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Utgard Online Magazine of the Northern Tradition is ©1998-2009 Skergard

Issue #5 June 1999-5102

Ceremonies and Prayers

Gimli

Gimli (July 10th), is the celebration of the different stages of our advancement through the various ages, and a time for renewal, reflection, and growth. Gimli is sacrèd to the brothers Magni and Modhi, as well as the other gods and goddesses who have helped mankind during its various stages of development.

This Ceremony is written to take place in our Hópr, Skergards’ sacred ceremonial site (planned), the participants should visualize (if they wish) our Hópr to the best of their ability.

The ceremony begins with the horn being sounded three times (optional); during this time all the participants prepare for the ceremony.

If the Ceremony is performed at sunrise, the Prayer to Delling is offered, if the Ceremony is performed at sunset, the Prayer to Billing is offered.

It is at this point that the Area Blessing is performed, afterwhich the Godhi or Gydhja sings the following invocation:

Hail to thee, Modhi, bringer of iron,
with your brother you learned in Jorvalla;
Hail to thee, Magni, bringer of bronze,
your gifts are ever with us, we see this.

All hail the givers of gifts, in kindness,
gifts to be returned with gifts, in kindness;
just as the gods ward our ways, we give back,
and so the gods grant givings, we give back.

The Godhi or Gydhja then pours the mead from the decanter into the blessing bowl, blesses the mead, and holding the bowl high sings:

Magni and Modhi have blessed us, we learn,
from the learnèd we teach, others learn;
these gifts aid others, as gods aid ourselves,
may each one come forward, the gods to bless.

Each family comes forward with their donations (The donations are labeled to where each will go and placed near the altar) to charitable organizations and/or needy people or families, those that wish to be blessed are blessed (the yew twig is then wet in the Ale and each one is then sprinkled with the sacrèd mead).

The twig is then consumed on the recels (with adequate ventilation of course), and the mead is offered to the wights.

So ends the Ceremony of Gimli.

Sumbel follows the ceremony.

Needed Items:

Godhi or Gydhja (or volunteer member)
Donations for the needy
One yew twig
Recels
One blessing bowl
One drinking horn or cup
Ceremonial Hammer
Decanter or container for the mead
Various offerings for land-wights for before the Ceremony
Mead for the Ceremony

© 1993-2009 RG V. L. Agnarsson

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