Editing Symbel (section)

==Modern paganism==

Inspired by Bauschatz' theory from the 1970s, the sumbel has become a central ritual of [[Heathenry in the United States]]. In this version, sumbel is a drinking-ritual in which a drinking horn full of mead or ale is passed around and a series of toasts are made, usually to gods, ancestors, and/or heroes of the religion. The toasts vary by group, and some groups make a distinction between a "regular" sumbel and a "high" sumbel, which have different levels of formality, and different rules during toasting. Participants may also make boasts of their own deeds, or oaths or promises of future actions. Words spoken during the sumbel are considered carefully and any oaths made are considered sacrosanct, becoming part of the destiny of those assembled.

The name ''sumbel'' (or ''symbel'') is mainly derived from Anglo-Saxon sources. For this reason, the ritual is not known by this name among Icelandic Nordic pagans, who nevertheless practice a similar ritual as part of their ''blot''.<ref>[[Michael Strmiska]], ''Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives'', P ABC-CLIO, 2005, {{ISBN|978-1-85109-608-4}}, pp. 129, 165.</ref>

In [[Theodism]] or Anglo-Saxon neopaganism in particular, the ''symbel'' has a particularly high importance, considered "perhaps the highest rite" or "amongst the most holy rites"<ref>[http://www.englatheod.org/symbel.htm englatheod.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503233358/http://www.englatheod.org/symbel.htm |date=2008-05-03 }}</ref> celebrated. Symbel consists of rounds of ritual drinking and toasting, and invariably takes place within an enclosed space of some kind.<ref>Garman Lord, p. 27</ref> It is usually inaugurated by three formal rounds, as determined by the host; often led by toasts in honor of the Gods, then ancestors and/or heroes, and then a general or personal boast. Other boasts may take place as necessary. Symbel is always formally closed once the formal boasts are completed, in order that the symbel might maintain its dignity and not degenerate into "mere partying".<ref>Garman Lord, p. 30</ref> The two types of boast are the ȝielp (pronounced 'yelp') and the [[beot]] (pronounced 'bayawt', but as one syllable). The former is a boast of one's own worthiness, such as one's accomplishments, ancestry, etc. The latter is a boast of an action one plans to undertake. In order to protect the luck of the hall, such boasts are subject to challenge by the [[thyle]], whose job it is to make sure that unlucky boasts do not contaminate the luck of all present.