Heimat Hof

Easter at Heimat Hof

2009-04-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

What a perfect day! Really! A PERFECT DAY!

Not only was the weather perfect - blue skies, warm and gorgeous (*) - but ALL the strong and true men, women and kids of BogaTyr Sippe were together! (* It was chilly and windy on Saturday, rain and thunder this morning, Easter day was perfect weather!) Getting us all together only happens about four times a year .. so our Easter / L&L celebration was all the more blessed for all our families!

And the food! Wow .. perfect German potato salad .. perfect German apple cake .. perfect PRIME RIB! Then there were Russian springtime gulumki, an Irish pear salad, pork loin, an awesome and colorful salad with fresh cracked pepper, loads of dark rye bread and German beer, the last of the Apple-Date mead, great wines, cheese and crackers! All laid out on a table graced with a lovely Easter Tree made from birch!

The faining was lovely, down in the harrow - a natural circle of trees. At one point, one of the dogs bayed like a wolf and shortly thereafter, a mating pair of red-tailed hawks circled overhead. Also during the faining .. a woman of Donar-Thor blessed our fire and horgr .. a wisewoman gifted Earth with a blood red egg and an Easter egg .. a maiden placed the sacred wreath upon the harrow .. and the worthy men of BogaTyr spoke aloud their strong blessings for our kindred.
It was a very good day!

The egg hunt was lots of fun. Everyone - BogaTyr and our guests - hunting wooden runic eggs .. each one with a special Easter blessing.
Fun, feasting, folk and family! With 20 folk there .. it was a blessed day for all, to include our ancestors, our ruling powers and the wights!

Hail the Joy of Easter's Day!

Hail the Georgia Heathens!

Hail the True Folk of BogaTyr Sippe!

Hail Heimat Hof!

Live Deliberately!
Yngona Desmond

Double Naming Rite

2007-05-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Heimat Hof is hosting a double Naming Rite for the newest Heathens in Midgard!

The tables are cast in blue and ready for the guests to attend!

Birth Deliberately!
Yngona

Euro-Spring Festival

2007-04-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

I was the guest speaker at Euro-Spring Festival, hosted by Mike and his lovely wife Victoria - who are superb hosts!

Situated on their homestead - a 100+ year old home, several acres, and a creek - a pig was roasted, spears were tossed, eggs where hunted, ropes were tugged for tests of strength, and many other wonderful venues of comradery and fellowship.

I presented a lecture on Forn Þreifa: Touch, Runes and Galdr – A Combination for Effective Change, as part of the ongoing classes of Hodmimir Holt (held monthly at Heimat Hof).

Live Deliberately!
Yngona Desmond

Graineiri

2007-03-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Vernal Equinox.

I started with a rite in Heimat Hof, moved to the horg outside, then sat-out in the wihstat, fasting for three days.

Hail the Tide of Life and the Blaze upon the Hill!

Hail the Transitioning Energy! Release!

... Yngona Desmond

Florida Moot

2007-02-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

BogaTyr Sippe attended Florida Moot. My new apprentice, Reggie, joined us.

On Valentine's Day, meine man bought me the Scottish Dirk from coldsteel:
http://www.coldsteel.com/88sd.html

There was an Idrottir at Florida Moot, and one event was the first-ever Kraft Run. It was a 2K run where the first two to arrive at the mid-point, had to pick-up a log and run back. All runners had to carry a weapon, for the log represented a successful hunt.

Reggie chose to run, so I lent him my dirk so he could run on behalf of BogaTyr Sippe and Heimat Hof. He won!

Hail the Strong Men of Heimat Hof!
Yngona Desmond

Yule, fifth night

2006-12-25T07:09:00.000-08:00

I rose early and walked to the Hof - checking the perpetual flame we keep burning there. I said a silent blessing of thanks to my Altmag, put in a fresh candle, and down the hill I went back to our hearth.

Tim was up and had already pulled out breakfast sausage, so we enjoyed a quiet breakfast. Afterwards, we feed the wights - filling all the bird feeders and loading the tree stumps with bread and fruit.

