It is truly amazing what can start from a single question asked over a meal at an event. This simple question sparked side conversations that lasted into the days that followed. These conversations led into a gathering that took place in my living room.
This gathering was a think tank of where everyone was able to voice their ideas, needs, and wants. Then like the birth of Kvasir, a new Kindred arose from the combined efforts of everyone who sat in my living room that evening.
What was created was something I have never seen before. It was a kindred that was organized into a Commonwealth and placed Kin (the members of the commonwealth) at the highest level of veneration with ancestors, spirits, and Gods coming down in that order. Our core spiritual foundation was based off of Vigilism. All of the foundational documentation was created such as the by-laws, rules of hospitality, other foundational documents, and additional important documentation that explained what this new kindred was about.
Believe it or not, this was only the beginning. For years, a deep community was fostered where most of us spent time together consistently outside of the holidays, Blots, and other rituals. Our kids become friends, meals were dropped off to the sick members, and existing within the community was easy. What problems that arose were handled in justly ways with weregild paid. Some members joined, some left, but all in all, it was peaceful.
The height if the Kindred felt like the Roman Empire at its peak. We had a strong social presence, a strong online presence, some members were guest lecturing about our new structure of Norse Paganism at a local four year university, some public rituals were hosted, the private rituals were deeply powerful, and we were working on a book to publish. It was an amazing sight to behold but it felt even greater to be part of it. Though, the that being said, the most important part was the connections and relationships that were cemented within. We spent more time with each other outside of ritual then anything else. We were truly kin focused.
To me and probably to most of the members, it felt like home.
No matter how great the kindred became, the potential it had for its members and beyond, and the bonds it created and sanctified, it eventually became another causality of the pandemic. It is hard to place a finger where the cracks started but during the pandemic various lines were drawn in the sand and suffice to say, we all disbanded. After the disbandment of the kindred, a lot of friendships remained, some did not, and others were altered.
I think the fall affect us all deeply and on different levels from what I have personally seen. I cannot speak to the specifics for everyone else, but for me it has felt like a phantom limb. This is probably the most accurate way I could describe it.
Since then, we have all done different things, explored different paths, and reconnected to old philosophizes.
Sjá es leið
