Ritual Etiquette
Whether you are invited to our private affairs or attending our public rituals, please consider and observe the following as a good guest.
Sacred Space
Unlike other pagan traditions there is no circle being cast or sacred space constructed.
However, that does not mean that our space is in no way sacred.
The ritual space is sacred because of our work with the local Land-Spirits.
We enter and leave it with respect, so kindly:
Sumble & Hailing
During blót, the officiant will be hailing the beings of the occasion (i.e. the deities and ancestors associated with the intent of the ritual).
They will then begin passing the horn around the participants for their chance to speak over it.
Keeping in mind that a filled horn in Sumble is representative of the Well of Wyrd and the following should be observed:
Social Courtesy
While we do hold ritual in observance of our faith, it is also a time for us to gather as a community and honor each other.
With that in mind there are a few courtesies that one should follow:
Unlike other pagan traditions there is no circle being cast or sacred space constructed.
However, that does not mean that our space is in no way sacred.
The ritual space is sacred because of our work with the local Land-Spirits.
We enter and leave it with respect, so kindly:
- Do not litter. Keep your trash with you and discard it properly in a park receptacle.
- Do not disrupt any local vegetation.
- Do not smoke (including e-cigs) in the ritual space during ritual proceedings.
Sumble & Hailing
During blót, the officiant will be hailing the beings of the occasion (i.e. the deities and ancestors associated with the intent of the ritual).
They will then begin passing the horn around the participants for their chance to speak over it.
Keeping in mind that a filled horn in Sumble is representative of the Well of Wyrd and the following should be observed:
- When calling on the ancestors, our kindred views them both of our blood and beyond our blood.
- Refrain from calling on deities or beings not of Germanic/Norse pantheon or tradition.
- Do not call on Fenrir, Jörmungandr, Angrboða, Thursar, and/or any entity antagonistic toward humanity.
- Refrain from speaking during someone else's turn during Sumble.
- When speaking, try to avoid using any profanity.
- When your turn comes to speak, kindly keep it concise and be mindful of your time.
- If you do not feel comfortable saying anything openly, you may simply say: "Hail", and pass the horn.
Social Courtesy
While we do hold ritual in observance of our faith, it is also a time for us to gather as a community and honor each other.
With that in mind there are a few courtesies that one should follow:
- Please silence your cell phones prior to and for the duration of the ritual.
- Families with tiny humans:
We understand parenting is tough. If attending with children who decide to be "extra animated", it is perfectly acceptable to step away for a bit in order to gather everyone's wits.
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