Yule, fourth night

2006-12-24T23:02:00.000-08:00

Because Tim chose to cook yesterday's feast - prime rib, spaetzle with leeks, fresh peas with rosemary - I spent the morning happily cleaning both Hof and hearth.

We had a quite lunch together then spent the day reading. Tim, one of his novels, and I, Runes, Magic and Religion: A Sourcebook (by McKinnel and Simek).

Later, we called family and vinr, wishing all well, enjoying the sounds of their joy during this wondrous tide. At sunset we walked to the Hof and continued our nightly faining - standing before the Hof and speaking aloud our many thanks and many blessings we have been Gifted with.

After Tim had retired, again I spent the night weaving on my loom - warding the Folksoul.

Weave Deliberately!
Yngona

Yule, third night

2006-12-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

Our kids and grandkids spent the day with us - Carina and William, big sister Amber and baby brother Nathan.

Tim special ordered a prime rib and spent several hours on the internet researching the best way to cook it. He then bought a huge roaster and digital thermometer to make sure it was cooked just right.

All gathered, we raised a horn in the Hof, asking our Mother's to continue their many tangible blessings upon us.

After the house was quite, my responsibilities to Heathenry beckoned. As Vinland's Volva my task is not one I merely do, but must do. I have been Gifted with not just skill in this area, but a burning desire to plumb the depths of the Well so that all Heathens may benefit.

That night, sitting in Heimat Hof with my loom - wrapped with red and green thread - I sang a warding-song and wove the Folksoul anew.

Seidh Deliberately!
Yngona

Yule, second day

2006-12-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

I spent the day visiting elderly neighbors who are either unable to travel or who have no immediate family.

Returning home I filled all the bird feeders with seed, the tree stumps with bread and cookies, and the Hof's horgr with fruit cake.

Tim and I retired to the Hof, lit the second Yule candle, and standing before the stallr, spoke words aloud for Frith and Grith to guide all Heathens, wherever they may be.

Toast Deliberately!
Yngona

Mother's Night, Solstice Night

2006-12-21T05:06:00.000-08:00

Tim and I had a private Mother's Night faining.

We lit a candle on the stallr, opened a four year old bottle of Grimsteiner's Sack, filled the stallr horn and poured the rest it into the mead bowl.

We then blessed everything in the Hof with hammers drawn in mead. Once done, standing before the stallr, looking upon the Regin pillars, we spoke aloud our words of appreciation and honor to the powerful Mother's in our lives.

Along with Freia and Frigga, we spoke the name of Nancy and Melba, Linda and Rachel, Gwen and Kathy, Sara and Becca, and many more. We spoke at length of our love for our folkline, of the great Luck we are continual showered with, and the strength of our fylgjas.

We returned to the highseat and before sitting, we raised a horn to Grimsteiner and his precious mead. Then we sat the night long, in candle light, sharing our love and words.

After Tim had retired to bed, I kept vigil till Sunna's return.

Sitting-out by fire's light, with stars above:
I sang to the natturer, and they came.
I sang to the Mother's, and they came.
I sang to weave the Folksoul anew, and it was.

Hail the Mothers!
Yngona and Tim

Dedication

2006-11-28T05:45:00.000-08:00

Hail the Natturer!
Hail our Ancestors!
Hail our Tivar!

Heimat Hof's dedication was perfect! End-of-year in November and we had 70* days and 40* nights. Incredible! The food was outstanding, the mead and beer endless, the laughter of children everywhere, kinship unbounding!

The Lord and Lady of Osprey Bay arrived with their children and kindred hund (Fred) on Friday. They traveled from Florida. With them was the Chieftain of the Kindred Folk, Raven Hawksson (he and his men are also Dryht to Osprey Bay).

Lord Garrik, Cheiftain of Varangian Kindred was there with his beautiful Lady Gwen; who is soon to give birth to Garrik Jr. We were blessed to have them drive from north Georgia considering Lady Gwen is due any day now!

Gator, Sara and their son Casey jouneyed from Claxton, Georgia to grace our high table. With them was Lisa - who is notable for her willingness to learn and grow!

