Beer and Bread Blessing for Frith
by Joshua Tenpenny
Hail Frey, Golden One, Lord of the Grain,
Frithmaking God who gave up your sword for love,
Lord who bears no weapon, and in whose hallowed spaces
No weapon can be carried, O Bringer of Light.
We come together in the spirit of friendship,
Setting aside all our weapons.
By gathering together and sharing food and drink,
We nourish our bodies and nourish the bonds between us.
With this bread and beer,
May each of us find Frey’s blessing,
And may each of us share that blessing with others.
May we find shelter with each other,
May we take nourishment together,
May we work together towards our common goals,
May we learn from each other,
And not quarrel amongst ourselves.
You nourish our bodies and bonds with bread and beer,
Yet even with grain, no bread nor beer can be crafted
Without the sacrifice of thousands of tiny lives.
The yeast, which is so important to its making,
Gives up its life, like you, Lord Frey, to feed us.
And the secret to this sacred alchemy, it is said,
Is that one must treat the yeast like a guest in one’s home.
No voices can be raised in wrath or fear
Around the brew, lest those fragile lives die off too soon.
This is the lesson you teach us, Sacrificed One.
That which nourishes the people cannot be sustained
Without respect and care for all who surround us.
O Frey, help us to create the perfect warmth
Where all are welcome, whether they agree,
For peace is always better than righteous wrath.
Artwork by Ciano Von Jo.