Frey — Fertility, harvest and prosperity

Freyr was the god of earth, harvests, fertility and prosperity, and his gifts were crucial to the survival of the Vikings. He was a peaceful god who represented the generosity of nature and man's potential for wealth, and cultivators, farmers and merchants turned to him before sowing and harvesting.

According to the sagas, Freyr was known for his wealth and his magical sword that always won. He rode a golden boar named Gullinbursti , which spread light over the fields and ensured the power of growth. Winter and autumn sacrifices often included prayers and offerings to Freyr, and his power was believed to protect both animals, people and crops from famine and disease.

Rites and runes

Offerings to Freyr could be grain, beer, or small symbolic objects , often placed at sacred stones or in special shrines on the farm. The Vikings carved runes for prosperity, protection, and plant vigor , and these runes were used to bless farms and families:

• ᚠ (fé) – “wealth, fertility, prosperity” , a direct symbol of abundance and financial security.
• ᛅ (ár) – “year, good harvest, growing” , a rune that called upon the cycles of nature and the success of the harvest.

There are stories of farms returning to prosperity after runes were carved on wooden figures or stones, which were placed by fields and in barns. Freyr's blessing was central to both spring and autumn sacrifices , and offerings could also include fish or other proteins to ensure the family's survival through the winter.