Freya

The folklore of most cultures is male dominated, but there is usually at least one strong female who tends to those needs of the people that the strong, warrior males can’t manage. So it was in Viking folklore, where Freya was the goddess associated with beauty, fertility, sorcery and love. But, just in case she was thought to be a little too genteel, she was also associated with gold, war and death.

Freya rode in a chariot, which has connotations of warlike behavior, but it was driven by two cats. She had a boar named Hildisvíni, a husband, Óðr, and two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi. In addition, she had a cloak made of falcon feathers, which allowed her to fly in the shape of a falcon and a magical amber and gold necklace,Brísingamen, which signified her power as a magical practitioner and leader.

Most commonly Freya was called upon to assist in matters of the heart and to lend a hand in regard to issues of fertility. As a deity in a notoriously warlike culture, Freya had her worked cut out in a range of ways. She had to maintain the intensity of a warrior, while ensuring the place of love in the community of her people.

Within the community of the Gods, she was often a tragic figure. She wept for her long-absent husband, Óðr, and her tears turned to red gold when they fell on rocks and amber when they fell on water. Using pseudonyms, she searched for him so she could escape the advances of other powerful Gods, who wished to marry her.

Freya was not the typical female deity, but she was the kind of female deity that was needed by the Vikings. Her female charms and strong warrior core made her the perfect Goddess and in doing so an important part of Viking folklore.