Tag: Freyja

Today Belongs to Freyja, Friday’s Namesake, Goddess of Abundance, Fertility and War

goddess 2

Today Belongs to Freyja, Friday’s Namesake,

Goddess of Abundance, Fertility and War

Freya was the sister of the god Freyr, and was one of the Vanir, the Norse deities of earth and water that lived in Asgard. Venerated by women, heroes and rulers alike, she was the Scandinavian goddess of fertility and abundance. Freyja could be called upon for assistance in childbirth and conception, to aid with marital problems, or to bestow fruitfulness upon the land and sea.

In some traditions, she is known not only as Freyr’s sister but his wife as well.

Like Freyr, she is associated with material wealth. She was known to wear a magnificent necklace called Brisingamen, which represents the fire of the sun, and was said to weep tears of gold. In the Norse Eddas, Freyja is not only a goddess of fertility and wealth, but also of war and battle. In fact, she is the lady of the hall of the battle-fallen in Valhalla. While some have theorized that she was the leader of the Valkyries, the Eddas don’t specifically identify her as such. She also has connections to magic and divination.

Freyja was similar to Frigg, the chief goddess of the Aesir, which was the Norse race of sky deities.

Both were connected with childrearing, and could take on the aspect of a bird. Freyja owned a magical cloak of hawk’s feathers, which allowed her to transform at will. This cloak is given to Frigg in some of the Eddas.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com

 

The Goddess Calendar, The Month Hestia from December 26 – January 22

Dragons eye
The Goddess Calendar

Hestia
December 26 – January 22

26– First Day of Yuletide, Frau Sonne, Igaehindvo, The Star Faery, Sunne, Yemaya
27– Birth of Freyja(Norse Goddess of Fertility, Love and Beauty)
28– Half Month of Eoh(yew tree) Begins
29– Day of Nymphs, Andromeda, Ariadne, Artemis
30
31– New Year’s Eve, Hogmanay (Scottish New Year), Hogmagog(Scottish God of the Sun)
1– Fortuna, Jupiter, Juno, Janus, The Three Fates, Bertha(German Goddess), The Morrigan, The Parcae, Japanese Household Gods, New Year’s Day
2– Advent of Isis (Phoenecia), Inanna(Sumerian Queen of Heaven), Perihelion of the Earth
3– Dionysus, The Deer Mothers(Native American Spirit-Goddesses), Lenaia Festival (Greek), Pueblo Deer Dances, Kalends of January (French)
4– Sacrifice to the Seven Stars (Korea)
5– Feast of Befana (Roman)
6– Twelfth Night (England), Day of the Triple Goddess (Celtic), Kore, Persephone
7– Sekhmet
8– Babo, Freya, Justicia(Roman Goddess of Justice), Old Druid New Year, Midwife’s Day (Greek)
9
10– Day of Freyja (Norse), Iroquois Feast of Dreams, Geraint(Welsh Bard)
11– Carmentalia (Roman Nymphs of Prophecy), Juturno
12– The Lares(Roman Household Gods), Frigg(Chief Goddess of Old England), Festival of Saravasti (India), Compatlia (Roman)
13– Runic Half Month of Peorth(womb, dice cup) Begins, Tiu(Ancient Teutonic Chief God, Ruler of the Year), Feast of Brewing Midwinter’s Offering (Norse), Tiugunde Day
14– Surya(Indian God of the Sun)
15– Carmentalia(second festival), Feast of the Ass (Roman)
16– Concordia, Betoro Bromo(Indonesian God of Fire)
17– Felicitas(Roman Goddess of Good Fortune), Wassailing the Apple Trees (Celtic Britain)
18– Zao Jun(Chinese Kitchen-God), Theogamia of Hera (Greek)
19– Thor(Norse God of Thunder and Lightning), Thorrablottar/Husband’s Day (Iceland)
20– Grandmother’s Day (Bulgaria)
21– Celtic Tree Month of Luis(rowan) Begins, Yngona(Danish Goddess)
22– Festival of the Muses

‘Twas The Night Before Yule

Yule Comments & Graphics

‘Twas The Night Before Yule

‘Twas the night before Yule, and all through the Coven, The cookies were baked and removed from the oven. The bayberry candles were lit on the table, The altar was wrapped in a new cloth of sable.

