As the Summer Solstice approaches, it’s time to start thinking about how you can make this a summer fit for a saga. Vikings didn’t do anything half-way and neither should you. Here are some suggestions to get a little more Viking Summer style into your life.
Travel to Viking Lands
The Vikings traveled far and wide, and they did so during the summer. Now, is the time for you to do the same. You might visit the Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Western Russia or Ukraine, L’Anse aux Meadows or any place in between. The important part of the travel isn’t necessarily where you go, it’s that you do it with an explorer’s spirit.
Get Outdoors
Summer was the time for Vikings to be outdoors. Some traveled; many farmed. Those who lived in the north celebrated as the sun came out to warm them. Going outside connected the Vikings to nature, their ancestors, and the invisible creatures that lived around them. When you go outdoors, you’ll feel the same connections. There’s a bonus for getting on the water with a boat you’ve got to row yourself.
Axes and Arrows
Get acquainted with some of the tools Vikings used. Axes are great for chopping wood to prepare for winter. They are also great for throwing. There is likely a place near you that will teach you how to throw and axe. Then, you can get your axes to throw in your backyard.
Archery is another activity that can help create your memorable Viking Summer. Find an instinctive archery group and learn three-finger draw from them. Remember the Vikings didn’t have compound bows, so stick with the traditional equipment and hone your hand-eye coordination while empowering yourself to realize your potential.
Get Together
Viking celebrations were about food, friends, and stories. Invite all your favorite people for a feast. Make sure they invite some people you don’t know to increase your friend circle. Share your table with everyone, have plenty of mead on hand, get people to drain the drinking horn, and tell some stories as the night progresses.
Make an Oath
Oaths were so important to the Viking culture that not fulfilling one could be punishable by death. One oath you should make for Viking Summer is that you will do something to bring out your inner Viking. The next oath would be to help us bring out the Viking in more people with a donation to build Asgard Alaska.
Leave a comment on how you plan to make this the best Viking Summer ever.
