Balder Blot

By Ed LeBouthillier


Gathering
Gather all present into a circle with Gothi

Hallowing
Wielding a ceremonial hammer, Gothi starts:

“Hammer in the North, hallow this stead and make it holy”
“Hammer in the East, hallow this stead and make it holy”
“Hammer in the South, hallow this stead and make it holy”
“Hammer in the West, hallow this stead and make it holy”
“Hammer Below us, hallow this stead and make it holy”
“Hammer Above us, hallow this stead and make it holy”

Draw a Sig rune with firm determination above the East with the hammer

“Above us, below us and all around us, as Mjolnir guards Asgard, it guards this place.”

Rede

Gothi opens with:
"Today we honor Balder, beloved son of Odin and Frigga, and a glorious and victorious warrior in his own right."

Reading
"As we are told in Edda:"

"The second son of Odin is Baldur, and good things are to be said of him. He is best, and all praise him; he is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light shines from him. A certain herb is so white that it is likened to Baldr's brow; of all grasses it is whitest, and by it thou mayest judge his fairness, both in hair and in body. He is the wisest of the Æsir, and the fairest-spoken and most gracious; and that quality attends him, that none may gainsay his judgments. He dwells in the place called Breidablik (Braythablik – Broad Gleaming), which is in heaven; in that place may nothing unclean be."

Calling
Gothi Faces West, saying:

“Balder, friend of the Aesir and Vanir, whose presence brings joy to us all, we ask you in joy to come and celebrate with us.”

“Loved by your father, Odin, and mother, Frigga, you bring hope, the beauty of the new morning. Like the morning light bringing forth the bright new day, enter our lives bringing a new light. Share your wisdom with our lives that we may share in your glory.”

Offering
“We offer you this mead, the work of our hands, that we may share in the blessings of life, a gift for the gifts you have inspired in us.”

Blessing
“Pour your blessings, your wisdom and your inspiration that all may share it through this mead.”

Sharing
As the Gothi takes the blessed mead around to each person, he says:

“I give you the blessings of Balder.”

Sacrifice
Gothi/Gythia make offering to Balder and the wights present in ceremony.

Leaving
“As each morning fills our lives with new hope and happiness, may the blessings of Balder go with you. This blot is ended. Go with the Aesir and Vanir.”