Within the rite of Fóstbræðralag or Fosterbrotherhood, two families become conjoined by the ceremonial spilling of blood. The idea is that by blending the blood (blóðablanda) the two men involved in the rite become as family within their bloodlines, sanctifying the rite through this sacred act.
There is a cutting of turf, called the Jarðarmen, which is connected to Frigg’s name, Jǫrð. Because she is Mother Earth, married to the Sky Father, Óðinn, it is possible that this ritual was believed to have some connection to the idea of death and rebirth through bonds of blood. This would then be taken literally, as the spilling of blood would have signified the “death” of the participants, and their passing through a strip of turf would represent their rebirth as brothers through the womb of Frigg.
Thus, their bond would be forged through the earth and their brotherhood would be solidified through the same deities that sanctify families through marriages and other unions. As Óðinn and his brothers gave life to the first of our people, and Frigg delivers the fruits of men, so too will they consecrate the clan-building rites of brotherhood.
The brothers swear allegiance, then declare that they are family, which then builds an alliance that becomes sanctified by the Gods themselves. As stated in Gísla Saga above, they call all the Gods to witness. This alliance is extremely important, because this would be the primary means by which clans could be built, and strengthened by actual family ties. By re-establishing this tradition, we can restore the power and strength of local communities and tribes by binding each other with true familial bonds that come with legal obligations.
RITE
Tools: Stallahringr, Rún Marked Spear, Ceremonial Blade.
Preparation
• The terms of their oath must be meted out beforehand.
• Perform the rite on holy ground, making sure to take special care with the grass. Those partaking in the rite stand facing one another.
They each take hold of a Stallahringr and call on the Gods and Goddesses to witness the proceedings:
Heilir æsir!
Heilar ásynjur!
Heil sjá in fjǫlnýta fold!
Mál ok mannvit gefið
okkr mærum tveim ok læknishendr, meðan lifum.
Nefni ek í þat vætti
at ek vinn eið at baugi, lǫgeið.
Hjálpi mér svá Freyr
ok Njǫrðr
ok inn almáttki Áss.
Goðin Heill!
Hail the Æsir!
Hail the Ásynjur!
Hail the bounteous Fold!
Words and wisdom give,
as praise we give,
and healing hands in life!
I call to witness
that I now take
an oath on the ring, a lawful oath.
So help me Freyr
and Njǫrðr
and the Almighty Ás.
Hail the Gods! Next, a strip of sod is cut from the earth, called the Jarðarmenn, which has both ends still fastened to the earth. This sod is then held up by a spear marked with rúnar and is long enough for someone to pass through it.
After they walk through the sod, one will make a footprint into the soil and all others will step into the footprint.Then they chant together nine times:
Við skulum sverja
i fostbræðralag
at fornnum sid at sterkari.
Let us swear
in fóstbræðalag
according to the stronger forn siðr.
Now each will use a special ceremonial blade to draw blood from their hands, one at a time. They let the blood drip onto the footprint, touch it, then say, in turn:
Enda sé ek gott ráð
til þessa að vér
bindum várt vinfengi
með meiri fastmælum en áður
ok sverjumst í fóstbræðalag.
Því tǫkum vit þat
ráð með fastmælum
að sá skyldi
hefna annars er lengur lifa.
Nú vit blǫndum blóði saman,
ǫlvi bergja látumsk eigi mundu,
nema okkr eru báðum bori
I think it is a good idea
for us to
bind our friendship
more firmly than before
and swear the oath of fóstbræðalag.
Therefore, we take
solemn oaths
that the one who
lives longer should take revenge.
Now we blend blood together,
not taste ale
unless we are both served.
Finally, they get on their knees, take hands, and say:
Ek sverja þann eið
að hver skal annars
hefna sem bróður síns
ok við nefna ǫll goðin í vitni.
I swear this oath
to avenge each other
as though he were his brother,
and we call all the Gods to witness.
Now the rite is concluded.
Excerpt from: Æfinrúnar1 and Æfinrúnar2: A Book of Sedian Rites and Prayers Bk.1:The Sacred Rites– https://a.co/d/8nqOU0W
Æfinrúnar2: A Book of Sedian Rites and Prayers Bk. 2: The Sacred Rites– https://a.co/d/8nqOU0W