An Overabundance of Blot...

I belong to several online groups and forms dedicated to heathenry or Asatru in general, even though as a Vanatru most of my belief and practice is not very "acceptable" to more hardcore types. Anyway I wish I could remember the conversation and place, but not long ago someone was discussing blots and how,when,why etc. they should or should not be performed.

Hyndla and Freyja by Hanz Frolich, public domain

In the simplest sense of the words, a blot is a ritual sacrifice to the gods. Once upon the time these sacrifices could have been the sacrifice of an animal or in some cases even human sacrifices. Other precious objects such as gold, food, or drink were also common offerings to the gods, along with other things of great number. Today's sacrifices can take any number of forms similar, minus the human sacrifice part of course. At any rate, a blot to the gods or a particular god is a fairly common modern day heathen ritual.

In this particular conversation, there seemed to be a great agreement among many traditional heathens that the process of the blot should be something relatively rare and quite serious. The talking point, "A GIFT FOR A GIFT" always comes up in these discussions, usually with some vague warnings about giving to much and be careful what you wish for, etc, etc. Inevitably the conversations strays with some macho assertions about how heathens do not bow or prostrate themselves and the gods do not wish for us to constantly offer or blot to them and instead we are to impress them with our own actions and hard work. Which is fine if the Gods you speak of are the warrior based Aesir. But as a Vanatru I have a bit of a different perspective on the matter.

The implication in these conversations always seems to be that performing blots on a regular basis is somehow an indicator that a person does not take responsibility for their own life and instead simply wants a boon from the gods. in the clearest terms, constant blot equals laziness. As if performing sacrifice is somehow in opposition to hard work and self reliance. I find myself rolling my eyes as soon as such conversations come up, because honestly it likes a signal that the machismo pissing contest has begun. Whose tougher, stronger, better, more manly than the next?

Honestly this is when I exit the building. Opinions are well and good but it always amazes me that these heathens so hell bent on researching and knowing their Eddas never seem to have read or heard of the Lay of Hyndla, or Hyndlajod. As a Vanatru and a Freyja's woman, this source is one I personally feel is very important. And it details the process of blot and expresses a view which is quite different than that of most of these hardup, I mean hardcore, heathens.

here are the relevant lines from the Lay:

9) "A wager have made | in the foreign metal
Ottar the young | and Angantyr;
We must guard, for the hero | young to have,
His father's wealth, | the fruits of his race."

10) "For me a shrine | of stones he made,--
And now to glass | the rock has grown;--
Oft with the blood | of beasts was it red;
In the goddesses ever | did Ottar trust."

For the sake of clarity, the lines above are spoken by Freyja in concern for her devotee/lover Ottar. She has come to the volva Hyndla in order to get record of his lineage in order that he may win a wager with the gods and prove his heritage among heros.

In the lines, Freyja asserts his loyalty by explaining to Hyndla that Ottar has created a shrine to her (Freyja) on which he has sacrificed so many animals that the surface has turned to glass from the combination of blood and heat. In essence, he has earned the favor from Freyja due to his devotion to her and constant performance of blot.

Sorry but the way the goddess speaks of Ottar does not seem very condescending to me...never once does she seem to indicate that this constant blot is an annoyance or indicative of laziness. In fact she seems to like Ottar quite well, traveling all the way to the Underworld to find Hyndla and help him win the bet, not to mention taking him as a lover! In fact, by the end of the Lay, Freyja has managed to negate every curse or obstacle Hyndla attempts to place in the way of his achievement of the goal, even going so far as to surround Hyndla with a ring of fire making her impotent in terms of harming Ottar. Just doesn't seem to mesh well with the idea that a blot implies laziness, or should be a rare occasion does it?

It is my belief that one should blot to the gods whenever they feel the need, be it everyday or every year. Giving offering to the gods should not be an indicator of our character, it has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with giving our honor and praise to the god or goddess who receives the offering. I don't believe the idea of a gift for a gift implies material reward or effort. I think the real warning is that one must be conscience of who and what they blot to. Hospitality encourages friendship, but too much hospitality might bring in unsavory company. A gift for a gift shouldn't be a matter of shame when those gifts are going to the gods themselves.

At least not in my opinion. As a woman of Freyja, I will continue to blot to her and the Vanir gods whenever I feel compelled to do so, be it for gratitude or simply to honor the blessings they have brought into my life. Opinions are like assholes, so in this case I think I will stick to the Lay and the words of Freyja herself. Ever in Freyja and the Vanir will I trust.

In Frith
Cena


(Hyndlajoth, translation from Henry Bellows is the source of italicized quotes).