What does the Old Norse term dísablót refer to? The truth is, we don’t know too much about it and what we do know is usually from later Christian sources. A dis is a female spirit and a blot is a ritual offering or sacrifice. In the Norse Tradition, the dísablót was a sacrifice to the female ancestral spirits but possibly also to the disir (plural of dis) of the land. It gets complicated because other female spirits, such as the valkyries, are also referred to as disir.
Jump to the Disir’s Guidance Tarot Spread
Did our ancestors sacrifice to the valkyries as well? According to archeologist Arith Härger, the valkyries were part of a person’s Norns (aka Nornir) (destiny keepers) if that person was destined to die a violent death. Hence, if some of your disir and/or Norns were valkyries, you may not wish to know about it beforehand. Or maybe you do. To each their own!
According to Norse language professor Jackson Crawford, the disir are more connected with the ancestral collective than with the individual. He contrasts this with the fylgja (animal spirit) that stays with the individual from birth to death. Both Crawford and Härger point out that the valkyries are known as ‘Herjans Disir,’ with Herjan being one of Odin’s many by-names.
The Disir share characteristics with other female entities in Norse mythology, including:
- Valkyries, sometimes referred to as “Herjan’s (Odin’s) Disir”
- Norns, with whom they share some fate-shaping abilities
- Land spirits (landvættir), overlapping in protective roles for specific locations
- Elves, similarly portrayed as ancestral spirits in some contexts
This interconnectedness showcases the rich and complex tapestry of Norse mythology, where different spiritual beings often share overlapping roles and characteristics.
When Was the Dísablót Celebrated?
The dísablót took place sometime in the late autumn or winter. Exactly when depends on where you lived at the time. In my native Sweden, the annual Disting at Uppsala where the sacrifice to the disir was made was held at the end of February. In Norway, the dísablót took place at the start of the winter. On the British Isles, the Anglo-Saxon sacrifice to the female ancestral spirits was during Modranicht/Mothers’ Night, around the Yule/the New Year.
A Bloodless Dísablót
Though the term ‘blot‘ does not necessarily indicate the need for a blood offering, it is no secret that this is exactly what they often were in Viking times. However, most modern blots do not include the slaughter of an animal.
There are many ways to honour the disir. One way could be to include a place at the table for the most ancient of our ancestral mothers. Another way is to talk about our female ancestors at the dinner table and mention all their favourable attributes. Lighting candles and burning incense in their honour will always be well received.
How we speak to and about our ancestors is probably the most important aspect of the dísablót. That said, it might be nice to offer them a ‘Skål!’ or play them some music as well. You could even invite the spirits to join you in dancing. Far be it from me to tell you how to honour your disir. But please, for the love of all that is holy, do not just call on them to ask favours without offering anything in return.
Please treat beings on the other side of the veil with the same respect you treat living beings on this side of the veil. Remember that spirits do have agency in the world and that it’s very unwise to piss them off.
Disablot at Halloween?
Technically, unless you are trying to reconstruct local rituals, there are no rules for when to perform the dísablót. There is nothing to stop you from honouring your disir once a week or even daily with a blot, even if it is a humble glass of water. Nor is there anything stopping you from following the modern tradition of honouring the ancestors with a blot at Samhain/Halloween.
And it’s really up to you if you are going to let yourself be bullied into submission by the Asatru or Heathenry Police. Every community has these types of people who try to impose rules and dogma on others. Top Tip: Give them all a wide berth!
Paganism has always been a syncretic religion. Its strength is its adaptability and its lack of dogma. How you choose to honour your gods and ancestral spirits is between you and them. And if you choose to start new customs with a group of local fans of the Old Ways, it’s between you and those people.
Whether working in a group or as an individual, you have every right to experiment and to blend different influences. What is more important than aiming for historical accuracy is that the ritual and the words you use have meaning to you.
