One of the vivid images of ancient Scandinavian mythology is the goddess Freya. She was responsible for love, spring and fertility. In this image all the basic principles of feminism were concentrated: beauty, strength, pride and courage. The Scandinavians had rules regarding rituals that made communication with the goddess Freyja fruitful.
Who is Freya
In the image of the Scandinavian goddess Freya, the light and dark sides were combined. After the adoption of Christianity in Europe, the feminine and virgin features of the goddess were attributed to the Virgin Mary, and the dark sides to those who were involved in witchcraft.
There are many beautiful legends about Freya. The blue-eyed and blond goddess of love had many admirers. Her bright and at the same time gentle beauty drove crazy not only ordinary mortals, but also representatives of the community of gods.
Freya is an object of lust. She skillfully used her innate sexuality, starting love games with those whom she had bewitched.
One of the goddess's admirers, Otar, was turned by her into a wild boar - so it was easier to keep it with you.
The goddess Freyja had a husband adored by her - a god of sunlight named Aude. He often went on long journeys. Seeing off her husband, the goddess mourned him with golden tears.
Freya gave birth to two daughters from her husband: Gersimi, which means "treasure", and Khnos - a "gem".
The goddess Freyja was often seen traveling in a magnificent chariot, where a pair of cats harnessed.
Freya's favorite jewelry is an amber necklace. His goddess was presented with dwarfs representing the four elements:
- Water
- The earth;
- Air;
- Fire.
Decoration was the fifth element in which four types of energy were firmly connected. Before performing traditional rituals when addressing Freya, women wore necklaces or other amber jewelry. A piece of amber found in the sea was considered a gift from the goddess of love in Scandinavia and promised good luck in heart affairs.
Freya and God Odin
Between Freya and Odin, the supreme god of the Scandinavian pantheon, there was a strong alliance. The goddess made a deal with him. Under this agreement, Freya shared her wisdom with God, and in return, he gave Freya the right to take half of the fallen soldiers from the battlefield. But even in such a business agreement Freya got the opportunity to first collect the dead brave men. She, as was always the case in everything, got only the best.
It was believed that Freya was able to predetermine the fate of men. If the goddess liked someone, she intentionally pushed him to certain death in order to take him to her palaces. A completely new, idle life awaited the battered warriors, full of pleasures and pleasures. So that the warriors would not be bored, Freya did not refuse a refuge and women. The wives of the Scandinavian knights often came to the battlefield and killed themselves: they firmly believed that in this way they would be able to reunite with their husbands, whom Freya enslaved.
Being the patroness of love and sensual pleasures, Freya did not always turn out to be gentle and affectionate. She loved weapons, mass battles and blood. At the head of the Valkyrie detachment, the goddess from time to time went to the battlefield to make her choice. Often Freyu was portrayed in a helmet and combat chain mail, with a shield and a sharp spear in his hands. No matter how strange such a combination may seem, Freya was simultaneously the goddess of love and war. The venue for the rituals in honor of the goddess was decorated with weapons - this facilitated communication with Freya.
Freya - the patroness of witchcraft
Loving Freya is also considered the goddess of magic, attributing to her witchcraft properties. One of these properties is called seidr in the Scandinavian languages, which can be translated as “boiling”. It is a game of blood with strong excitement.
In ancient times, it was customary to engage in witchcraft among women, men considered such an occupation unworthy and low. Witchcraft rituals were often accompanied by confusion. For this reason, the Scandinavian warriors also neglected such practices, considering the phenomena of consciousness related to witchcraft to be a manifestation of weakness. Men were more attracted to the absorption of wine and beer - in this way it was not a shame to demonstrate a complete loss of self-control.
Freya knew a lot about witchcraft transformations. She often appeared in front of people in the form of a falcon. The plumage of this fearless and daring bird can be found in the outfit of the goddess. The falcon's feathers indicate not only Freya's ability to become a werewolf, but also her ability to change gender if necessary, since symbolically the falcon has always been an indication of the masculine beginning. For this reason, it is customary to include falcon feathers in ritual actions one way or another.
Freya loves beautiful, vibrant things and delicious goodies. Therefore, when performing the rituals associated with the goddess, she is presented with a gift:
- fruit;
- sweets;
- honey;
- good and expensive wines;
- pastries;
- gems;
- bright flowers.
Freya has a weakness for handicrafts, she appreciates when a craftswoman puts skill and soul into her work. The goddess is also always glad to such ritual gifts.
The goddess of love
Freya's main duty is to be the goddess of love. She controls the sensuality and sexuality of all women, giving them the ability to enjoy carnal pleasures. Once the attraction and charm of the opposite sex reaches its peak, any mortal can be considered the goddess of love. The Scandinavians have always believed that Freyja moved into a girl who exudes a passion of love.
The goddess is capable of causing a passion in women, which turns into a bright physical intimacy and ends with the conception of a child. In this way, the goddess promotes procreation and the continuation of the human race.
In the Middle Ages, Freya was revered as the patroness of love songs and serenades. Troubadours, roving musicians, dedicated their creations to her. The Germanic people who honored Freya even called one of the days of the week (Friday) in honor of Freya - Freitag. Yes, it was Friday that was considered the most suitable day for the following cases:
- conception;
- marriage;
- establishing a new relationship.
This day is ideal for matchmaking, according to the Scandinavians and Germans. On Friday, it was recommended to begin healing the patients: this guaranteed an easy and quick cure for the disease. For communication with the goddess of love, Friday was considered the most suitable day. Namely then it was necessary to carry out the rituals associated with the cult of Freya.
How Freya was honored in antiquity
In honor of the goddess of love, wide public celebrations were held. In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries in the middle of October, they celebrated the Dis holiday, dedicated to the Freya cult. Celebrated it in the full moon. In this way, the Scandinavians met a long and cold winter. The feasts on the day of the celebration were the most luxurious: the tables were bursting with meat dishes, wine and fruits. The feast was attended by all members of the community. Until the morning, people sang, danced and had fun.
The place where the rituals were held in honor of the goddess of love, is usually decorated with flowers. In Northern Europe, to this day, the most beautiful flowers have a characteristic name: "Freyja's hair."
The inhabitants of Scandinavia believed that the goddess loves fairies. For a long time she could enjoy their graceful dances and fun games that were performed under the mysterious moonlight. For these amazing tiny creatures, Freya left fragrant flowers and nectar as a gift.
