Pagans are practitioners of a religious or spiritual belief system that is not associated with the mainstream organized religions, such as Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. The term "pagan" is derived from the Latin word "paganus," which means "rural" or "country dweller." Pagans have diverse beliefs and practices that can vary greatly among individuals and groups. Many pagans follow nature-based spiritualities that emphasize a connection with the natural world and its cycles. They may worship multiple deities, spirits, or energies, often associated with natural elements such as the sun, moon, earth, and water. Paganism is often misunderstood and stereotyped due to its historical association with pre-Christian religions.
By exploring the meanings behind these symbols, one gains a deeper understanding and appreciation for this powerful and enigmatic goddess, who continues to captivate and inspire devotees across the world. Whether you’re interested in wearing a Freya symbol necklace, exploring the significance of the Freya rune symbol, or simply delving into the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, the symbols of Freya offer an engaging and insightful journey into the world of this intriguing deity.
Whether you re interested in wearing a Freya symbol necklace, exploring the significance of the Freya rune symbol, or simply delving into the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, the symbols of Freya offer an engaging and insightful journey into the world of this intriguing deity. Its vibrant hue also evokes the image of Freya s golden tears, shed when her husband Óðr leaves her, further linking the flower to the goddess s mythology.
Paganism is often misunderstood and stereotyped due to its historical association with pre-Christian religions. However, modern paganism is a diverse and evolving movement that includes various traditions, such as Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, and many more. Pagans may celebrate seasonal festivals, perform rituals, cast spells, and engage in healing practices.
NORSE GODS: FREYA
Freya is attested to in the Poetic and Prose Eddas, in Hemskingla, various Icelandic Sagas, in Sörla þáttr, skaldic poems, and throughout folklore. Her name means “Lady” and Friday is named variously for her, Frigg and Freyr. She is perhaps the most famous Norse goddess, is one of the tribe of Vanir, and is most often associated with love, sex, beauty, and gold (prosperity).
She is also associated with witchcraft (called seiðr) and battle, and is a goddess of both life and death. Freya famously teaches Óðin seiðr, which seems to be a bit of a scandal. She splits the spoils of battle with him, and Freya’s pick of the fallen are said to go to Fólkvangr, her realm in Ásgard where her hall Sessrúmnir is located. She is often considered leader of the Valkyrjur, the goddess figures who choose the heroic warriors from battlefields.
Her brother is Freyr, and her father is Njörðr by his unnamed sister (generally considered to be Nerthus). Her husband is recorded as Óðr (thought be a nickname of Óðin, but this is contested) with whom she has two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi.
She drives a chariot pulled by a team of cats. Most seem to agree they were lynxes or skogkatts (a breed of felines the size of lynxes) native to Northern Europe. In Freya’s honour, kittens (felis domesticus) were commonly given to brides as wedding gifts in the Viking era.
Many consider Freya and Frigg to be one and the same, as they have striking similarities, and they seem to have emerged as a single goddess in earlier history. In the later Eddas they are depicted as separate, interacting characters.
Like Frigg, Freya owns a magical mantle of falcon feathers. Freya uses this to fly over Miðgarðr looking for her husband Óðr, who has left her to go wandering. Freya is forever searching for him, and weeps golden tears, which appear on earth as the precious stone amber, or as veins of gold.
Freya is much sought-after by the Jötnar, and several tales tell of desperate barters to win Freya for a bride. When Thor’s hammer goes missing, it is the giant Þrymr who has taken it, and demands Freya in ransom. In another story, Freya is also the price (along with the Sun and Moon) for the construction of the protective wall around Ásgard. In both cases, the jötnar are tricked out of the deal, and Freya’s honour is preserved.
Marriage had different rules in proto-heathen times, and her (and other gods’) marriages appear to modern eyes as a crazy off-the-rails train. She travels with a constant companion boar, Hildisvíni, who is her human lover Óttar in disguise. As payment for Brísingamen, her wondrous golden necklace, she slept with several Dwarfs – this necklace is said to appear as the Northern Lights over Miðgarðr. In Lokasenna she is accused of sleeping with her brother, Freyr, by Loki in front of the other gods at a party.
Long after Christianisation, Freya continued to be honoured and named by rural Scandinavians in folklore and folk magic, well into the 19th century. As attested in several sources, due to Freya’s fame, women of rank could become known by her name Frúvor (“lady”) and a woman who was the mistress of her property was often referred to as Freya and Húsfreyja (“lady of the house”).
Thoughts on Freya
Freya is attested to in the myths as benevolent and approachable: she readily answers the prayers of her worshipers, particularly in all matters of the heart and fertility. She is famous in the lore for appreciating romantic poetry and song.
