Frigga (also known as Frigg, The Beloved) is the goddess of love, marriage, and destiny in the ever popular Norse mythology. She was the wife of the powerful Norse god Odin, The All-Father.
A sky goddess responsible for weaving the clouds (and therefore for sunshine and rain and the fertility of the crops), she was also responsible for weaving the fates. She was known as a ‘seer,’ one who knew the future though she could never change it.
There is an ongoing discussion whether or not Frigga and Freya are the same goddess or two separate deities. All though there are overlapping similarities supporting this, the jury is still out.
Frigga New Year And Motherhood
In ancient times, the end of the Winter Solstice, when the hours of sunlight began to lengthen, marked the beginning of the new year and was a time to think of new possibilities that would unfold. The Goddess Frigga, who sat at her spindle weaving the destiny of man and gods alike, was the goddess associated with the beginning of each new year.
New Year’s eve, is called “Mother Night” in Northern Europe, for it was in the darkness of that night that the goddess Frigga labored to give birth to Baldur. Baldur was so pleasant and ‘radiant’ that he was beloved by all the gods.
Referred to as the Norse god of light or the god of the midsummer sun, celebrations of his life, death, and resurrection were held at midsummer and usually involved watching the sun set and rise. His myths were immortalized in the ‘Sun God’ Symphony.
The blessing of Frigga is still invoked for birthing women, with a white candle that last burned during the winter solstice being used as a charm to ensure safe delivery. A loving mother, Frigga’s ability to see into the future caused her great pain as she foresaw the death of her beloved Baldur.
The Death of Baldur
Even though she knew that she could not change his destiny, she simply couldn’t just sit by and watch, so the frantic goddess extracted a promise from all things that they would play no role in his death. Unfortunately, she overlooked one thing, the mistletoe plant, which seemed too insignificant to approach.
And this was the unraveling of her plan. For when the malevolent trickster Loki discovered her oversight, he fashioned a dart made of the poisonous plant and, in a cruel trick, placed it in the hand of Baldur’s brother Hodor (who was the God of Darkness) and offered to guide his hand while teaching him to shoot darts.
And so he did, guiding the arrow directly into Baldur’s heart. Frigga’s tears of mourning were so bountiful that the hapless plant that had caused his death took pity. From then on, it would bear milky white berries that were formed from her tears.
In some versions of the myth, the story of Baldur ends happily. He is brought back to life, and the Norse goddess Frigga is so grateful that she reverses the curse she had placed on “the baleful plant,” changing it to a symbol of peace and love and promising a kiss to all who passed under it.
Frigga’s Significant Role
Frigga’s tender, nurturing side was widely recognized. Her sacred animal was the goose. In Germany, she was worshiped as the goddess Holda or Bertha and was the original Mother Goose. When she shook out her blankets, it began to snow.
In addition to being a protector of women in labor, Frigga ensured fertility and was also the goddess called upon to bring a woman love and marriage. She was also called upon by those who were dying to ease their transition into the afterlife.
Legacy
The Norse goddess Frigga is a goddess who keeps us in touch with our intuitive nature and helps us make transitions and new beginnings. And as a goddess of love and divination, Frigga helps keep our lives in alignment with our spiritual selves.
Frigga Symbols
Frigga was the goddess of love, marriage, and destiny that also ruled over the moon, sun, clouds, and sky in general. Her symbols are associated with these things, so let’s take a closer look at some of them:
General
The spinning wheel and the spindle are common symbols of Frigga because she used a spindle and spinning wheel to weave the destinies of all humans and gods, including herself.
Her other symbols are the full moon, fine jewelry, the sky, the weather, and the New Year.
Animals
Cats have always had strong symbolic and spiritual meanings, and people even believed that cats could predict your future. They also symbolize love, family, elegance, home, and everything that Frigga represents.
Other animal symbols of Frigga are pigs, falcons, and cuckoos.
Plants
The mistletoe plant played an unfortunate role in killing Frigga’s son Baldur. Since then, this plant has born white berries that represent Frigga’s tears of mourning. Eventually, Frigga forgave the mistletoe and made it a symbol of love and hope, and established a tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.
