Asatru Folk Assembly - February 01, 2025


Asatru Holidays - February 2025 - King Eanfrith ｜ Eyvind ｜ Charming of the Plow

Topics
Charming of the Plow
Hosted by
Steve McNallen
Mentioned
Bernicia Hail Ivan King King Einfrith Ivan Kinrifa Edwin Saxon Herak Ivan Tinlifa Midgard Let Liffa Hail Berenicia Cadwallan Alcetreur Infraith Frith
1⧸29⧸25 Victory Never Sleeps, Episode 134 - A Fifth of Brandy： Beauty and Friðr 2⧸5⧸25 Victory Never Sleeps, Episode 135 - Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar

Episode Stats


Length

13 minutes

Words per minute

123.5

Word count

1,682

Sentence count

75

Harmful content

Hate speech

12

sentences flagged


Summary

Summaries generated with gmurro/bart-large-finetuned-filtered-spotify-podcast-summ .

On February 1st, we honor the Day of Remembrance for King Einfrit of Bernicia, and on the 9th and 15th of the month we remember King Ivan Kynritha, who died in the year 999 CE.

Transcript

Transcript generated with Whisper (turbo).
Hate speech classifications generated with facebook/roberta-hate-speech-dynabench-r4-target .
Topics generated with Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct.
Hosts, guests, and mentioned names generated with spaCy (en_core_web_sm), reconciled against Wikidata.
00:00:00.000 Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and folk of all ages, you know what time it is.
00:00:28.300 It is the 1st of February, and it is time for us to go over the holidays, holy days, and days of remembrance of our folk.
00:00:36.700 We've got three special days this month, so let's get down to it, because the first one is today.
00:00:44.100 On February 1st, we honor the Day of Remembrance for King Einfrit of Bernicia.
00:00:49.960 And we follow that up on the 9th of the month for the Day of the Remembrance for Ivan Kinritha.
00:00:57.640 And on the 15th is the Observance Day for Charming of the Plough.
00:01:04.900 Alright everybody, thank you so very much for joining us this month.
00:01:08.920 Let's get down to it.
00:01:11.300 King Imfrith of Bernicia, born 590 and died 634 of the Common Era.
00:01:19.960 was a Saxon king in what is now lowland Scotland during the initial wave of conversions to
00:01:26.860 Christianity in England. His father was an Alcitru king, Aethelfrith of both Berenicia and Deira,
00:01:35.420 the two halves of the kingdom of Northumbria. He was killed in 616 when Aethelfrith was in his
00:01:42.280 mid-twenties. When he was killed, Aethelfrith's uncle Edwin then took the throne of all Northumbria
00:01:48.560 and he averthed was sent north to live in exile amongst the Scots.
00:01:54.060 While living in exile with the Scots, he was forced to either be baptized or find a new home.
00:02:00.300 Unfortunately, in a moment of weakness that can almost be excused, 0.81
00:02:06.480 he chose to briefly forsake his troth with the Iser and be bathed in the name of the foreign Christ. 0.90
00:02:13.780 He also married a British Christian princess and had a son with her. 0.97
00:02:18.560 further stepping away from the light of the Aesir.
00:02:23.800 However, when his uncle Edwin was killed in battle by another Saxon king,
00:02:28.980 the Alcetruar Pinda of Mercia,
00:02:31.980 Infraith seized the opportunity to reclaim both of his birthrights,
00:02:36.860 the throne of Bernicia and his relationship with the Aesir.
00:02:42.140 The Venerable Bede specifically states that King Ianfrith immediately renounced and lost
00:02:50.460 his faith in the foreign Christ.
00:02:53.580 After returning to his throne and picking up the torch of Alcetru, King Ianfrith sought
00:02:58.580 peace negotiations with Cadwallon, the Christian Celtic king who had assisted in defeating
00:03:04.620 Edwin.
00:03:05.620 Cadwallon agreed to meet King Ianfrith for peace negotiations.
00:03:10.460 So King Einfrith took a small retinue of only a dozen soldiers.
00:03:14.940 When they arrived to meet the Cadwallan, he had them trapped and then killed almost immediately.
00:03:20.720 Even though King Einfrith arrived with the honorable intent of keeping the Frith and
00:03:24.460 working towards peace. 0.99