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds, While visions of Yuletime danced in their heads. Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that some presents soon would be there!

With Rocker in his new robe, and I in mine, We were asking our Goddess her blessing divine. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, We sprang from our Circle to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, tripping over my sash, My eyes were a-glamoured with a bright silver flash. The moon on the breasts of the Goddess and God Drew my eyes to behold the blessed Circle they trod.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But the manifestations of all those we hold Dear. The physical forms of those whom we pray to, Even Saint Nick, and his miniature sleigh, too!

Jehovah, Mohammet, Shiva, Hera and Thor. Zeus, Freya, Brahma, and many, many more. All the Spiritual Entities who’d ever been mentioned. Even some, like dear Loki, who sowed seeds of dissension.

They greeted eah other with smile, warm and sweet. Then, forming a Circle, they all took a seat. With multiple Voices all joined as One, The Corners were Called. And, when that was done.

The Chalice was passed from Hand to Hand. Then, a blanket of silence enfolded the land. A crystal clear Voice began to hold sway. Which Deity spoke? I could not say.

But, clearly, I heard all the love in that Voice. It caused my tired heart to take flight and rejoice. “Our Children, it seems, have missed the whole point. “We now join together, their hearts to anoint.

“Pour all of Our love O’er their hearts of stone. “Let them see that together they’re never alone! “Show them it matters not which of Us that they choose. “Their sad hate and mistrust cause each of Us to lose!”

As I stood there transfixed, I could suddenly see If we all stand as one, what a world this could be! Put ALL of our differences well behind us. Let the love of the Gods enfold and remind us.

We ARE all the same,though varied our skins. We all dream the same dreams, we all sin the same sins. With a look of enlightenment etched on my face, I beheld all the Gods in Their glory and grace!

They all bowed Their heads then said”So mote it be!” They all smiled at each Other bestowing winks on me. One by One they disappeared from my sight. Just the Goddess and God were left in the light.

As slowly They twinkled, fading by degree, “Happy Yuletide to all!! Blessed be times three!”

–Written by Mary, a.k.a. Wandering Poet, a.k.a. littlebit Permission to reprint granted to all who keep this credit line by the author.

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Rainbow Gryphon

Calendar of the Sun for September 18th

Calendar of the Sun

18 Halegmonath

Vanaheim Day

Colors: Green and Gold
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold set sheaves of grain, many woven corn dollies and straw ornaments, three green candles, a chalice of beer, harvest fruits, and a knife.
Offerings: Fruits of the harvest.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian

Vanaheim Invocation

Hail to the Green World of the Vanir!
Hail to the Realm of Growth, of Earth
Sacred and fed with blood, springing forth
Abundance and plenty to feed many worlds!
Hail to the spring flowers that bloom,
Hail to the summer fruits that globe on tree and vine,
Hail to the golden grain ripening in the fields,
Hail to the winter of peaceful slumber
And preparation for the next perfect spring!
Hail to the devouring earth that is Nerthus,
Lady of the blood-soaked soil!
Hail to the teeming seas that wash the shore,
Sailed by fine Njord of the salt winds,
Domain of Aegir and Ran of the great waves
And their nine sharp-nailed daughters!
Hail to the spring fields where flowers
Bloom in Freyja’s bare footsteps!
Hail to the grain that is cut with the sickle
As Frey’s blood nourishes the soil!
Hail to the Gods of Abundance, of green,
Of lust and death, of the mysteries of the cycle,
And may they bless us with joy and understanding
In equal measure.

