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Original Post:
by: Icarus. on Jun 25, 2009

Communities of Asatru are called Kindreds, Hearths, or Garths. Priests are called Gothi; priestesses Gythia. A magician is called a Vitki.

A central Asatru ritual is blot, which means sacrifice and may be connected with the word "blood." In place of traditional animal sacrifice, followers of Asatru offer mead (honey-wine), beer or cider to the gods. The liquid is consecrated to a god or goddess, then the worshippers drink a portion of it and pour the rest as a libation.

Another major practice is sumbel, a ritual toast in three rounds. The first round is to the gods, starting with Odin, who won the mead of poetry from the Giant Suttung. A few drops are poured to Loki to ward off his tricks. The second round is to ancestors and other honorable dead, and the third round is open.

Asatru holidays center on the seasons. The major celebrations are:

Summer Finding (spring equinox, March 21) - dedicated to Ostara
Winter Finding (fall equinox, September 21)
Midsummer (summer solstice, June 21)
Yule - the most important holiday; starts on the winter solstice (December 21) and lasts for 12 days