Sigurd's Day

Feast of the Dragon Slayer

St. George's Day

Wyrd-Hero of Oðinn

Sigurd's Day is a feast day of the Order's holy tides. In keeping to the tradition of observing Germanic heroes, Sigurd's Day honours the life and deeds of Sigurd (or Siegfried) - the Slayer of Dragons. His exploits are told in many sources, most notably the German Nibelungenlied and the Icelandic Reginsmál and Fáfnismál. It is in the latter poem that we derive our celebration.

 

The Fáfnismál details the slaying of the sly wyrm Fafnir in the pursuit of a treasure trove. It is in the consuming of Fafnir's heart that Sigurd (in learning the languages of birds) foresees the treachery of his companion, Reginn, and slays him pre-emptively. In following this practice, we in turn consume organ meats during his namesake feast to ensure our own safe futures.

 

The Order holds the feast of Sigurd on April 23rd to coincide with St. George's Day; a cultural celebration of England's Christian saint and (more importantly) a celebration of the dragon-slayer archetype found across many mythologies.

Depicted: Sigurd proofs the sword Gram by Johannes Gehrts, 1901; German illustrator.