My Personal Thoughts
Okay, so the title for this paragraph may be a bit misleading since most of the above are my personal thoughts too. But when it comes to the reason for celebrating the dísablót, on a feeling level, it very much comes down to bedding down for the winter. The dísablót allows us to wrap ourselves in the warm embrace of our great ancestral mother and all her daughters. Is there a better shield against the cold and dark of winter?
As someone who grew up in Sweden where the dísablót was celebrated in February, the idea of celebrating it at the start of the winter like the Norwegians used to do, instantly resonated. I might be the only Swedish Norse Pagan living in the UK celebrating dísablót on Halloween/Samhain but I don’t care. I like how well the two fit together and I believe they were born from the same basic human need.
The Disir’s Guidance Tarot Spread
- The Disir’s Blessing
Represents the ancestral hamingja (luck or power) to harness in the year ahead. - Material Resources
Reveals the tangible assets and resources currently at your disposal. - Hidden Talents
Uncovers latent abilities or skills you may not be fully aware of or utilising. - The Disir’s Protection
Symbolises the protective energy surrounding you, directly from the Disir’s shielding presence. - Challenge to Overcome
Indicates an obstacle or challenge you need to address to progress. - The Disir’s Wisdom
Represents specific advice or insight from your ancestral guardians to help navigate your path. - Future Opportunity
Highlights an upcoming chance to use your resources and talents effectively. - Warning from the Disir
Suggests an area where caution is needed, inspired by the Disir’s role in shaping fate. - Skuld
Describes the future outcome relating to the opportunity in position 7.
Disir’s Guidance Sample Tarot Reading
1. The Disir’s Blessing – 9 of Swords
The ancestral hamingja bestowed upon you comes in the form of resilience and mental fortitude. The 9 of Swords suggests that your ancestors have endured significant hardships, and this experience has been passed down to you. Their blessing is the ability to overcome anxiety and fear, transforming these challenges into strength.
2. Material Resources – Ace of Pentacles
You are at the beginning of a new cycle of prosperity. The Ace of Pentacles indicates a fresh start in financial or material matters. There may be new opportunities for increasing your wealth or resources, possibly through a new job, investment, or business venture.
3. Hidden Talents – Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands reveals a latent talent for leadership and creativity. You possess a charismatic energy that you may not be fully utilising. This card suggests you can inspire and motivate others, as well as the courage to pursue your passions with confidence and determination.
4. The Disir’s Protection – Ace of Wands
The Disir offer you protection through inspiration and new beginnings. This Ace signifies a spark of creative energy surrounding you, shielding you from stagnation. The Disir are guarding your enthusiasm and zest for life, encouraging you to pursue new ventures with their blessing.
5. Challenge to Overcome – The Empress
Interestingly, your challenge lies in embracing abundance and nurturing energy. The Empress suggests you might be resisting your own potential for growth and creativity. The challenge is to fully step into your power of creation and nurturing, both for yourself and others.
6. The Disir’s Wisdom – The Lovers
The ancestral wisdom offered here is about harmony and choice. The Lovers card indicates that the Disir are guiding you towards making decisions that align with your highest values. They advise seeking balance in relationships and making choices that resonate with your true self.
7. Future Opportunity – 2 of Wands
An opportunity for expansion and planning is on the horizon. The 2 of Wands suggests you’ll have the chance to broaden your horizons, possibly through travel, education, or a new project. This is a time to look beyond your current circumstances and envision long-term goals.
8. Warning from the Disir – Ace of Cups
The Disir caution you about new emotional beginnings. While the Ace of Cups generally signifies positive emotional experiences or relationships, as a warning it suggests being mindful of becoming too swept up in new feelings or connections. They advise maintaining emotional balance and not neglecting other aspects of your life.
9. Skuld – Death
The future outcome related to your opportunity is one of profound transformation. The Death card signifies the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. This transformation is necessary and ultimately positive, though it may feel challenging. The opportunity from the 2 of Wands will likely lead to a significant change in your life path and possibly in your career.
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