Verb: blóta
"sacrifice, offer, worship"
A blót is the greatest religious rite that was held amongst the Nordic peoples.
A blót is essentially a sacrificial feast. Where religious practices where performed. During the feast an animal is chosen as a sacrifice. This animal was usually a pig, horse, or goat. The animals chosen are the best of its herd. It has to be an animal that was cared for. Sacrificing an animal that was abused and neglected will ruin the blót. It is killed in the center of the feast, at the altar, and its blood "hlaut" is collected in a special bowl. The blood contains special powers and is sprinkled on statues of the gods, the walls, used to draw runes and staves, and sprinkled on the participants of the blót.
The meat of the animal is also boiled in large cooking pits with heated stones. Depending on the blot and circumstances some of the organs are chosen as sacrifice to the gods and burned in a large fire. The rest of the meat is divided amongst the participants and feasted upon. It was not uncommon for the skull to be put on display in the village as a protective totem.
A blót is a sacred time where people gather together around a steaming cauldron and have a meal together with the gods and/or elves. The drink blessed and is passed from participant to participant. The drink is usually beer or mead. It is highly important that it be an alcoholic drink however.
The first drink is usually dedicated to Odinn for victory and power to your leaders. The second prayer is "till ors ok friðar" "for a good year and peace". It is common to ask for fertility, good health, a good life, and peace and harmony between people and powers. The last drinks are dedicated to the memories of departed friends and family.
The autumn blót (Haustblót) is performed at the end of Haustmánuður (about October 20th), vetrnætr (the Winter Nights), indicating the beginning of winter. The Great Midwinter blót, or Jól, at Midwinter which is about Janurary (3rd). Freyr being the most important god of the autumn blót, and Odinn, Freyr, and Thorr being the most important ones at Jól. At the end of Mörsugur (January 14th) there is also a Sonarblót. This blót was for making sacred oaths that will last throughout the year. This is where the greatest wild boar are sacrificed and are dedicated to Freyr. The summer blót takes place at the beginning of Harpa (April 14th) This blót is dedicated to Odinn. During this blót you drink to victory in war and all of your endeavors for the year. This was particularly important when the tradition of "Viking" was still practiced.
A blót can take place in one of many locations. Large buildings of worship known as Hov are common. But you may also hold a blót out in nature. If there is a particularly sacred Hörgr, Vé, Lund or Haug, it is recommended you hold it there. Hörgr is an altar that is created outside, usually out of heaping stones. Lund is a sacred grove, and Vé simply means a sacred place, usually marked out. The haugr were sacred mounds, and were once so common places of worship that it was actually outlawed by Christian laws.
A blót is the greatest religious rite that was held amongst the Nordic peoples.
A blót is essentially a sacrificial feast. Where religious practices where performed. During the feast an animal is chosen as a sacrifice. This animal was usually a pig, horse, or goat. The animals chosen are the best of its herd. It has to be an animal that was cared for. Sacrificing an animal that was abused and neglected will ruin the blót. It is killed in the center of the feast, at the altar, and its blood "hlaut" is collected in a special bowl. The blood contains special powers and is sprinkled on statues of the gods, the walls, used to draw runes and staves, and sprinkled on the participants of the blót.
The meat of the animal is also boiled in large cooking pits with heated stones. Depending on the blot and circumstances some of the organs are chosen as sacrifice to the gods and burned in a large fire. The rest of the meat is divided amongst the participants and feasted upon. It was not uncommon for the skull to be put on display in the village as a protective totem.
A blót is a sacred time where people gather together around a steaming cauldron and have a meal together with the gods and/or elves. The drink blessed and is passed from participant to participant. The drink is usually beer or mead. It is highly important that it be an alcoholic drink however.
The first drink is usually dedicated to Odinn for victory and power to your leaders. The second prayer is "till ors ok friðar" "for a good year and peace". It is common to ask for fertility, good health, a good life, and peace and harmony between people and powers. The last drinks are dedicated to the memories of departed friends and family.
Dates
The autumn blót (Haustblót) is performed at the end of Haustmánuður (about October 20th), vetrnætr (the Winter Nights), indicating the beginning of winter. The Great Midwinter blót, or Jól, at Midwinter which is about Janurary (3rd). Freyr being the most important god of the autumn blót, and Odinn, Freyr, and Thorr being the most important ones at Jól. At the end of Mörsugur (January 14th) there is also a Sonarblót. This blót was for making sacred oaths that will last throughout the year. This is where the greatest wild boar are sacrificed and are dedicated to Freyr. The summer blót takes place at the beginning of Harpa (April 14th) This blót is dedicated to Odinn. During this blót you drink to victory in war and all of your endeavors for the year. This was particularly important when the tradition of "Viking" was still practiced.
Locations
A blót can take place in one of many locations. Large buildings of worship known as Hov are common. But you may also hold a blót out in nature. If there is a particularly sacred Hörgr, Vé, Lund or Haug, it is recommended you hold it there. Hörgr is an altar that is created outside, usually out of heaping stones. Lund is a sacred grove, and Vé simply means a sacred place, usually marked out. The haugr were sacred mounds, and were once so common places of worship that it was actually outlawed by Christian laws. Specific Blóts
Winter
- Dísablót - blót lead by women for the spirits. (first full moon after winter solstice. Homestead Blot)
- álfablót or Elven blót was a small scale and was celebrated at the homestead and led by its mistress. (Homestead Blot)
- Jólblót, the most important and largely celebrated blót of the year. Celebrated during Midwinter. Janurary 3rd (Community Blot)
- Sonarblót/þorriblót Celebrated on the 12th day of Jól. A great boar is sacrificed and sacred oaths are sworn. For Rebirth. This begins the new year celebrated on The beginning of þorri, January 14th. (Community Blot)
Summer
- Sigrblót A blót to Odin for victory held First day of Harpa, April 14th. (Community Blot)
- Midsummer This was the time of the Alþing (July 14th). Blót may be made on this day.
Autumn
- Vetrnætr (Winter Nights) - Haustblót "autumn sacrafice" celebrated at the end of Haustmánuður (October 13th) held in honor of Freyr and the vanir for a good year.
- Völsiblót the blót of the horse penis during the winter slaughter.(Homestead Blot)
- Ullrsblót a blot at the end of Gormánuður (November 13th) in honor of Ullr, for good hunting during the winter. (Homestead blot)
