#Álfablót

[loki-was-framed]

This is a public service announcement.

[thorraborinn]

álfablót thoughts

I'm personally not inclined to celebrate álfablót during winternights, but rather a little later in the year. By convenience more than calculation, I find it slots nicely into mid-to-late November, but I'm not suggesting others do the same (there's some reason to suspect the original one was actually in the spring, contra Snorri, see next paragraph). I don't think that we actually can determine the precise timing in Sigvats þáttr, which is the only source for a designated holiday called álfablót (as opposed to general blót to álfar, which do occur in other texts). Sigvatr's journey begins öndverðan vetr, and then he encounters álfablót when he gets to Västergötland, so some people have concluded that this must have taken place during the holiday that we know takes place öndverðan vetr ('at the outset of winter' or just 'early winter'), which is winternights. I think some people have also seen that as corresponding to and providing balance with dísablót as part of the same holiday.

But I don't think this adds up. Based on how Snorri uses the term öndverðr in other places, I think he's more generally saying 'early winter' here, rather than literally the very beginning of winter. That surely encompasses winternights, but it's harder to make sense of the story if that's when it happened. It's believed that Snorri had to piece this story together from skaldic poetry and scant other information, and most scholars think he got details wrong, though not everyone agrees on which details or how to correct them. Some people think this journey happened in the spring. The path he took is also disputed, and the further we think he traveled, the less likely it is that he could have left during winternights and arrived before it ended (if we assume, and perhaps we shouldn't, that the Norwegians and the Gauts determined winternights by the same timing, but it isn't safe to assume they didn't either). See the notes on the poem from the Skaldic Poetry Project.

On "balance with dísablót," I think this relies on a sort of spiritual taxonomy that we really just don't have, nor should we rely on it ever having been single and consistent across heathendom, see the chapters by Simon Nygaard and Luke John Murphy here.

I think that the álfablót that Sigvatr encountered was a regional practice. There's no way to know how broad or narrow the geographical spread of the practice was, but he was clearly unaware of it. Though he was Christian, I don't think we can take it for granted that he knew nothing about heathen celebrations, especially at winternights (which Christians continued to recognize all the way to present day), but his apparent surprise is accounted for better if it wasn't one of the höfuðblót and especially if it was a local custom that hadn't previously been practiced in the areas Sigvatr was more familiar with.

It also doesn't look anything like the winternights celebrations that we know of from other sources. Blót at winternights seem to have been huge celebrations for massive amounts of people all congregating at the biggest farmsteads in the region. Sigvatr found four homes, all refusing lodging, three refusing to even open the door. We can't rule out that the local custom regarding winternights was different in Västergötland than in Iceland and Norway, but we are now stacking contingencies on other contingencies. It's also true that the Gauts had a Christian king at this point, and maybe this could have been a late heathen winternights following big changes to the social-religious landscape, but then that seriously challenges the idea that this episode can tell us more about winternights than we already know.

I think it isn't only more likely that it was an independent, local custom, but that we have more to gain by considering it that way. We all think that heathens must have had more than three holidays (plus alþing) per year but get very little in the way of examples. It makes sense that a holiday celebrated in private at home would have less spread, less uniformity, than something like winternights happening over large areas with people from different places circulating, thereby diffusing customs and at least allowing for more uniformity. Of course, we don't know what the people Sigvatr encountered were actually doing in there (honestly, I'm not even that confident that the word álfablót itself is there to be accurate rather than to half-rhyme with ulf later in the line).

None of this necessarily has to be met with changes to what modern people are doing. We're not compelled to act a certain way by any of this, and if you're celebrating álfablót as part of winternights there's nothing here that suggests that would be inappropriate. We don't need a reason to come up with another holiday at another time of year. But I think there could be value in rethinking it and deriving inspiration in a different way than we're used to. If this was as local and specific as I think, and if the álfar are located in, or at least associated with, the land, then the narrow focus and narrow expression correspond to each other. When we celebrate winternights or yule we usually try to understand as well as we can how it was celebrated a thousand+ years ago, even if we don't exactly follow it. With álfablót, we can hardly even try, nor would it necessarily even be relevant for those of us who live far from Götaland, or due to the passage of time maybe even for those who do. Some heathens might find that, if I'm right, that means they don't have a reason to celebrate it at all (not that anything was compelling us to before).

