What Are Asatru Blots?
Asatru texts often mention a blot. Some scholars argue that it’s a faining and others disagree. The following are some common examples of blots. Ullr, Einherjar, and Disablot are all symbols of the gods. Lindisfarne Day is also called a blot. Let’s look at these symbols to learn more about them.
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Disablot
Asatru blots are rituals in which a person pours liquid into a horn and passes it to the gods. There are usually three rounds of toasting: the first is dedicated to the god of the blot, the second to the ancestors, and the third to poetry, boasts, and other inspirations. Sometimes the horn is separate from the rest of the blot, and this practice is referred to as sumbl. In some groups, the horn becomes a standard part of the blot ritual.
During the blot, the purpose of the rite is declared, and participants may offer personal devotions to the gods. The offerings may be in the form of a beverage or non-beverage item. The offerings are typically poured into a horn, with the first bit of drink going to Odin if mead is used. The drink then circulates through the horn for three rounds.
Asatru blots are not limited to Scandinavia. Some sources use the term ‘goddesses’ in passages about Disablot. This may be a matter of translation, but it does not occur everywhere. In addition, the practice of sacrificing actual AEsir or Vanir is not well-supported. If you find a reference to a specific god in the Saga, you can use that to distinguish it from other myths about the gods.
During the blot, divination was also common. The entrails of the sacrificed animal could be read to predict the future for the people gathered. A well-performed sacrifice would bring a favorable omen. Another common practice at a blot is casting lots. This is documented in Germanic cultures as early as Tacitus’ Germania. There is also evidence that the blots were held two to three weeks later than modern solstice dates.
Ullr
Blots, which are rituals performed in honor of a god, goddess, or holiday, are composed of three parts: a consecration, a libation, and a feast. Blots may not include the Hammer Rite. Whether you choose to do these rituals is up to you. The purpose of these rituals is to make offerings to the gods and goddesses that we worship.
Some sagas place the king in the role of an officiating priest, which places the king in the role of a ceremonial leader. Other sagas mention the Kidnapping of Queen Alfhildr, who was reddening her horgr (horror) with her blood during the Disablot celebration. While it may seem that women lead blots, the Herverar Saga is clear that women are not the norm in the Disablot celebration.
The blot ceremony itself is quite ancient and involves hallowing the gifts with the gods and offering them as libations. Although not as ritualistic as they once were, blots are still practiced today. The blot ceremony may also be performed to offer gifts or request intangible blessings. For example, a farmer may offer part of his or her harvest to the Gods, offering a part of it to them in return for rain, fertility, or good luck.
In addition to libations, many people participate in Seidr rituals during Autumn Blot, as a way of preparing for the darker times ahead. They may invite Gods and Goddesses like Sunna and Skade to attend their rituals. On the other hand, in November, Elf-Blot is celebrated in honor of forefathers, mothers, and the dead. They also praise the unborn and the dead.
Einherjar
There are eight major Blots on the Asatru calendar. The name in modern English is listed first, followed by the Old Norse name in parenthesis. The blot takes place on the weekend following the date in the calendar. The dates of these Blots are also listed. The blot is an important ceremonial time when one may lay their grievances and forgive others.
In the Asatru religion, the God Freyr is associated with the Alfablot. He is seen as the King of the alfar and the barrier of souls. In the ancient times, the Alfablot was a private familial rite. The Skalds who witnessed the event described the ritual in the Austrfararvisur. Participants of this rite recount the stories of their ancestors, make an altar to their deceased kin, drink mead, and sit on mounds. When they perform valgaldr, the veil between spirits becomes thinner.
Blots are sacred rituals performed in the Asatru religion. In the Old Norse Germanic language, “blot” means “to sprinkle with blood.” This word refers to the Germanic concept that blood is sacred and strengthens the powers of the Gods. But, this practice is not formally regulated in modern times. The rituals were based on a tradition that is more than a century old.
Autumn Blot is a time for preparing for the darker times ahead. Some people celebrate Seidr and invite Gods and Goddesses to their festivities. During the beginning of November, there is Elf-Blot, dedicated to the forefathers and foremothers, the dead, and the unborn. Some people also celebrate the Blot of the Gods in honor of the dead.
Lindisfarne Day
The Asatru blots on Lindishfarne Day are a reminder of a time long ago when the Asatru people were exiled from England. This was a time of oppression. The Norwegian ruler, Olaf the Lawbreaker, was a particularly brutal king and carried his army around in defiance of the law. As a result, the Asatru were often killed or exiled. During the time of Olaf the Lawbreaker, the blots in Lindisfarne were a sign that the Asatru were undergoing a religious and spiritual upheaval.
The blots are ritually performed on Lindisfarne Day to honor the ancestors and to celebrate the new year. These rituals include seasonal blots celebrating the cycle of the year, deity specific blots celebrating the power of individual gods or classes of deities, ancestral blunders honoring inspirational (dead) humans, and personal blessings, which address the needs and desires of the Asatru.
The Frigga blot is a springtime campout dedicated to honoring the AllMother. The festival also celebrates the end of the Runic Era (793 CE). Asatru blots on Lindisfarne Day are a way to honor the AllMother. Asatru blots on Lindisfarne Day are a reminder of the ancient religion that was once the majority of the European continent.
The Asatru holy calendar includes many holidays, including the Spring and Fall equinoxes, the Summer solstice, and Yule, the Winter solstice. Some groups also celebrate a blazing bonfire on this day. However, the ASATRU blots on Lindisfarne Day were also a reminder that the Old Gods were not completely destroyed by Christianity.
Harvest Blot
The Asatru Harvest Blot is celebrated at the beginning of August, when the crops are harvested and much wheat is used for bread. It is a time for giving thanks and offering to the god Freyr, the Norse god of fertility. The blot traditionally involves the blessing of the first sheaf of grain, a special bread, for the gods and land spirits. Asatru people often offer their harvest as an offering to the gods, while others give their first-harvest grain to the goddess Frey.
The blot ritual involves sharing gifts, hallowing them, and offering part of them as libation to the gods. Today, many people practice the Seidr (worship ceremony) during Autumn Blot. They honor the Gods Sunna and Skade, and they may also honor their dead and unborn ancestors. The Asatru Harvest Blot is a time of preparation for the darker days ahead.
The ritual itself is relatively simple, and it can be performed alone in a few minutes. It can be performed in honor of a god or goddess or in celebration of a holiday or other important occasion. The blot is meant to offer something to the Goddess and make the gods happy. It can be as simple as offering a cup of water or a libation or as elaborate as you wish. It is important to note that the blot ritual is not always conducted at the same time as other rituals, such as the Var Blot or Disablot.
The Asatru Harvest Blot is a day for giving thanks. The first day of summer on the Old Icelandic calendar, Freyfaxi, marks the harvest of grains. People gather to make bread from their harvested grains and eat seasonal vegetables. In some communities, people also gather to preserve food to last until the winter. The harvest festival has become a symbol of victory in the land of Asatru. But how can Asatru people celebrate this festival?
