- Yule!
- Commenced with a quiet celebration of Mothernight.
Main ERCE celebration was finely conducted by Shane and Singing-Grass, with kindred members in attendance. Together we toasted the Aesir and Vanir, and received our gifts of rune talismans made by the hosts. There was one talisman left over -- and there's a story about that, ask Katla!
At the Yule event we heard the announcement of festivities in Iceland, at Midsummer, in the year 2000. Many people in attendance have started saving their pennies...
To round off the season we brought in the New Year with a celebration at Katla's.
- Einherjar commemoration Tuesday Nov. 11 and Friday Nov. 14
- As the winter draws in, and we hear the ride of the Wild Hunt, we
rmember those who fought, in their ways, for what they believed in, for
their families, for their faith.
Because no one time was suitable for us all to meet in this week, we held two events, which turned out to be very different from each other. On Remembrance Night six of us sat on rocks by the shore, speaking quietly of those who went from this port to fight, those who died for their beliefs, and those who did not know for what they fought; and watching as white gulls floated on the water some way out. The night was chilly, but still, a good time to remember.
On Friday when we went to the park the snow was blowing hard, and our ceremony rapidly became a celebration of Skadhi. Erin is to be commended on her wolf-howls! We returned to the warm to hold sumbel for those who fought, and fight today, for their beliefs and for justice.
- Winternights (October 18)
- The winter is drawing in upon us. We are settling into our
patterns of
winter work or study, even as we reap the last fruits of the harvest.
The nights hold a touch of frost, and the leaves are bright, as they cover
the ground and crunch beneath our feet.
Now we welcome the changes, as the Earth prepares for her dormancy.
In this ritual,we named ourselves by our ancestors. We gave honour to the
Dísir, our female ancestors, those who hold the roots
of custom and memory, as our thoughts turn within. We hailed the God/esses
of Winter, Skadhi and Uller, and said our
farewell to Njordh, thanking him and his children for all they do for us
and for the earth.
We recognised that we were now moving into the time of divination and
storytelling,
and toasted the Fimbulthul.
The seals came, and splashed and talked during the ritual. When they do
this, the experience is always meaningful and magical, connecting us with
these creatures of earth and sea, as they also prepare for winter.
- Equinox ritual of thanks and healing
- In some other places, Asa-folk were celebrating their winter-finding,
but here on Saturday Sept. 20, summer was still with us, and we gave thanks for the harvest which was as its height, while noting that this time of year is also a beginning of many endeavours,
and a settling into patterns that will be followed during the school year
for those who teach or study in formal educational institutions. In the golden sunshine of evening, in a rowan grove we greeted Sif -- and Eir, lady of healing, for this is also a time of stress when healing is needed and appropriate. We offered herbs of healing, and spoke the names of those of our friends for whom we ask healing, and poured golden mead over the natural-stone harrow.
- Loaf-mass blót and festival
- To celebrate the first harvest, we offered a horse made of biscuit,
named Freyfaxi. He had a fine golden mane... Thorgerd is not, after all,
leaving town, but was in the midst of moving house, and we wished her well
in her new home.
- Blót for Thor
- to ask him to bring much-needed rain to the dry, parched earth.
Tuesday July 15. Now we watch the clouds gathering...
- Earth celebration
- We met with other members of ERCE to conduct a sunset ritual for Earth
at the Atlantic Earth Festival - Saturday July 12. This was a ritual of
song and chants, with an invocation drawn from the OE "Erce Erce Erce
Mother Earth" charm.
- Blót for Sunna, her Summer, and the God/esses
- Held Saturday June 28, for the height of summer, the green things of
Earth, and to
the Aesir and Vanir for their bounty to us. We followed this with a
potluck, then went on to our Seidhr journeying-session.
- Shopes Sumbel
- An evening of song, poetry and stories, held Saturday May 24. We had a Potluck supper first! Very enjoyable, and a good opportunity to show we can do, as individuals and as a community
- April Garden Blessing
- Was held as planned Sunday April 20, in a friend's new garden, with kids, dog, Kindred members, and other friends around. The wind was chilly, but the energies were good (and so was the food, afterwards)!
- Ostara
- On Friday March 28, We painted our eggs and took take them to the
park to roll them. We made offering to Ostara and to others of the Aesir and Vanir, including Njordh and his daughter and son. We had many guests for this blot, and the following potluck and sing-along. And the kids had a great time!
- Blót for Thor
- to help him break the back of winter! Feb 15, with a fine feast
afterwards.
- Blót for Skadhi
- Hail the Lady of Winter, and her Snow!
We met on Sunday January 19, and held our Blót in the park, well-wrapped against the bitter cold of the day. We offered herbs to the Landwights, ginger cookie to Skadhi, and seed to the winter birds. A boulder made an excellent harrow, and the sun shone in brightness on the treetops and filtered down to where we were standing. A woodpecker brought us the greetings of the Landwights...