16 Oct 2005
Winter Nights

Last night we named the Winter Nights and called forth the disir (female ancestral spirits) of our kindred. In elder days this was akin to our modern New Years celebrations, as the year was considered to begin on this night (the Saturday closest to the first full moon following the autumnal equinox). The celebration was, as is our custom, hosted here at Hammerstead Farms, and the bonfire burned until the early morning as Ravenswood enjoyed feast and sumbel.

Winter Nights is a tide of remembrance, and we especially remembered our fallen kinsman, Jason Cope, who journeyed across the Rainbow Bridge nearly a year ago, as well Larry and Anne Hendry, the father and stepmother of Jim Hendry, who's as close to a kinsman of Ravenswood as one can get without taking the oath. They passed just a week ago in a motorcycle accident. But the wheel turns, and life continues. It was heartening to see Heather Sauers, daughter of our Lawspeaker and Gythia, participating in blot - reminding us all that one day we ourselves will be the ancestors remembered by our descendants at the tide of Winter Nights.

00:00 /Asatru | 0 comments | permanent link