Pictures
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Note – if anyone wants a hires pic of any of those below, typically 1600x1200, email me. Summer Solstice 2006 This year we had a significant contingent of Polish people with whom to celebrate. A fairly relaxed and informal affair this year, with a couple of notable events. The first being the ongoing construction of a trebuchet by Luke et al and the other the inauguration of young Callum MacKenzie as 'Warden of the Hearth' (responsibility for maintaining and guarding the fire). I did not take many pictures this year because I was mainly interested in creating audio recordings for a radio show – to be announced. Some
of our Polish people Meldric and Ostara 2006 On the occasion of the visit
of Medric and members of the
German Viking group Gripandilag at Ostara. Pete
begins the lining of one wall Photos – November 2005 Einheriar Blot Taken by our guest from Iceland - Gísli Páll Gudjónsson Ray
in the dark Work Party – October 2005 The
cutting begins Work Party – July 2005 The
Ash is cut by Pete Summer Solstice 2005 This year we decided to go with an idea first proposed by Julian – namely running a flaming Sunwheel down the hill in true Germanic fashion. This was made in wire and steel and filled with flammable material. To each axle was fitted a chain so that it could be guided onto the waiting fire. As is customary at these events various people decided to dress up, which makes for good photos! Anyway, the pictures will tell their own story... Bird
in the hand – this baby bird fell from its nest under
the eves of the Hof. It was returned to the woodland since it
could just about fly. Fiona
and Sigrid... Later
in the Hof - a toast is made Solstice
Portrait – hires version of intro page 1600x1200 Julian in Berlin – in the old days Summer Solstice 2003 This Solstice Blot held in 2003 was the centrepiece of the annual event which was spread over two days. It was organised by the people of the Ormswald Cultural Sanctuary, presided over by Pete Seymour. Most of the Saturday was spent building a ten metre replica of a Viking longship which was filled with dead wood. Quite remarkably, from a distance it looked very convincing in the bright sunshine. The whole endeavour proceeded fairly well, and the only mishap occurred when the sail was first hoisted experimentally and the mast broke under the strain, unfortunately hitting Pete Jennings square on the head. However, like the Monty Python parrot he was only lightly stunned and after a brief lie down was back to normal except for a graze. A stronger mast was found in the woods, and the ship was completed in the early evening. After various supplies of food and drink were consumed it was beginning to get dark. The Blot itself was scheduled for around a 22:30 start, and the Ormswald regulars who comprise the re-enactment contingent changed into their period costumes complete with weapons. Other people also got changed into rather interesting clothes, although most were not historically accurate, but were nonetheless distinctive - the Heathen equivalent of the 'Sunday Best'! The Blot formally began when a horn sounded calling us to the Hof. As we arrived blazing torches were being kindled and the area was beginning to light up. Those of you who have wandered around woodland at night, far from a town, will know exactly how dark it can be, so this was something of a relief as most people had not brought any lights, or had left them in their tents erected in the woods. Then, as the first few torches were handed out something magical happened - there was a long continuous peal of thunder lasting maybe six or seven seconds. It seemed that Thor was blessing the enterprise, and was very unexpected as the sky had been clear throughout the day and evening. However, nothing further happened and we continued with the preparations. When all the torches were lit we moved in procession from the Hof back to the open space in the woodland, called the arena, where the ship awaited with its sail fully deployed. Pete Seymour, as Gothi, dedicated the Blot to Ingvi Frey and torches were thrown into the ship, lighting the fire. Immediately the sail blazed, lighting up the participants who had now formed into a semicircle around the ship with the Gothi and his assistants centrally before it. And again something magical happened. At the point where the Gothi, standing before the burning ship, dedicated the Blot to Ingvi Frey as bringer of the winds and rain so rain arrived. Just enough to make the remaining torches sputter noisily, and a wind arose making the torches roar. This then died away after a few minutes and the evening was once again dry and still. At the end of the Blot some 30 min later the sky was cloudless with stars visible. The Blot ended with a display of fireworks. We then spent the next few hours in the Hof drinking and talking. Altogether some thirty to forty people were present at this impressive event. The ship
is finally built More pictures of Ormswald A
picture of the Arena – this is a clear area where major
ceremonies are held Interior
shot of the roof – a tree grows through the centre of
the Hof!
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