The St. Johns river is without a doubt the most important river in the history of Blōmid (Florida). It is the longest river in the state, is used extensively for commence and the basin surrounding it provides much life. The pre-Colombian tribe, the Timucua established themselves along its banks, became the most powerful tribe in southern North America, developed their own distinct culture, and flourished. And it was here, near its mouth, that Europeans established one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the US: St. Augustine. But it wasn’t the first attempt at settlement in the region.

Prior to the Spanish colonization of Florida, another power was making moves for domination in the region: The French. A group of Huguenots, fearing religious persecution, established a colony in the mouth of the St. Johns (Which they called the River of May). Arriving in May 1562, Jean Ribault erected a stone column bearing the arms of the king on the banks of the river and claimed the land for France. Two years later, the second in command of the expedition returned with 200 colonists and established the colony at Ft. Caroline on the “River May”. Upon arriving he discovered the local Timucua tribe providing offerings and gifts to Ribault’s column and he arranged for cooperation between the french and the natives. Spain was not pleased with the establishment of the colony and shortly thereafter established the colony of St. Augustine a few miles to the south of Ft. Caroline. A series of conflicts ensued and the french colonists were massacred at Ft. Caroline, Matanzas, and elsewhere, ending the French presence in Florida.

The Timucua showing the second expedition the column left by Ribault.

The landing of the French on the Banks of the St. Johns is not without impact in a Frankish context in my mind. In erecting Ribault’s Column, and claiming the lands of French Florida in the name of the King, the Frankish Heil was bound to this land and its Frankishness was established. As a Frank, this means this land must hold a special place in my heart, as it is the closest as I can get to the homeland of the Franks, as it bears its mark. The Ribault Column still stands, as a reproduction, on the banks of the St. Johns near the Ft. Caroline National Park and it is here that the foci of the newly established Frankish cultus in the area will develop.

As a result, I’ve taken to referring to this land and its features in its frankish form, but retaining its spirit as best I can . Henceforth in this blog I will refer to the area that was known as French Florida as Blōmid (Reconstructed Old Low Franconian for blossom). This area encompasses the north eastern coast of florida down to the headwaters of the St. Johns, as far north as Parris Island in South Carolina. Additionally I shall refer to the St. Johns river as the Blōmidrīn (Literally Blossom Rhine) as its waters serve the same important function in the life of the region as the Rhine in the Frankish homeland.

This brings me to my last point of discussion, and that is the Hêlen of the Blōmidrīn and why I see her the way I do. Ahuardua is the sublime goddess of the waters and is frequently considered a form of primordial deity of the waters in Indo-European cultures. Her worship and its attestation is discussed at length on Thia Frankisk Aldsido’s website at length and will not receive a repeat discussion here. https://frankisk-allodium.com/divinities/ahuardua/

The Blōmidrīn gives life to the region and is the receptor of the Frankisk heil in Blōmid and as such is surely worthy of no small measure of worship and Offringa. As such, I believe the divinity that is Ahuardua is present in the waters of the Blōmidrīn. Her life bearing essence is inescapable in the south of Blōmid and she continuous to be the means by which people survive. The eastern bend of its route travels directly through the City of Jacksonville and dumps out in the North Atlantic there. Its place of prominence to the culture and livelihood of the entire state and the supreme nature of Ahuardua seems an easy connection to draw, for me. While there are many water ways and rivers in Blōmid, I believe that some of Ahuardua resides in no small measure here in the Blōmidrīn. For these reasons I will give offringa to her at the banks of the Blōmidrīn in the traditional matter of coins and jewelry utilizing goods crafted within the City to further cultivate its success and Ahuardua’s blessings here.

As her cultus develops I hope to provide updates and hopefully my attention and gifts are well received. Only time will tell.