This was the second year in a row that Vingolf as a group has attended the Free Spirit pagan gathering in Northern Maryland. There were about two dozen Asatruar there, representing six different kindreds from New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusettes, Pennsylvania and Ohio. There were also five different Asatru activities on the schedule:
Nerthus Blot
This ritual to Nerthus was run by Vingolf Fellowship and over 40 people were in attendence. The ritual began with the procession of the shrouded Nerthus idol in her wain, as recorded in Tacitus (pictures coming soon!). Offerings of fruit, bread and flowers were placed in the wain at points during the procession, and then the blot proper began, and these offerings (along with the mead used during the blot) were libated in the woods. After the ritual ended, the Asatruar in attendence took the Nerthus idol and wain down to the lake, where she was ritually washed, and additional offerings made to her.
Death and the Afterlife
A class entitled "Death and the Afterlife in the Norse Tradition" taught by Ann Sheffield of Medoburg Kindred and Joe Mandato of Vingolf Fellowship. About 30 people were in attendence. The outline for the class is available by clicking HERE. The other handouts will be made available online soon.
Norse Sweat
Ivo Dominguez served expertly as pourer for this Norse sweat, which was co-organized by Ann Sheffield. Ivo put a tremendous amount of effort and time into making the experience as comfortable for the 11 Asatruar who experienced it. Ivo's notes on it can be found at http://members.aol.com/ivod/nsweat4.html. Ivo also has a page with his perceptions and impressions of the entire experience, found at http://members.aol.com/ivod/nsweat.html.
Asatru 101
Raven Kindred North ran an Asatru 101 class which served to teach the basics about the religion and gods of the North. The class was followed by a Sunna Ritual (run by Bryan and Lee Ann from Great Ash Kindred), which served not only to show interested parties what an Asatru ritual was like, but also to thank Sunna for finally coming out after a rainy couple of days!
Patronage in Asatru
In a second class taught by Raven Kindred North, the topic of patrons and their relationship with their followers was investigated. We took a look at the Eddas and some Sagas, as well as modern day heathendom.
Of course, there were all manner of other activities, including a huge sumbel at the RKN camp. Several Asa-folk were reportedly seen frolicking and/or drumming around the bonfire, as well! :-). All in all, Free Spirit was an excellent time to enjoy the fellowship of old friends, meet some new ones, honor our gods and strengthen our community.