Lightning Across the Plains is a heathen
event, where heathens from across the Heartland come together to honor our Gods,
our Ancestors, and the Vaettir. At LATP tribes, families, and heathens come
together for this purpose as part of a larger regional community.
GOD HOF -
To the West of our main camping area, there will be a Hof established at
Lightning Across the Plains 2013. It will include images and statues of Odin,
Thor, and Frey...as well as areas within the Hof for honoring other Gods and
Goddesses. If you have statues or objects you would like included in the Hof
throughout the weekend, please bring them along. When you check-in at the
registation table, please provide us with those objects. We'll record your name
so that we can make sure you get your items back at the end of the weekend.
Sacrifices to the Gods can be offered at the Hof, and we will ensure these items
are properly sacrificed.
ANCESTOR'S
HALL - To the West of our main camping area, we will also set up a hall
for the remembrance of our Ancestors. You can bring artifacts representing and
honoring you ancestors to include on the tables in this hall. There will be
chairs in the hall, for quiet contemplation of what we owe our ancestors. You
can write stories or details about your ancestors in the Ancestors Book, which
is kept in the hall throughout the event.
OPENING &
CLOSING RITUAL - At the start of Lightning Across the Plains there will
be an Opening Ritual, declaring grith and frith over the gathering. Tyr will be
honored, and the perimeter of the gathering area will be walked in procession,
with gifts given to the Vaettir of the land to ensure their goodwill and
protection from baneful wights. The help of the children at the gathering will
be enlisted, and they will have the honor of distributing gifts to the land
wights.
VISITING THE
VE - Jotun's Bane Kindred has established an outdoor Ve at Gaea
Retreat. It is a cleared circle in the woods, at the roots of a large powerful
oak tree named Forn Halr ("old man" in Old Norse). This is our holy tree, and
the Ve has a large stone harrow, a firepit, and benches around its perimeter. It
is a beautiful and peaceful place, and it is where our kindred takes our kindred
oaths. On Saturday morning we'll lead a walk over to the Ve for those that would
like to visit it. And we will honor Forn Halr...and leave offerings for the land
wights.
ODIN BLOT
- Friday evening after dinner, we'll gather for an Odin Blot led by Fimbul
Winter Kindred and other Heathens from Colorado. This celebratory event leads
directly into Friday night's Folk Symbel.
FOLK
SYMBEL - Friday night after dark, we'll gather around a fire and have a
Folk Symbel. A horn will be passed, and we will toast the Gods and Goddesses,
our Ancestors & Heroes, and then boast of our accomplishments. As a gathered
Folk, we'll put our good words and deeds into the Well. If you know a good poem
or a song worth singing, please share it with everyone during this Symbel.
While this Symbel is more informal in its structure, every year it is one those
events that has a lot of impact on everyone participating.
SATURDAY NIGHT
FAINING - After dinner on Saturday night, we'll gather as a Folk and
celebrate with a large Faining our relationship with our Elder Kin.
SATURDAY NIGHT
HIGH SYMBEL - After the Faining, we will enter the Hall as Tribes,
Families, and individual heathens and conduct a High Symbel. At 2012's Lightning
Across the Plains, over 150 adults sat in Symbel and spoke good words over the
horn. This is a formal event, and if you have garb to wear and are so inclined
please wear it. But garb is not required. This is a night for bold and Tru
words, gift-giving, and the forming of bonds among the Folk.
THOR
FAINING - On Sunday morning, prior to the Heathen Auction, there will
be a Thor Faining led by Hridgar Folk Kindred from Texas. Asa-Thor is honored
and asked to grant his protection to everyone in attendance on their journeys
home from Lightning Across the Plains.
Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
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