Last Updated on September 29, 2024
Sessrúmnir, also called Sessrumnir or Sesrúmnir, is the grand hall of Freyja, the goddess of love, fertility, and war. Located within Fólkvangr, Sessrúmnir serves as a sanctuary for half of the warriors who fall in battle. Its name means “seat room” or “many-seated,” reflecting its immense capacity to welcome the brave.
The hall is said to be one of the most splendid structures in existence. Freyja’s presence fills it with beauty, warmth, and a sense of peace. Those who reside in Sessrúmnir live in luxury, honored for their bravery. Unlike Odin’s Valhalla, where the focus is often on preparing for future battles, it emphasizes rest, celebration, and a harmonious existence.
Warriors chosen by Freyja to enter Sessrúmnir enjoy the rewards of their honorable lives. Freyja herself presides over the hall, guiding and protecting its inhabitants. Her role as a goddess of both love and war gives it a unique balance. It represents not only the courage of warriors but also the love and loyalty they held during their lives.
Importance in Asatru
Sessrúmnir holds deep significance in Asatru. As the hall of Freyja, it embodies the duality of life: love and war, peace and honor. For Asatruar, it represents the reward for living a courageous life. Those who die with honor and loyalty are welcomed into this magnificent hall, where they live in eternal peace.
Asatru followers often honor Freyja for her role as the keeper of Sessrúmnir. Her connection to both the beauty of life and the realities of battle reflects the Asatru way of embracing all aspects of existence. Freyja’s warriors find a final resting place in a hall that offers celebration and peace rather than endless preparation for future conflict.
It also highlights the importance of love and community in Asatru. While courage and honor lead a warrior to this hall, love and loyalty determine how they are remembered. In Sessrúmnir, Freyja ensures that the love a warrior held in life continues to flourish in the afterlife.
For many Asatruar, Sessrúmnir symbolizes the perfect balance between strength and compassion. It reminds them to live with bravery while cherishing love and loyalty, knowing that these virtues will guide them to Freyja’s hall.
Elder Futhark Rune Associated with Sessrúmnir
The rune most closely associated with Sessrúmnir is Gebō (ᚷ). Gebō symbolizes gifts, exchange, and balance in relationships. Like Sessrúmnir, it reflects the harmony between giving and receiving, love and honor. Gebō reminds Asatruar to cherish both strength and the bonds they form with others.
Freyja’s hall, Sessrúmnir, represents the ultimate reward for living with courage, honor, and love. It’s a place where the brave rest and celebrate their lives under the care of the goddess who values both strength and compassion.