Other plants that symbolize Frigga are alder, birch, elder, feverfew, mint, mugwort, rose, tansy, and valerian.
Perfumes/Scents
Rose, sandalwood, and myrtle are scents that perfectly capture Frigga’s grace, elegance, and sophistication.
Gems and Metals
Since one of the main Frigga’s symbols is full mun, a moonstone is a perfect gem to represent this goddess. Other gems and precious metals that symbolize Frigga are amber, silver, rose quartz, pink tourmaline, emerald, and gold.
Goddess Jewelry
There are many reasons why you might want to keep a healing crystal or stone close to you. Getting closer to your goddess by wearing her color or crystal is a great one. That they also look great as jewelry only makes it so much better!
Here is a guide to crystal jewelry you hopefully will find helpful. In it is a list of 30+ crystals and links to some really great looking jewelry with that crystal or stone. Enjoy!
Colors
Silver is the color of the moon and, by association, Frigga’s color. The other two colors that are great at symbolizing Frigga are white and green. Some shades of blue can also be used to represent this goddess.
“Have you tried the Goddess Quiz yet? Are you an Artemis goddess archetype, or maybe you are more like Demeter? Find out now!”
Embracing the Call of Frigga: Recognizing Her Presence and Cultivating a Sacred Connection
Have you ever sensed a strong connection to home, family, or protection and felt it was more than mere coincidence? For many spiritual seekers, the Norse goddess Frigga may be reaching out to connect. Discover how to recognize the signs of her call, invoke her presence, and cultivate a meaningful relationship with this powerful Norse goddess.
How to know if Frigga is calling you
Firstly, consider your dreams and visions. Dreams featuring Frigga or her symbols, like the spindle, keys, or hearth, can be significant. Similarly, visions of warm, inviting homes or protective energy might signal her presence.
Secondly, pay attention to synchronicities in your life. Repeated encounters with her symbols or a strong attraction to her stories and mythology can indicate that Frigga is calling you. These patterns may seem coincidental, but they’re worth noting.
Invoking Frigga
To call upon Frigga, create a space inspired by the comforts of home, incorporating her symbols like keys, spindles, or images of the goddess. This will help establish a connection with her.
During your ritual, light candles, particularly gold or white, as they represent warmth and protection. Offer symbols of Frigga, such as flowers, tokens, or even written intentions. These offerings demonstrate your dedication and respect for her.
In meditation, focus on your breath and clear your mind. Visualize Frigga, her symbols, and the energy she embodies. Quietly ask for her guidance, and be open to any insights that may arise during your meditation.
Signs that Frigga is present
Recognizing when Frigga is with you is essential to deepening your connection with her. The goddess often manifests her presence in various ways, from emotional sensations to visual cues. Here are six signs to help you identify when Frigga is near:
- Emotional sensations: Feelings of comfort, protection, or nurturing can indicate her presence.
- Physical reactions: Sudden warmth, tingling sensations, or goosebumps may signal she’s near.
- Visual cues: Flashes of golden light, shadows moving, or glimpses of her symbols can be signs.
- Auditory cues: Hearing whispers, rustling fabric, or soothing sounds may suggest her presence.
- Nature occurrences: Unusual encounters with birds or other creatures associated with the home can be a signal.
- Intuitive connection: A strong sense that Frigga is with you, even if you can’t pinpoint why, can be a sign of her presence.
Cultivating a relationship with Frigga
To build a deeper connection with Frigga, establish a consistent practice of meditation, prayer, or ritual to honor her. Make regular offerings, such as during the new moon, to demonstrate your commitment to the goddess.
Embrace her values by nurturing your home and family, and offering protection to those in need. Care for your surroundings, as these aspects are central to her being. Aligning your life with her principles will help deepen your connection to her.
Lastly, study her mythology and history. Read about Frigga and her place in Norse mythology, and engage with others who share your interest. By exchanging insights and experiences, you’ll develop a richer understanding of the goddess and strengthen your bond with her.
Other Goddesses
If you enjoyed this post we are sure you will enjoy getting to know some of the other goddesses we also write about. You can find the complete list of goddesses sorted across regions and religions here.
Featured Image Credit: Emil Doepler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons