Heimgest Goes to Prison.
Report by Heimgest CG
The Rite is steadily increasing both its membership and work in the prison system of the USA where Odinism in the fastest growing religion (and also a much persecuted one). The struggle for Odinist inmates to be accorded the same rights to follow their religion as those given to followers of other faiths is an important part of the wider struggle to restore our natural faith in the whole of Midgarth.
As you will see in another report, an AOR Hearth has now been raised within the walls of a prison - hopefully it will act as a beacon for more to follow. A great step forward for the Holy Nation of Odin.
It has been a personal goal of mine to visit incarcerated comrades. After earlier disappointments in this, I was finally able to realise this goal on the 25th Hunting 2253 re when I accompanied Laurel Owen on a visit to Manchester FCI in Kentucky. Laurel has long been involved in prison ministry work and regularly visit a number of prisons where she conducts blot and advocates for their religious rights and generally give religious ministry. As part of her work she publishes a newsletter: Pagan Crossroads, which is primarily geared for those in prison. This very worthy venture is now distributed under the wing of the OR.
After going through the check in procedure, we met the men in a meeting room where we were able to talk. Laurel of course is well known, but for me it was a time of introductions. After a while we were escorted to the blot site. The Odinists here have secured the right to hold blot in a fenced area in the main prison yard, next to the Native Indians site. Here we gathered for the ceremony and after an opening by the prisoners Gothi, Laurel as Gythia, conducted a blot she had prepared for the occasion.
It was a very powerful and moving blot. Despite the location and the background noise of loudspeaker announcements and the toing and froing of general inmate population - it was in fact easy to become fully immersed in the blot, such was its potency. Following its conclusion we remained sometime at the site before returning again to the meeting room where we were able to discuss matters again for a couple of hours.
Apart from being an extremely enjoyable occasion, it was also very informative and I learnt much that will be beneficial in future work for those of our community in prison or released. The time to leave came and goodbyes said. My sincere thanks to the men for the warmth of welcome and comradeship and sincere thanks also to Laurel for making this trip possible. The work goes on.
