Freyja Blot - 
This blot can be held at any time of year, as it is focused on the goddess Freyja rather than any specific holy day. However, this blot would be appropriate in the spring time, close to Walpurgis, as well, since Walpurgis is accepted by several modern Heathens as a time sacred to Freyja. This blot is meant as a means of reciprocating one’s relationship to Freyja through the use of a gift/offering. Thus no activity (i.e. spae, divination, meditation, reading, etc.) is performed at this time.
The writer is a solitary practitioner. She keeps her blots simple and straightforward, as that is the style that suits her best. She feels strongly that the best words are those that come from the heart. Therefore, while words are given to use throughout the blot, the reader should feel encouraged to say what he/she feels are the most appropriate words to say at the time. The reader is also encouraged to add more formal aspects to this blot, should they be deemed appropriate. It can also be adapted as a way to honor any god/dess of one’s choosing.
A final word on this blot – the writer lives in a house and has a garden. Therefore, she blots out of doors, leaving her offerings in a stump in the center of her garden. A person living in an apartment might not have this kind of flexibility. Therefore, the writer advises leaving the offering in a “designated” area of one’s apartment over night, for the “essence” of the offering to be taken in. Then the offering can be disposed of, preferably in a place of nature, at the reader’s discretion.
If more than one person is in attendance at a blot, it is the writer’s practice to hold a pre-blot discussion. Here, all attendees discuss the focus of the blot (in this case Freyja), referencing the lore known about the subject. Archeology and secondary sources are also discussed, and unverifiable personal gnosis, personal interpretations, anecdotes, etc. are all welcomed. This is done specifically to bring everyone’s mind to the blot, in the hope that everyone can learn from one another and thus deepen the understanding of the blot’s subject. This is a practice typical to the Northeastern area of the United States in general, and the writer is indebted to her friends at Vingolf Fellowship, Raven Kindred North Athelingulf Fellowship, and other local groups for introducing her to the practice. If solitary, the writer recommends spending some time re-reading the lore, meditating on Freyja, etc. before the blot begins.
Necessary Tools:
Drinking horn/Drinking vessel
Mead (or other sweet alcohol, try Raspberry Lambic)
Offering bowl (if indoors)
Hammer (optional)
Altar (optional):
Statue or other representation of Freyja (an amber necklace works well)
Candle (the author uses two, flanking the statue)
Item being offered (if using something other than the libation)
Other assorted items as needed/desired – oath ring, offering bowl, hammer, sacred items, amber, et al.
Hallowing of the area:
Author’s Note: a Hammer Rite can be used at this time if the reader chooses. The author’s own preference is to use the hails below to hallow the space instead.
Light candle(s). Stand in silence for the space of a few deep breaths. Focus on the blot, and its intent – to honor Freyja. If desired, speak as the candle(s) are being lit about the fire as a representation of the sacred fires, warming and hallowing the space.
Hail the Landvaettir:
I call to you, the wights of this place. Spirits of the earth, or the sky, land and husvaettir, I welcome you. Those who are seen, and those who are unseen; all those who live upon this land/in this house, I ask you to join me. Please be with me now, protect me and stand with me as I perform this ritual. Hail the Landvaettir!
Hail the Ancestors:
Honored ones, ancient ones, those who came before me, I greet you and bid you welcome. Ancestors, share your love with me, stand with me now as I perform this ritual. Be with me, held close to my heart, and grant me your wisdom. Hail the ancestors!
Hail the Gods:
High ones, my elder kin, I call to you. Aesir and Vanir, I bid you welcome to this place. I invite you to be with me now as I perform this ritual. Please stand fast with me, be with me as in the old days. Hail the Aesir! Hail the Vanir! Hail the gods!
Invocation of Freyja:
(Speaker should turn and face the altar/image of Freyja at this time, if not already doing so. Spend a deep breath or two of time remembering why you are here, the purpose of the blot.)
