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Heathenry Heathen Asatrú was a religion that honored ancestors, community, and the Nine Noble Virtues of Courage, Discrimination, Fidelity, Honor, Hospitality, Industriousness, Perseverance, Self-Reliance, and Truth. The Heathen "Way of the Troth", which esteemed fairness, courage, honor, and loyalty to self, family, and community, was a living religion currently practiced by a steadily increasing number of Heathens worldwide. Old Norse for Blessing, a Blót (pronounced "Bloat") was the bastion of Heathenry Heathen Ásatrú ritual and could be either a Festival or a simple Blessing. Mead was usually offered as the holy drink to hail, give thanks, and renew bonds with the goddesses, gods, or Landwights.
Felags, for example, hold
eight seasonal ceremonies, as well as, simpler Blóts to meet personal needs
(dedicate food/drink to the deities, have some yourself, and share with the
deities through libation).
In general, the Festival consecration rites entailed following several steps. The Gathering when participants arranged themselves in a circle. The Warding when the space was sanctified. The Explanation when the intention was or the purpose of the Blót was stated. The Call when the deities to be honored were invoked. The Hallowing when the mead was made the mead holy. The Blessing when the area was besprinkled. The Sharing when the hallowed mead was passed around and hails were made. The Offering when the mead in the blótbolli was poured into the ground or left at the base of a special tree. The Closing when the area was desanctified and the ceremony was ended. "Special Blessings" were held to meet special needs such as asking the deities for assistance or thanking them for it. For example, to ask protection from the god Thor while travelling during a storm; or to seek help regarding injury or illness from the goddess of healing Eir
Moments of "Daily
Blessings" happened during the day when time is taken for blessings: hallowing
drink or food by making the Hammer sign; welcoming a guest with an offering of
ritual drink; placing food out for the little brownie spirit who cares for the
family and home; blessing the Sun at noon or at her four stations at dawn, noon,
sunset, and midnight...
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