(All cry out, “Hail Vanaheim!” The beer is poured out as a libation, and the grain and fruits are set outside as an offering.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for December 27th

Calendar of the Sun

27 Yulmonath

Frey and Freya’s Day

Colors: Green and Gold
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold place gilded sheaves of wheat, gilded and silvered flowers, gilded nuts, sugared fruits, corn dollies and straw Yule ornaments, a chalice of mead and a horn of beer, and figures of Frey and Freya.
Offerings: Love. Ritual sex is appropriate on this day.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian, with sweets, nuts, fruits, and bread.

Invocation to Frey and Freya

Holy sister and brother,
Lady and Lord of the Vanir,
Golden of hair as the fields of wheat
Who bring riches of heart and hearth
To noble and common folk alike
You are the security wealth can buy
And the happiness it cannot.
Lord Frey, Corn God
Warrior without a weapon
Who gave his sword for love,
You who make the grain spring forth,
Show us faith in every harvest.
Bless the bonds of those whose love
Binds them to land, to hearth,
To commitment of permanence,
O God whose wedding was cursed and blessed.
Lady Freya, warrior woman,
Chooser of the slain warriors,
Teacher of magic and mysteries,
Mistress of Seidhr and mother of jewels,
Love Goddess and Lady of Springtime,
Flowers scattered in your footsteps,
Unashamed of love and pleasure,
Help us to remember
That there are many kinds of wealth.
Bless us, Frey and Freya,
Most precious gems of Vanaheim,
With the gold of next year’s grain and sun.

Song: Golden One

(The mead is poured out as a libation for Freya, and the beer for Frey.)

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for September 18

Calendar of the Sun

18 Halegmonath

Vanaheim Day

Colors: Green and Gold
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold set sheaves of grain, many woven corn dollies and straw ornaments, three green candles, a chalice of beer, harvest fruits, and a knife.
Offerings: Fruits of the harvest.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian

Vanaheim Invocation

Hail to the Green World of the Vanir!
Hail to the Realm of Growth, of Earth
Sacred and fed with blood, springing forth
Abundance and plenty to feed many worlds!
Hail to the spring flowers that bloom,
Hail to the summer fruits that globe on tree and vine,
Hail to the golden grain ripening in the fields,
Hail to the winter of peaceful slumber
And preparation for the next perfect spring!
Hail to the devouring earth that is Nerthus,
Lady of the blood-soaked soil!
Hail to the teeming seas that wash the shore,
Sailed by fine Njord of the salt winds,
Domain of Aegir and Ran of the great waves
And their nine sharp-nailed daughters!
Hail to the spring fields where flowers
Bloom in Freyja’s bare footsteps!
Hail to the grain that is cut with the sickle
As Frey’s blood nourishes the soil!
Hail to the Gods of Abundance, of green,
Of lust and death, of the mysteries of the cycle,
And may they bless us with joy and understanding
In equal measure.

(All cry out, “Hail Vanaheim!” The beer is poured out as a libation, and the grain and fruits are set outside as an offering.)

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for June 10

10 Lithemonath

Nidavellir Day

Colors: Red and black
Elements: Fire and earth
Altar: Upon a cloth of red and black lay seven black candles, burning frankincense, an anvil with a hammer, a horn of mead, and many pieces of hand-wrought metal – jewelry, tools, or anything else that has been made by hand from metal.
Offerings: Assess your values. Make a fair trade of something you value for something of equal value with someone you respect.
Daily Meal: Root vegetables. Mead.

Nidavellir Invocation

Deep beneath the mountains of Svartalfheim
Lies the land of the duergar,
The underground home of the dwarves
Whose life is spent making and building
Many wonderful things for themselves
That mortals and gods alike may covet.
The duergar give no gifts;
Nothing comes in an open hand for their work,
Their sweat, their toil, their creative spark.
They value this too much to give away,
And so they drive hard bargains.
When the made the necklace Brisingamen,
Most fair jewel ever wrought,
Freyja the goddess of love saw it,
And her heart cried out for it.
The price laid on it was the most valuable thing
That she owned, in exchange for their
Most valuable thing. So she agreed,
Gave them her body for four nights –
For what is more valuable to Love than this –
And considered it a fair price.
When later she received the mockery of Asgard,
She but touched her jewel and smiled.
And this is what the duergar would ask us:
What is your price? What do you hold most dear?
What would you give for it? The answer rings on every anvil
In the dark heart of Nidavellir.