But while heathens are already developing local practices in dialogue with those things we mostly have in common (i.e. the Old Norse literary corpus, etc) I think the best way to be inspired by this one álfablót from around 1017ish is to put a conscious emphasis on one's own unique context, local environment, and distinction in custom.

Where I live in the US, my relationship to the land is characterized by historical displacement and genocide of the people who lived here before it was settled by Europeans. This history is foundational to my relationship to the land and therefore is inevitably foundational to my religious expression pertaining to that relation. By holding álfablót in mid-to-late November, which might not be when Sigvatr went to Västergötland, but is at least a possible time for it, I'm holding álfablót in contrast with American Thanksgiving and rejecting the latter.

I know some people prefer to think of the álfar in terms of their own familial ancestors; I'm not really talking about that here only because the narrow and unique context that I'm trying to emphasize is already implicit in that case. Familial ancestry isn't an emphasis I place on álfar but I don't think it's wrong or irrelevant either.

I have no reason to believe that a similar line of thought led to Ásatrúarfélagið's landvættablót every December 1 (to Iceland's four guardian vættir), but if one were inclined to think of it this way it seems very compatible with what I'm talking about here.

[broomsick]

A gratitude ritual to the elves

(For the autumn season!)

This is a ritual that I’ve created some two years ago, as a gesture of thanks and acknowledgement to the álfar as land spirits. It acts as the “closing ceremony” for the harvest season, so it could be fun for you to perform it on Samhain if you celebrate, or on your preferred date to perform the Álfablót. It’s made up of three major steps; the offering of drink, the offering of food and the burning of autumn symbols, all of which are separated by invocation and prayer. Without further ado, I will detail the ritual.

The first step? To bake/cook/prepare your offerings of food and drink. I think it’s important to incorporate local seasonal ingredients, as they come directly from the land you live on and therefore, can be considered gifts from the harvest Gods and spirits. Examples of seasonal drinks might be cider (apple juice also does the trick if you’re alcohol-free!), mead, mulled wine, spiced drinks and the like. Seasonal foods might be include apple, pumpkin, corn, squash, etc…

The final offering requires you to go and pick a few good, local symbols of autumn. These can be fallen leaves, helicopter seeds, fallen flowers… Basically anything that you know will burn well and which you won’t have to pluck directly from the tree or plant it comes from. If you grow herbs, fruits and/or veggies, it’s also possible to offer them up as well. I also write down on a piece of paper a few things I’m grateful to the álfar for.

Prepare a ritual bowl or cup in which to pour the offering of drink, a plate in which to place the food offerings, and a fireproof space in which to safely burn the autumn symbols (I use my cauldron).

Optional but fun: I line each plate up in the order drink-food-fire in an outside space and kneel before them to perform the ritual. I then light incense and anoint each plate with ritual rosemary oil, for purification and protection.

Invocation: “I call upon the spirits and guardians of my land. I call to me the people of Yngvi-Frej who dwell in Álfheimr. Come to me Hidden Ones, come and receive that which I humbly choose to give back, in thanks and as to show my gratitude.”

As you pour the offering of drink: “May you accept this libation, symbol of the water which flows under the earth and nourishes the soil. May you look with fondness upon me and those who dwell on your lands.”

As you offer the food: “May you accept this shared meal, symbol of the many gifts of the earth. May you bring forth favorable and plentiful seasons henceforth.”

As you burn the symbols of autumn: “Another harvest has passed, with your blessing and your protection. Noble elves who answer to the Vanir Son, I am grateful for the land that you share so generously with me and my loved ones. Please bless the soils to be bounteous for the coming year.”

I hope you all have a happy autumn season (or spring, if you live in the southern hemisphere!).

[pastel-mask]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN / SAMHAIN / ÁLFABLÓT!!!

As a treat, I give you...

DONATURNIP!!!

Donatus doesn't hate Samhain, but, like with most holidays, he IS confused by it (Angelos 100% carved the turnip btw hehe)

🖤💜🧡 Have a safe and spooky Halloween! 🖤💜🧡

[ncagutierrezart]

Costume party 🕺🏻💃🏻

That time of the year when we can go out as ourselves!

[weirdantlers]

I'm going to be cleaning out my dad's house to get ready to sell it when I normally celebrate alvablot (full moon in October) and while I won't be doing any ritual or anything, it still feels oddly fitting. I associate death with the elves to a degree. My mother's and grandmother's graves are not too far from the house so I guess I'm going to plan on visiting while I'm there.

