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FREYA

by Firefly

Herstory

The first known record of Freya worship was in 200 C.E.

Freya was born in Vanaheim into a tribe of land and sea deities called Vanir. She was the daughter of their leader, Njord, and twin of Frey.   As a result of the battle between Vanir and the sky deities of Aesir; Njord, Freya and Frey went to live in Asgard as a display of friendship.

    She married Od (believed to be Odin) and was revered by the Aesir. Freya had many lovers but was devoted to OD. When Od mysteriously disappeared, Freya searched for him and wept profusely. When her tears hit the earth, they turned to gold. When they landed in water, they turned to amber.

      Freya was the Goddess of Love and Fertility. She had a love for gold and jewelry and after seeing the necklace, Brisingamen, offered to buy it. The four dwarves, Brisings, who had made the necklace, refused to sell. In order to get it, she had to spend the night with each of them. At this time, monogamy didn't exist and infidelity was socially acceptable.

    In her role as Queen of the Valkyries, and Goddess of War and Death, Freya reclaimed fallen warriors from the battlefield. Half went to Valhalla with Odin, while the other half she took to her Hall, Sessrumnir, where they were joined by their wives and lovers to spend eternity in rest and relaxation.

The armor she and her Valkyries wore was so shiny that it caused the flickering in the sky known as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. In ancient Norse culture, the constellation, Orion, was known as Freya's Gown and his belt was called Freya's Girdle.

    Freya had three modes of transportation--a cloak of falcon feathers that allowed her to fly, a battle boar named Hildesvini, and a golden chariot pulled by two cats. The cats were a gift from Thor.

    As mistress of a shamanic type of sorcery known a Seidr, Freya taught this skill to Odin and he taught her to interpret runes in exchange. She is credited with giving the gift of magic to humans. Freya is worshiped more as a mentor or guide than any other form of devotion.

Sacred to Freya:

Day—Friday

Gems and Metals—Amber, emerald, gold, silver, moonstone

Rune—Fehu

Symbols—Cats, boar, falcon, horses, full moon, Brisingamen, number 13

Scents—Rose, sandalwood, mint, mugwort, thyme, floral scents

Colors—Red, black, silver, and green

Food—Strawberries, chocolate

Original Ritual to Increase Magickal Skills
by Firefly

Freya's Knot

Altar: Decorate with green (growth and personal goals), white (spirituality and higher self) and silver (telepathy, clairvoyance, intuition, dreams, communication). Have sandalwood incense for burning. Have a white, silver and green candle on altar. Your ashame' or wand should be next to your pentacle, green, yellow, red and blue candles at the quarters.

Purify by smudging with sage.

Caste the circle with athame or wand.

Invoke the elements:

Light the green candle to the north. “Powers of Earth, I bid you accept my invitation to this circle. Please guide and protect me in this rite.”

Light the yellow candle to the east. “Powers of Air, I bid you accept my invitation to this circle. Please guide and protect me in this rite.”

Light the red candle to the south. “Powers of Fire, I bid you accept my invitation to this circle. Please guide and protect me in this rite.”

Light the blue candle to the west. “Powers of Water, I bid you accept my invitation to this circle. Please guide and protect me in this rite.”

Return to the altar and light the sandalwood incense, or add it to the charcoal disc.

Lift your hands in welcome to the Goddess Freya.

“Freya, Great Goddess of Magick, welcome to this circle. I seek your help and guidance in gaining magickal skills.”

Light the green candle and place it on the pentacle.

“Lovely Goddess of Fertility, direct my path in personal growth.”

Move the green candle to the altar. Light the white candle and place it on the pentacle.

“ Beautiful Goddess of Wisdom, help me reach my spiritual goals.”

Move the white candle to the altar. Light the silver candle and place it on the pentacle.

“Goddess Freya, come to me in dreams, in meditation, in spirit. Teach me magickal communication. Add enlightenment and understanding to the lessons I study and practice. Let me recognize and acknowledge the magick that is all around me everyday. Teach me to use it to enhance my life and the lives of those around me. And harm none. So mote it be.”

Perform a self-blessing using rose oil.

Take time to feel the energy, feeling it surround you.

Place hands on the ground to allow excess energy to disperse.

Open the circle with athame or wand.

Give thanks to Freya

“Loving Goddess, my many thanks for joining me in this rite and guiding me on my path. Merry meet, Merry part and Merry meet again.”

Thank each element for its protection.

“Power of Earth, go in peace with my thanks and blessings.” Blow out the green earth candle.

“Power of Air, go in peace with my thanks and blessings.” Blow out the yellow air candle.

“Power of Fire, go in peace with my thanks and blessings.” Blow out the red fire candle.

“Power of water, go in peace with my thanks and blessings.” Blow out the blue water candle.

Extinguish all other candles.

Resources:

http://www.freyja.com

D.J. Conway