From Alabama came Marc and his lovely wife Leisa. Both of them have become very proactive in Heathenry here in the Southlands - organizing meet and greets and maintaining a yahoo list (the Alabama Heathen Society). Their good cheer and ready smiles were a welcome addition!

Also at high table were our children and grandchildren: Our beautiful daughter Carina, her loving husband William, our wonderous granddaughter Amber, and three-month old grandson Nathan. Our horn truly ran over this night!

Unlike Lunch and Lore, where everyone contributes a dish, Heimat Hof's dedication was our gift to our guests. Tim prepared two Boston butts and two large dishes of golabki, or Polish cabbage rolls - filled with sacred Boar meat; to accompany this we had baked potatoes and Polish carrots and fresh snap peas. Aside from food, our other gift was all the mead, beer and wine enjoyed by our guests. (Heathens can drink an enormous amount of mead and beer in three days! :D )
Later still - after the husel and samal - we catered sandwiches from a local deli, so that no one went hungry. Many folk stayed the night, and those that did were greeted with a hearty breakfast!

For three days our guests were made welcome, and for three days they were impeccable guests. Without asking folk were cleaning up after every meal, bagging up trash, hundreds of beer bottles and mead flasks, wiping down tables, carrying firewood, and ever at hand willing to help out. Thank you all for being such impeccable guests!

Husel was early afternoon, and before everyone had their full - twice over! - Lord Garrik hallowed our table with words of great might. Saturday afternoon I asked all our women to join me in decorating the new horgr that sits outside the hof. We - the Worth-bringers and Worth-keepers - accompanied by our children, adorned the horgr with fresh-made bread, eggs, fruit and vegetables, meat and fish.

At sunset we extinguished all lights in the house. Tim went down the hill to our permanant wihstat to ignite the sacred fire; I then led our guests down the hill to join him. We stood there around that warm fire - our faces aglow - in the first sacred space created on our property - and I asked notable folk gathered to assist in our offering upon the horgr. I offered a flask to the Tivar, Lady Rachel offered a flask to our Altmag, and my son-in-law William offered a flask to our Words and Deeds.

I then collected that sacred flame and carried it up the hill - 'Brand from Brand, Fire to Flame, Ur-might is passed' - with all gathered following. Gathering around the newest horgr, the sacred fire was passed - from wihstat to horgr. Once again I offered a flask of mead upon the bountiful harvest offered there; Sara offered the second bottle, and Leisa the third. That flame was then collected and carried into a dark hof. In the back, before the Hof's stallr, the flame was passed a third time, bringing us all from darkness into light - from wihstat to horgr to hof! I then asked all gathered to take that flame and light the candle on the table where they were to sit; and so it was the sacred flame was passed from wihstat to horgr to hof to high seat within Heimat Hof!

Hail the Many Hands of our Folk!

When all were seated, I addressed all gathered, "Silence I ask, of the hallowed kindred, children of Heimdallr, both high and low born. We shall now speak of Tivar, Altmag and Oaths, relating well our word for all to hear!" Samal than began with words from the Lord and Lady of Heimat Hof, then, that draught poured into the faining bowl: "Words Wending Weal to the Well!" The hof horn was filled again and the first round begun. As I passed the horn I proudly introduced each folk there - honored guests - speaking long of their contributions and our thanks for their attendance; for sitting within the hof is a holy matter, meant to aid the overall magan and goodly luck of all gathered. After the first round I again emptied the horn's words into the faining bowl .. until the final round.

At the third round Tim and I brought out our gift box and it was with great pleasure that we gifted each guest - so that the threads of kin and kith were woven, shild created and frith maintained. Tim and I are proud to be the Lord and Lady of Heimat Hof, to be Ring-givers by gladly demonstrating our frith towards guests, our generous open-handedness, and shild between kinsmen. Likewise, many gathered also shared gifts with *all* gathered - contributing to the high tables overall wealth.

Hail the Ring-Givers! Hail the Gold-Haters!

Samal was ended with these words, "Now the sayings of the folk have been uttered in the Hof, for the weal of all gathered and for the woe of Jotuns! Hail, those who have spoken! Hail, those that know! Hail, you who have listened! Use, those that have learned!"

