My tentative first ideas for the Year of Aun #Aun2023

First of all, what is the Year of Aun? To find out, visit the Nordic Animism Youtube channel.

When I was young, I lived in Lincolnshire. A very rural county, not really known too well outside of its borders for anything other than farming. Mostly arable farming, though I did live near many fields of (dairy) cows, a piggery and a turkey farm. Back then, I felt a really strong connection to the land. I appreciate my mature mind might well be embellishing this a little. After all, what did I know back then of spirituality or, indeed, the mundane world at large? I was a socially-awkward teenage boy who'd rarely ventured further than perhaps the 20 miles to the nearest market towns.

Back then, however, I did feel a certain connection to the land as something more than just "the area in which I lived". I felt a connection to the earth, where a good portion of the food I ate was grown. When I fell over and scraped my knees (as kids are wont to do), it was that same earth that my blood fell upon and soaked into. When my elder relatives died, it was the earth into which they were buried. Or, in some cases, it was the air around us into which their ashes scattered. As the descendant of farmers and farm workers, it was that same land that my ancestors had worked for generations. It felt like it was a part of my DNA.

Fast forwarding to the present day, I'm sitting in the spare bedroom of my house before a laptop, working from home. "The new normal", apparently. In my youth. I've tried re-engaging with some of the hobbies I used to enjoy. I've renewed my contact with old friends. But nothing quite seems to quell that feeling of something missing. Perhaps it is that connection to the land that I miss?

For my Year of Aun plans, I think I will focus upon rebuilding that connection to place that I felt as a boy. Albeit this time across the Pennines in the northwest. Lancashire is very similar to Lincolnshire it a lot of ways. Lots of hills and large city-sprawls notwithstanding.

#AUN2023

Plans for a Salgofnir's Call Heathen Hearth Moot (June 2021)

Plans have been made to host a moot for our hearth in June. Hopefully, that will give time for some semblance of normality to return and socialising to have tentatively recommenced.

Full details here: https://salgofnir.blogspot.com/2021/03/plans-for-new-normal.html

"The cautious guest who comes to the table speaks sparingly. Listen with ears, learn with eyes. Such is the seeker of knowledge."

Again, the havamal provides us with our subject heading. I've been paying more than my customary attention to online heathen groups and fora of late. They're becoming quite active with speculation regarding when meatspace moots, festivals and gatherings might be possible again, as well as mostly conjecture about the forthcoming 2021 census.

Something I have noticed, though, is a lot of people coming to these groups with preconceived notions about the nature of other heathens. "All heathens do x" or "All heathens think y" commonly features in their body of their posts and messages. Some of these heathens even get upset when people respond with their own experiences which contradict.

Now, it is easy to come across as saying "sit down and shut up" with this, but that is not what is required at all. Online groups benefit when everyone feels comfortable and able to add their own beliefs, opinions and experiences into the mix. It is possible to do this, however, and still be inclusive and open to the experiences of others. None of us know everything there is to know about heathenry. None of us are "doing heathen" 100% correct. One of the ways we can be better heathens, though, is to listen to other heathens, be open to their experiences and thoughts and, where appropriate, incorporate them into the foundations of our own paths.

Hearth and home

Toying with the idea of hosting a COVID-19 lockdown-friendly online moot.  Summer is rolling by and it would be nice to see some kind of action from our Hearth this year.

Not sure anyone ould turn up, but it could be an excuse to raise a horn and listen to a little Wardruna or Amon Amarth.

Might be a good way for new people to check out the Hearth without having to actually meet any of us. 

Watch this space. 

Next Heathen Moot for Salgofnir's Call hearth

Due to family commitments, we've been forced to postpone the upcoming heathen moot for Salgofnir's Call hearth. In lieu of its usual "last Sunday of (every other) month" the next meeting will be held on the first Sunday of March.

In addition, we will be trialling a new venue. The Brewery Tap on Market Street in Westhoughton is just down the road from last month's venue (The Beer School) and across the road from the Wetherspoons (The Robert Shaw).

As before, though, it will be a very relaxed moot, focused very much on the social. Think fewer lore-ridden speeches and more friendly chats.

A (very) belated summary of our inaugural heathen moot

So, Salgofnir's call hearth had our first moot in our new home several weeks ago and, being the person I am, I am only just getting around to posting about it. All I can say is, get used to that. Of all my character traits, that is one that I tend to lump into the "unlikely to change anytime soon" pile.

We ended up not receiving any visitors, unfortunately, but that did give us ample opportunity to assess the moot (logistically and otherwise) to see whether it is viable and suitably heathen-friendly. The venue was great, though being the most popular bar in the town, we found that tables were at a premium, even when we arrived nice and early that afternoon. Live music was on offer - in this case a jazz duo. Blandly ambient, so easy enough to ignore. Nice ales were available, as well as the usual pub snacks (read: crisps) and many options for moving on to somewhere to eat, should food become a necessity.

Last Sunday of the month was a good day, as nine times out of ten that places it after our monthly payday - always a help.

We did chat a little about heathenry, although perhaps inevitably, the topic of conversation naturally degraded to that of viking films and tv shows. I consider that a personal defeat.

Anyhow, that served very well as a template for future moots. Look for more events (administered via Facebook, naturally) in early 2020!