Part of my alvablot involves honoring the ancestors along with the harvest so I'll probably buy a candle to light and leave out a beer. My dad, mom, and grandma were not really drinkers so they can split 1.

Honestly I'm still reeling from my dad's death and I probably won't even feel like myself and want to do a ritual or celebration until yule anyway, so it kinda works out to be doing something.

AND that part of Pennsylvania in mid October looks particularly beautiful and autumny so I'll get a good show. I'll also pour out a thing of local milk on my elf tree when I get back.

[norsewest]

Happiest Halloween 🎃🌕 blessed Samhain 🔥💀 and god Alfablot 🍺👨‍👩‍👦

[mimameidir]

(via Álfablót)

[lemon-russ]

Trick or treat!! Can i get smth with Leman Russ? Like, do you think the space wolves have a Samhian/"The Wild Hunt" tradition?

Fenris is a world where its half boiling lava hot and half freezing ice death, and though life only lives on the caps wjere its cold but survivable, they probably would hold a season change festival since its such a big thing!

It would probably be more like álfablót, or scandinavian "elf saccrifice" which is a late autumn feast, Samhain is Celtic :)

[famewolf]

gonna kiss my husband on the mouth because he made me a really good pagan playlist that I've been listening to while writing rituals and studying for Vetrnætr

[grlwtskulltattoo]

Holding your hand in his, Finan leads you back to his home in the crisp night air following the Álfablót festivities.

He gives you a soft smile as he looks into your eyes. “Did you like the celebration, darlin’? Eh, things usually get quite… interesting, after the feasting. I didn’t want ya t’feel pressured to indulge them.”

-Finan @thedarkprinceofulaid

My mouth curls into a little smile as I think of the evening’s celebration. Everyone made me feel welcome, even Lord Uhtred, whom I was most concerned about. I enjoyed spending time with the children, it reminded me of how much I long to have children of my own. Although maybe not as large of a brood as Tessa and Sihtric have.

“I had a wonderful time tonight, Finan. I enjoyed meeting all of your friends. They were all so welcoming and made me feel like I belong.” 

I blush a little as I think of what everyone else was planning on doing after the children went to bed. I wish I felt open to it. I could see the teasing and excitement in their faces. I’m just not ready yet. I need to be comfortable being with one person, before I can be with many.

“I’m….I’m sorry to pull you away from your friends….I could see in their faces that they were really hoping you would join them.” I feel a little moisture in my eyes, that I try to quickly wipe away before Finan notices. I hate that I feel this way. That I have this fear of how my body is going to react, but at the same time wanting to be intimate so badly.

@thedarkprinceofulaid

[fandomeventcenter]

Fan-Frankentober 2024 MASTERLIST

Below you'll find out entries sorted by fandom. Happy Spooky Season.

House of the Dragon:

Keeping Up With The Targaryens Episode 25 Episode 26 by @legitalicat

Team Black Kids on Halloween Moodboard by @zaldritzosrose Team Green Kids on Halloween Moodboard by @zaldritzosrose

Jacaerys Velaryon Sweeney Todd Moodboard by @towriteloveontheirarms

Carpe Noctem (Goth!Aemond Targaryen x Goth!Reader) by @zaldritzosrose

A Song of Ice and Fire:

Women of ASOIAF Board by @asa-do-your-thing

The Last Kingdom:

Let's Cause A Little Trouble (Romantic Sihtric/ Osferth x Reader & Platonic Uhtred/Finan x Reader) by @zaldritzosrose

The Red Thirst by @gemini-mama

Álfablót by @foxyanon

Forgive Me, Father (Priest!Osferth x Brat!Reader) by @zaldritzosrose

Dune:

Ours to Love (Feyd x Reader x Paul) by @zaldritzosrose

Baldur's Gate 3:

Astarion Addams Family board by @towriteloveontheirarms

Ewanverse Characters:

Tom Bennett - Halloween Headcanons by @zaldritzosrose

Abraham (Grantchester) - Halloween Headcanons by @zaldritzosrose

Will (Salad Days) - Halloween Headcanons by @zaldritzosrose

Werewolf!Osferth x human!reader x Vampire!Aemond Targaryen smut by @anjelicawrites

Billy Taylor (The Halcyon) - Halloween Headcanons by @zaldritzosrose

[broomsick]

Are any of you performing the álfablót this year? Please share what your celebrations have been/will be like! As for me, I'll be performing the blót during this coming week. I generally make it coincide with my finishing up the winter preparations for the garden. My last batches have been harvested, I've safely tucked away my weakest perennials and I've already strung up the herbs to dry. Now is the perfect time to show gratitude towards the spirits of the lands and the elves!