Taking up the faining bowl, containing the words of might spoken, I then asked all the ladies present to accompany me outside. Gathered around the horgr I sang a vardlokkr to call our Altmag, so that they may witness the pouring of those words upon sacred stone might. I then reminded all there to, 'Remember well your place as Worth-bringer. We are the mediatrixes of authority, the Honor-bearers and King-makers!' (And the remainder of what was related is woman's wisdom!)

Returning to the Hof, to rejoin our menfolk, the spirit of the good cheer met with the merriment of early morning. And so it was that those that had to leave, left far later than they had originally planned, while others simply chose to stay the night.

There are far too many remarkable moments to recount, but one does stand out in my mind above all others. I carried more steins to the hof, so that all gathered would have one before husal and samal. Morgan and Lil' Ev followed me (bright children of Osprey Bay). Outside the door, Morgan - who is four - stopped with her brother, turned and yelled down the hill, "Daddy! Me and Ev are gonna play in the hof!" Standing right inside the door, by heart swelled with joy and tears came to my eyes. Truly, there can be no greater words than those, and no greater thought than our children being able to play in a hof! May they ever play there, and with fond memory be the next hof builders!

After the last guest had departed, Tim and I noticed that the candle upon the hof's horgr was still burning. And so it was, sometime last night, that this flame final burnt itself out. What a blessing that the sacred flame would remain there - where it was lovingly placed - for three nights!

Hail Heimat Hof!
Hail our Guests!
Hail our Children!
Hail my Might-filled Husband!

Live Deliberately!
Yngona

Ullr's Day

2006-11-23T22:36:00.000-08:00

November 23, Ullr's Day, Tim and I spent the day on finishing touches - which took all day!

That morning Tim marinated a turkey for our quiet feast, then the rest of the day was ironing table clothes for the high table, arranging the table decorations and candles, chopping firewood for the wihstat and the smaller firepit on the back porch, last minute food preparation, and other tiny details that - if missing - can keep a huge gathering of guests from running smoothly.

As we sat down to eat we went over every item again, seeing if either one of us had done everything. There was not one item we imaged to had been left neglected or in need of being done.

Tomr .. the guests arrive!

Prepare Deliberately!
Yngona

Guest in the Hof

2006-11-19T05:35:00.000-08:00

My BOSH Brother, Matt Reardon, is in Atlanta on business. He rearranged his schedule to stay the weekend with Tim and I.

"Hail the Givers! Comes in a guest. Where shall they sit to see? Much haste that one who shall at fireside be - one’s self on trial for such boldness. Fire is needed by those who come in, other than being froze to the knee, food and cloth a man needs, these to have much of – mountain traveler. Fresh water is needed, who comes to meal, a dry towel and a theod’s invitation. Good mannered is one if good reputation they have gotten, and formerly known for their silence."
-Havamal 2-4 (Desmond translation)

Though I 'speak' with Matt via the internet, it has been awhile since we last saw each other, so the reunion was warm. Just as vinr do, we immediately fell into a comforatable intimacy, as if no time had passed between us.

Tim had been marinating a pork butt all day so while we waited for dinner we three sat in the Hof. No better place to be glad than a Hof! Matt presented us with one of his beautiful runic plates - a new design that encorporates color. Tim noted that it had the 'feel' of Polish woodwork, and we showed Matt an example. We talked long into the night on many subjects.

"Friend should man be to friend and repay gift before gift; laughter before laughter shall freeman take, and lying before lie."
-Havamal 42 (abid)

The first food eaten in Heimat Hof was with our Brother Matt! Tim's roasted pork was excellent, and it was a good feeling to sit there, in good company, enjoying a meal at high table. We all had seconds!

The talk turned to martial arts, Matt and I exchanging lineages and experiences; he studies Tae Kwon Do (part of the IBBF), Chang Moo Kwan and Kumbo Kumbub. He is part of a noble lineage and has been extended an invitation to accompany his Master Instructor to Korea. Though not yet qualified, his dedication and discipline has put his name into consideration. Quite the honor!

