On the weekend of June 16th through 19th, 1988 CE, AsatruarFolk from around the Realm gathered together for what was to be the most important and productive AlThing of our time.
Over sixty Asafolk from nine states and representing seven kindreds showed their concern for our Faith and their support for the Alliance concept, by making the sacrifices necessary to attend this historic ingathering of the Folk.
Thursday afternoon early birds began arriving at the public campgrounds across the highway from the Thing grounds. First to arrive were Arizona Kindred members who were soon joined by carloads of Asafolk arriving from the Phoenix airport. Before long, the woods reveled in the sounds of our Folk renewing old friendships and making new ones. By late afternoon we settled down to a fine impromptu meal hosted by Idun of Arizona Kindred fame.
Following the meal, Nerthus in all Her glory, unleashed a downpour of much needed rain. This set the stage for the weekend. During the rain, guests crowded into the "motorhof" to continue the discussions of the afternoon.
That evening we gathered around the fire to hold a Sumbel where the brewers present brought out their best to share with their fellows.
Friday morning found camp bustling with activity as we prepared to pack up and move across the road to the Thing grounds. By the time that we opened the gate, guests were lined up waiting to enter. The next couple of hours were spent with the usual activities of making camp, setting up the Viking games and registering the many delegates who were arriving. World Tree Publications made its debut with three tables of Asatru materials which were well recieved by the Folk. A special thanks to all of you who pitched in during this hectic time to set the stage for the events to come.
By early afternoon the cook fires were lit in preparation for the evening's Feast, which I might add was wolfed down by the hordes of hungry Vikings encamped in the woods.
After the Feast and a short interlude to digest our food, we headed for the ritual area to partake in our most sacred ritual, the Sumbel. As the mead was presented for the blessings of Odin, scores of mead horns appeared to leap into the hands of the Faithful eager to partake of the wisdom and the magic enjoined at Sumbel. Following the traditional three rounds of the horn, the Sumbel ended with a traditional offering to the land spirits. This formally ended the activities for the day.
What followed was a time for socializing, traditional fire leaping, and some unstructured mead sipping. Some time during the wee hours of the morning, we all managed to find our tents and get some rest for the busy day ahead.
Saturday morning was a time of intense activity as we prepared to open the Viking Games. At 9 AM sharp participants and spectators converged on the meadow and the games began. Many tried their luck and skill at ancient feats of the Warrior Arts. There was both light and heavy caber toss. Light and heavy axe throw. Spear hurling, and last but by no means least, the infamous Pillage and Cut course. This frezied burst of activity lasted until noon, when the time came to begin the Thing.
The Thing officially opened with a Blot to Tyr. Asatruar gathered in the ritual circle to honor the God of Justice and Law with sacrifice of ritual mead, specially brewed and consecrated as offerings to our Gods and Goddesses.
The Tyr Blot was conducted by gothis; Thorsteinn and Haakon, and Gythias; Alice and Freya. Following the Tyr Blot and blessings of the Aesir, delegates settled down for a long session of law making.
As if to show their approval, the Gods sent a gentle rain which lasted for the duration of the Thing. Before the AlThing began, the land was parched and dry. Now it was cleansed and refreshed, full of life and luster.
Much time was spent by the assembled in determining delegate status. Also matters of proxies, kindred status, membership standings, etc. Although the hours passed, a sense of determination and compromise prevailed, and by 6 PM, the Asatru Alliance was born, bound by Laws of the Folk.
Immediately following the Thing, everyone retired to the outdoor kitchen for a Feast of massive proportions. During the Feast we held an auction of donated materials which raised enough money to pay the remaining bills of the AlThing. We also raffled off the beautifully crafted Viking sword, axe and helmet, and matched drinking horns.
Karen Taylor won the coveted sword. Eric Townsend won the axe and helmet and Ornolf Volden won the horns. The raffle netted over $800 which went to the Hof project, and the Arizona Kindred's general fund. A very special thanks to Kirby the Smith who donated these fine examples of the metal arts.
After the Feast and cleanup chores, we moved again to the ritual circle for one last ritual of Asatru. A Sumbel conducted by Thorsteinn was held, and during the Sumbel, the awards for the Viking Games were presented by Redbeard.
Following the Sumbel, preparations were made for the Fourth Annual Mead Brewing Competition. Fourteen members of the brewing community brought out their best to be judged by a distinguished panel of their peers. Let me tell you Folks, this is exhausting work. But somehow we managed to pick the best. The winner was Laura Campbell's Celtic Cyser. She was presented with a hardbound edition of the Poetic Edda donated by Jace Crouch. Second place winner, Bert Wolf, was presented with a surplus AFA Brewer's Guild shirt. The Brewing Contest serves a dual function, that of awarding excellence and promoting the growth of the home brewing of our sacred mead. Thanks to all who participated and we hope to see even more of you next year.
During and after the Brewing Competition, Asafolk assembled at the fire for some fine polka dancing and general revelry. Many jumped the bonfire for luck and purification for the coming year. This traditional activity lasted into the night.
Sunday morning we held several seminars. Mike Murray gave a presentation for the Brewer's Guild, while others hiked into the woods for a meeting of the newly formed Shaman's Guild.
Everyone pitched in to clean the grounds, pack up the equipment used for the Viking Games, and to break camp.
AlThing 8 had come to a close. I would like to thank the small army of unsung heroes who slaved over the cook fires, manned the gate around the clock. Prepared the ritual center, helped with the Viking Games, the auction and the raffle, and of course the Tyr Blot and the Sumbels. All of you deserve a round of praise. Without your efforts and sacrifice, there could be no AlThings.
History was made with this gathering of the Folk, the
foundations were laid for an enduring confederation of
kindreds and individuals which has the means and the desire
to continue the struggle to restore our sacred Faith of our
ancestors and promote the heritage and culture of the
Northern European Folk. Information regarding AlThing 9
will be released in the Yule edition of Vor Tru. Make your
plans to attend now.
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