*This report was originally written by Sorn. It has been reposted here in an effort to collect all our resources on our new site.
On October 28, 2007, Keeper of Seasons Hall met near the Rio Grande to hold its tenth Winternights celebration.
Despite a few nights that dipped briefly below freezing, much of Albuquerque’s summer warmth had continued well into the following season; the day of the blót was warm, clear, and sunny. Many of the trees of the Bosque had changed color, and a few had lost their leaves, but there were still some smaller trees to be found that stubbornly held on to their greenery. The skies were frequently traveled by crows, ravens, geese, and cranes as members of the Hall made their way to a spot scouted previously for this blót.
Because of severe illness, some of the Hall’s members were unable to attend our Winternigts celebration. This included Erich, who was not able to lead the blót as originally planned. Instead, I had the honor to announce the purpose of the ceremony and hail the Vanir, the Disir, our ancestors, and the wights of the land on behalf of the Hall. Each member present spoke personal hails, after which I gave a hail written by Erich specifically for this blót commemorating the decade mark of the organization. Erich’s hail served as the closing of the blot; the rest of the mead was poured in offering at the bases of the trees among which the participants stood.
After the blót was concluded, we spread a blanket and enjoyed a picnic lunch, shaded by the trees and warmed by the sun that filtered through the gold leaves. As we ate and talked, we were visited by a raptor that Bill later tentatively identified as a young red-tail hawk or possibly a small golden eagle (though he thought that possibility much less likely). We greeted the bird, and after it moved around a few times to different nearby branches, it took flight, circling the river area at various heights. Our meal finished, we left the Bosque, discussing plans for later activities.
Participants (in order of hails):
Sorn
Debbie
Bill
Pete
Erich’s Keeper of Seasons Hail:
“With the holding of this blot, our hall has stood to see ten winters. Slowly though we started, our hall heals in these holy days. As ever we raise high the raven’s head and hold our horns aloft, and so shall we blot the holy powers, blithe and bold, with the will to live well. As those ravens who take flight in spring have sought our steads again in these winter nights, so shall the hall return so long as we seek these holy works and each other in blessing.
In the seasons to come let us seek to renew and revive all that we wish to have in our hall, but as Odin trembles Munin’s return, may we be ever mindful that memory is foundation. May we wax in words and deeds in this tenth winter!
Hail to you, good friends of the hall, in high esteem should all be held. From these words, may worthy words follow; from this deed, great deeds find their footing.”
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