How to: Blot
For the Norse and Germanic peoples, religion wasn’t about weekly worship in a church. It was about living in balance - with the gods, the spirits of the land, and the ancestors. At the heart of this spiritual life was the blót (Old Norse blóta), which means “to worship, sacrifice, or honour with offerings.”
A blót was more than a gift. It was an exchange between humans and the unseen powers. People gave offerings to the gods, the land-spirits, and their ancestors, and in return asked for blessings: health, fertility, good harvests, victory, and protection.
In this guide, we’ll explore what a blót is, how it was practiced in the past, and how modern Heathens carry it out today. You’ll also learn step by step how to perform a simple blót yourself.
The Meaning of Blót
The word blóta comes from old Germanic roots meaning “to strengthen” or “to consecrate.” The idea was simple: by giving strength, you receive strength in return.
Unlike later Christian worship which focused on humility, a blót was about reciprocity - a sacred ‘give and take’. You give offerings, and in return, the gods, spirits, and ancestors give their blessings.
Offerings could include:
The blood of an animal (in ancient times).
Mead, ale, or other drinks.
The best cuts of food from a feast.
Crafted objects or valuable items.
A simple libation - pouring drink onto the earth.
The key idea was “a gift for a gift.”
How Blóts Worked in the Old Days
Blóts could be big public festivals or small family rites. They often included:
The Sacrifice
In large blóts, animals like pigs, goats, or horses were sacrificed. Their blood (hlaut) was collected and sprinkled on altars, statues, and even the people.
In smaller rites, food, drink, or objects were offered instead.
The Feast
The sacrificed meat was cooked and shared among everyone. Eating the food was sacred - gods got their share, and humans ate the rest, joining in one bond.
The Toasts (Sumbel)
A drinking horn was passed around. The first toast went to the gods, the second to ancestors, and the third was personal - a vow, a boast, or a hope.
Sacred Space
Blóts could be held in temples, halls, sacred groves, or simply at a family farm. What made the space holy was the ritual itself.
Types of Blót
Different blóts were held for different purposes:
Álfablót (Elf Blót): A private autumn rite for ancestors and land-spirits.
Dísablót: Honoured female spirits and ancestors, often in winter.
Sigrblót: A spring sacrifice asking Odin for victory.
Haustblót: A harvest blót, giving thanks in autumn.
Jólablót: The great Yule blót at midwinter, for abundance and survival.
Life Blóts: For weddings, births, safe journeys, or times of need.
How to Perform a Blót Today (Step by Step)
Modern Heathens no longer sacrifice animals. Instead, they offer symbolic gifts - food, drink, or handmade items. Here’s how you can perform a simple blót at home or in nature:
1. Prepare Your Space
Choose a spot: a home altar, a grove, a stone, or a quiet corner outdoors.
Place symbols of the gods, ancestors, or land-spirits (statues, candles, runes, or natural items).
2. Gather Offerings
Mead, beer, juice, or water.
Food such as bread, fruit, or a portion of your meal.
Handmade items, coins, or seasonal gifts (herbs, flowers, evergreens).
3. Open the Ritual
Speak words of welcome to the gods, ancestors, and land-spirits.
Light a candle or fire to mark the space as sacred.
4. Make the Offerings
Pour a drink onto the earth, into a bowl, or at the altar.
Place food or gifts before the spirits.
Say aloud what you are giving and why (thanks, request, or honor).
5. Share a Meal
Eat and drink with those gathered.
Remember the gods and ancestors are symbolically sharing the feast with you.
6. Toast and Speak (Optional Sumbel)
Pass a cup or horn around.
First toast: to the gods.
Second toast: to ancestors or heroes.
Third toast: your personal vows, hopes, or thanks.
7. Close the Ritual
Speak words of gratitude.
Put out the candles or fire.
Return the offerings to the earth respectfully.
Why Blót Still Matters
Blót isn’t about blood or fear - it’s about connection. It teaches that life is a web of giving and receiving. By honouring the gods, spirits, and ancestors, we strengthen our own lives, families, and communities.
Even today, when a Heathen pours a horn of mead to the gods, leaves bread on a stone, or raises a toast to their ancestors, they are keeping alive the sacred cycle: we give, so that you may give.
Blót remains a living tradition - simple, powerful, and rooted in the values of reciprocity, respect, and community.