(Each comes forth, picks up the hammer, and strikes the anvil, speaking aloud what is their most valuable possession, and what would be of an equal trade for it. Pour the mead as a libation.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for Friday, April 27th

Calendar of the Sun
27 Eostremonath

Walpurgisnacht Day V

Color: Blue
Element: Water
Altar: Upon a blue cloth set a bowl of water, five candles, incense of civet, and the rune Ing.
Offering: Dress today as a member of the opposite sex. Celibacy is mandated for all today, unless one is willing to have ritual sex in the way of a member of the opposite sex, which should be done in private.
Daily Meal: Soup or stew.

Walpurgisnacht Invocation V

We walk every day as man or woman,
And we think little of it,
Save for those of us who have been both,
And who never take these things for granted again.
Which fish, we ask, discuss water?
The drowning ones – that is the only answer,
And so Odhinn went to the goddess of love,
Great Freyja of the surpassing beauty,
And asked her to teach him the art of seidhr,
The woman’s magic. And Freyja did agree,
But the price was that for one year
Odhinn the great should don the skirts
Of a woman, a mere serving maid,
And be known by all under the name of Eunuch,
And live as the lowest of women lived.
And so it was done, and Odhinn learned
The magic that can only be touched
By those whom the woman’s energy can fill.
And he did also learn that these things
Are not static within us, and can shift,
And should never be taken for granted,
And Odhinn left Freyja’s side
Having learned much about women,
And he would never see them the same again.
And we thank him for this lesson, and his third sacrifice,
That of the smug surety of a single gender.

(All come forward and dip their hands into the water, and speak aloud a Name: the name that they feel they would have been named had they been born a different gender. This is a Name of power, and can be used for shapeshifting magic, in Odhinn’s name.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Monday, April 24th – Necklaces & Nature

The Wicca Book of Days for April 24th

Necklaces and Nature

Necklaces are among the most important attributes of many fertility Goddesses, most notably Venus, the Roman Goddess for who today’s ruling planet was named and Freyja, the beautiful Vanir, or spirit of feminine fertility, of Norse mythology. It is told that Freyja was so entranced by the magickal necklace name the Brisingamen, which maximized the wearer’s sexual allure and powers of fertility, that when Loki stole it from her, she was beside herself with grief at its loss, causing all vegetation on earth to shrivel up and remain dead until it was returned to her possession.

Amber and Jet

Pay tribute to the Goddess’s gift of fecundity by wearing a necklace today. If possible, wear bear or a pendant fashioned from amber or jet both organic materials sacred to the goddess through these long entombment in the Earth.

Invocation To Freyr

 Invocation To Freyr

“Freyr, Son of Njrd, Join us.
Freyr, Husband of Gerdr, Join us.
Freyr, Brother of Freyja, Join us.
Freyr, Father of kings, Join us.
Freyr, Whose sword would fight for itself, Join us.
Freyr, Who gave his sword for Gerdr, Join us.
Freyr, Patron of married couples, Join us.
Freyr, Most beautiful of Gods, Join us.
Freyr, Whose tooth-gift was Alfheimr, Join us.
Freyr, Master of Gullinbursti, Join us.
Freyr, Owner of Skidbladnir, Join us.
Freyr, Slayer of Beli, Join us.
Freyr, Master of Frodi’s Peace, Join us.
Freyr, Who directs Man’s good fortune, Join us.
Freyr, Who brings fruitful seasons, Join us. Freyr,
Your servant _______ calls you! Come to me NOW!”

WitchWay

Deity of the Day for March 29th – FREYA

FREYA

Also known as FREYJA

 

Goddess of Love, Fertility and Sexual Desire. She’s also a feisty warrior and Queen of the VALKYRIES.

