Husel

Húsel is a sacred feast and technically part of the larger scope of the worship- rite (see Basic Rites). It is sandwitched between the prayers to the Anglo-Saxon Pagan Gods and Goddesses and the yielding of gifts to the Gods and Goddesses in the standard worship outline.  As such it is an intergral part of nearly any rite that is more than a mere libration. It can be as simple as bread, cheese, and mead, or at the other end, the consumption of a whole hog for blót. All preparations for the feast should be made prior to the rite. Food and drink need to be made sacred, and readied for consumption. Most groups that perform húsel set aside what is commonly called a Gods' plate, and often an ancestors' plate as well. These plates have one of every type of food prepared for the feast as well as a glass of mead or wine.

Preparation of a húsel is no easy matter if one is serving a large number of people. It cannot be handled as a run of the mill pot luck, although this is often the easiest way to handle it. One will want to pull out their best dinner ware. Paper plates are fine for the folk, but the serving bowls and trays should be of high quality. One should use silver, pewter, or fine china to serve the food in. Items should be garlanded or otherwise decorated to lend a sense of beauty to the feast. Display for húsel is everything as you are serving not just you and your folk, but also the Ése (Æsir) and Wen (Vanir), the ancestors, and often the landwights as well. Think of it as a banquet for the Gods. Of most importance is the Gods' and ancestors' plates. These should be made of silver or pewter (for durability), and somewhat large. A large strein usually serves well to hold the drink. The Gods' and ancestors' plates set in a place of prominence during the feast. Prior to the feast, a hole should be dug outside in an area that has been made sacred.

During the feast, toasts may be made to the Gods and Goddesses or ancestors. There can be talk, but it should be of a serious, and religious matter. The folk should try to stay solemn, but in a joyful way (as if you are conducting a funeral for your dog that used to bite you). All, leftovers should be placed in a special container. Once everyone it through eating, one will want to give the leftovers the Gods' and ancestors plates, and in the case of blot, any special parts reserved for the Gods (such as the head of the animal). Form a procession to the pit one has dug. There one will give leftovers, plates, and special parts to the Gods. They then dump each into the pit with words such as "I give this to....." (Ich giefe.....). It is then covered over. If one does not wish to use a pit, one can also burn the food and left overs in a large firepit.

Húsel may seem daunting at first. But truly it is not if one makes careful preparations.