Dísablót

First written October 2019

~Dísablót~
The Dísablót was the blót (sacrificial holiday) which is held in honour of the female spirits or deities called dísir and also the Valkyries, some of the Norse goddesses, the nornir, the landvættir, Landdísir, and a myriad of other female vættir. They are tutelary (guardian) spirits, or spiritual beings. Disir are always female. The term ‘dísir‘ is a broad and collective term for different types of female spiritual or unseen beings. These female spirits or ‘beings’ that are associated with fate. They may be a type of wight attached to a family’s fate: i.e luck, health, ørlög (soul inheritance), wyrd and hugr (soul). They act as protective spirits of individuals, households, and your entire kindred and are considered vital deities to worship and they are primary focus of offerings for luck against enemies in war.

The blót sacrifice is often offered in the form of a sacramental drink, meal, or feast which is usually placed or poured over a hörgr (stone altar), vé (shrine), lund (grove), haug (sacred mound), or other sacred location such as a hof (temple). The altar where the Dísir is worshiped is called dísarsalr. These outdoors altars of stone called, Hörgr (plural hörgar). They are built from stones piled, heaped, or stacked to create a space to enjoy fire, drinks, food, and stories in good company. It is a way to feel connected, through fresh air and natural comfortable surroundings.

How each person chooses to have their symbolic time is up each person. In many ways, blóts are not as formally structured as other religious rites.

Arith, and others, have shared their recited pieces for this occasion;

~ ”In this day, honor your female ancestors, remember them and their deeds, how they fought to keep the peace, love and order in the family, never forget their importance, because you one day, shall joined them and become an ancestor of someone”(Arith Härger). ~

The Eddas and Sagas contain many references to this time and ritual that we too, can hold in honour of our kindred, our ancestors, the gods and deities and entities.

Segðu þat it tíunda,
allz þú tíva rök
öll, Vafþruðnir, vitir,
hvaðan Niörðr um kom
með ása sonom,
hofom og hörgom
hann ræðr hunnmörgom,
ok varðat hann ásom alinn

English translation:
Tenth answer me now,
if thou knowest all
The fate that is fixed for the gods:
Whence came up Njord
to the kin of the gods,
Rich in temples and shrines he rules,
Though of gods he was never begot?

~ Poetic Edda, Vafþrúðnismál. ~

— ∘☽༓☾∘—

References:

• Poetic Edda (Trans.) Jessie L Byok by Snorri Sturluson
• Ynglinga saga (Trans.) Carl Save by Snorri Sturluson
• Hakon the Good’s Saga
• Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks (The Saga of Hervör and Heidrek)
• Víga-Glúms saga
• Sagas of the Icelanders
• Egils saga
• Heimskringla
• Flateyjarbók – Codex Flateyensis
• The Viking Spirit – Daniel McCoy
• The Blót – Norse Holidays and Religious Observances – Njord Kane
• Dísablót – Publicada por Arith Härger

© Susie J Folmer