Freya is a goddess known for many things. Beauty, fertility, magic, prophecy, battle, death, sexuality, sensuality, and other similar things are within Her sphere of influence. Many of these things are as relevant today as they were when She was more widely worshiped.  She is a goddess I honor not only for Her traditionally understood roles, but also for what those things represent in modern living. We appreciate more varied forms and concepts of beauty. We live in an age of sexual awareness and liberation. We understand the science behind fertility. But we also live in an age where battles have more dire consequences than in the past. And while we understand modern biology far better than before, consciousness is still a mysterious thing, its products (such as magical experience) are still being explored. Freya can help in both understanding and experience of these things.

Magic and related spiritual experiences are within Freya's influence, and one who seeks to understand and improve such practices can benefit from Her involvement. As She is the one who taught seiðr to Odin, it would be good to work with Her when studying it. Visions can be tricky things, and is good to have some guidance in interpreting them. Freya is an effective source in sorting out the many details that one would experience in such a process. In addition, it would be good to work with Her when practicing more active forms of magic, such as galdor and other spellwork. Her influence can be helpful both in conducting magic and in interpreting the results.

More than any other deity, Freya is known for sexuality and sensuality. Her feminine beauty has inspired many over the ages. To many, She is the ideal of female attractiveness. Statues and other artwork of Her consistently reflect beauty. Her sexual activities have made Her a symbol of erotic love; it is the kind of love that ignites passions and inspires imagination. But this kind of appeal goes beyond thoughts of sex itself. It is a delight in the sensual experience of touch, of warmth, of distinctive scents, of intimacy and desire. By extension, it is also a delight in other sensual experiences, such as good food and drink, candles and incense, the smells of natural places, beautiful jewelry, comfortable clothing and bedding, soothing voices and music, etc. Sensual intimacy is something that is greatly appreciated, and Freya's role in these things enriches their experience.

Battle means something rather different today than it did in the past. Before, warfare was a far more human-based experience, where psychology affected both individual and group behavior in very direct ways. One's willpower and honor on the battlefield made an immediate difference, and such consistent deeds are remembered in stories and song, and it was fitting that Freya would be choosing such worthy people for Her hall. Today, formal military operations are far more technology-based than ever before, though there is still a general resemblance to prior ways of warfare in ground fighting, and many heroes have emerged from it. Yet for those not in government armed forces, battle still has meaning. Most conflicts of the past involved small skirmishes with relatively primitive weapons, rather than with large, well-equipped forces. And most conflicts today are still like that -- barfights, gangfights, riots and the like usually involve simple hand weapons (or no weapons at all), and seldom more than small firearms (whose practical effect is not unlike some kinds of bowfire). In these situations, personal behavior and honor can directly affect your own success and the safety of those you protect. Directly taking action against immediate hostile threats is still a worthy deed, and the values of the past still apply today. Freya sought out the honored battle dead in the past, and it is fitting that She would do the same for her followers today.

Freya is a goddess who is relevant to today's living. Many things about Her are timeless, such as beauty, sexuality, and sensuality; these things and more improve the quality of life. For those who practice magical work, Her understanding and influence can be helpful. And for those who will be dealing with modern battles, it is good to know that Freya still values good warriors who honor Her; one wishes to succeed in conflicts, yet if one falls, they know that they will have a good future in the afterlife. She is a Goddess who can make living a better experience through these senses and experiences, and is worthy of such honor.


© 2008 Eosin.