Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, is associated with several different symbols and runes. One of the most significant runes connected to Freya is the Ansuz rune. Representing communication and divine inspiration, the Ansuz rune is often seen as a representation of Freya's ability to inspire and guide others. This rune is also believed to symbolize Freya's connection to the spiritual realm and her ability to communicate with divine beings. Another rune that is closely connected to Freya is the Berkana rune. This rune represents growth, nurturing, and the feminine energy.
The Freya rune symbol offers a fascinating look into the ancient writing system of the Norse and Germanic peoples, known as the runes. Specifically, the Freya rune is often linked to the Fehu rune from the Elder Futhark, the oldest form of the runic alphabet. Runes were more than just a means of communication; they were also believed to hold magical and mystical powers that could be harnessed by those who knew their secrets.
The rune s potency and its connections to the powerful goddess speak to the widespread belief in the power of these ancient symbols to influence the physical and spiritual worlds. The greatest of the goddesses was Freyja, sister of Freyr and daughter of Njord; she is a goddess of many names, and may originally have been the same as Frigg, the wife of Odin, since elsewhere in Germanic tradition we har only of one goddess, Frija Frigga , who was the wife of the sky god.
This rune represents growth, nurturing, and the feminine energy. As the goddess of fertility and beauty, Freya embodies these qualities and is often associated with the Berkana rune. It is believed that Freya's influence can help individuals embrace their feminine energy and foster personal growth and nurturing within themselves and their relationships.
NORSE GODS: FREYA
Freya is attested to in the Poetic and Prose Eddas, in Hemskingla, various Icelandic Sagas, in Sörla þáttr, skaldic poems, and throughout folklore. Her name means “Lady” and Friday is named variously for her, Frigg and Freyr. She is perhaps the most famous Norse goddess, is one of the tribe of Vanir, and is most often associated with love, sex, beauty, and gold (prosperity).
She is also associated with witchcraft (called seiðr) and battle, and is a goddess of both life and death. Freya famously teaches Óðin seiðr, which seems to be a bit of a scandal. She splits the spoils of battle with him, and Freya’s pick of the fallen are said to go to Fólkvangr, her realm in Ásgard where her hall Sessrúmnir is located. She is often considered leader of the Valkyrjur, the goddess figures who choose the heroic warriors from battlefields.
Her brother is Freyr, and her father is Njörðr by his unnamed sister (generally considered to be Nerthus). Her husband is recorded as Óðr (thought be a nickname of Óðin, but this is contested) with whom she has two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi.
She drives a chariot pulled by a team of cats. Most seem to agree they were lynxes or skogkatts (a breed of felines the size of lynxes) native to Northern Europe. In Freya’s honour, kittens (felis domesticus) were commonly given to brides as wedding gifts in the Viking era.
Many consider Freya and Frigg to be one and the same, as they have striking similarities, and they seem to have emerged as a single goddess in earlier history. In the later Eddas they are depicted as separate, interacting characters.
Like Frigg, Freya owns a magical mantle of falcon feathers. Freya uses this to fly over Miðgarðr looking for her husband Óðr, who has left her to go wandering. Freya is forever searching for him, and weeps golden tears, which appear on earth as the precious stone amber, or as veins of gold.
Freya is much sought-after by the Jötnar, and several tales tell of desperate barters to win Freya for a bride. When Thor’s hammer goes missing, it is the giant Þrymr who has taken it, and demands Freya in ransom. In another story, Freya is also the price (along with the Sun and Moon) for the construction of the protective wall around Ásgard. In both cases, the jötnar are tricked out of the deal, and Freya’s honour is preserved.
Marriage had different rules in proto-heathen times, and her (and other gods’) marriages appear to modern eyes as a crazy off-the-rails train. She travels with a constant companion boar, Hildisvíni, who is her human lover Óttar in disguise. As payment for Brísingamen, her wondrous golden necklace, she slept with several Dwarfs – this necklace is said to appear as the Northern Lights over Miðgarðr. In Lokasenna she is accused of sleeping with her brother, Freyr, by Loki in front of the other gods at a party.
Long after Christianisation, Freya continued to be honoured and named by rural Scandinavians in folklore and folk magic, well into the 19th century. As attested in several sources, due to Freya’s fame, women of rank could become known by her name Frúvor (“lady”) and a woman who was the mistress of her property was often referred to as Freya and Húsfreyja (“lady of the house”).