Lady. Vanadis. Sister to Freyr and daughter of Njord. Friend to cats, and lover to us all, I ask you to come to this place. Bearer of Brisingamen, you are welcome here. Freyja, I ask you to please attend, and share your love with me. Hail Freyja!
Bless the Mead:
Pour mead/alcohol being used (for those who do not drink alcohol, apple cider or juice is a good substitute) into the drinking horn/vessel. Trace the hammer sign over the liquid using one’s hand or a hammer.
(One does not have to speak here. The writer typically doesn’t. However, some words can be used regarding the sanctifying of the mead, such as: Blood of Kvasir, mead of inspiration, blessed by the gods, be made holy by this sign.)
Share drink with the Lady:
This can be done as the speaker sees fit. The author tends to drink three times, pouring out into the offering bowl/directly onto the ground after each drink. Words to the following effect can be used:
Freyja, goddess of love, Lady of the Vanir, I share this drink with you in memory of the many gifts you have given me. Hail Freyja!
(Drink deeply, pour out some of the liquid)
Freyja, I am honored to have you in my life. I thank you for the warmth of your love, and I deeply appreciate all that you have done for me. Hail Freyja!
(Drink deeply, pour out some of the liquid)
Freyja, I am here tonight/today to offer you a gift as a token of our relationship to one another. I ask that you receive it warmly, and continue to smile on me. Hail Freyja!
(Drink deeply, pour out some of the liquid)
Offering:
If using the remaining liquid as the offering itself:
This mead/alcohol is a symbol of my gratitude to you, Freyja. Please accept this offering as a gift to you. I ask that you continue to share your gifts with me. I am mindful of all that you have done, and am grateful that you will continue to smile on me. Hail Freyja!
(Pour out remaining liquid into offering bowl).
If using an actual item as an offering:
(First, pour out all of the liquid into the offering bowl after sharing drink with the Lady. Then pick up the item to be offered. The writer here uses amber as an example, but the speaker should feel free to use an offering appropriate to him/her and the relationship with Freyja. Obviously, the wording should change to describe the offering and its significance.)
Freyja, I offer to you this gift of amber. This is often, like gold, referred to as your tears. I offer amber to you because it is, in my heart, a symbol of your powerful necklace, Brisingamen. It is a sign of wealth, and to me it is also a reminder of your presence in my life. Freyja, I thank you for all that you have done for me, for the gift of your love, and for the many ways you have helped me. This gift to you I offer in thanks, with the wish that our relationship will continue to grow. Hail Freyja!
(Offer the gift by adding it to the liquid in the offering bowl, or if outdoors place it where it will be left for Freyja. If you are capable of doing so, offer it by throwing it directly into a fire and letting it burn.)
Farewell:
Freyja:
Freyja, Vanadis, I thank you for your presence here tonight/today. I thank you for taking the time to accept my offering. I thank you once more for the gifts you bring to me. Hail Freyja!
Gods:
Aesir, Vanir, gods of my heart, I thank you. Thank you for being here with me, and for standing witness to my offering. You are always with me, and I honor you. Hail the Aesir! Hail the Vanir! Hail the gods!
Ancestors:
Honored ones, those who have come before, all those who are remembered, I thank you. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me, and thank you for attending this place. Hail the ancestors!
Landwights:
Landvaettir, husvaettir, wights of this place, I thank you. I thank you for sharing this land/house with me, and I thank you for extending your protection to all that I hold dear. Thank you for being here to witness this ritual. Hail the landvaettir!
Libation:
(Pour out the remaining liquid in the offering bowl, either directly onto the ground or at the base of a tree.)
From the gods to the earth to us,
From us to the earth to the gods.
A gift for a gift.
Hail!
The above phrasing is also used typically in the Northeastern area of the United States. It is thought to have come from the original Raven Kindred, but the writer has had a hard time finding out more specific information than this. Thus, to whomever first uttered the words above as a way to libate and end a blot, thank you for allowing so many of us to use them!
-TRK-
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