Freya (Freyja)

BY BELLAJANA

 

Freya, Norse goddess of fertility and vegetation, drove a chariot  drawn by two cats and wore a cloak of feathers called a Valhamr. But her most treasured possession was a beautiful necklace that was called Brisingamen. It was crafted by four dwarf brothers (the Brisings) with whom she had prostituted herself to in order to obtain it. Freya also had the ability to change her shape which she did frequently as a falcon soaring the skies or as a she-goat roaming the earth.

 

Freya, the twin sister of Frey and the daughter of Njord and Skadi, was one of the most beautiful goddesses as well as being very well known. She aided women during childbirth and with their marriages and kings sought her as she often led the Valkyries, servants of Odin, to battlefields to select the slain heroes who would be allowed to enter Valhalla, the hall of the dead.

 

Known as the goddess of love and sex, Freya had many lovers and was quite promiscuous of all the deities. Although, Freya shed golden tears when her philandering husband, Odur abandoned her, she soon found peace with her numerous suitors which included mortal heroes, gods, elves and even her brother Frey.

 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND WHAT IS SACRED TO FREYA
Origin-Nordic (Icelandic) or Germanic Fertility and Vegetation Goddess.

Freya’s time period-Viking period (circa AD 700) and earlier, until after Christianization (circa AD 1100)

Also Known as- Lady, Seer, Great Goddess, The Sage, Freyja of the Black Swordhand, Queen of the Valkyries

Element- water

Sphere of Influence- Love and Fertility

Colors- Red, Black, Silver, White, Green

Associated Symbols- Falcon, the number 13, full moon, necklace-Brisingamen, 5-pointed star

Animals Associated with- cat, falcon, boar, horse

Best Days to Work with- Friday (named in her honor)

Strongest Around- Litha

Associated Planet- Venus

Gems/Stones/Metals- copper, amber, emerald, moonstone, silver, jade, malachite, amber, rose quartz, ruby, citrine, emerald

Plants/Herbs- alder, apple, birch, bramble, elder, feverfew, mint, mugwort, rose, tansy, thyme, vervain, valerian, yarrow

Runes- fehu, kaunaz, tiwaz, uruz

Scents/Perfumes- cypress, rose, sandalwood, myrtle, vervain


Goddess Freya’s Honor Ritual (celebrated every Friday 13th)

The altar should be adorned with amber and feathers to honor the Goddess Freya.

Light candles (use either red, black, white, green or silver)

Purify self and space with sage smudge. Then bless and dedicate with rose water and pentacle over third eye chakra.

Cast circle & call in Elements.

Invoke Goddess-
“Goddess Freya, in the Circle of your Moon do we now hail thee.
As Gullveig thou wert gashed by god-spears.
Beautiful one, thrice burned and thrice reborn.
From the deepest night may thy knowledge be awaken.
We give honor to your teachings.
Heide, Heide, Crone of the shadow.
Wisest of women, teacher of witchcraft.
Beloved Hag from the heath come hither.
Volva, veild One, Visions granting.
In the depths of our being Thou art waiting.
Awaken, awaken and hear our praise.
In your honor this Circle is cast.”

 

Body of Ritual

“I am the deep wisdom that waits in the darkness. The secrets of the shadow of all you have forgotten and all that men suppress and shroud from the light of day. The secrets of the womb and the tomb are mine, I am the hidden place within your souls, where no man can see.

As I was the Night before your beginnings, I am the Light that will shine for you at the end. I wait as a seed within the Earth, as an egg within the womb, as the Spirit within the body. I am the matrix of all your magick. To work your way upon the world, you must work with me. I am all that is, that has been, and that will be.”

 

<eyes closed>

“”Tonight I honor the child of the past. She dwells deep within your shadows, forgotten yet always waiting. Know her joy, know her sorrow. “

< open eyes and remember, honor and meditate on the child of the past>

 

<eyes closed>

“Tonight I honor the woman of today. See her trails and dreams. Know her shadows and fears. Let the crop of self be analyzed in truth and clarity.”

<open eyes and honor & meditate on owning the truth of your choices>

 

<eyes closed>

“Tonight I honor the Priestess of tomorrow. Tonight I embrace the Goddess of self and the truth of my power. There is no shadow that is not self created. Though I can not go back and create a new beginning, I can start from now and create a new ending.”

 

<See yourself free from the Earthly realm. Free from all that keeps your soul heavy. In your minds eye see yourself standing on the cliffs of a mountain, the wind is blowing your hair and the heavens are aglow in stars. You are a Goddess, ruler of your own kingdom, free in your choices and desires. Feel the beautiful falcon cloak that rests upon your shoulders. Golden amber filled with the wisdom of the ages drips from around your neck and rests upon your breast. Gathered at your waist is a pouch filled with all you have treasured, kept throughout your life. In your left hand, a dagger. Your hands gripped tightly around the hilt ready to defend against any and all that would cause you harm. Feel the healing energy flowing through your body as you look out onto the world. Feel every cell of your body strong and alive. This is your life, owed to no one. Your path is clear, your destiny your own. See clearly for thou art Goddess, awaken and remember>

 

CHANT

 “I am alive as the Earth is alive.

I have the power to create my freedom.

I have the courage, I am the healer.

Like the sun I shall rise.

I have the courage, I am the healer.

Like the moon I shall rise.

I am alive as the Earth is alive.

I have the power to create my freedom.

I have the courage, I am the healer.

Like the sun I shall rise.

I have the courage, I am the healer.

Like the moon I shall rise.”

 

Celebration of Circle

 Wine & Cake-

“Blessed Be this Cake and Wine,

the Body and Blood of the Mother.

May I never hunger <partake of cake> Blessed Be.

May I never thirst <partake of wine> Blessed Be.

 
“Gracious Goddess as I close my circle, I ask that my path always be in your light”

 Thank the Goddess and Elements.

 Open Circle.

 “The Circle is open but unbroken. Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet again.”

 


 

Edible Original Art


The meal I choose to honor Freya and share with her consisted of:

~Grilled & Seasoned Flank Steak

~Colcannon

~Hallowed Stuffed Mushrooms

~Honey Cakes with Nutmeg Clover Honey

~Pinot Grigio


                           

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                   




Credits and Resources

Goddess Freya’s Honor Ritual originally written by Estella Willowroot for her coven. I used this as a guideline and restructured it for solitary use.

 
Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses by Michael Jordan

 
Gods and Goddesses: A Treasure of Deities and Tales from World Mythology by Elizabeth Hallam

 
Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology: Heroes, heroines, gods, and goddesses from around the world by Philip Wilkinson

 
http://www.moggies.co.uk/html/freya.html

 
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess-freya.htm

 
Images from my own collection or Sacred Source (www.sacredsource.com)


 Copyright BellaJana 2006