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Just as with many organisations and faiths, the Assembly of The Elder Troth too has special days and events which are celebrated by many Asatruar. The links below provide a list of months and the events that you will find occur during those months. We hope you find the information both informative and useful.

From Living Asatru: A handbook of Simple Celebrations by Stephen A. McNallen, 1993.
Edited and adapted by Rurik Grimnisson, Shope and Steersman of the A.E.T. Inc.1996.

Day of Rememberance for Eyvind Kinnrifi

February 9th (Suggested)

Harek of Thjotta, an Asaman, was kidnapped and taken before King Olaf Tryggvason. Despite the king's arguments, he refused to be converted to Christianity. The king said he would not kill him, but instead sent him on his way with a heavily-armed royal escort. Alas, Olaf's mercy was a ruse; Harek was only bait for another Asaman, Eyvind Kinnrifi. Harek sent a message to his friend, Eyvind, as soon as he got back home from Olaf's court. He told him that Olaf intended to launch an attack against the men of his district when summer came, and they had much to discuss. Eyvind was led into a trap and set upon by thirty of the king's men who had been lying in wait. They took him, bound, on a journey that ended at Olaf's feet.

At first, Tryggvason and his bishop used argument to try and convince Eyvind of the rightness of the new faith. When that did not work, they offered him gifts and a share in the royal revenues. Since Eyvind was unbudged, they took the zealot's final recourse and set a bowl of red-hot embers on his abdomen. His stomach burst and he died.

Later, to explain the tenacity of our kinsman, the Christians invented the idea that Kinnrifi had been a spirit produced by Finnish magic, and could thus not take baptism.

How to honour Eyvind:

• Reflect on the rune kenaz as a symbol of transformation and purification. In other words, turn the negative - the flame that ended Eyvind's life - into something positive. Put your introspections on paper.
• It clearly took a lot of will power for Eyvind to stand up to Tryggvason's torture. What can you do to strengthen YOUR will power?
• Toast Eyvind with a shot of akavit. For a woe-working flame in the belly, substitute one that is beneficial and pleasant.
• Thwart Tryggvason's intent by doing something for the Gods and Goddesses today.
• Light a red candle for martyrdom in Eyvind's honour. Another positive manifestation of controlled flame, it will symbolically help undo Olaf the Lawbreaker's evil

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Last Update: Friday, February 9, 2007