Jeran

The form (small form) dominates from 200 to 400, but it became obsolete after 450. The horizontal form is rare and only found early on, it also became obsolete after 400.

The secondary forms showed up in Scandinavia between 450 et 600. On the continent, the form was still found in 550, and the secondary forms appeared around 550.

The evolution of Jeran’s form can be represented as follows: .

Cognates: German, ‘Jahr’ (year); English, year. In all the following texts the translations of ár and ger have been given as "harvest" or "abundant harvest". However, ár and ger mean "year" or "good year", or "fruitful year" where the word "year" means "time of harvest", rather than "a twelve-month period" (the twelve months of the year) as it means nowadays. Hopefully this explains why the translators gave the versions that they have. Nevertheless, the words "year", "ár", and "ger" all originate from the Germanic root *jera.

Texts related to Jeran

Viking Rune Poem

ár (an abondant harvest) is a blessing to men;
I say that Frothi was generous.

Icelandic Rune Poem

ár (an abondant harvest) is a blessing to men
and good summer
and fully ripe crops.

Old English Rune Poem

 Ger (harvest) is a joy to men,
when God, the holy king of heaven,
makes the earth bring forth bright fruits
for rich and poor alike.

Old English Rune Poem, as translated by Marijane Osborn

Summer is good when the goddess delights
in letting the meadows leap into fruit
a harvest for great and humble alike.

Tenth Runic Stanza of the Havamal

I know a tenth: if troublesome ghosts
Ride the rafters aloft,
I can work it so they wander astray,
Unable to find their forms,
Unable to find their homes