"Power should sit in whosoever has wise council, if moderation they have. Then when found there with warriors, towards none is there a superior."
-Havamal 64 (abid)

Till early morning we talked, enjoying each others company, discussing family, faith, folk and our plans for the future. It was agreed that Heimat Hof would host he and JoAnne's Kid's Moot when they get more organized - so that the Southlands can benefit from their work in that area.

The next morning we three opted for brunch instead of breakfast, so enjoyed bratwurst and spaetlze. Lots more conversation - exchanging of web info, the future of Heathenry, etc. Until the time came for Matts departure - Tim driving him to the airport. A visit too short but a visit made brighter by comradery and Brotherhood.

Hail the Guest!

Host Deliberately!
Yngona

the Chairs!

2006-11-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

The chairs have arrived!

Tim and I ordered wooden chairs for the Hof. There was a question about their arriving on time, we even made a back-up plan, but they came this morning!

I have set most of them around the high table, and two about the round table that Tim built. They look wonderful!

Sit Deliberately!
Yngona

Horgr

2006-11-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

Tim, Scott and Jason erected the Horgr. There are two large stones, the smaller is appx 250lbs, the larger is about 450-500lbs. Sitting one atop the other outside the Hof, this is the second horgr on the property. The other is in the permanant Fastness, down the hill.

Eventually, we will add a third stone to the Hof horgr, to raise it higher, but for now it looks great!

Horgr Deliberately!
Yngona

a Poem

2006-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hail the Makers Heimat's Hof
Whole its Company Willingly Wassails

Neighbors quite near Northerly Nighted
How soon to gather Husband and Hostess

Free speech exchange Freya's Fritha
May all engaged Mannaz Member

Stricken are Trolls Slouching by Hof
Speechless are Etins Heimat Hringing

Ere too many Moons Mead shall we share
Til Horn heard Ringing The Feasting is Had

So far is Vinland Sailing Westerness
May Memory hold long Heimat's Hof

-written by: Bill
a Georgia Heathen list member

Thank you Bill!

Heimat Hof Dedication

2006-11-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

Tim and I are proud to announce the dedication of Heimat Hof – the Southlands only Hof and Heathen Cultural Center.

We ordered the chairs last week, so they should be here in plenty of time for the dedication. The German corner bench set is on hold at this time. Meanwhile, Tim - Lord and Master Craftsman - is building a round table to represent the central fireplace.

Yesterday, Tim and I went shopping and found a beautiful gift-giving chest, to hold the wealth of our open-handedness.

The dedication will be Saturday, November 25. On that day, with close vinr gathered, we will celebrate our heritage through Minnidraught, Yeilding, Husal and Samal.

Its all very exciting! Tim and I are pleased to be able to not just have built a Hof but make it available to Folkish Heathens in the Southlands and across Vinland.

Hail Heimat Hof!
Yngona

Heimat Hof

2006-10-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Tim and I are proud to announce the opening of Heimat Hof.

Heimat is German for 'homeland'. We chose this name to express the homeland of our ancestors. For us, homeland is very personal in that it represents not just where we live, locally, but our country, Vinland. Further, it represents our ancestral homeland, the land of our ancestors - Europe.

The hof is large, 30' by 28', with two windows, and is a stand-alone building.

We had four tables custom made to sit - depending on how they are arranged - 14 or 30 folk. At this time, there are the 4 tables, a Highseat, a stallr, and a tripod holding a candle - to represent the central fireplace. Currently, we have on order a large German corner table with bences and table; and are looking at designs for a fireplace and chimney.

Heimat Hof is a work in progress, and like our many years of dedication and effort - here in the Southlands - will reflect our Heathen spirit and unwavering commitment to folkbuilding.

Yesterday, at Lunch and Lore, we were proud to announce Heimat Hof and hold the first samal under that rooftree, with our vinr. And according to sidr, everyone was gifted by the Lord and Lady of the Hof - Tim and myself. It was a proudful moment to raise the firsthorn, to call upon the Tivar, there, with those folk we trust. One samal, like Draupnir - ever producing from itself - a wealth of abundance and prosperity for all who attend.

We are planning an official dedication ceremony, but have not yet determined a date. When we do, invitations will be sent out!

Hail Heimat Hof!
Hail the Southlands!
Hof Deliberately!
Tim and Yngona