Last Updated on December 27, 2024
Freyja (FRAY-yah), sometimes spelled Freya, Freja, or Freyia, shines as one of the Vanir. Her name translates to “Lady,” emphasizing her elevated status among deities. Freyja plays a prominent role in The Poetic Edda and The Prose Edda, where her multifaceted nature as a goddess of love, fertility, war, and magic emerges.
Freyja resides in Fólkvangr (FOHLK-vahng-er), her hall, where she welcomes half of those who die in battle. The other half join Odin in Valhalla. This division highlights Freyja’s role as a powerful figure of death and valor. Her chariot, drawn by cats, further symbolizes her connection to domestic harmony and feminine strength.
Freyja possesses the necklace Brísingamen (BREE-sing-ah-men), crafted by dwarves. This treasured item represents beauty, wealth, and desire. According to Húsdrápa and Þrymskviða, her necklace’s significance extends to magical and sensual realms. Freyja is also known for her mastery of seiðr (SAY-thr), a type of sorcery enabling her to alter fate and divine the future. Her ability to wield this magic underscores her versatility and wisdom.
Freyja’s mythological connections also include a relationship with Loki and her twin brother, Freyr. Her tears, said to turn into gold, reflect her deep emotional intensity and her ties to wealth and prosperity. As a goddess, Freyja embodies love’s transformative power and the fierce courage needed to protect what one holds dear. 
Elder Futhark Runes Associated with Freyja
The Fehu rune (ᚠ), pronounced “FAY-hoo,” aligns with Freyja’s domains of prosperity, wealth, and fertility. It embodies abundance and creation.
The Perthro rune (ᛈ), pronounced “PER-throh,” connects to Freyja’s role in seiðr and her ability to influence fate and secrets.
Importance to Asatruar
To Asatruar, Freyja represents love’s power, the strength of independence, and the sacred connection to magic and life.
Her leadership of Fólkvangr shows her authority in matters of life and death. Freyja inspires courage in battle and nurtures the bonds of family and relationships. Her mastery of magic and emotional depth serve as examples of divine strength and wisdom, making her a revered figure.
