Freyfaxi : The Harvest Blöt to Freyr

Many Neo-pagan faiths follow the Wheel of the Year, as a way of structuring religious practice into the modern solar calendar. Using this religious calendar there are eight major holidays spaced throughout the year, four fall on the solstices and equinoxes and then there are four that fall in between each of these astrological events. Some Asatruars dislike this practice because it isn’t accurate to how the Norse people or other cultures scheduled their celebrations. Before modern era the lunar cycle and regional weather played a major role in the timing for the rites and celebrations we use to inspire our modern holidays. Between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox the harvest begins and most agrarian or agricultural societies marked this occasion. While there are records of the celebrations for the beginning of the harvest in Norse culture they are not named and don’t have a specific date. The modern Asatru this celebration is Freyfaxi or Freysblöt. It shares common purpose with the Celtic Hlæfæstsay/Hlæfmæsse [hlaf- means loaf; fast – means feast -loaf feast or loaf mass] and is often treated as synonymous with Lammas. The time frame likely didn’t align with the Wiccan wheel of the year but many heathens choose to follow that pattern for solidarity with the larger pagan community and for ease of use. 

Freysblöt is at the end of July, Freyr is the Norse god of fertility and harvest and a blöt is a sacrifice or offering to a god. So Freysblöt is offerings to Freyr, this is done in celebration of the beginning of harvest. The first sheaf of harvested grain was bound and blessed for the gods and the vaettir (land or place spirits). Bread baked from the first harvest was also made into an offering and shared with the community. Sif, the goddess of grain and harvest is often also recognized. 

In viking times this is also when ships would return from summer raiding so it was a time to celebrate being together and joining in the work of the harvest. It is almost like American thanksgiving, feasting and celebrating the first fruits and grains from harvest. In modern times this is often just before back-to-school giving families and kindreds a good opportunity to celebrate together before the added stresses of homework and extracurricular activities. While the celebrations were modest compared to some of the other major holidays it was still an excellent reason to gather in celebration and to recognize the prosperity in our lives.