Calendar of the Sun 14 Winterfyllith Mordgud's Blot Colour: Black Element: Earth Altar: Upon cloth of black set many knives laid end to end in a pathway, crossed with a single spear. Set also a chalice of mead and seven black candles.) Offerings: Blood. Daily Meal: Meat. Invocation to Mordgud Hail, Mordgud, Gatekeeper of the Dark Road, Helvegr’s watchwoman, never sleeping, Your dark eyes watch always the oncoming road For the lost soul who must be rescued, Wandering in the dark with no hope Of being gathered to Hela’s peaceful breast. Hail, Right Hand of Hel, Warrior who protects the Way From those who would plunder the wisdom Of the slumbering Dead, who would raid The secrets of the Underworld, From those who would wreak their doom In foolishness before their time, All these you turn away with upraised hand, Though fools may not understand The kindness that you do them. Hail, Guardian of Hel’s Gate, Whose eyes see the Dead, in all their forms, Weeping, sleeping, bewildered and fearful, Laughing with open arms, All are ushered through your Gate With your exquisite compassion and comfort For you leave none behind. By the Dark Road of Stars, we hail you, Lady of the Last Gate! By the roaring river Gjoll, we hail you, Mistress of the Last Spear! By the gold-roofed bridge, we hail you, Mistress of the Black Tower! By the passage of knives, we hail you, Mistress of the Knife’s Way! May you welcome us in our hour of need. (All come forth and prick their fingers, and wipe the blood on the tip of Mordgud's spear, saying, "Welcome me in my time through the last gate." The mead is poured out as libation.) [source:paganbookofhours.org]
[Image: Mordgud by JR-NorthernPaganism.org]