Freya

𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎 02/05/20

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𝓕𝓻𝓮𝔂𝓪

𝓞𝓵𝓭 𝓝𝓸𝓻𝓼𝓮, 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝔂𝓳𝓪,

“𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂”

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ஓ Background ஓ

Freya is one of the preeminent goddesses within Norse mythology. Her father is Njord, while her mother is unknown but suspected to be Nerthus, her brother is Freyr.

She is a member is the Vanir tribe (unfortunately, it’s meaning is unknown and an uncommon term with no direct connection with Freya) of deities, but later became a distinguished member of Aesir gods after the Aesir-Vanir War.

Freya’s husband is named Odr (pronounced ‘Oh-der’), she has two children with Odr, their names are Hnoss and Gersimi. However Odr is claimed to certainly be Odin, it is suspected that Freya is identical to Odin’s wife Frigg, their relation will be discussed further on.

Freya is famously known for her fondness of love, fertility, beauty, and fine material possessions.

Due to these known traits of hers, she is typically referred to as the ‘party girl’ of the Aiser.

For example, Loki accuses Freya of having slept with all the gods and elves, including her own brother. She’s seen as a seeker after thrills and pleasures, but she’s far more than that.

ஓ Freya the Völva ஓ

Freya is the archetype of the völva, a professional (or semi-professional) practitioner of seidr; a form of pre-Christian Norse magic concerned with discerning the course of fate and bringing about change, this power could be put to use in any form possible. Freya was the one who first brought this form of art to the gods, and eventually the humans as well.

Given her expertise in manipulating and controlling the desire, health and prosperity of others, she’s a being whose knowledge and power are almost without equal.

Freya is known for her love to travel, sometimes riding in a chariot pulled by either two grey or black cats. But she also posses the ability to fly through the use of a cloak made out of falcon feathers, which she frequently allowed other gods and goddesses to borrow.

Freya’s occupation of this role amongst the gods is stated directly in the Ynglinga Saga, while indirect hints are dropped elsewhere in the Eddas and sagas. For example, in one tale, it mentions that Freya possesses falcon plumes that allow their bearer to shift his or her shape into that of a falcon, hence being able to control fate.

ஓ Freya and Frigg ஓ

Though it is clear that Freya and Frigg are distinct goddesses, their connection and similarities between them are deeply rooted.

Frigg is depicted as a völva herself. Once again in Lokasenna, after Loki slanders Frigg for her infidelity, Freya warns him that Frigg knows the fate of all beings, an intimation of her ability to perform seidr. Frigg’s weaving activities are likely an allusion to this role as well. And, as it turns out, Freya is not the only goddess to own a set of bird-of-prey feathers for shapeshifting – Frigg is also in possession of one.

A further similarity stems from each name, “Frigg,” comes from an ancient root that means “beloved.” Frigg’s name links her to love and desire, precisely the areas of life over which Freya presides. While “Freya”, meaning “Lady”, is more of a title than a true name. Here again we can discern the ultimate reducibility of both goddesses to one another: one’s name is identical to the other’s attributes, and the other name is a generic title rather than a unique name.

They are then, ultimately, the same goddess. This, however, does not explain why they are both presented distinct within Old Norse sources, though it seems that the true reason may never be known.