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!
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