Blotr, or ritual, was in olden times held at least three times per year, during the solstices, and in early spring, although there was often a harvest festival, and many smaller rites amongst the community. Blotr is a means of directly giving back to the Elder Kin and to the energies in nature for what they have given, be it a good harvest, the blessing of children and livestock, security, or peace in the land. It can be as complex as a fortnight's community ritual of light, song and feasting, such as was practiced over the time of Winter Solstice, or as simple as offering a horn of ale. When it is performed together as a community it represents the emotion of the folk as a whole, and when it is done by the family, it strengthens the ties between the energies of the Elder Kin and ancestors, and the household, as well as strengthening the memory and spirit. Keeping the flow of othr and good-will between the worlds open and clear brings benefits even beyond what otherwise might be impossible for man fending alone for himself on Mithgarthr.
Deep thought and memory maintain the highest ties - of ancestral hammingja, of patronage, of duty in the individual's and the community's combined orlog, even of vyrd. Blotr should ideally be a reenacting of original patterns or actions set by the Elder Kin themselves. And it should be always remembered that the Elder Kin live within a society based upon gifting. In this way origins are never forgotten, and ties are never broken, but only strengthened and reinforced to grow and evolve further.
Often those with experience in leading others, or conducting rites, heads of families, or those perhaps more familiar with the inner workings of ritual, are chosen to serve as priests or priestesses at larger functions. A man serving this role is called gothi, a women, gythja. If anyone has a particular fulltrui, or patron amongst the Elder Kin, and the rite or blotr is dedicated to that one, that person may be chosen to lead for that rite. These things are all a matter of experience, knowledge in the particular energy being called upon, familiarity with the need of the community or individual for whom the rite is being performed, and so forth. Many families have their own patrons and particular patterns of rites and rituals, holy days and special events, so too have many individuals.
The most important thing to remember, whether one in able to attend community festivals or not, whether one is attached to a community or group or not, is to give. Giving from the heart, with a sense of duty, or a sense of love - better yet that these two be felt as one thing - is what is important. Keeping the ties that bind truly bound gives a freedom, security and strength that is impossible to understand unless one takes action. Follow the example your Elder Kin set for you in creating the Nine Worlds and granting you life with all its joys, and give.
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