Solis
Solis is the festival of midsummer, and one of the two major festivals of the Folkvargr year. Solis is all about life and living to the fullest. During Solis a public religious ceremony is performed, celebrating the strength and honour of the Folkvargr people.
At this time, games of physical prowess are also conducted; those of strength and honour through displays of skill.
The Kindred who wins in each hamlet enjoys increased social standing and respect, and their Kindred’s colours displayed in their mead hall. The overall winning Kindred members across all hamlets and town receive a gift from the Karl each year as well. Not everyone competes every year; the decision to compete is personal. A board is usually put up earlier in the year announcing the games that will take place, and each Kindred will have the members sign up.
The ceremony of Solis is what starts the games. On the first day the sign up is opened at midday, and at Sundown the opening ceremony honours the competing members of the games that year, as well as the Gods of strength, honour and prowess amongst the Aesir. A feast is had that evening, and the games run over the following 2 days.
There is an award ceremony at the end, but this is not religious. It ends the games and changes (if necessary) the banners in the mead hall to those of the winning Kindred.
Falfar
Falfar is the harvest festival. The whole community tend to get together at this time of year to help the farmers bring in their harvests and process the yields. Once this has been completed, a sacrifice to the Vanir is made in a religious ceremony, to honour those of the land that give the world its bounty.
In harsh years with little yield, it is not unheard of for a Human sacrifice to be made to ensure a mild winter.
Stara
Stara is the sowing. It is the practice of sacrifice to the Gods before the first seeds of the year are sown. The blood of livestock are sacrificed to the fields, and to the Temple, and that night the meat is eaten in honour of the Vanir.
This sacrifice is to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Yule
Yule is the festival of midwinter, and one of the two major festivals of the Folkvargr year. It is the day of the turn of the year, considered years end. It is held in the depth of winter during the longest night, where families come together to exchange gifts.
In each of the Hamlets the mead hall is thrown open and filled with food and mead. In the main town of Saross the Grand Hall does the same. All of those who wish to are able to attend the communal feast, as well as give offerings to the ‘sleeping Gods’ at the temple.
The deeds of the year are told in story and verse, games of mental prowess are conducted; those of wit and wisdom through literary performance.
