Spot The Cat. An experience in 2001 CE
By Tony Adams, AOR
While serving time at USP Leavenworth Ks. Our kindred, The Einherjar, had quite a magnificent cat, one of Freya`s own - very spiritual indeed. It was black with a touch of white under her breast, and on her paws a white sock or two. Her home was a huge facility department where many a prisoner worked five days a week on different types of construction.
This cat, we called spot, and over the years she was fed tuna right out of the can from the commissary store by various prisoners. Most of the kindred got to know spot well. Eventually we had the opportunity to build our own outside area for the kindred to use. This was near the facility department. Gradually the mysterious cat Spot got more curious every weekend when we gathered to call upon the Gods. You would think Spot was being summoned because before we could finish the opening of the blot, you could see a little ball of fur scrambling our way. She would rest near the fire, or crawl under the altar.
At this point it was still too early for twenty or so men to have much to do with her, or to be comfortable with the idea of a cat amongst us while holding a ceremonial rite. There were a few who worked in facilities who were kindred (such as myself) who knew Spot well, but not quite sure of what she was capable of. Through patience (might I add about a year's worth) she gained a lot of affection, but not from all at first. She was given a few tests, but passed them all and always came back when we gathered. She was rewarded with not only tuna but also a piece of steak right off the grill. Looking back, all of us kinsmen and Spot eager to get the first steak made a sight for sore eyes and a warm memory.
Eventually Spot won all of our loyal affection. This was in November 2001 CE. when the kinsmen had finished the second annual 100-mile run sponsored by the Einherjar Kindred. This run had to be completed within 30 days and out of the 23 participants, most finished it. It was a very significant sacrifice in honour of the God of the Hunt, Ullr, and our dedication towards fallen heroes and Faith, Folk and Family.
Once the 100-mile run was complete, we all gathered at the kindred's outside area. It was a special day for us in receiving great honours from the Gods for our sacrifice. We built up the fire on this fair winter day of Fogmoon 28th and prepared the area for the feast of Ullr. Our Gothi of the time told us we would also be observing the feast of Einherjar as well. We were all pleased and in good spirits as we gathered in a huge circle to open the blot by calling on Odin, Balder, Frey and Thor.
I think I was the only one watching to see if Spot would come rushing to the sound of us, as it was a common ritual of hers. It was a shock to see there was no sign of her immediately. Some time had passed I had forgotten all about her as our Gothi was spiritually involved in speaking to the ancestral spirits and the God of the hunt. I relaxed and noticed other kinsmen were deeply involved in the ceremony too. Then, miraculously, as our Gothi was in full force, arms raised, head tilted back with face to the sky, Spot finally showed up, cautiously easing her way under the privacy fence to our area. She was carrying a huge pigeon in her mouth, unscratched but soaking wet. She then placed the frightened bird in the midst of our circle near the Gothi. Very few kinsmen saw this at first, until our Gothi looked down and stopped for just a second and witnessed this sacrifice. By then every kinsman there saw this and was in spiritual awe. Nobody attempted to disturb this spectacle and the Gothi continued with the rite in appreciation of Spot's offering to us.
This was the first time this had happened and Spot won every man's loyal affection.
I sometimes wonder if Spot is still there and sharing the rituals and feasts with good company? I sure enjoy sharing this experience with the Folk.
