Beneath the Surface

Hail to the Vans! Knowing ones, ancient ones, mighty ones
who in elder times broke down the walls of Asgard,
who trampled and tore the very field of battle,
who found in the noble Aesir an even match,
a wise accord, a balanced realm of friend and peer.
From Vanaheim your line arose--fair Vanaheim,
land of green mead and quiet wood, of waters deep
and barrows long enclosed. To bright-halled Asgard
came you four--Nerthus and Njord, Freyja and Frey--
to join your might with the fair Aesir, to share
with them your knowledge and your wisdom, to bring
to that land a lusty nature and a merry heart.
Farsighted gods of the Vanir, we thank you for
the roots that dig into the earth, for the black soil
beneath our feet and the seed that lies so deep within,
for the food we eat, for the daughters and sons
who bring joy to our lives and strength to our kin,
for each and every beat of our heart--for all this,
dear Vanir, we thank you. Hail the gods who bring life
to our lives! Hail the gods of shining Vanaheim!

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For the Vanir blot during Superior Heathen Gathering.