The Goddesses of Torvaldsland

Frigg

Frigg was the supreme goddess and the principal wife of Odin. She was goddess of the sky and, like the Greek Hera and the Roman Juno, presided over marriage. Her abode was called Fensalir [The Ocean Halls]. She weaved the clouds. The myths portray her as very wise and very silent. In Teutonic mythology, she was fused with the goddess Freya.

Eir
A goddess of healing considered the best doctor. She taught her art to women who were the only physicians in ancient Scandinavia.
 

Freya
Goddess of love, fertility, and wealth. Originally one of the Vanir. She was the daughter of Njord, and the sister of Frey. Her daughter, by Od, is named Hnoss who is so beautiful that whatever is valuable and lovely is named "treasure", after her. She lived in Folkvang [battlefield] and each day chose half of the slain warriors to split with Odin. She had a husband named Od, whom she somehow lost and cried golden tears for. Many believe Od is Odin. Her chariot was drawn by cats and she owned the precious Brisings' necklace, which she slept with four dwarves to acquire. She also owned a feather coat, which she could use to fly between the worlds. After she went to live with the Aesir as a hostage, she taught them -- including Odin -- Seidr. Some sources say Friday is named after her.
 

Fulla
Listed by Snorri as one of the twelve divine goddesses, she appears mainly to function as Friggs' maid, taking care of the goddess' shoes. She also, sometimes, functions as Frigg's messenger. Some believe she is Frigg's sister. Snorri stated she was a virgin with long golden hair who wore a gold band around her head. It has been suggested that this band represent the binding around a sheaf of grain.
 

Gefjon
A prophetic virgin goddess and a member of the Aesir and Vanir. All women who die virgins go to her hall. She was also a fertility goddess. In one myth, Gylfi, king of Sweden, tells Gefjon, who was disguised as a beggar, that she could have as much of Sweden as she could plough with four oxen in one day. She traveled to Jotunheim and found her four oxen sons whom she had by a giant (she isn't a virgin in this myth!). She returned to Sweden in Midgard with her sons and ploughed all of the land now known as Zealand so it became part of Denmark, thereby tricking Gylfi. Her name means "Giver".
 

Gna
One of the divine goddesses but appears only to be a handmaiden of Frigg who sends her on errands. She has a swift horse named Hoof-flourisher, which can run in the air and over water.
 

Gullveig
A Vanir goddess. The Aesir's attempt to kill her brought about the first war in the world (the Vanir against the Aesir). The two tribes exchanged gods and then ruled together. Gullveig [Power of Gold] has been identified by some as the Triple Goddess, which was prevalent throughout the Old World. Also called Heid [witch]. According to some she is Freya.
 
 

Hel
In Norse mythology, Hel, the daughter of Loki and sister of Fenrir (Fenris-wolf) and Jormungand (Midgard serpent) was the goddess of death who ruled over the cold, dark underworld. She had a hideous body, half-black and half-blue. Her table was Hunger, her knife Starvation, her bed Care, and her attendants Delay and Slowness. Her domain was also sometimes called Hel in later mythology, probably through the influence of Christian belief.
 

Hlin
Snorri lists Hlin as a goddess charged with protecting those men who Frigg wants kept safe. Called by others a goddess of consolation who was supposed to "kiss away the tears of mourners". In most sources, Hlin is just another name for Frigg.
 

Huldra
A goddess who was attended by wood nymphs. They had cow tails, which could be seen hanging out from beneath their white robes. They were the protectors of cattle, and sang beautifully.
 

Idun
Goddess who is married to Bragi and is the keeper of the apples which keep the gods eternally young. The storm giant Tjasse abducts her and the gods start to age until Loki kills the giant and retrieves Idun. Goddess of youth, her name means "The Rejuvenating One".
 

Jord
Earth goddess. Mother of Thor and Frigg.
 

Lofn
Goddess concerned with sparking passionate love. She had permission from Odin and Frigg to do so even for those who were forbidden to marry.
 

Nanna
Moon goddess. Wife of Balder and mother of Forseti. She dies of heartache after Balder's death and is burned with him on his funeral boat -- along with his chopped up horse and a misfortunate dwarf who Thor kicked in at the last minute.
 

Nerthus
Possibly an older version of Njord (as the opposite sex) or his sister with whom he has Frey and Freya. She was a fertility goddess whose worship was centered in Denmark.
 
 

Ran
The wife of Aegir, she was the sea goddess of storms. She collects drowned people in her net.
 
 

Saga
Goddess who drinks with Odin in her hall Sokkvabekk. Her name means "seeress" and is connected with the Norse word for history -- thus, some call her the goddess of history.
 

Sif
Goddess of crops and fertility married to Thor. At one point, Loki stole her hair and had to replace it. He went to the dwarves and had them make her a new set of hair out of gold.
 

Sjofn
Goddess concerned with causing men and women to think of love. It was her duty to stop fights between married couples.
 

Snotra
Wise and gentle goddess. Guerber calls her the goddess of virtue and master of all knowledge. She knew the value of self-discipline.
 

Syn
Goddess who was invoked by defendants at a trial. She was another attendant of Frigg and guarded the door of Frigg's palace.
 

Thrud
Daughter of Thor
 

Var
Goddess who punishes those who do not keep their marriage vows.
 

Vor
A goddess whose name means "vow". Nothing can be hidden from her because she is so wise. She is considered by some to be a goddess of marriage and contracts.
 
 

BACK