An Norse Pagan observance marking the shift toward the dark half of the year
Purpose:
Haustblót (Autumn Sacrifice) honors the gods, ancestors, and land spirits for the harvest’s bounty and seeks blessings for the cold months ahead. It is a time of both thanksgiving and preparation, bridging the bright abundance of summer and the stillness of winter.
Preparation
Select a quiet, comfortable space—indoors, in a garden, or at the edge of a wood.
Gather:
- Seasonal foods (apples, root vegetables, bread, grain)
- A drink offering (mead, cider, tea, or water)
- A candle or small fire
- Optional: seasonal decorations (autumn leaves, gourds, woven grain)
Opening
Light the flame and speak:
“As the sun lowers and shadows grow long,
I honor the turning of the seasons.
For the harvest gathered, for the warmth stored,
I give thanks to the gods, the ancestors, and the land spirits.”
Invocation
“Gods of the golden field,
Ancestors of heart and spirit,
Wights who guard this land—
I call to you now, in gratitude and respect.
May your blessings carry us through the long nights to come.”
Offering
Raise your food and drink offerings.
Say:
“What I have received, I now return.
Take these gifts, that bonds may grow strong
Between giver and receiver,
Between past and present,
Between mortal and divine.”
Pour the drink to the earth or into a vessel. Place the food upon the altar or outside for wildlife.
Gratitude and Reflection
Share aloud what you are thankful for—harvests of the land, of your work, of your relationships. Consider what needs to be “stored” within your heart for the winter ahead.
Closing
“The harvest is gathered, the light fades,
And I walk into the dark with courage and thanks.
Go if you must, stay if you will—
Your memory and your blessings remain.”
Extinguish the flame.
Adaptation Notes
- All offerings can be substituted for culturally or personally significant items.
- The rite can be solitary or shared with others in community.
- Accessibility is paramount—shorten or lengthen as needed, and adapt physical elements to fit abilities.
Sidebar – Reflection for Haustblót
Preparing for the Dark Half of the Year
Haustblót is both a farewell to abundance and a pledge to endure the lean months ahead.
Reflect:
- What blessings have I received this past season?
- What lessons will I carry into winter?
- How can I share my abundance—material or spiritual—with others during the darker months?
In honoring the harvest, we also honor the resilience that will carry us to the next spring.