00:03:27.320 Even when approached nobly and with the best intentions, the Christian snakes ambushed 0.99
00:03:33.300 and killed at least 13 Alcetru men simply for keeping their loyalty to the Aesir intact. 0.63
00:03:40.160 This unfortunately ended Alcetru in northern England until the start of the Viking Age,
00:03:45.320 but for a brief moment, King Infrith of Bernicia restored the Saxons' native fate of Alcetru.
00:03:53.240 He cared not for the material or social consequences as he had wailed in exile.
00:03:58.180 He cared only to do what was right by his folk and by his gods.
00:04:04.640 Let us all follow his example by marching onward boldly, nobly, and honorably towards victory with the Aesir in our hearts.
00:04:15.080 Hail King Infreth!
00:04:17.440 Hail the Asatru Folk Assembly!
00:04:20.420 And that brings us to February 9th, the Day of Remembrance for Ivan Kinrifa.
00:04:28.180 who died the year 999 common era he was a norwegian landowner of noble stock
00:04:36.580 followed and admired by many good men in and around his holdings he held a reputation for
00:04:42.580 being openly and relentlessly also true even during a time when it was becoming increasingly
00:04:49.460 dangerous to do so as is the case with many of our days of remembrance this one involves the
00:04:57.620 villainous King Olaf Tryggvason, who Christianized his own people with both bribery and deadly
00:05:03.940 force. Rauld the Strong, who we honor on January 9th, was one of his many victims.
00:05:14.000 Ivan's story takes place during the year 999 Common Era, as Olaf the Snake was making
00:05:20.440 his rounds of Norway in an attempt to subvert every faithful follower of the Isir.
00:05:27.620 One man, Harik of Fjota, had managed to outrun Olaf and his men, 0.84
00:05:34.660 escaping to an area near Ivan Kinnritha's lands.
00:05:38.280 He sent word to Ivan, asking for his help in fighting off a coming invasion from Olaf.
00:05:46.020 Ivan bravely answered the call, knowing that he was honor-bound to defend the Isir
00:05:50.700 and all of his Alcetru subjects with his life.
00:05:54.080 However, when he arrived at Herak's location, he was attacked by some of Olaf's men, who had followed Herak without him realizing it. 0.63
00:06:04.220 They took Ivan to Olaf, where Olaf attempted to bribe him many times to renounce his loyalty to the Isir, and embrace the foreign deity of the desert.
00:06:13.340 Ivan declined all of the gold, silver, and land in the world,
00:06:19.100 because his faith in the gods of his ancestors meant more to him than mere possessions.
00:06:25.540 When Olaf instead threatened Ivan, he answered it did not change.
00:06:30.580 His will was unbroken, and his resolve stronger than steel.
00:06:35.620 Serpent Olaf eventually killed Ivan, likely in a gruesome manner,
00:06:40.560 But he never wavered in his piety and dedication to the Aesir
00:06:45.540 So, what can we learn from this story?
00:06:50.920 Ivan lived, fought, and died a stalwart Alcantara
00:06:54.380 Even when it was deadly to do so
00:06:56.880 He did not renounce his gods to fit in
00:07:00.180 Or to make money
00:07:01.340 Or to gain materialistic glory
00:07:03.780 And not even to save his life here in Midgard
00:07:06.960 Let us all look inward into our hearts and ask ourselves if we would have the strength to follow Ivan's example
00:07:14.180 That strength lives in anyone who proudly walks with the Alistair Folk Assembly
00:07:19.220 And that strength will be with you for as long as you have the courage to carry it forward
00:07:24.840 On the 9th of February, as we stop to remember Ivan Kinarifa and his unwavering faith despite the consequences
00:07:33.300 take a moment to consider what in your life is important to you.
00:07:39.520 Even in these times when we are living with unparalleled freedom of choice
00:07:43.540 it can be difficult to choose faith over all else.
00:07:47.900 It's sometimes easier to hide behind the idea of pseudonym
00:07:50.980 or keep your faith hidden from those in your lives that should matter.
00:07:56.020 Remember when you think of Ivan, what truly matters.
00:07:59.480 stand strong with
00:08:01.840 and take pride in
00:08:03.640 your folk and your gods
