropriate for the season. In the tribal meetings of the weeks prior to the gathering, the folk spent time making homemade jar candles to be used in honor of those who had passed beyond the veil. It is our tradition to create candles for the folk who have departed and light them from our needfyr to metaphysically invite them to our ritual gathering.
On the full moon a few days prior to the event, the hunters within the tribe gathered at the homestead of Chris Thane where he performed the traditional Ullr blot and weapon blessing for the hopes of a good hunting season.
The needfyr itself was lit two days prior to the event, as an opening to the meta-ritual in the tradition of our ancestors to hold holytides over the course of multiple days. The needfyr was kept burning for three days in an oil lamp, and on the day of the gathering, the lantern was used to ignite the ritual fire thereby maintaining the fire for the entire time. The gathering began in the early afternoon and was well attended by tribesmen and guests alike. Most of the day was spent strengthening the community bonds that are such an integral part of Theodish belief.
The folk then shared a feast, and as the sun set, we came together for ritual. The ritual was held in honor of the Disir and all the folk who passed beyond the veil, and gifts were given and offerrings made. The ritual was well received, and omens were judged to be good. After a brief break for dessert and more socialization, the symbel began. Coming together in symbel is one of the greatest rituals the folk participate in. The moment when all of our words and deeds flow directly from us into the well of wyrd and are witnessed by Gods, folk, and ancestors alike. It is the most sacred of our rites. Well-wrought words spoken in hall and ancestors and heroes remembered are the path to immortality within our faith.
Glaed Winternights to all!
William Lord
Ondheim Theodish Fellowship
Ondheim.org

Sigrblot was offered, with gifts of tribal made mead brewed by freedmen John and Ali, and a ceremonial spear marked with the runes of the gift cycle and blooded by Lord William. The sacrifice was well received with omens in fire and natural surroundings, and the feast commenced!
Symbel featured many yielps and braggs of accomplishments of the folk, Gods, ancestors and heroes were hailed with words and song. Toasts were given both in English and elder tongues, and a midsummer song was sung by Joanna Karl. Deeds and stories shared and honored, even to the point of tears. It was a powerful and moving ritual honoring the Gods and the folk. The Gods and ancestors plate, as well as the mead over which symbel was spoken was offered on the Horg.
In the tradition of our tribe, lunch was followed by workshops. Our workshops are designed as an effort to build upon the bonds of community between tribe and guests, as well as further the education and understanding of our members and friends. First on the afternoons workshop list was Erik Karl’s presentation on linguistics and the roadmap between modern languages all the way back to Proto Indo European language. A truly fascinating examination of how language has evolved over time! Next up was a breakdown of the elements of Ritual and how to design and perform different rituals within our community and faith done by William Lord. A face to face explanation of the “Anatomy of a ritual” article on our website with some question and answer time for those who are developing their own personal, ancestral, and landvaettir rituals, which is a very important process for the development of our spiritual paths and practices.



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.


rformed 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!



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.

















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