The daughter of NJORD, and the beautiful twin sister of FREYR, she is — to put it in modern vernacular — a bit of a goer. She did marry a God called OD, causing much confusion amongst academics and historians who have confused him with ODIN leading to further confusion by confusing her with FRIGG. (This is why you need Godchecker.) But OD was a bit of a goer himself and nipped out one day for pastures new.

 

This caused much weeping of golden tears, but as usual FREYA made the best of a bad job and really went off the rails. She ran wild with Gods, mortals, giants and dwarves.

The stories and allegations of how she gained possession of Brisingamen, the golden amber necklace of desire, are scandalous. Especially the one about her bedding four dwarves in turn before they would give it to her. But this sort of thing is just titillation. In any case, the necklace was stolen by LOKI and — although it was rescued by HEIMDALL — we don’t think she got it back.

Being a strong-willed warrior maiden, she joined and then led the VALKYRIES — so that she could have first pick of the slain battlefield warriors. Most of the slain go to VALHALLA, but the good-looking heroes go straight to her palace for rest and recuperation.

But FREYA does have a softer side — she loves romantic music and bunches of flowers. Her daughters are the beautiful HNOSS and the equally beautiful GERSEMI.

Invocation to Freyr

Invocation to Freyr

“Freyr, Son of Njrd, Join us.
Freyr, Husband of Gerdr, Join us.
Freyr, Brother of Freyja, Join us.
Freyr, Father of kings, Join us.
Freyr, Whose sword would fight for itself, Join us.
Freyr, Who gave his sword for Gerdr, Join us.
Freyr, Patron of married couples, Join us.
Freyr, Most beautiful of Gods, Join us.
Freyr, Whose tooth-gift was Alfheimr, Join us.
Freyr, Master of Gullinbursti, Join us.
Freyr, Owner of Skidbladnir, Join us.
Freyr, Slayer of Beli, Join us.
Freyr, Master of Frodi’s Peace, Join us.
Freyr, Who directs Man’s good fortune, Join us.
Freyr, Who brings fruitful seasons, Join us. Freyr,
Your servant _______ calls you! Come to me NOW!”

Your Rune For May 11th is Naudhiz

Your Rune For Today
Naudhiz

Naudhiz may foretell needs unmet and friction in relationships. You may be in a time where you should be very careful in whatever endeavor you take on. Also it may be that you are about to learn some of life’s hard lessons and come out the other side of this period a stronger being.

Your Rune For May 8th is Naudhiz

Your Rune For Today
Naudhiz

Naudhiz may foretell needs unmet and friction in relationships. You may be in a time where you should be very careful in whatever endeavor you take on. Also it may be that you are about to learn some of life’s hard lessons and come out the other side of this period a stronger being.

Runecast for Sunday March 20

This morning Gebo of Freyja’s Aett popped out of my pouch Gebo pronounced “gay-boe or yee-boe” (G: Gift) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships.

A handshake seals an agreement. Join with similar and free individuals. Separateness as well as unity. Your situation is moving towards partnership, but to accept this relationship as a gift from destiny, you yourself must be whole and independent. The hand offered to you is not meant merely to bail you out of a mess, but to serve as part of a joint endeavor, allowing you both to achieve more then you could achieve alone. Mutual support between you and a partner is essential. This rune promises fruitful co-operation and a harmonious relationship. It signifies financial rewards and the gift of greater understanding. Difficulties will be followed by a period of relief and achievement.

Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery. (Note: the reversed or merkstave definitions are included only for reference as they apply to a multi-rune cast and not to a single rune that’s drawn blind from the pouch)

As with all, take only what feels right to you and disregard the rest.

**a portion of today’s rune meaning/description was kindly provided by Ingrid Halvorsen at www.sunnyway.com/runes/ and used here with her gracious permission**

In the Light…

Tom

SoulDiscoveryThruReiki
“Music is a release from the tyranny of conscious thought”
— Kevin Burke
Insanity is inherited, you get it from your kids…