00:08:05.780 hail
00:08:07.380 Ivan Tinlifa
00:08:08.600 hail the Austro Folk Assembly
00:08:11.860 alrighty
00:08:16.320 and that's the days of remembrance
00:08:17.840 for the month so it brings us to our
00:08:19.680 holy day and
00:08:21.700 as with most of our holy days
00:08:24.020 the actual day
00:08:25.920 does fall on the
00:08:27.700 third Saturday of the month
00:08:29.200 Along with its observance, it doesn't happen to be one of the solstice or equinox holidays that the day can actually maneuver around a bit.
00:08:40.000 So, Charming of the Plow, what is it?
00:08:43.760 It is a ritual that takes place at the early beginning of the planting season.
00:08:48.320 As the name implies, the plow, or other tools used, are blessed and offerings are made to the gods for the productive growing season.
00:08:57.260 Traditionally, after blessing the plow, a ceremonial furrow was dug and then filled with cakes
00:09:04.220 or other offerings.
00:09:06.540 For our ancestors, this was a crucial time of the year.
00:09:11.040 Poor preparation often led to a poor harvest, and a poor harvest led to starvation.
00:09:18.320 Alcetru is the modern celebration of our ancestral heritage.
00:09:22.920 Charming of the plow symbolizes our willful penetration of the unyielding soil.
00:09:27.700 It is with our own industriousness, our own will, that we create, that we change, and that we provide.
00:09:37.120 In the Asatru folk assembly, we often celebrate the charming of the plow by planting a tree. 0.99
00:09:43.740 Inflict your will on the world. 1.00
00:09:47.660 As Asatru are, this is a time to charm the implements of your own productivity. 1.00
00:09:52.920 Entreating the Divine to bless your tools and your plans for the year is essential to
00:09:59.460 starting things off right.
00:10:02.300 Inviting the Divine into our plans and intentions is a great way of making us aware of the sacrality
00:10:09.960 that should be part of all you do.
00:10:12.920 The AFA encourages all Alcetreur to be industrious in all that we do.
00:10:18.040 grand dreams, make solid plans, do big things, and after hard work, reap a bountiful harvest.
00:10:32.340 And what can you do to celebrate charming of the plow?
00:10:36.800 Though most of us do not rely on growing our own food to survive, now is a good time to
00:10:42.280 consider starting a small garden or even just growing some herbs on the patio.
00:10:48.240 Make a plan. Choose a small patch of yard and map out your garden beds. Bless the shovels
00:10:55.180 and spades. Dig up the soil and begin fertilizing it with eggshells and coffee grinds. Prepare.
00:11:02.800 If you cannot plant a small garden, begin planning some project. Sew a quilt. Build
00:11:10.460 a chair take an idea and make a plan and then put that plan into action inflict your will on the
00:11:20.940 world hail thread hail the awesome true folk assembly and that's it everybody that's february
00:11:32.160 2025 i do appreciate all y'all sticking around and listening to this video learning a bit
00:11:39.460 get a refresher a bit
00:11:41.340 on some stuff we already knew
00:11:42.780 whatever works for you
00:11:44.520 I'll be back next month
00:11:46.960 with more offerings for us
00:11:49.240 and again
00:11:51.100 I'll see you around
00:11:53.460 don't forget
00:11:54.460 Charming the Plow at Njordshof
00:11:57.220 our big national event this month
00:11:58.960 you can go to runestone.org
00:12:01.060 slash store, get your tickets
00:12:02.720 and while you're there
00:12:04.660 come on out to Thorshof next month
00:12:07.400 as well, those tickets are on sale for
00:12:09.180 and right now in store as we speak
00:12:13.940 we have brand new 30th anniversary shirts
00:12:17.160 for the Alcatru Folk Assembly
00:12:18.560 go get them while supplies last
00:12:21.500 well thank you guys so much
00:12:24.260 that's all I got for you
00:12:26.860 so
00:12:27.840 Hail King Ian Threat of Bernicia
00:12:31.140 Hail Ivan King Liffa
00:12:34.220 Hail Invi Freyr
00:12:37.180 Hail the Aesir 1.00
00:12:39.400 Hail the folk
00:12:40.720 Hail the AFA
00:12:42.680 And hail the victory y'all
00:12:44.840 Have a great one
00:13:07.180 Thank you.