In Norse mythology there are two races of gods; the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir were considered to be the more enlightened of the races, boasting such figures as Thor, the god of thunder, his sons Modi nordic mythology and Magni, the All Father Odin and others like Frigg, queen of the Aesir and Tyr the god of war and sacrifice. The Vanir on the other hand were considered to be less civilized, though virile and strong. These two groups warred in the early parts of mythology, but eventually called a truce and exchanged hostages to ensure the continued good behavior on both sides. Freya, her brother Frey and their father Niord came to Asgard to live with the Aesir as part of this bargain.
Freya was said to be the most beautiful goddess of both the Aesir and the Vanir, and though her appearance will vary depending on the viewer it was often said that she had hair of gold or crimson, and that she would appear nude to her followers. She was the goddess of love and fertility, and her domain extended from human coupling out to cheap NFL jerseys the animal kingdom and even over nature which included the crops of farmers. Freya shared this responsibility with her brother Frey, who was the male half of virility and fertility. Both of them were considered to be royalty among the light elves or the Alfar, who were creatures of strength and light.
Freya was also a goddess of battle and magic. While she was worshiped by lovers, heathen warriors would also pray to her. Freya of the Black Sword Hand was also the queen of the nordic mythology valkyries, who were warrior maidens that would fly across battle fields and select the noble dead for their reward. Half of them would go to Valhalla with Odin, and the other half would go to Freya’s hall Sessrumnir in Asgard. Freya also took women who were killed, and often those who died as lovers.
Freya also possessed many famed items and treasures of Norse myth. Her necklace of Brisings was made of cheap NFL jerseys amber and gold by four skilled dwarven smiths who were each granted a night with Freya for her to possess it. The necklace represents the four seasons, and amber and gold were supposedly made of Freya’s tears when they fell to the sea and earth respectively as she sought her missing husband. Freya also possessed a chariot drawn by two cats, Beagol and Treagol, and a cloak or skin of feathers that allowed the wearer to become a falcon.
While every faith has a goddess of fertility and love, and some have many, those who practice Asatru have a very unique goddess. Not only is Freya beautiful and fertile, she is also independent and wild. A goddess of battle and magic, she is considered nearly equal to Odin and Thor, and she rides with Odin on the Wild Hunt along with the valkyries. Freya was a woman given respect and accord in a time when equal rights were rare, and women’s liberation was hundreds of years off still. Harsh circumstances in the rough and rugged country that these gods ruled over though made for exceptions.
“Freya,” by Micha F. Lindemans at Pantheon
“Lady Freya,” by Anonymous at Goddess Freya
