Symbel (from Proto-Germanic *sumlan "banquet", continuing *sm-lo-, i.e. "congregation", see copulative a) was an important Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian Blót ritual drinking feast in which mystical revelation was achieved through drinking alcohol to excess. This mystical revelation is typically associated with divination, and the quest for good fortune by alignment with the forces of destiny, the wyrd.
In Anglo-Saxon terms, the participants at symbel other than the drinkers themselves were the symbelgifa, the giver of the symbel or host, the scop or poet (the entertainment),the alekeeper (the server of the ale), and the þyle who was charged with keeping order (to a greater or lesser extent).
The ancient and holy rite of Sumble is, for all intents and purposes, a formal series of toasts.
The Sumble is formally opened by the Godhi.
In some kindreds, the participants drink from their own horns, and the leader of the sumble- or their designee, usually called the "Valkyrie"- walks around and pours from the horn or pitcher into their horns.
A sumble may be held on it's own, or after a blot.
Kindreds may also allow friends who may not be Asatru to attend thier sumbles, and these kindreds may vary on wether or not it would be considered rude to hail a god or goddess not of the Aesir or Vanir.
Additional rounds: Three is the traditional number, but sumbles may go up to as many as ten rounds and well into the night.
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