[notthesomefather]

hey! i had a question and you're one of my favorite heathen blogs on tumblr.

i am new to paganism (i converted 11 months ago) and have never celebrated samhain/álfablót. i would really like to do something but my practice is closeted so i can't do anything too elaborate, do you have any recommendations/tips/ideas for subtle celebration?

if you don't answer asks like this, no worries at all, have a great day and thank you for your posts <3

Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm sorry you have to keep your faith private; I hope that changes soon x0x

Without knowing your exact situation, I have a few ideas:

Travel/pocket altars are always a good option. You can create one for Hel or your ancestors and bring it somewhere you feel you can perform a more elaborate ritual.

Apple-carving. The Hagalaz rune or the name of a loved one who you'd like to make an offering to or thank Hel for safekeeping would be good/simple ideas you could do with a small sharp object (be safe!). You can eat the apple if you need, or you can leave it someplace safe overnight and bury it the next day.

Collect photos or things that remind you of your loved ones who've passed on and sit for a bit, quietly thanking them and thanking Hel for guarding them. Reflect on fond memories, how your ancestors impacted your life, and ways they continue to guide you. Lighting a candle if you can would be good, if not no worries.

I'm sure other folks would have ideas too!

[foxyanon]

Fan-Frankentober Day 13: Álfablót

My first contribution to the @fandomeventcenter Fan-Frankentober event. Take a look at the masterlist here for the other entries!

Note: Due to the nature of álfablót and surviving information, this is a normally secret pagan practice that would’ve been practiced in the home by the woman (allegedly) and would’ve included things like ale and possible animal sacrifice. Because the word itself means “elven sacrifice”, this would’ve included offerings of some sort to the elves, who were typically associated with ancestor practice and fertility. The light elves, who this blòt derives the name from, were also associated with the god, Frey. We can only assume what the whole thing would’ve entailed, so for that reason I choose not to dive into the specifics and keep it private. I also used this HV translator and this Old Norse translator (thank you @thenameswinter99 for this)

Summary: Rhaenerys joins Sihtric for a look inside a secret blót.

Pairing: Sihtric Kjartansson x Rhaenerys Targaryen

Word Count: 1096

Rating: 18+, MDNI

TW: none, this serves as a companion piece to TLAD

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images used or any of the characters from The Last Kingdom or A Song Of Ice And Fire. I only own my own OC, Rhaenerys.

Dividers by @zaldritzosrose and @arcielee

The weather had started to cool and crops were being harvested from the fields near where the princess and her entourage had set up camp. In his time serving her, Sihtric had learned many things about the people of Westeros and their culture. Most notably however, was the fact that despite the differing religious beliefs, they all worked and lived rather well together. That had been one of the reasons he still felt comfortable to practice his own faith and had even shared stories with some of the other people in her household when they asked about it.

Tonight though, he was preparing for álfablót, which was a much more secretive celebration compared to the other blóts. Despite being the only Dane amongst the encampment, those who knew him had helped ensure he had whatever he needed for the sacrifice. While he wouldn’t go into detail about what he was doing, he had been given some food and ale as well as the evening to himself uninterrupted. As he was taking the pitcher of ale that had been acquired for him back to his tent, he was stopped by the princess herself.

”There you are, Sihtric. I had heard that you were partaking in some sort of ritual and I wanted to ask you if I could join you. I will admit to some curiosity about your gods and customs,” Rhaenerys said, stopping short of him with a small smile on her face.

He won’t lie, it took him a second to compose himself before answering, the sight of her always rendering him a little speechless. Funny how today was a day to sacrifice to the elves, and she was as pretty as one herself.

”Forgive me, princess but…” he started to say, though he stopped himself when he saw her smile fall from her face.

“No need, I had heard from Captain Beren that you were being vague and secretive. I suspect this is a more private thing for you so I will not impose any further,” she responded, turning to presumably leave but Sihtric didn’t wish for that.