Thoughts on Freya
Freya is attested to in the myths as benevolent and approachable: she readily answers the prayers of her worshipers, particularly in all matters of the heart and fertility. She is famous in the lore for appreciating romantic poetry and song.
A proud sexual appetite is something many consider one of her attributes. Loki attempts to insult her for having slept with gods and elves, however, Freya appears to be neither ashamed nor embarrassed, though the other gods are aghast at his claims.
Freya has commonalities with Venus-Aphrodite, Greco-Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, and gold. Like Venus-Aphrodite, she is a lover of war: while Venus takes Mars as her paramour, Freya takes half of all warriors who die as her companions. Like Venus, she bears a magical garment which enhances her already epic beauty.
Although some debate as to Freya’s status as a love goddess, it is important to note that pagan culture did not have our modern puritanical, sex-shaming hang ups, and often had a more positive approach to sex and sexuality, and did not see this as the opposite of divinity. No Madonna-Whore complex here!
Unlike Frigg, Freya was not easily reconciled with Christianity. Much of Frigg’s character was absorbed by the Virgin Mary, while Freya was demonized, and her figure was converted to the folkloric character of the witch and her cat. It is theorized by some that it may have been the Christian influence on the lore that separated Freya and Frigg into two separate goddesses to make it easier to deal with them.
We personally think that the fuss about their needing to be the same goddess is a bit silly. After all, the male deities, most of whom share striking similarities, do not receive this same treatment. There is no debate as to whether or not Thor and Freyr are the same god simply because they have too much in common. Either way, modern pagans see them as distinct archetypes, if not totally separate they are at least sisterly entities.
Suggested Signs & Symbols
Gold, amber, riches and abundance. Sun showers. Pigs, cats, honey, and feminine eroticism. Seiðr, witchcraft, and the motif of the Witch and her cat. Falcons. The Northern Lights and rainbow (the Brísingamen). The rune Fé.
Associated Names
Freija, Frejya, Freyia, Fröja, Frøya, Frøjya, Freia, Freja, Frua, Freiya, Vanadis, Horn, Mardoll, Syr, Valfreyja, Gefn.
She is also associated with witchcraft (called seiðr) and battle, and is a goddess of both life and death. Freya famously teaches Óðin seiðr, which seems to be a bit of a scandal. She splits the spoils of battle with him, and Freya’s pick of the fallen are said to go to Fólkvangr, her realm in Ásgard where her hall Sessrúmnir is located. She is often considered leader of the Valkyrjur, the goddess figures who choose the heroic warriors from battlefields.
Additionally, the Fehu rune is also connected to Freya. This rune represents prosperity, wealth, and abundance. As the goddess associated with material abundance, Freya can bring blessings of wealth and prosperity to those who seek her guidance. The Fehu rune is often seen as a symbol of Freya's ability to unlock the potential for abundance and prosperity in individuals' lives. Overall, the runes connected to Freya represent her unique qualities and areas of influence. The Ansuz rune represents communication and divine inspiration, the Berkana rune represents growth and femininity, and the Fehu rune represents prosperity and abundance. By working with these runes, individuals can tap into Freya's energy and wisdom to enhance their own lives and connect with their own divine inspiration, growth, and abundance..
Reviews for "Freya's Runes and Healing: Enhancing Wellbeing and Balance"
1. Lisa - 2/5 - While I found the concept of "Runes connected to Freya" intriguing, I was disappointed by the execution. The writing felt disjointed and there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. Additionally, I felt that the characters lacked depth and the plotline was unoriginal. Overall, I struggled to connect with the story and found it to be a forgettable read.
2. Mark - 1/5 - "Runes connected to Freya" was a complete disappointment. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any sort of growth or depth. The pacing of the story was slow, and I found myself losing interest quickly. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short in every aspect.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high expectations for "Runes connected to Freya" based on the premise, but unfortunately, it did not deliver. The storytelling was choppy and lacked a sense of cohesiveness. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, I found the romantic subplot to be predictable and lacking any real chemistry. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. John - 1/5 - "Runes connected to Freya" was a complete letdown. The writing style was dry and lacked any sort of emotion or vibrancy. The pacing was uneven, with moments of extreme slowness followed by rushed and confusing plot twists. The characters felt like caricatures rather than real people, and I struggled to care about their stories. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat and left me wanting more.