Freyr Blot

Tonight we will be joined by Heathen friends from Denver to lead us in a blot to Freyr and a short Sumbl. Blot, pronounced bloat, is a Norse ceremony that usually involves making offerings to gods, ancestors, or nature spirits, and is often accompanied by a feast. This ritual is then followed by another ritual in which we raise our horns in honor of community, Sumbl. 

Please note that the evening will start earlier and follow a slightly different structure than most Covenant of the River events. We ask that you respect our guests and their need to get back to Denver at a reasonable hour. We honor their gift by paying attention.. before, during and after the rituals. Oaths and blood offerings are not permitted at open Covenant of the River events. If you have need of an oathing ritual or a group witness to your blood offerings, please reach out to Council. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Council.

• 330-4 arrive
• 4 feast begins
• 5 blot begins

We sing to John Barleycorn, golden and tall,
We sing for the beer that we pass in the hall,
We sing for the bread that we break with our folk,
We sing for the bull beneath knife’s silver yoke.
We sing for the harvest before it arrives,
We sing for the blood that is spilled for our lives.

We mourn for the grain that falls proud to the ground,
We mourn for each stalk of sun that we cut down,
We mourn for each root we tear up from the soil,
We mourn for each backbreaking hour of toil,
We mourn for each wish that will never come true,
And we mourn, truth be told, because some of them do.

Hail to Ingvi who dies that we might live,
Hail to each life that the great Nerthus gives.
Hail Ingvi the Corn King, golden and tall,
Hail to your rise and your glorious fall. ( Ari, Prayer to the Corn King, northernpaganism.org)

Wolf, our guest Gothi (Norse priest), will explain and begin the feast at 4 o’clock. During this portion, you will be encouraged to share ‘the best’ of your plate with Freyr and the land wights as offerings in gratitude for their presence in your life. Please bring a dish and/or beverage to share in the potluck feast if you are able. All dishes, utensils and drinking water are provided. We will feast indoors and then proceed outside to the fire for blot.

Blot begins at 5pm. Please do not arrive later than this unless you have spoken with Council beforehand. It is important to be aware of the energies and folx in the circle for this ritual. Wolf will hallow the stead and lead us through honoring Freyr in classic Norse style. Be prepared to be outdoors and around a fire for the blot and Sumbl. Seating will be available. Comfortable shoes, layers and lap blankets encouraged. You will be encouraged to give a gift to Freyr of breath, hair or drink. Remember no blood offerings are allowed during public Covenant of the River events.

Sumbl will directly follow blot: there will be no break in between rituals. Please bring an empty vessel with you to the circle when blot begins. Mead and NA cider will be provided. Sumbl will have two rounds; one for the hosts and another for toasts. There will be no oaths and no third round.

Wolf, Jean and Jordan will be available during feast (starts at 4pm) to answer questions and after ritual for questions, grounding and further Norse education/experience.

The evening will be kid friendly. Ritual garb is welcome but never required. We will be meeting at 2800 Crystal Court in Fort Collins. Please be prepared to park on the adjacent streets. Be mindful of the driveways and sidewalks. If you need more accessible parking, please reach out to Council in advance.