Nerthus Blot

Posted on July 26, 2010 by mohnkern
Hammer Rite

Gothi takes the hammer and goes to one side of the ritual space and says:

“Nerthus,

Earth Mother,

Lover of Odin,

Mother of Thor,

We ask you to join us in celebration of the earth.”

Gythija Takes the hammer and goes to the opposite side of the ritual space and says:

“Hertha,

Erce,

Lover of Frodi,

Mother of Forgyn,


We ask you to join us as we celebrate that which you have given us.”

The Reading (Gothi or Gythija)

Wind whistles among the trees –
oak and ash and yew and birch,
elm and aspen, maple and pine –
I can hear each one’s voice,
sweet as a bird, steady as a drum
pliant as the supple sapling,
all singing a song of praise to You
You Who holds them in Your hand;
like a child which has fallen down
and needs comforting,
they come to you for succor.
For long have they been afflicted
under the harsh hand of Man;
brothers and sisters torn away
now adorn the palaces of hubris.
You Who are the Earth,
You Who rules us all
Have mercy for our sins
against our kin, your children.
We have labored long in darkness;
open our eyes to the light of Truth
that we may rejoin the Dance
of Life into Death into Life again.
Holy Mother of the Gods,
and Holy in Yourself as well,
break us when we need breaking
that we may pour forth like seeds into the earth
Teach us the loving embrace of death,
that sacrifice is worthy of You,
that we cannot live apart from the world
because we are the world.
Lady of the Wain and Grove,
give us the words to say
when all around us destroy themselves
in the name of progress;
help us show them there is a better way,
a simpler way, though it is not easy,
and let us remember where our roots lie:
in the bosom of You.

Toasts

Gothi/Gythia pass around horn, each person making their toast.

Libation

Gothi says:


“Erce, Goddess of the earth, mother.   We thank you for your presence today.”


Gothi pours some of the mead from the horn into the earth.


Gythija says:

“Nerthus, Lady of the Wain grove, she who shows us that that which is simple is not always easy, we thank you for joining us.”


Gythija pours some of the mead from the horn into the earth



Gothi Says:


“From us to the earth to the gods.”
Gythia Says:


“From the gods to the earth to us.”

Pour the remaining mead into the earth.
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Lofn Blot

Posted on July 26, 2010 by mohnkern
Hammer Rite
Gothi takes the hammer and goes to one side of the ritual space and says:

“We ask the gods to hallow this place as we prepare to celebrate the blessings of Lofn.”


Gythija takes the hammer and goes to the opposite side of the ritual space and says:

“We ask the gods to protect those who have joined us to celebrate our kinship with Lofn.”
Gothi Says:

“Lofn, friend to love and lovers,
Remover of obstacles and difficulties.
We ask that your eyes keep watch for
and your hand always help those whose love is true.
Hail Lofn!”

All Say:

“Hail Lofn!”

Gythija Says:

“Daughter of Freya,
Handmaiden to Frigg,
Kind-hearted and fair,
May you be there as friend and guide
when love seems impossible”

All Say:


“Hail Lofn!”

Toasts


The Gothi/Gythia pass the horn and each person makes a toast before passing it on.

Libation

Gothi Says:

“For your compassion and warmth, we honor you.”
Gothi pours some of the Ale from the horn into the earth.

Gythija Says:

“For your faith in love and fairness, we honor you.”
Gythija pours the remaining Ale on to the earth.
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Skadi Blot

Posted on July 26, 2010 by mohnkern

Hammer Right

Gothi takes the hammer and goes to one side of the ritual space and says:

“We ask the gods to hallow this place as we prepare to celebrate the blessings of Bragi.”

Gythija takes the hammer and goes to the opposite side of the ritual space and says:

“We ask the gods to protect those who have joined us to celebrate our kinship with Bragi.”

Reading — Skadi’s Choice:

find participants to play each role

 

Loki

What man so fearless the fells to cross,

And boldly set foot on Bifrost way?

 

Heimdall

No man so fearless, a maiden instead

Has boldly set foot on Bifrost way.

 

Loki

Your eyes grow weak from watching long

Surely no maid of Embla’s line,

No Jotun or Vane would venture thus

Boldly to fare so far alone.

 

Heimdall

Maid in truth, but tall of frame,

Lath-slender, long of stride.

She comes apace across the fields,

And neither looks to left or right.

 

Like raven’s wing her wavy hair,

Skin as fair as frost at dawn,

Eyes bold, blue as sky,

A sheen that glows in glacial ice.

 

Weapons she bears, and bow of yew,

But hunting I doubt has drawn her here.


Loki


Wergild, not game, I’d guess she seeks.

Far she comes some claim to press.

 

Heimdall

Some evil deed has drawn her here,

A brother killed, or cunning theft.

Wicked your ways, your wiles well-known–

Loki should bear the blame alone.

 

Loki

A lot you say, but little know;

For Thiassi’s bane, that blaze you lit,

All the gods some guilt must bear.

Loki of all is least to blame.

My wiles I used your wills to serve,

When wide I flew in falcon cloak,

Freya’s gift, grudgingly given,

To steal Idun from Stormhome back.

 

By cunning I found, and carried her off;

Thiasse came after in eagle form.

Hard the race we ran that day;

Many the dangers for the maid I bore.

 

Heimdall

Proudly you speak, praise you demand,

Undoing the deeds you did at first,

But wiles will not unweave your fate;

This maid your bane will be one day.

 

Gothi Says:

“Skadi, avenger of Thjazi,

God-Bride of Njord,

Mountain Dweller,

Snowshoe Goddess

We honor you as the weather grows colder

And ice clings to the ground.

Hail Skadi!”

 

All Say:

“Hail Skadi!”

 

Gythia Says:

“Skadi, armored maiden,

Bow huntress,

Ski Lady,

Friend and punisher to Loki,

We honor the fierce heart beneath your icy demeanor

And your determination to be yourself.

Hail Skadi”

 

All Say:

“Hail Skadi!”

 

Toasts

The Gothi/Gythia pass the horn and each person makes a toast before passing it on.

Libation

 

Gothi Says:

“From us to the earth to the gods.”

 

Gothi pours some mead onto the ground.

 

Gythia Says:

“From the gods to the earth to us.”

 

Gythija pours the remaining mead onto the ground.

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