Frija

By: Steve Anthonijsz

 

ON:                Frigg; JörðR; Fjörgynn; Hlóþyn

A-S:                Fríge; Hreþe; Erce (?)

OHG:             Frija; Friia, Frikka; Frikkia; Erda; Frau Berchta (Perchta);

Frau Holdâ; Frau Holle[1]

Ang:               Frigga

 

Œra Linda:            Earth

 

             “The usual pattern in early religions is that in which

the goddess Mother Earth appears as the wife of the

supreme sky god, since the earth is embraced and made

fruitful by the god of the heavens. The image of the

Earth Mother, from whom we spring, by whom we are

nourished, and into which we return when we die, has

remained a fundamental one. Tacitus tells us that the

goddess Nerthus, worshipped in Denmark in his day, was

Tellus Mater, Mother Earth…

   Although the conception of the Mother goddess

remains a shadowy one... As Odin’s wife and queen of

Asgard, she plays a consistent part in the poetry, and

lack of detail about her in the myths and the failure

to find places named after her may be due to the fact

that she was remembered under other titles.”

 

                                    ~~H.R. Ellis Davidson [2]

 

 

          Frija, the daughter of Fiorgyn[3] and Nacht[4], was born as one of the Wanen. Our surviving myths, though, tell us little about her - except for having borne Frô and Frûâ, by her brother, Nirdu - before her marriage to Wuotan[5]. Thus, we see that the Earth and Sea are sister and brother who have had offspring[6]. We see much more of Frija after her marriage to Wuotan and her acceptance into the Ensi.
This ought not be a surprise, as all the mythic accounts that have been preserved are consistently written from the perspective of the Ensi. Her marriage to Wuotan, as Davidson points out, ought to be no surprise as the motif of the Earth Mother marrying the Sky God is universal among Aryan traditions.

            As the first wife of Wuotan[7], Frija is the mother of Donar, Paltar, Hadu, and Brego. It is possible that Wuotan and Frija may have also borne Ziu[8]. Although she is not the mother of ALL the gods, then, it should be clear why she has been given the title of “mother of the gods,” as the most notable deities in two of our three pantheons are her children.

 

Like the other Wanen, Frija bears the gift of foresight[9]. Also, like the other Wanen, she rides a wain and is connected to acts of the Hâgzusa (witchcraft). She has a close relationship with the Wurtâ, as is obvious based on her association with spinning and with swans—especially as Frau Holdâ as she is known in Northern Germany. She is so widely recognized as a weaver that the distaff has come to symbolize her just as the hammer has come to represent her son, Donar. Of course, other than Frija, only Wurt bears such a close association with spinning. We can see, then, why in Irminenschaft there would be such a prominent emphasis on Nature as well as the high status afforded to women in general.

 

            The protectiveness and the nurturing characteristic of motherhood are both associated with Frija. We can see this side of her in the story of Paltar’s death, in which she tries to overcome the fate of death itself to save her son. It is also to her that mothers-to-be offer prayers in the hope of conception[10] and healthy childbirth. Frija is unique among the gods and goddesses in that she is the only one who is more known for her (maternal) nurturing than for her vindictiveness. This is not to say that she lacks a violent or negative side—but that she has much more patience and deals with situations in a much more calm and deliberate manner.

 

            It is not surprising that this goddess of motherhood should also be related with dominion of the hearth and home, and with the roles involved in family life and hospitality. As the matron of the home life, another of her symbols is a ring of keys. But we ought not be deceived into imagining her as a submissive or meek domestic--far from it! Frija is known to advise Wuotan himself on significant matters, and sometimes to disagree with her husband to the point of resorting to trickery and cunning[11] in order to get her way. Because of this, Frija has been called upon in areas generally not considered womanly, such as in battle and in the casting of curses.

 

            Interestingly, Frija is known to visit Mittigart most frequently during the winter. Snowfall is the result of Frau Holle shaking her feather bed- or feather pillows in some regions. She is also acknowledged for bringing fog. She is said to lead a wild procession at Iulzît. Some sources equate this procession with the Furious Host, while others see it as a separate affair. Interestingly enough, certain Middle German accounts talk of the Furious Host being led by “Frau Wotan”—could this be Wuotan’s wife?

 

Frija’s role as Earth Goddess[12] is just as important as her maternal and house-holding sides. It is from this ‘face’ that we see her interest in international affairs and in the dooms of entire nations. The most obvious example of her relevance in the fate of nations can be found in her notice of the Longobards. Tacitus[13] tells us that the Longobards, “…worship Nerthus (Frija), or Mother Earth. They believe that she takes part in human affairs.” Similarly, Paulus Diaconus[14] describes Fréa (Frija) as the goddess who is the matron over the Longobards, and how she was instrumental in naming their nation.

 

Perhaps the significance of Mother Earth is best described in a document by the Circle of Ostara[15]:

 

   “Pagans of all races have seen the Earth as an

archetypal mother, the bearer and nurisher of life. All

mankind when uncontaminated by Dark Age doctrines

instinctively loves and respects the Earth and all the

children of the Earth, plant and animals as well as

ourselves, and Earth spirits and Earth gods.

         We see the Earth as a great and divine being, alive

and aware. A being who embodies both spirit and

substance, our sustainer and nurturer in the World of

Form. …She and all who live upon her breast are one with

the Cosmic Mind, and yet unique and irreplaceable. As

part of the infinite, our Sun, our Solar System, our

Earth, Ourselves, stand at the centre of All-Being.”

 

            The frightened child who is reassured by Mother’s embrace; the traveller who is relieved by the moment of returning home; the hiker who smells the air and feels the life of the forest during springtime—all are enjoying the gifts of Frikka.

 

 

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