Freyja
Freyja is a Goddess who belongs to the tribe of deities known as the Vanir. Her name means "Lady" in the Froyalanish and Wintergleamish languages. To the Froyalanish Vanafolk, to whom She is known by many names including but not limited to Heiðr, Kneppedís, Nøgendís, and Vanadís, She is pure power, goodness and mystery in Goddess form and present in every aspect of life or death.
The Lady Divine is, amongst others, goddess of life, love, beauty, fertility, pleasure, sex, prosperity, sensuality, war, and magic. The Lady Freyja is the Fulltrui and Progenitress of the House of Ettlingar Freyu as well as the twin sister of the Lord Freyr.
Kneppedís is a wondrous Goddess who truly embodies the beauty and raw sexuality of women. All women are beautiful and their beauty is realized in this Lady Divine who is desirable and perfect in Her form and personality. In Her honour all women in Froyalan are, whether they are noble or not, addressed as and referred to as "Lady".
Animal Associations
The Lady of the Vanir is associated with all female animals, especially domestic animals in heat or giving birth. She has several specific animal associations, as well, each of which illuminate some aspect of her power:
- Her falcon-feathered cloak allows the wearer to fly, usually in the form of a falcon, demonstrating the Lady Freyja's connection with shape-shifting magic - an aspect of Seidhr trance magic.
- A pair of cats work together to draw Her cart, proving Vanadís' Sovereignty as a goddess. Their names are Bygul and Trjegul - "Bee-gold" and "Tree-Gold" - honouring Her connections with honey and amber.
- One of Nøgendís's titles is "Mare of the Vanir", giving her a connection with horses, and emphasizing her role as a fertility goddess.
- The Vanir in general are connected with swine, and the Lady Freyja is no exception; one of her kennings is "Syr", meaning "sow", and she is sometimes depicted riding a boar named Hildisvíni. Swine are also strong fertility symbols.
Looks
Kneppedís is sexy, charming and beautiful beyond belief. She has blue eyes with long lashes, long golden hair and full lips. The Lady Divine is quite slender but has a well-shaped figure with voluptuous curves, large breasts and firm round buttocks.
Ways
Nøgendís is a sweet and kind deity who radiates goodness and love, and is very gentle, loving and generous to those She favours. Her smoldering sexuality is an overpowering storm overwhelming anyone in its path. The Lady Divine also loves to show off her bountiful charms and often does so by appearing nude to her followers. The Lady Divine is the most approachable of the Goddesses listening to the prayers of those who sincerely seek her assistance and helping them when she can. She, however, also is a fierce warrior and valiant fighter, a mistress of all weapons and the leader of the Valkyries.
Domains
The Lady of the Vanir has a fairly large range of domains, and as such can be asked for just about anything, really. Here is a list of Her most prominent domains for those who do not already have a personal connection with Her:
- Love - whether looking for a lover, or working on your own ability to accept love from others. Offerings in this case include love poetry, honey, mead, cider, fresh fruit, and chocolate.
- Sexuality and Fertility - both in the purely functional sense of increasing fertility in humans, animals, and plants, and for helping people find acceptance with themselves and others for whatever sexuality they may have. Offerings of erotic poetry or art, honey, bread, pork, or chocolate are appropriate here.
- Beauty and Self-Worth - finding your own beauty and the beauty around you. This is deeper healing than may be obvious - the Lady can help with intense anxiety and depression, as well as self-esteem issues, eating disorders, addiction, and so forth. A mirror is essential to this work. The offering here is usually the work itself.
- Death - Valfreyja is a chooser of the slain, and as such may be asked for help with guiding the newly deceased to their appropriate home. Pouring out whatever you are drinking in honour of the dead is appropriate here, as are spoken prayers to honour the Ancestors. She does not require anything personal in return for caring for the Dead.
- Protection - the Lady Freyja is a warrior goddess. She is especially invoked to help protect women, and She is extremely defensive of women who have been abused by lovers, but the Lady is just as defensive over anyone who has been abused, especially if by a lover. Any offering you can spare is fair game if you are the one in need. If you are defending another, be prepared to follow Her instructions. Blood magic may be involved if the situation is severe.
- Animals - People often ask the lady of the Vanir for help with their pet cats. It's fair to ask for Her help with the health of any animal, actually, especially female farm animals (including horses) in heat or giving birth, any cats, raptors (particularly hawks and falcons), and swine (boars, pigs) whether wild or domesticated. Tokens of the animal in question, or humanely acquired animal parts (feathers, snipped fur, etc.) are appropriate when given to Her on Her altar.
- Magic - Seidh especially, but also Galdr, hedgecraft, leechcraft, and so forth. Kneppedís is especially good at helping people smooth out their trance work. Obviously as a goddess of both sexuality and magic, She's particularly helpful with sex magic. Mead seems to be Her preferred offering for any given visit for instruction in Magic. Ongoing instruction requires that you form a relationship with Her, which will probably include making a small altar for Her, and possibly some temporary or long-term repeating obligation to Her.
Attributes
- Colors: Black is associated with protection, revenge; Red is associated with physical love; Silver as well as Green are associated with all Her other aspects.
- Day: Friday.
- Incense/Oil: floral scents, mint, rose, sandalwood.
- Names: Freyja of the Black Swordhand, Gefn, Great Goddess, Heiðr, Hörn, Kneppedís, Lady, Lady of Life and Love, Lady of the Vanir, Mardöll, Nøgendís, Queen of the Valkyries, The Sage, Seer, Skjálf, Sýr, Thröng, Thrungva, Valfreyja, Vanadís.
- Plants: alder, apple, birch, bramble, elder, feverfew, mint, mugwort, rose, tansy, thyme, valerian, vervain, yarrow.
- Runes: fehu,kaunaz, tiwaz, uruz.
- Stones/Metals: amber, copper, emerald, gold, jade, malachite, moonstone, silver.
- Symbols: boars, Brísingamen, cats, falcons, full moon, horses, necklaces, the number 13, 5-pointed stars, swords.
