June 9th is Sigurdsblot, a minor festival honoring Sigurd (Sigifrith or Siegfreid), the great hero who slayed the dragon Fafnir and won back the treasure of the Rhine.Sigurd (Siegfried) was the greatest hero in Germanic legend, and central character of the Saga of the Volsungs. He was the foster-son of Regin, who sent him to recover a fabulous hoard of gold. Regin's father Hreidmar had first acquired this treasure, which once belonged to the dwarf Andvari. To get their hands on the gold Regin and his brother Fafnir had then killed Hreidmar, but Fafnir wanted the treasure for himself and turned into a dragon to guard it. [read the rest of the story here]
To celebrate this day is more American than you think. Much like the way we celebrate our holidays that honor war heros and fallen soldiers and of course our freedom, so to was Sigurdsblot celebrated. Grab some brewskis and liquor. Build a bon fire and drink in honor of Sigurd and what his tale represents. Pour some out and on to the ground in his name and party hard.
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