Title: Asatru community
Aoife the Celt - April 20, 2006 05:51 PM (GMT)
Stormarksgothi,
What is the name for a community of Asatruar?
Thorfinn - April 20, 2006 07:57 PM (GMT)
There are a number of terms. Hof tends to refer to a large religious community with an established physical location (some sort of building, for example) to meet.
Kindred is often used for small groups, and some use the terms hearth and garth.
It is really up to the group to decide which term fits their needs best.
Birla Mortensdottir - April 21, 2006 01:45 PM (GMT)
Stormarksgothi,
In which language are Asatru religious services held?
Thorfinn - April 21, 2006 02:39 PM (GMT)
Asatru blots may be held in any language. There are no requirements. It is entirely up to the gothi/gythia and the religious community.
Generally, blots are held in the primary language where the ritual is performed, but some may choose to perform blots in Old Norse or any other language.
Birla Mortensdottir - April 21, 2006 05:38 PM (GMT)
Stormarksgothi,
What's the duration of an Asatru blot?
Thorfinn - April 21, 2006 08:18 PM (GMT)
Again, it really depends. It could be a short, fairly casual ritual, or in the case of a group coming together to celebrate a major occasion (such as Yule or a significant life event) the ritual could be made quite elaborate and last much longer. The only blots I've attended in RL lasted from 15-20 minutes.
Now, if you were talking about a sumbel, that's an entirely different thing.
| QUOTE |
Symbel(OE) or sumbel(ON) was an important Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian community drinking ritual. Symbel was always conducted indoors, usually in a chieftain's hall. Symbel involved a formulaic ritual which was more solemn and serious than mere drinking or celebration. The primary elements of symbel are drinking ale or mead from a horn, speech making (which often included formulaic boasting and oaths), and gift giving. Eating and feasting were specifically excluded from symbel, and no alcohol was set aside for the Gods or other deities in the form of a sacrifice.[1]
The host of the symbel was called the symbelgifa. One of the officiants of symbel was the thyle, who challenged and questioned those who made boasts or oaths. It was the thyle's duty to defend the luck of the community. Oaths said over the symbel-horn were seen as binding and affecting the luck and wyrd of all in attendance. Another role commonly attested for during symbel was that of the scop or skald, who ritually recited genealogies, folklore and metrical poetry. The alcohol itself was served by women or alekeepers, the first round usually poured by the lady of the house herself. |
The Asatru version is a matter of 3 rounds of drinking and oath-taking/boasting/storytelling, the Theodish (Anglo-Saxon) version goes...until no one can speak anymore (due to the consumption of large amounts of alcohol) :D
Birla Mortensdottir - April 21, 2006 08:42 PM (GMT)
We should hold sumbels in Stormark! :yesyes: :cheers:
Thorfinn - April 23, 2006 06:16 AM (GMT)
I'm sure that many a similar event has been held without being officially related to the Hof ;)