Galina Krasskova’s account of this year’s EtinMoot is up, on the “EtinMoot 2011″ page! We raised six poles this year, one for each of the sky-etins! Photos will be posted as soon as I receive them; in the meantime, Galina’s blog has a nice picture taken by Linda Demissy, gydja of Lokabrenna Kindred in Montreal.

Future plans for IWK include raising a pole for Njord at Cauldron Farm, so if you’re a friend or previous attendee of kindred events and are interested in participating in the pole-raising, please let Elizabeth know.

Information for this year’s EtinMoot has been posted on the relevant page, accessible from the tab above. For more information, please contact me at lokisthrowpillow@gmail.com, or by calling (978) 928-4198.

Northern Tradition Paganism is a new online resource for those who interested in non-reconstructionist, Norse/Germanic pagan religious practices and beliefs. Raven Kaldera has put this site up, and while not all of us necessarily agree with everything said there, it’s a good starting point for those who do not feel called to Asatru or Heathenry, but for whatever reasons are drawn to the Norse gods and wights. Liberal Heathens may find information of interest as well.

The writing on the site is largely based on the UPG of a number of people (not just Raven or the members of this kindred) and more conservative recons may not find it of much use; however, there are plenty of other websites and other resources for those more oriented towards reconstructionist belief. The site is not intended to be all-inclusive or a definitive last word of any kind, just a starting point and source of inspiration.

Raven’s shrines which were formerly linked on this site’s “Virtual Shrines” page can all be found on the Northern Tradition Paganism site now, which is also linked from that page as well.

The dates for this year’s EtinMoot are Friday through Sunday, August 12-14, 2011. It will be held at Cauldron Farm, Hubbardston, Massachusetts. More information will be posted at a later date. This will be the fifth year that EtinMoot has taken place, and the fourth year that it has been sponsored by Iron Wood Kindred!

A photo of Galina Krasskova’s Odin pole is now up on the god-poles page — check it out! Also, Cauldron Farm now has a pole for Nerthus, in the back field near Frey’s pole. IWK did not raise this one, but we are happy to see yet another monument erected to one of the Northern gods.

I’ve updated the “God-Poles” page with photos and descriptions of two new poles and a memorial stone, all of which the kindred has raised within the last two years.

Also, the new page called “Virtual Shrines” has links to some online sacred spaces that members of IWK have made in honor of various deities. There will, doubtless, be more to come.

Finally, you may want to look at the bottom of the FAQ page for my personal response to the common misconception best summarized as “ZOMG CAULDRON FARM IS TEH EVIL NEOPAGAN GAY KINDRED!!!111!!!”

Jalkr now has a website for his real-world temple dedicated to Odin and Ingvi-Freyr, which is home to rescued horses Grani, Phoenix, Dolly, and Maple, as well as Gluckwunsch the pig. As the Temple is run on lots of love and hard work, but very little cash, please consider making a donation towards the care and feeding of these wonderful animals, which you can do via PayPal to jalkr05@yahoo.com.

An account of this year’s gathering is up on the “EtinMoot 2010″ page. We had a great time!

Information on this year’s event may be found by clicking the page tab above for “EtinMoot 2010.” I’m happy to report that this is the fifth year that we’ve held this — time really flies!

Unfortunately, I have been slow in pulling things together this time around so while we do have some definite rituals and activities planned, I haven’t yet finalized the schedule. I have given as much information as I have available at the moment.

Look for a summary of the weekend after the event as well, as per previous years.

Iron Wood Kindred member Jalkr is currently the caretaker of four rescued horses who were victims of prior abuse. He considers this part of his sacred duty as an Odin’s-man, and while he and his family have done a tremendous amount of work to give the animals the life they deserve, they are in need of funds to continue. Please consider donating a few bucks towards the care and feeding of these animals.  All monies will go towards feed, hay, medication and other horse-related expenditures. Donations may be made via PayPal to jalkr05@yahoo.com.

EDIT: You can now read about and see photos of the horses at Jalkr’s LiveJournal.