This was the third year in a row that Vingolf as a group has attended the Free Spirit pagan gathering in Northern Maryland. There were fewer Asatruar in attendance this year, but we had a number of rituals, and were able to do a lot of good networking and community building while we were there. Here's just a sample of the things we did:
Thor Blot
We had a ritual dedicated to Thor and Saturday afternoon. As we were setting up for the ritual, on an otherwise sunny day, we heard thunder rolling in the distance, and dark clouds gathered on the horizon. After the blot began, and the Asatruar and guests made toasts, we'd occasionally hear more thunder in the distance. Jon invoked Thor, and every time he touched the horn, thunder rumbled in the distance (as the sun shone down us, peeking between the clouds). As soon as the blot ended, the clouds lightened, and no more thunder was heard. But that was all a coincidence, right? ;-) I'll get some pictures of the blot up here soon. Hail Thor!
Norse Sweat
As many know, last year, Ivo Dominguez served expertly as pourer for this Norse sweat, which was co-organized by Ann Sheffield. Ivo's original notes on it can be found at http://members.aol.com/ivod/nsweat4.html. This year, neither Ann nor Ivo could be in attendance, so Mike Smith, another exceptional pourer from Ivo's group, graciously offered to pour for us. The Asatruar in attendance gathered around 7:00 AM to dedicate the stones we'd be using in the name of the Aesir and Vanir, and tend to the fire. Around 9:00, the sweat began, with Sandi from RKN helping to tend fire while the rest of us were sweating.
Sumbel
We had two large sumbels while we were there. The first was early in the event, and less formal, and the second was after the Thor Blot on Saturday, and was three rounds, dedicated to our ancestors, community and the gods, respectively. We had about 15-20 non-Asatruar guests show up, and there were many heart-felt toasts heard that night. Between the blot and sumbels, I think we were able to successfully communicate to a lot of people what the rituals of Asatru are really like.
Click here for the 1999 FreeSpirit report