Freyja — Meaning “lady” in Nordic tradition

• Daughter of the sea god Njord and unknown Mother — Sister of Freyr
• Wife to Odr — Mother to Gersemi and Hnoss, whose names mean treasure
• Nicknames: Syr (”sow”), Mardoll, Horn (”flax” or “linen”, associated with weddings), and Gefn (”giver”)

mythos

Thor’s Hammer

• The giant Thyrm stole Thor’s hammer and refused to return it unless he could claim Freyja as his bride. Everyone refused to give up Freyja, so Thor (dressed as Freyja, after her refusal to participate) and Loki attemped to trick Thyrm to retrieve the hammer.
• Freyja’s beauty was so well-known that it could be weaponized.
• Loki claimed that Freyja slept with all the Gods and elves at the gathering, which led to a flyte — an exchange of insults. Most Gods took Freyja’s side.

Freyja’s Chariot

• Said to be pulled by grey cats
  • Brides in Norse culture were given kittens as wedding presents in honor of Freyja. They were seen to bless the marriage and fertility of the union.
• Had a battle sow, which harkens her connection to fertility; may also connect to labor & delivery of youth.

The Brisingamen Necklace

• Most traditional tellings of Freyja receiving this necklace involves her sleeping with the tribe of Dwarves who crafted the necklace.
• Brising means “fire”, specifically the fire of the enlighted; and men meaning “jewel”.

Friday the 13th

• The word Friday came from the word “fredag”, meaning “Frigg’s day” or “Freyja’s day”.
• Friday the 13th is a day ruled by venus, the number 13 making it equally associated with the moon which has 13 cycles a year and often connect with women’s fertility cycles.

Freyja and Seidr Magic

• Freyja and Freyr switched from the Vanir tribe of gods to the Aesir tribe during the Aesir-Vanir War, which broke out because of hostility and fundamental dissimilarities.
  • Freya, Freyr, and Njord were sent over to the Aesir as collateral once an agreement was formed.
• Freyjha taught the Aesir the ways of seidr, with Norse myths recording her as the first to present the art to the gods and then humans.