The Promise in the Winter: A Heathen Tale for Winter Nights
Long, long ago, in the shining halls of Asgard, there lived the God, Freyr. He was the God of sunshine, rain, and all the green things that grow. Wherever Freyr went flowers bloomed, and fields grew heavy with grain.
One day, Freyr climbed into Odin’s high seat, the magical throne from which one could see all the worlds. His eyes wandered far, beyond the homes of the Gods, until they rested on Jötunheim, the land of the Frost Giants.
There, walking in a garden of gold, was a maiden so radiant that the ice itself seemed to glitter with warmth. Her name was Gerðr. The moment Freyr saw her, his heart was captured like sunlight in a drop of dew.
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Freyr could not eat.
Freyr could not sleep.
Even the sound of the wind in the fields seemed to whisper her name.
At last, he sent his loyal servant Skírnir to find Gerðr and tell her of his love. But Gerðr was cautious. She was of the Frost Giants, and Freyr was a God of the Vanir, living in Asgard with the Æsir. Their worlds were far apart.
Skírnir told her of Freyr’s kindness, his care for the land, and the joy he brought to both Gods and humans. He gave her gifts—precious apples from Iðunn’s orchard and a golden ring that produced more rings—and spoke of how life could bloom between them.
Still, Gerðr was hesitant to leave her home. Skírnir became impatient and angry and threatened Gerðr and her family with his sword. He threatened her with magic.
Gerðr could see that Skírnir was not very wise, and that Freyr had been foolish to send him. However, she realized he was not as powerful as he was claiming to be. She could tell he was as scared of failing in his quest, as she was about leaving her home. She knew her life would be beautiful in Freyr’s lands, and that she was the one who had the power to decide what future she wanted.
At last, Gerðr agreed. She would meet Freyr… but not right away. She loved her home and wanted to properly bid it farewell.
She said, “In nine nights, in the green grove called Barri, we shall meet.”
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Nine nights! To Freyr, it felt like forever. The snow was already beginning to fall, and the fields lay sleeping beneath their white blankets. But Freyr waited with hope, for he knew that Gerðr’s coming meant the return of warmth to his lovesick heart, and also the promise of a new growing season on Midgard.
When the ninth night came, Freyr and Gerðr met in the grove. Frost was melted away by the sun in Midgard. When they joined hands, the land was blessed with the promise of life returning after the long winter.
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So, every year at Winter Nights, when the fields are bare and the days grow short, the people remember Freyr and Gerðr. They give thanks for the harvest just gathered, honour the ancestors who came before, and look ahead to the coming Summer season.
They say:
“To Freyr, for frith and plenty!
To Gerðr, for the promise of growth!
To the Earth, for life anew.
Til árs ok friðar.!”
And though the snow may lie deep, Winter Nights reminds us that even in the coldest season, the seeds of Summer are already waiting below our feet.
The End.
