Winterfylleþ
I held my Winterfylleþ blétsung last night. As it was just I, it was a small, quiet and much more introspective observance.
This year, the rite was performed indoors at my home altar. Because of this, I dispensed with the hallowing I customarily perform when rites are held outdoors. Instead, I simply lit candles on the altar and perfumed the area with recels. The gifts for the blétsung were then hallowed, passing them over a flame. I spoke a ræde, or oratory, to state the purpose of the rite. Even though it was just I, I feel it's important to speak this aloud to fix the intent in my mind. Wóden and all the ancestors of my line (individually, as far back as I can document and then generally) were hailed and toasted with a horn of Aviation Gin.
Atypical of many Heathens, I often use drink other than alcohol in my private observances. However, this stuff is amazingly good. I had a very strong feeling Wóden would like it, and I'm quite sure my ancestors would! Aviation Gin is a "Dutch style" gin produced in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Smooth and round to the palate, if you enjoy gin and haven't yet tried this... do!
The continued favor of Wóden and of my ancestors was asked, and the gifts offered. Sprinkling or asperging not being practical indoors, the blessing was done with a simple annointing.
Following the blétsung, the feast! Extra places were set at table for Wóden and for my ancestors. The meal consisted of thick, juicy (and peppery!) fillet mignon, mashed potatoes made with buttermilk, and homemade "Harvard style" beets. This was followed by a nice light and flowery Darjeeling tea, and a plate of Huntsman cheese and wild blueberries I'd picked on my last camping trip (and then frozen to save for a special occasion).
After the meal, I returned to sit in front of the altar and spent quite a long time in meditation and contemplation. Most of my thoughts were of my ancestors, especially of those most recently passed-on. How hard they had to work, and the struggles they endured to make a home and life for their families, and for their descendants. Such strong and resilient folk! I also thought of Wóden and the inspiration he provides me. Entering into the winter season, there will be longer periods of time spent indoors. I thought of current projects needing attention, and of new projects I might be inspired to undertake. I recently posted to my journal about my desire to take up the uilleann pipes. I've also been feeling drawn to begin a more focused study of the runes (and also to ogam, though that would of course be separate from my Heathen practice). Finally, tired but feeling content, I extinguished the altar candles and retired to bed.
This morning I got up and took Wóden's and the ancestors' share of the feast, and the contents of the offering bowl to leave at my customary place at the shoreline. It was low tide, which always makes this easier. When I arrived, there on the flats stood the blue heron. It'd been quite a long time since I'd last seen him, so this pleased me greatly. I always take his sighting as a good omen.
Éala Wóden!