Thrymskapr Thing

An immersive weekend retreat of drumming, drum-crafting, rune wisdom, nature and community ritual in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains. 

Join Heilung drummer Jacob Hee Lund, professor of Old Norse studies Mathias Nordvig, and tattoo artist Jacqui Alberts for an immersive weekend retreat in Vermont’s beautiful countryside during peak foliage season.

Experience ancestral Nordic drumming with Jacob as your guide, using historical folk-inspired techniques and rhythms. 

Craft your own ceremonial drum with traditional materials and methods. The materials are sourced from an indigenous-owned supplier in the US, and the drum that you make is yours to take home.

Learn the history of rune magic and how to use the runes as an animistic language to connect with nature, your community, and your world. Together, we will explore the ancient sources to the runes and the Nordic story-world and create community with each other and the natural world.

Immerse yourself in this sacred community for three days of learning, sharing, feasting, dancing, and communing with nature in the most magical time of year in New England!

What is Thrymskapr Thing?

Thrymskapr Thing is a communal gathering that connects us with our deep ancestral roots. Thrymskapr is an Old Norse word that means to create drums and make drumming come alive. The word “thing” in Old Norse means “assembly” or “gathering.”

All Are Welcome. This community warmly welcomes beings of all identities, backgrounds and diverse walks of life. Hate speech, discrimination or violence of any form is not tolerated.  

Full Weekend Pass:

This pass gives you admission to all workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, group rituals, two catered community feasts, guided time in nature and access to the beautiful land that hosts us. This includes: 

• Ancient Drumming with Jacob Lund 
• Rune Magic with Professor Mathias Nordvig 
• Thrymskapr drum creation ritual.  
• Guided nature/farm tours with Alex Feher (Permaculturalist & Ritualist) 

All materials for building a 18” ceremonial elk hide hand drum, which is yours to take home, included in this price. 

Camp space must be reserved separately. For lodging in the house please “+house” option. 

PRIZES! All guests will be entered in to a raffle to win some excellent gifts, including a drum handmade by Jacob and Jacqui, books, artwork, tattoos and lots more 

Full Weekend Pass + House:

This option gives you full access to everything detailed above in the “Weekend Pass” as well as accommodation in the cozy farmhouse on-site where you will stay through the weekend among other guests, staff and instructors (a mix of twin, full, and queen beds available).  

Weekend Rune Pass:

This pass gives you admission to all of Dr. Nordvig's talks on Saturday and Sunday,  This includes: 

• Rune Magic talks with Professor Mathias Nordvig (official schedule yet to be released)
• Tickets to be released closer to event!

Featured Workshops: 

Thrymskapr Drumming

Let the drum speak, let your inner rhythm out. 

For centuries, the drum's resonant voice has captivated hearts, stirring emotions ranging from serene tranquility to ecstatic trance. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to delve into the soul of this mystical instrument. It's a call to those wanting to explore their inner rhythm and forge a deeper connection with themselves through the powerful, rhythmic pulses of the drum. 

We will dive into different rhythms, both ancient and modern. Learn diverse styles and techniques from Scandinavia to the Middle East, using sticks, hands and fingers. All to help you know the deep well of possibility contained within your instrument. 

We will work on our beats together in the whole group, play games, and discuss drumming throughout history.  Additionally, we will explore seeking rhythms in nature and develop our understanding of Rhythm as a language to communicate with the living and spirit world.

“Ancient Drumming” ends with an ecstatic power drum circle and guided drum meditation

Rune Magic and Bind-runes 

The runes are more than a writing system. When they were invented around 2,000 years ago, their creators clearly intended for the runes to reflect their deeply spiritual worldview. Each rune was given a name that reflected important elements of that worldview, and the creators used them as a symbolic language to express their relations with all things in their world.

In this class, you will learn about the history of rune magic. You will learn about the earliest magical inscriptions, their meaning and purpose, and how the tradition of making magic with runes evolved over time. You will learn how runes can be used to communicate with the non-verbal world through ritual, and you will learn how to create bind-runes for that purpose.

Thrymskapr Drum Creation 

Connect intimately with one of the world’s oldest, most powerful and mystical instruments by creating one with your own hands. Jacob Lund, of Heilung, and Seattle based artist Jacqui Alberts will guide you in building your own 18” elk hide ceremonial drum. 

Begin with a guided drum-meditation and journey to meet the spirit of your new drum companion. We will set an altar with offerings and perform an opening ritual to set sacred space and intention, followed by Jacob’s meditative drumming to accompany you through a 20-minute immersive experience. Come prepared to lay or sit comfortably on the floor for this segment.

There will be time to decorate our drum frames with art, runes, symbols or messages. 

Then, learn a traditional technique for stretching animal skin around a wooden frame to complete your living drum. 

This new drum is yours to keep! It will be ready to play in 2-3 days, and a great tool to have in applying methods and techniques learned in Jacob’s “Ancient Drumming” Course. 

All materials and tools are sourced ethically and with respect from an indigenous-owned supplier in the US, and included with all weekend passes.