Autumn Blot — Thanks to the Gods for the Year's Harvest

When the year's harvest was harvested and the cold of winter began to set in, the Vikings held the autumn sacrifice – a festival filled with gratitude, fellowship and preparation for the dark season. The autumn sacrifice was both a way to honor the gods and a practical opportunity to mark the transition from harvest to winter.

Timing and significance

The autumn harvest usually occurred in September or October , when the agricultural season was over. It was a time for reflection: people thanked Freyr , the god of fertility, soil, and prosperity, for a year of good harvests. By sacrificing food, drink, and sometimes animals, it was hoped that the gods' blessing would be preserved over the farm and family during the winter.

Rites and symbolism

The ritual could be held in the yard, at sacred trees or at stones that served as altars. Fires were lit, food and drink were offered, and ceremonies were held that mixed feasting, singing and magic.

Runes were often carved to preserve the year's blessings and protect the farm from misfortune:

• ᚠ (fé) – “wealth, fertility, prosperity”
• ᛅ (ár) – “year, good harvest, growing”
• ᛒ (bjarkan) – “life, rebirth, protection”

The runes were carved on pieces of wood, stones or even on vessels, and served as magical signs for the gods.

Party and community

After the harvest, there was a time of meal, music and stories . The surplus from the harvest was shared, and tales were told about the ancestors of the farm and the gods who had blessed the year. The autumn harvest was therefore not only a religious ritual, but also a social context , where families and villages were tied closer together.

Legacy and impact

The autumn rite has left its mark on later Nordic traditions. Harvest festivals, autumn markets and thanksgiving celebrations are direct heirs to this pagan ritual. The significance of the runes in the ceremony – wealth, fertility and protection – shows how the Vikings united religion, magic and everyday life.