Mayday

On Saturday May 1st, 2021, the folk of Ondheim Theodish Fellowship gathered together at the home of Lord William and Lady Diane, as well as several guests. The day began with a lunch of sandwiches and quiche, followed by kubb, archery, axe throwing, and other games enjoyed by the adults and many children alike. While that was going on, Rikard Karl demonstrated weaving on a loom of his own construction, with various members of the tribe taking a turn creating a cloth.

Karen Karl held a workshop on needle felting, which was a great success. At least one participant immediately ordered her own supplies to start felting on her own, and many unique and fun objects were created by those in attendance.

Carrying forth what has become a tradition of performing dramas and plays at our events, a comedic play, written by our own Rikard Karl, was performed, “The Children of Loki”. Telling the story of the loss of Tyr’s hand to the wolf Fenrir, the play was both fun on its own merits and useful as an educational experience. Many children of the tribe also participated, and it was adjudged to be a success all around.

One of the main events during the day was the Sigrblót, held in honor of Odin in order to ask for victory for the tribe and its members in the coming year. In addition to the usual animal effigy (a ram was used in this case), several weapons were ceremonially offered to the Giver-of-Victory in the ancient manner, by first blunting and bending them so they can no longer be used in Midgard, and then offering them to the God. William Lord offered a spear he himself crafted, while Joseph Thane offered a ritual dagger which had itself been gifted to him many years before. The Sigrblót was a powerful ritual, and positive omens were observed thereafter.

After the Sigrblót, dinner was served; a huge feast of chicken, potatoes, perogies and fried kielbasa, vegetables, and hearty bread. Much fine talk and good cheer was had as the feast carried on. Once all had had their fill, the results of our raffles were held, as many members of the tribe had brought items of their own make to be raffled, benefiting the tribe’s coffers. Once all the goods found their homes, the folk gathered in hall for sumble.

Sumble is one of the main focuses of any major Theodish gathering, and sumble this night was up to that reputation. While many toasts to Odin were made during the first round, in honor of the God to whom the blót was offered during the day, many other Gods and Goddesses were also welcomed into the Hall and honored with toasts. The third round came alive with both song and business, as Joseph Thane sang a comedic Irish Ballad, Rikard Karl sang a version of “If I Had A Heart” while accompanying himself on guitar, and Joanna Thrall sang a ballad to Odin which all learned later was improvised on the spot (doubtless divinely inspired). Joseph Thane showed all the first proof copies of the first three books to be published by the tribe’s imprint, The Theodish Press, while presenting the first received, a copy of Egil’s Saga, to William Lord. Karen Karl presented Eirik Thrall with a shadow box she crafted honoring his grandparents, both of whom had recently passed away within days of one another, signed by all those present, and the emotion felt rippled through the hall at the gift. Joseph Thane also heard the hold oath of Rikard Karl, expanding the Web of Oaths of the tribe, and bringing in our first freed thrall into the collective Luck of the tribe. Such a thing is a momentous occasion, and the mood of the hall was suitably grave.

After the conclusion of Sumble, the Gods Plate was offered to the gods and land-wights, dessert was served, and much drink, fine talk, and goodwill was shared by those assembled, before most left well after midnight.

The day was a fine one, and a worthy celebration of the Gods and the Folk. Ondheim Theodish Fellowship continues its trajectory towards ever-greater and ever-worthier deeds.