Author’s Note: This ritual was used in a pagan celebration at my local Unitarian Universalist church. Below is the script I followed. Additional FAQ is provided at the end of this article.
There are basically only 3 attested holidays in the Norse Lore, one of them being Sigrblot, or Victory Sacrifice. We see the three great blots of the year called out in Chapter 8 of the Ynglinga Saga (c. 1225):
Odin established the same law in his land that had been in force in Asaland… On winter day (first day of winter) there should be blot for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good crop; and the third blot should be on summer day, a Victory-blot.
Additionally in Olaf’s Saga Helga 77, we see another reference to a blot during Goa moon. Goa being the second to last month of winter. The saga has a thorough summary of the old Icelandic calendar that you might find interesting.
In Sweden there was an age-old custom whilst they were still heathen that there should be a blot in Upsala during Goa moon. Then they would blot for peace and victory for their king. People from all over Sweden were to resort there.
Easter and Ostara are around this time. In the Christian tradition we would celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and Ostara is a celebration of the coming summer/spring.
Ritual
This ritual structure is modeled after my personal Hearth Cult, which grew out of the Discord server associated with The Longship. Each set of prayers will be followed by a “Hail” to the appropriate spirit. In a group setting, this should be repeated by the attendees.
Create a Sacred Space with Fire;
[Light the candles] Worship Leader: As I light these candles, let us remember the warming rays of Sunna, the returning goddess of the sun. Let us also remember Brigid, Celtic goddess of Fire and Hearth who’s fires have kept us warm and safe during the cold, dark winter months. May they bless us now and make this space sacred.
Worship Leader: Hail Sunna! | All: Hail Sunna!
WL: Hail Brigid! | All: Hail Brigid!
Prayers to the Dieties
WL: Hail the Aesir! Hail the Vanir! We welcome you into this space with us. We thank you for your gifts. I offer you this bread in gratitude. May you continue to bless us, our hearths, and our families
WL: Hail! | All: Hail!
WL: Hail the Ancestors! Be welcome oh ancestors of blood and of heart, both named and unnamed. I give you this salt in gratitude. May you continue to bless us with your guidance, perseverance, and luck.
WL: Hail! | All: Hail!
WL: Hail the Land Vaettir! Thank you for allowing us to share this space with you. I give you this water in gratitude. May you continue to bless and protect this space and the people who visit.
WL: Hail! | All: Hail!
Blessing of tools
Aesir and Vanir,
From the Gods, to the Earth, to us. From us, to the Earth, to the Gods. A gift for a gift.
This rite is ended. Go in peace and may the smoke from these candles carry our prayers and gifts with you as you go, nourishing your spirits.
What is Ritual in a Heathen Context?
I can’t speak for all heathens, but I look at ritual as a recreation of the First Sacrifice. To understand first sacrifice, you need to know a bit about the Creation story of the Norse people. Norse were storytellers, so their tradition was passed down through oral performance, poetry, etc.Norse Creation Story
In the beginning there were 3 things: a land of fire called Muspelheim and a land of ice called Nifleheim. And in between them was a vast expanse of nothingness called Gunningagap. There was also a cosmic cow called Audhumla, so I guess there were 4 things. The accepted meaning of Audhumla’s name is something like hornless cow, rich in milk. Audhumla nourished herself on licking the salt from the ice.
In the gap where the fires of the south melted the ice of the North caused water to drip and ultimately form the figure of a man, Ymir. Ymir was a Jotunn. “Giant” in normal parlance, but there’s some debate about whether the french word geant is the correct translation or something like Troll might fit better. It’s worth noting that the word giant evokes the image of a very tall creature, throughout Norse mythology the size of Jotuns does not immediately distinguish them from other non-Jotun characters.
Ymir was nourished by Audhumla’s milk, and reproduced asexually by growing a male and female form from one of his feet and the sweat under his arm. These being became a race of Frost Jotuns.
Audumla’s licking of the rime, exposed or birthed Buri, the first god. Buri had a son Bor who married a Jotun named Bestla. They had 3 sons: Odin, Vili, and Ve.
This brings us to the first sacrifice: Odin, Vili, and Ve killed Ymir. It’s said so much blood flowed when he fell that it drowned all the Jotun save for Berglmir and his wife.
Then the three brothers took Ymir’s body to Gunningagap and created the world. His blood formed the lakes and seas, his hair became trees, his flesh became the earth, his bones became hills, his brains became clouds, and his skull became the sky.
