Halloween with Freya! Well, a Norse Goddess of love and fertility may not be the first thing you think of when your mind conjures up images of Halloween delights, but for some reason Freya will not leave me alone lately. Over the last year she has come up again and again. As I studied more about the rich mythos surrounding this goddess certain surprising elements began to stand out to me. I realized that she and the Northern tradition might make a great complement to Halloween! Sources:
Freya is a Goddess who blesses lovers, creativity, and fertility, but she also has what I believe is a neglected, dark aspect. Some sources say that she receives up to half of the noble dead that Odin collects from battlefields. She resides over these dead as queen of the Valkyries! Freya rides in a chariot pulled by two large cats. Doesn’t all of this sound enchanting for Halloween?
The Vikings contributed to and were a part of Celtic culture; the Celts being the originators of many of our ideas about Halloween. In Viking culture October is a month in which we see the fall begin to turn to winter. The Asatru Alliance webpage tells us that this month, “celebrates the bounty of the harvest and honors Freya and the fertility and protective spirits called Disir, that She leads (often the Disir are seen as our female ancestors). Give glory to Freya and pour a libation of ale, milk, or mead into the soil an offering to the Disir and the Earth itself.”
Here are some ideas to celebrate Freya this season:
• Add love magick to your life this October with Freya!
• Honour those who have gone before you.
• Carve meaningful runes into your pumpkins.
• Brísingamen is Freya’s powerful necklace made of amber. Use amber this month.
• Bless your cats this month and consider donating to a shelter.
• Friday is Freya’s day. Celebrate accordingly!
Norse Magic by D.J. Conway
The Rides of Odin by Ed Fitch
This is really cool. I never would have connected the Norse pantheon with Samhain in any way. Hmmm… Halloween love magick, eh? A unique and interesting idea. I think this is my favorite post so far.
Hi Liminal Emma! I read somewhere that Freya gets "first pick" of all the slain warriors. The Valkyries bring her all the warriors who long for home, their wives and children. They will serve Freya and be reunited with their families in due course. Then Odin gets the "second pick" and the Valkyries take to Valhalla all the slain warriors who love only war and conflict. They will fight for Odin at the end of the world.
Great post! The celtic patheon is my favorite, and getting to know more about the goddesses is always good!Kisses from Nydia.
Wonderful post!Thank you for the information on Freya. I, too, have been hearing about her a lot lately. )O(boo
Great ideas and advice!
I studied a bit about the Norse Pantheon, it's interesting! This was a good post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for the info.I also LOVE your name. Liminality is one of my favorite concepts because I believe most of the important things in life happen in the interstices.
Fascinating….thank you so much for sharing!
Celts have the best lore
I always love to learn more bout the different aspects of the Goddess and Gods.
Great post! I would not have thought to connect Freya to Samhain. Thank you for the ideas!Blessings,Hoi Sum
How very cool! Thanks!
<3 Freya…and Fridays…and amber…and love… *laughs*Great post!
Thank you all for commenting on my guest blog. Thanks also for my new followers. Take care everyone!