”Wait!” He called out, the hand not holding the pitcher gently grabbing her wrist. She snapped her head towards him, one brow raised inquisitively. “I…I would like for you to join me. I only ask that you not speak of the rites, your highness.”

”I would never betray your trust like that, Sihtric,” she said softly, not making any move to yank her hand from his grasp. He tried to ignore the flutter in his chest at the thought, simply giving Rhaenerys a shy smile as he led her towards the small tent he had been given.

It was odd and a little embarrassing for Sihtric to see Rhaenerys standing inside the simply furnished canvas tent that served as his temporary home. The furnishings were simple; nothing more than a cot with furs, his weapons and armor, one three-legged stool and some candles surrounding a crude altar adorned the space. He almost apologized for the lack of luxury he knew she was accustomed to, but she simply sat on the ground in her gown, seemingly uncaring if she got grass stains on the red fabric.

”If I may ask, what does álfablót mean?” She asked, looking up at him with a curious glint in her eyes.

He chuckled and sat beside her, placing the ale pitcher on the stool and preparing to light the candles. “It means ‘elven sacrifice’, princess.”

Rhaenerys tilted her head, leaning on one hand towards him as the small space was engulfed in soft, warm light. “Elves? How intriguing. What does this sacrifice entail?”

He gave her a look over his shoulder, the candlelight dancing in her amethyst eyes reminding him of what Maester Gelyn once said to him; that the Targaryens are believed to be closer to gods than men. Perhaps his gods would forgive him for sharing this sacred day with a stranger. After all, she looked to have come from Álfaheimr herself, and how could he deny telling her everything? So he did.

Between drinking ale and placing a few items on the altar, Sihtric spoke of his old gods and their legends. He told her of the Æsir and Vanir, of their wars and peace. He told her of the nine realms and Yggdrasil, of Ratatoskr and Niðhöggr. The sun had long since set and the knowledge that he was sitting with a royal unchaperoned had floated across his thoughts, but Rhaenerys showed no care for the implications of them being caught. She listened attentively, asking questions and generally making Sihtric feel like she cared. In return for every story he spoke of his people, she told him one of hers.

While she told Sihtric that her knowledge had been hindered by the Doom, she spoke of secrets known only to her family. They both eventually made offerings to their ancestors in the holiday spirit, the solemn atmosphere not as heavy as he had expected in her company. He couldn’t help but think how much his mother would like Rhaenerys, and how much he wished she were here to meet her.

“Kirimvose, Sihtric, ao teptan nyke mirri hen ao bisa bantis,” she said sleepily, resting her head on his shoulder as they leaned back against the cot in his tent. He tried to ignore the racing of his heart at the gesture, his face flushed from her proximity and the ale. He didn’t know much of what she said, but he knew that first word was something she often said when thanking others. (Thank you, Sihtric, you gave me some of you this night)

”Þú ert velkomin, prinsessa,” he responded in his own native tongue, a tired giggle slipping from the young woman’s lips. He looked down at her, a smile on his face as she glanced up at him. (You are welcome, princess)

”You must teach me your language one day, so that I might know what you are saying to me,” Rhaenerys spoke softly, her breath warm on his neck and reminding Sihtric once more that everything about this moment was improper between two of their station, but he wasn’t about to push her away now.

”Only if you teach me yours, Princess,” he whispered back, the stirrings of something more than just loyalty towards her blossoming in his chest.

Her responding smile before looking back at the altar will forever be imprinted on his memory, the two of them sitting in companionable silence, no longer strangers, but as friends and maybe one day, something more.

Tagging: @gemini-mama @zaldritzosrose @legitalicat @thenameswinter99 @alexagirlie

[conquester]

I'm still wondering what kind of insanity we're gonna get for the CBS Ghosts Halloween episode for season four. I mean how can you top what we had for season three?

Honestly, I’d love to see Halloween from the perspectives of the ghosts! Obviously, they’re all aware of Halloween in the modern sense, but we have no idea what they thought of it while they were alive (modern ghosts) or if they had anything culturally similar. How did Thor celebrate álfablót (similar viking holiday) when he was alive? What does Sass think about the holiday? Did his tribe have a similar holiday? You KNOW Trever has some crazy Halloween stories and I’d love to hear the experiences of Pete and Flower! Did Alberta ever have a show on Halloween? There’s SO many ways that the writers could structure this episode and I think it would be really great!