Winter Nights 2007 - A Whole New Level!

Each of the AFA’s annual gatherings has its own flavor, and Winter Nights 2007 was no exception.

AFAers began trickling into Harmony Ridge Lodge on mid-Thursday, October 18^th, and by nightfall most of our attendees were on-site for a welcoming ritual, introductions, and an overview of the days to come.

The next morning found us enjoying breakfast and preparing to head off to local attractions. Some toured historic downtown Nevada City, others visited the local gold mine (active into the 1950’s), and many of us used the time to catch up on socializing. We rallied back at the lodge for lunch, then sprang into a discussion on the AFA’s history and future, and conversations about our goals and projects.

In the late afternoon we gave blot to the Disir in the apple orchard adjoining the lodge - and were soaked by an icy downpour that left us shivering, but exhilarated! Soon it was dinner time, featuring classic German fare and comradeship. This was followed by lively folk music and contra-dancing that even got some of our most reserved members off their seats and out on the floor. A powerful sumbel took us to bed time.

Mid-morning came and we settled into the series of presentations that was the gathering’s core. Steve started by talking on the theme of “awakening the Folk through ritual” and then, after a much-needed break, progressed to an analysis of Carl Jung’s essay, “Wotan,” as an example of just such an awakening. Jung’s treatise was considered as a historical document, as a manual for activists, and as a cautionary tale showing pitfalls to be avoided as we seek to rouse our people from their spiritual slumber.

After a lunch of Cornish pasties in honor of the many miners from Cornwall who once worked the local mines, we resumed our studies. We had discussed the general idea of waking the Folk, and had examined Jung’s example: Now it was time to consider the role of ritual in such an awakening. Steve spoke in detail on the blot as a “religious art form,” focusing on the exchange of gifts between the Holy Powers and ourselves. He described the essential parts of the blot and different options for the performance of each part.

In the course of this discussion, Steve gave many tips on ritual performance never previously shared - the distilled experience of thirty-some years of honoring the Gods. Always, the focus was on improving our ability to bring the might of the Gods into Midgard. The sumbel was similarly studied from a ritual standpoint, and we placed the whole discussion in the broader context of ritual, seasons, and cycles.

By this time, Steve was running a fever and trying to quell an upset stomach. Getting soaked with ice water during the Disa-blot had apparently left him vulnerable to a touch of the flu. The intense effort of back-to-back presentations no doubt took its toll, as well. Energy flagging, he carried out one more important tasks for the day, the ordination of Kent Odinsson into the clergy of the AFA.

This was the first time many of us had met Kent, though of course he had worked closely with the Board of Clergy for many months and had met numerous times with members of that Board in southern California (The AFA doesn’t do “mail order clergy”). Kent presented himself well; obviously very intelligent, serious, and thoughtful, he exemplified the kind of person we want to attract to this important position. Standing before the blue and white banner of the AFA, he swore his oath and raised his horn in a toast to our organization.

Steve retired to his room for sleep and others stepped up to shoulder the rest of the day’s tasks.

Dave Hobson led off with a general discussion of the Folkbuilder program, informing us of developments in this hugely important project and outlining some thoughts on where it can go from here. Next, Terry led a conversation about the future potential of the AFA that included a look at our strengths. Stefn Thorsman stepped in and spoke of the progress made with the clergy program, and how it gave us important advantages as an organization. After all had a chance to contribute to the spirited discussion, we moved on to the next item on the agenda: a well-earned dinner.

Afterwards, Stefn rallied the folk for the auction. Many wonderful things had been donated to raise funds for the AFA - a sword, children’s lederhosen, fine leather motorcycle chaps, an Else Christensen commemorative coin, and too many other things to describe. Stefn, of course, is the undisputed champion of Asatru auctioneers and he was in fine form as he launched into a description of the first item on the table. Our attendees bid with vigor, raising over $1,400 to defray the costs of hosting Winter Nights. We are grateful for their generosity. It’s easy for people to forget the cost of hosting a gathering of this magnitude, not to mention all the funds needed to keep the AFA itself going and growing!

Now to a more serious matter - the giving of blot to Odin. Steve had been scheduled to do this, as his dedication to the One Eyed God is well known throughout the Germanic revival. But, as Steve was flat on his back with the flu, the AFA’s newest gothi rose to the occasion. Penning a blot on the spot, he made his preparations and led the folk in the getting and giving of gifts with All Father. The style was his own, serious, with a quiet deliberation that clearly acted as a container for the Might of the Mead. Runes were galdered and the each person placed hand on horn to fill it with his or her gift to Odin…and Odin was generous in return. Kent definitely proved himself “under fire” - in the sense of the holy fire the God of Galder breathes on those who follow him.

Sunday morning saw several of our families on a nature trail featuring a local yew grove. More than just a pleasant walk in the forest, the experience of the holy trees gave a strong spiritual undertone that had persisted throughout the weekend. A stop at a pioneer grave of a young child was particularly memorable for our children, as gifts of dolls and toys had been placed there over the years. Definitely the kind of place to visit at Winter Nights.

When all returned to Harmony Ridge Lodge, we were all acutely aware that our time together was drawing to a close. But before we gathered for the Wayfarer Blot, there was another task to which we had to attend: ordinations for two men key to the formation of the Board of Clergy and to the composition of the clergy manual itself: Rick Oberg and Terry Armstrong. Each in turn stood before the three-horned banner and swore the oath demanded of all our gothar. Hearts pledged and horns raised, they were made members of this growing body that will lead the Asatru Folk Assembly into the twenty-first century.

Minutes later we stood among the trees, sun now shining where icy rains had pelted us only two days earlier. Kent led the Wayfarer Blot, tying us paradoxically together even as we were going our separate ways. And now, looking back on those few days, “together” rings truer than “separate” when it comes to describing us. For we are united, by the Folksoul and by our common allegiance to the AFA, in ways that transcend time and space.

Farewell to Winter Nights 2007. Onward, to Winter Nights 2008 and the challenges we shall overcome along the way!