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The Álfablót is a Norse tradicional celebration which is made at the times of the Winter nights, one of the 2 celebrations held in this time. The Álfablót or the Elven sacrifice was a pagan Scandinavian sacrifice to the elves, it is made around this time of autumn, it is in the end of it, at the "doors" of the coming winter, when all the crops were harvested and the animals well fed.
This is a diferent celebration, not like all the other blóts, this is a small celebration that can be made by one individual or one family, in tradicion this is a local celebration at the homesteads and they were administered by the lady of the household, the mainly subject in this celebration is not only to honor the ancestours, but also all kinds of other spirits, such as the elves and the landspirits, the Landvaettir, in this time strangers were not welcomed near the homesteads during the celebrations, also going back to the elves, they are a source of power and they are often connected to the ancestours, to the gods and to pray fertility, and for the next year when the winter will be gone, may the land give the people the means for prosperity, the humans have the tools, the landspirits have the power.
Note: The Drawing was made by me.
Note2: This was a scheduled post.
Note: The Drawing was made by me to ilustrate the celebration i am about to write of.
You can watch my works in this [Link] at my gallary.
To begin with, i will tell you what a Blót is.
The Blót was Norse pagan sacrifice to the Norse gods and the spirits of the land. The sacrifice often took the form of a sacramental meal or feast. Related religious practices were performed by other Germanic peoples. This celebration wasn't made just by the norse/germanic people, but also throughout Europe, the celts, and latins did it, in their own traditions, often animals and even people ( most prisoners of war ) were sacrificed, the word Blót means "to worship with sacrifice", in this celebrations, the people give their offerings, such as mead. food, animals, personal objects, all to the Gods and in turn, people expected the Gods to give them gifts in turn, they asked for fertility, good health, a good life and peace and harmony between the people and Nature.
Now that you know what a Blót is, i will tell you what is the Haustablot, this specific blót in this time of the year, in 21st to 24th of September, it is the autumn equinox, such as the Celtic Mabon and Alan Elfed, it is a time to celebrate the harvest of the crops and it's ending, it is also a time to thank and to meditate, the celebration is made with the food and drink that is made with the Corn and wheat, and also to celebrate with cakes, cookies, mead, bread, vegetables, fruits, nuts.
It is not just a time to thank to yourself, your family, the Gods, and all the hard work, but also a time to thank to the Landvættir, who are spirits of the land and they protect and promote the flourishing of the specific places where they live, which can be as small as a rock or a corner of a field, or as large as a section of a country.
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