Hávamál
Rúnatal ~ Stanza ~ 138 and 139
Wounded I hung on a windswept gallows
For nine long nights,
Pierced by a spear, pledged to Odhinn,
Offered, myself to myself
The wisest know not from whence spring
The roots of that ancient root,

They gave me no bread, they gave me no mead,
I looked down;
With a loud cry I took up runes;
And from that tree I fell.

Have a gallon of apple cinnamon mead brewing, who else loves to make their own brews?

Game over, too much mead
From Philippines, 4 years ago.

Viking Rituals: Honoring the Old Gods
Viking rituals were central to Norse culture, serving as a bridge between the mortal realm and the divine. These rituals, often held outdoors amidst nature, were deeply spiritual, symbolizing honor, protection, and prosperity. Here are some authentic practices that defined Viking ceremonies:

1. Blót (Sacrifice)

Purpose: The most sacred Viking ritual, blót involved offerings to Norse gods, ancestors, or spirits of the land (vættir). These offerings could be animals, food, or precious objects.
Setting: Performed around large bonfires, blót ceremonies were often held in groves, sacred hills, or near large stones that served as altars.
Process: A chieftain or priest (gothi) led the ritual, chanting prayers, making the sacrifice, and sharing the offering with the community.

2. Dísablót (Female Spirits' Offering)

Purpose: This special ritual was dedicated to female deities and ancestral spirits (dísir). It was believed to secure good fortune for the coming year, especially for farming and family well-being.
Setting: Often held during winter or near the beginning of spring, it was celebrated with large communal feasts and toasts in honor of the dísir.

3. Landvættir Worship (Land Spirits)

Purpose: Vikings believed the land was inhabited by spirits that could either protect or harm the people living on it. Rituals to appease these spirits were common, particularly during settlements, battles, or sea voyages.
Process: Offerings of mead, food, or crafted objects were placed at shrines or special trees believed to be home to the landvættir.

4. Seiðr Rituals (Norse Magic)

Purpose: Seiðr was a form of Norse magic used for prophecy, healing, and controlling elements. It was practiced by seeresses (völvas) who could channel divine power.
Process: Participants sat in a circle, chanting while the völva entered a trance. Her visions were interpreted as guidance for the community.

It was a good bottling day; X31 750ml bottles of Mulling Spice/ Cinnamon Mead (13% ABV) sorted!!
A friend and I had downed a store bought bottle of mead prior for contrast; I’d say this young batch was definitely thicker and sweeter!! We definitely tasted the key notes, might as well say it tasted like Christmas Lol!! Definitely will be good to pass around by December….

I started a new batch of mead and it’s one Ive been wanting to try out for a while. It’s spring water, wildflower honey, local honey crisp apple cider and local apple slices. Felt like the fall was the perfect time for it

Shameless self promotion.

Wilde Jagd is a so called #Metheglin, a spiced #mead with pinetips and Kam Pot Pepper.
The artwork was made by the great @aforestofshadows

Yes, I am a professional #meadmaker and I love it.

https://www.metsiederei.ch ;)

Do you like mead, too?

A small ritual on one of our outside altars (I love bones and Dansk Mjød if you can't tell), officiating an oath ring for members to swear over in the sacred space. The knife was placed to represent us cutting and spilling blood, into a bowl that was filled with a strawberry mead, that the oath ring was dipped into and then laid upon the small rock cairn.

Mead

Its been a while since the #passthemead challenge, but why not start it here?
Here Is the first swallow..
Do you join?