All our tribe she called to her, elder and younger kin, all she hailed, and we came to the Mother's call! As the year was waining and our mothers watching the Normannii folk assembled again, at the Ten Mile River Reservation, in Narrowsburg, New York, the weekend of 26 – 28 December, 2003. Upon Frigga’s Day the folk fared to the cabin stead and was itself saga-ful, a tale to be told another time. With folk to pick up and rides to arrange, and mechanical issues to overcome, our success in the face of ordeal was a testament of our troth to our gods and to each other. Once all had arrived we were fed in Norman style, our Matron, Lady Cynthia, and Halijathygen, Micha Karlen, led us in a Mother’s Night rite to gather and protect the folk. We then convened minor symble, with yelps made to our Gods, ancestors, and heroes alike.
Saturday came, and there was much to do; Lord Dan held a workshop on ‘Wyrd and Causality’, discussing the cause and effect of our actions – and its relation to Urth, Verdandi and Skuld. Aldis, Goodfolk, gave a class on Drop Spinning, a skill used for either cloth or Bow strings- men and women alike should learn such skills! After Lunch, Lou Thain led a discussion group on Warrior Dances and the Gothika, an emerging new element of Normannii Ordeal and warrior cultus, which has much to be gleaned from.
Later that evening, after Mundilfari’s daughter had traveled far out of site, the Fyrhring conducted its sacral rites and tested one who wished to join its ranks. Dave Fohten underwent his Normannii Gedryth Ordeal. Although conducted in secret, the discussions of the day clearly evinced a dramatic rite! Having succeeded, Dave was freed and became the newest member of the Normannii Fierdstemn. After the Fyrhring returned, Lord Dan and Micha Karlen held our Yule Dark-night faining to close the Yuletide. This was immediately followed by the Great Feast.
Afterwards, the Hyrnboda called the folk together to the sound of his horn and High Symble began. In the usual fashion, three rounds were had by all, for our Gods, our ancestors and heroes, and finally beots and geilps of all kinds. As our ancestors praised gyve, so too our folk shares this trait. With Yule being a season of gifting, our symble was filled with the exchange of gifts, and the bonds of frith were stronger for it! Symble then ended, and the hall was released, our women folk blotted the mead and a new day hurried upon us.
Sunna’s day was here, and it was time to leave, but first to business of the Normannii. Thing was assembled and thews reviewed. Lord Dan set his reeves and let them be known through out the Reik. These Reeves shall sit for half a year, come Midsummer, Lord Dan shall review and reset as his whim does deem:
In regards to folk who are under bells:
Items to keep in mind and work towards:
Upcoming Events:
HarrowsMoot : 20-22 Feb 2004 – in Mexia, TX (Dallas Airport). Restricted to and suggested for the Commitatus/Fyrhring members of the tribe. ( http://normannii.org/news/harrowmoot_2004.htm )
TrothMoot 2004: 3-6 June – Beacon, NY. Highly recommended for all folk. We will be bringing the Great hall and looking to make a big impression. All folk need to have traditional dress for the entire event. We will need to take time to evaluate as well as practice setting up the tent. We also need items to look authentic.. almost near an SCA type presence. There will be Viking Games, directed by Lou Thain. ( http://www.thetroth.org/memsvc/trothmoot/2004 )
Land Fund: Feel free to make donations, and a second account will be setup for it shortly.
Incorporation: Board of Dir. Will be the Wita and Chairman to be the Tribal Lord.
On the way home, several members of the tribe, stopped off at William Thain’s and Lady Diane’s home. On 25 Dec, 2003 a new life entered Midgard, and on December 29, Lord Dan officially accepted him to the tribe. Lord Dan performed the rite of Ausa Vatni –sprinkling him with water and giving him his first taste of mead. Our tribe’s Atheling named him and granted him all rights to his father’s gefrain, William Joseph McNamara III. William III, son of William Thain and Diane was 7lbs 7.5 ozs and 19.5 Inches long at birth. May wyrd weave well for him. May strong arms hold you Caring hearts tend you and may love await you at every step.