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 Heathen 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.