An Abanning in the Normannii Thiud Aet Reik

Yule 2002

The wheel of the Year has turned full circle; once again the Normannii folk have gathered to blot our Gods and strengthen the bonds of frith and faith. Yule 2002 was again held this Solstice-tide at the Ten Mile River Reservation, in Narrowsburg, New York. In attendance were Dan Lord and his Leman Cynthia, Billy Thain and Diane, his wife, Lou Fedtha and his wife Ramona, Kevin Fedtha, Micha Kottaren and Gaelen Cniht. Our halls were also fortunate to have two of Dan Lord’s Husdreng, Bill and Glenn, and Glen’s make, Mary, as well as several goodfolk, including Blake and Amanda and their young son Alaric, Margarita and Will, Dave and Norma, and Carrola.

The camp was nicely snow-covered, but clear roads made the sojourn easy. After the main force arrived on Friday, time was taken to say hello, enjoy an early dinner and relax in each other’s company. Once we had all unpacked and set up the Hall, the official grounds taking and minor sumble proceeded. Many old friends and new joined in the festivities and the Hall was warm with cheer. Late night, under the full moon, Dan Lord guided our two Freyasgythias, Micha Kottaren and Amanda goodfolk into the woods; there they listened for the whispers of the Wights of the shores, and the Vanes who had gathered about the Hall at our beckoning. Much was gleaned by the maegencraft experience.

Saturday was an full and exciting day; with round table discussions and workshops covering a variety of Heathen arenas. Dan Lord held an session on 21st century Heathenry, with not only thought provoking information, but also a wonderful history lesson of the past 30 years of modern heathen movement from an insiders perspective. Following lunch, Micha Kottaren held the hall captive with her exploration of the art of Seith and Spae- with readings and discussions of Lore resources as well as her own life experiences in these crafts. Lou Fedtha gave a hands-on course on Western Martial arts, which was paralleled by Diane’s decoupage craft making session in the Women’s Hall.

With many workshops having been had, the Folk moved on to our Yuletide Blot, which was wonderfully thaned by Micha Kottaren, under the supervision of Dan Lord, the tribe’s wefodthane. After the rite the Great Feast followed. As the night moved on, High Sumble was called with the winding of the horn, and Beots, Boasts and Geilps were made as the Normannii Folk placed their doom in the Well of Wyrd. Among the notable events of the Hall, which Lou Fedtha sat as Thyle for, several Normans were sped in arrung. Lou Fedtha was heighted to Thane under bells of Worthing a man, as such is required for Thaneship in Normandy. Billy Thane, by leave of his lord, Dan Heras, then heighted two Normans within his reach, Micha Kottaren to Karlen and Kevin Fedtha to Sergens, again with the understanding that each must not only worth themselves to attain arrungs, but must also continue to worth his arrung at pain of loosing it.

While each Norman offered words and mead to our Gods, Goddesses and ancestors alike, time was also taken to strengthen our tribal bonds and exchange gifts for the season. Of these gifts a few of them require an exchange of geld so as to protect the luck and ties that bind us together:

Amongst the many weal-ful words spoken, boasts were also made and their myne recorded and fulfilled: Lou Thane re-affirmed his boast from Lammas to provide the tribe with a 20 oz Silver oath ring based on historical documentation by Midsummer 2003. If Lou Thane fails to provide said Oath Ring by Midsummer 2003 he will add 1 ounce of gold to the Ring and furnish it by Yule 2003. Lou also asked for all Norman to donate any silver they may wish for the sake of the orlog they may hold within them. Dan Lord donated a 5th Century silver relic and his Gering Spear pendant. Micha Karlen affirmed her boast taken at Hallows where she would design and host a Seith/Spae workshop by Midsummer 2003, open to Heathen Goodfolk. If she fails to meet that yelp she will have designed and hosted said workshop by Yule 2003 and create a Seith website under bells. Kevin Sergens, aspiring smithy, has boasted that he would forge an axe (Francesca style, a model was displayed before the tribe) by Yule 2003. If axe is not complete by said time Kevin Sergens is to decorate said axe in the style of the Mammen Axe. At the close of Sumble, the night’s merriment continued with drinking, eating, talking and games. While the womenfolk continued their traditional “Midnight Axe Throwing” and Billy Thane and Bill Dreng engaged in battle over a chess board. Dan Lord put up a prize of 3 lucky pennies and a Mercian artifact to the winner of a best out of three contest. After a stalemate the first game, Billy Thane marched on to claim a 2-0-1 victory.

Sunday came too fast and it was time to say our fair wells. We finished our last official business of Tribal Thing, packed up, cleaned the hall and thanked the wights with gifts of mead, before we headed for home. The notes and minutes for thing are listed below.

Yule 2002 Normannii AlThing

Date: Sunday 22 December 2002 CE

Attendance: Dan Lord O’Halloran and Cynthia his Leman Billy Thain and his wif Diane Lou Thain and his wif Ramona Kevin Sergens, Micha Karlen & Gaelen Cniht Blake, Amanda & Alaric Goodfolk Margarita and Will GoodFolk Dave and Norma Goodfolk Carrola GoodFolk

Past Business: The Normannii Web Site statistics is showing an average of 250 visitors per month. Who’s Who update, additional information requested for Clothing sizes. Thraelbok: Outline has been approved by the Wita and is nearly complete

New Business: Doomsday Book project has been revived and will be subjected to review shortly. Ostara Plans in the works, to be hosted at Niagara Shire by the Owens Rooftree

Yeoman’s Report: approximately $1000 in the coffers based on estimated remaining payouts and receipts. Please ensure you get any receipts you wish to be reimbursed for into the treasure, Micha Karlen, ASAP.

Issue of lost Swine Heard badge by Micha Karlen. As it is a symbol of gifting from a sacral office, a shild is due. Micha Karlen shall design by Ostara 2003 a Swine herd banner, by Yule embroider it. The size and specifications are to be determined by her.

-- Kevin Sergens High Sheriff, Normannii Reiks