👸 Frigg

Attributes & Domains

Mythology & Stories

Frigg is often described in the sources as knowing all fates yet choosing not to reveal them - a powerful wisdom that comes with the burden of foresight. As Odin's wife and queen, she rules Asgard alongside him, though her focus is domestic harmony and maternal protection rather than war and wisdom-seeking. She is foremost among the Asynjur (goddesses) and commands respect from all the Aesir.

Key Myths:

• The Death of Baldr: Frigg's most famous story is her attempt to save her son Baldr from his prophesied death. Troubled by Baldr's dreams of death, she traveled across all the Nine Realms extracting oaths from every creature, plant, and object never to harm her beloved son. She overlooked only the mistletoe, thinking it too young and harmless. Loki discovered this and fashioned a dart of mistletoe, which killed Baldr when thrown by his blind brother Hod. Frigg's grief was immeasurable, and she sent Hermod to Hel to bargain for Baldr's return.
• Frigg and Odin's Wager: In one tale, Frigg and Odin each favored different sides in a human war. Odin supported the Winilers, while Frigg favored the Vandals. Frigg tricked Odin by moving his bed so when he woke facing a different direction, he saw the Vandals first and was compelled to grant them victory, having promised to favor whoever he saw first. This shows Frigg's cleverness and willingness to use cunning to protect those under her care.
• Keeper of Secrets: Though Frigg knows all that will happen, she never speaks prophecies as völvas do. This restraint - knowing but not telling - reflects her role as wife and mother who must watch fates unfold even when she knows the outcome. Only once did she act on foreknowledge: trying to save Baldr, and even that failed.

Frigg and Freyja - Two Queens or One?

Scholars debate the relationship between Frigg and Freyja. Both are associated with Friday (Frigg's Day/Freyja's Day), both have connections to Odin, both practice forms of magic (Frigg spins fate, Freyja practices seidr), and both have husbands who wander (Odin and Óðr). Some theories:

• Separate Deities: Frigg represents lawful marriage, motherhood, and domestic order (Aesir values), while Freyja embodies passionate love, sexuality, and wild magic (Vanir values)
• Regional Variants: Different regions may have emphasized different aspects of a "Great Goddess" figure, later split into two distinct deities in the unified mythology
• Merged in Worship: During Christianization, both may have been conflated with each other and with the Virgin Mary, making original distinctions harder to trace

What is clear is that Frigg represents the married, maternal aspect of feminine divine power, while Freyja represents the erotic and martial aspects - potentially two faces of complementary power.

Fensalir - Frigg's Hall

Frigg's hall is called Fensalir ("Marsh Halls" or "Water Halls"), suggesting a connection to marshes, mists, and watery places. Here she sits with her handmaidens, spinning clouds and watching over domestic affairs across the realms. The hall represents the domestic sphere writ large - just as a housewife rules her home, Frigg rules from Fensalir with quiet but absolute authority.

Her attendants include:

• Fulla: Her most trusted handmaiden, keeper of Frigg's casket and confidante of her secrets
• Eir: Healer goddess or valkyrie in her service
• Gna: Her swift messenger who rides the horse Hofvarpnir through air and water
• Lofn: Goddess of forbidden loves, working under Frigg's authority

Relationships

Family

• Parents: Fjörgynn (father, obscure giant or deity), mother unknown
• Consort: Odin (husband, king of Aesir)
• Children: Baldr (beloved son), Hod (blind son), possibly others
• Stepchildren: Thor, Vidar, Vali, and Odin's many sons by other mothers

Allies & Enemies

• Allies: Her handmaidens (Fulla, Gna, Eir), the Asynjur (goddesses), mothers and married women who invoke her
• Enemies: Loki (after he killed Baldr), the giantess who refused to weep for Baldr (likely Loki in disguise), those who break marriage oaths or harm families

Worship & Rituals

Sacred Sites

Frigg was worshipped throughout the Germanic world, though her cult is less well-documented than Odin's or Thor's. Place names preserve her memory, and she was invoked in domestic settings - the home itself was her temple. Married women particularly honored her, seeking her blessings for family harmony, children, and household prosperity.

Festivals

• Yule (Midwinter): As Odin's wife, Frigg presided over Yule celebrations alongside him. Spinning was forbidden during the twelve days of Yule - no one should spin while Frigg was spinning clouds
• Wedding Ceremonies: Every marriage invoked Frigg's blessing. The bride was under Frigg's special protection from betrothal through the first year of marriage
• Mother's Blessings: Childbirth rituals invoked Frigg for safe delivery and healthy children

Offerings

Frigg received offerings of flax and wool (her domain as spinner), household items, keys (symbol of her domestic authority), and silver. Married women dedicated their spinning work to her. The first portion of newly woven cloth might be offered at her shrine. Unlike warrior gods receiving blood sacrifice, Frigg's offerings were peaceful - bread, cheese, ale, woven goods, and prayers for family welfare.

Prayers & Invocations

Frigg was invoked for marital harmony, conception and safe childbirth, protection of children, domestic peace, and success in household tasks. Wives swore oaths by Frigg. Her name was called upon to seal marriage contracts. Mothers facing difficult childbirth called on her as the mother-goddess who understood their pain. "Frigg's eyes" (a kenning for stars) were invoked for protection through the night.