A proud sexual appetite is something many consider one of her attributes. Loki attempts to insult her for having slept with gods and elves, however, Freya appears to be neither ashamed nor embarrassed, though the other gods are aghast at his claims.
Freya has commonalities with Venus-Aphrodite, Greco-Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, and gold. Like Venus-Aphrodite, she is a lover of war: while Venus takes Mars as her paramour, Freya takes half of all warriors who die as her companions. Like Venus, she bears a magical garment which enhances her already epic beauty.
Although some debate as to Freya’s status as a love goddess, it is important to note that pagan culture did not have our modern puritanical, sex-shaming hang ups, and often had a more positive approach to sex and sexuality, and did not see this as the opposite of divinity. No Madonna-Whore complex here!
Unlike Frigg, Freya was not easily reconciled with Christianity. Much of Frigg’s character was absorbed by the Virgin Mary, while Freya was demonized, and her figure was converted to the folkloric character of the witch and her cat. It is theorized by some that it may have been the Christian influence on the lore that separated Freya and Frigg into two separate goddesses to make it easier to deal with them.
We personally think that the fuss about their needing to be the same goddess is a bit silly. After all, the male deities, most of whom share striking similarities, do not receive this same treatment. There is no debate as to whether or not Thor and Freyr are the same god simply because they have too much in common. Either way, modern pagans see them as distinct archetypes, if not totally separate they are at least sisterly entities.
Suggested Signs & Symbols
Gold, amber, riches and abundance. Sun showers. Pigs, cats, honey, and feminine eroticism. Seiðr, witchcraft, and the motif of the Witch and her cat. Falcons. The Northern Lights and rainbow (the Brísingamen). The rune Fé.
Associated Names
Freija, Frejya, Freyia, Fröja, Frøya, Frøjya, Freia, Freja, Frua, Freiya, Vanadis, Horn, Mardoll, Syr, Valfreyja, Gefn.
Plus, this rune is also connected with the inner realm, of our psyche and our past experiences, linking us deeper to our roots and our ancestral beginning.
Respect for nature, personal autonomy, and individual spiritual exploration are common values within pagan communities. Many pagans seek to live in harmony with the Earth and recognize the interconnectedness of all living beings. Rituals and ceremonies often involve creating sacred space, honoring ancestors or deities, and engaging in divination or healing practices. Pagans may gather in groups called covens, groves, or circles for rituals and celebrations, while others practice as solitary individuals. There is no central authority or dogma governing paganism, and individuals are encouraged to develop their own beliefs and spiritual practices. The terms "pagan" and "paganism" are umbrella terms that encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices. It is important to respect the diversity within pagan communities and not make assumptions based on stereotypes or misconceptions. Many pagans actively work towards building tolerance, understanding, and acceptance in society..
Reviews for "Paganism and Divination: The Art of Fortune-Telling"
1. John - 1 star - What is pagzns is one of the most confusing and poorly written books I have ever read. The author seems to have no clear understanding of the subject matter and jumps from one topic to another without any logical progression. It was hard to follow and I found myself constantly going back to re-read sections in an attempt to make sense of it. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Rachel - 2 stars - I was quite excited to read What is pagzns, as the topic seemed interesting. However, I quickly realized that the book was not well-organized and lacked coherence. The author's writing style was disjointed, making it difficult to fully understand the concepts being discussed. Additionally, the book seemed to lack concrete evidence or research to support the claims being made. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity and felt frustrated by the lack of clarity and depth.
3. Mark - 2 stars - As someone who has a genuine interest in exploring different belief systems, I was disappointed with What is pagzns. The book lacked depth and critical analysis, instead providing superficial explanations of various elements of paganism. The author's tone also came off as condescending at times, which made it difficult for me to engage with the content. Overall, this book did not provide the comprehensive understanding of paganism I was hoping for and left me unsatisfied.
4. Sarah - 1 star - What is pagzns was a complete waste of my time. The author seemed to have a limited understanding of the subject matter and failed to provide any valuable insights or analysis. The writing was repetitive and filled with unnecessary fluff, making the book tedious to read. I found myself skimming through the pages, hoping to find something of substance, but unfortunately, it never materialized. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of paganism.
5. Michael - 2 stars - I found What is pagzns to be a shallow and oversimplified introduction to paganism. The author failed to delve into the complexities and nuances of the belief system, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The writing also lacked clarity, with confusing and contradictory statements scattered throughout the book. Furthermore, the book seemed to lack a strong structure or cohesive argument, making it difficult to follow and understand the author's intended message. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to those seeking a deeper understanding of paganism.