Also called Frey, Yngvi, Ingwaz, Lord of the Vanir.
Their story
In the Skírnismál, Freyr sat in Odin's high seat and saw the giantess Gerðr far away in Jötunheimr, and fell so deeply in love that he could not eat or sleep. He sent his servant Skírnir to woo her, giving away his sword that fought on its own. For this he will face the fire giant Surtr at Ragnarök armed only with an antler.
Their day
Friday. No weekday is named for him; in modern practice many honour him on Friday alongside his sister Freyja.
Best times to give to them
- harvest time
- Midsummer
- Yule
- Winter Nights and the álfablót
- Fridays
What they like being given
- ale or mead, or apple juice
- freshly baked bread
- the first fruits or vegetables of your garden
- pork or a boar-shaped loaf at Yule
- seeds
How to honour them
- Plant something each spring and dedicate its harvest to him.
- Set aside the first of any crop, however small, as his share.
- Make peace in a quarrel in his name.
- Keep a boar figure or a sheaf of grain on your altar.
- Share your abundance with others, especially food.
How they can help you
- a good harvest or garden
- fertility and conception
- peace and good relations
- prosperity
- love, especially longing for someone
Symbols
- the golden boar Gullinbursti
- the ship Skíðblaðnir
- a sheaf of grain
- antlers
- the Ing rune
Festivals
- Litha Summer solstice, around 21 June
- Midsummer (Miðsumar) Around the summer solstice; in Scandinavian folk custom usually Midsummer Eve, 23 June
- Winter Nights (Vetrnætr) The start of winter in the old Icelandic calendar, the days before the first day of winter on the Saturday between 21 and 27 October; many modern heathens keep it in mid to late October
- Álfablót Late autumn, around Winter Nights; the date here is a typical modern choice
- Yule Winter solstice, around 21 December, traditionally kept for twelve nights
More Norse gods
- Odin The Allfather, seeker of wisdom
- Thor The Thunderer, protector of gods and people
- Njörðr Lord of the harbour, the wind and the sea
- Tyr The one-handed god of justice and oaths
- Heimdall Watchman of the gods at the rainbow bridge
- Baldr The shining one, beloved of all
- Bragi God of poetry, skald of Valhalla
- Ullr The glorious archer on skis