Portal:Heathenism/Featured Deity

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Freyja and the apple tree at the end of the world as depicted in an illustration by Arthur Rackham.

Heathen theology is chiefly polytheistic and pantheistic. A common trend is to conceive the gods as human representation of the natural forces, natural things and psychological conditions. Deities are a sort of Jungian archetypes. Pantheism involves a sacralization of the universe, and an attitude of respect and love towards nature.

Freyja (sometimes anglicized as Freya) is a major goddess in Heathenry. Because the documented source of this religious tradition, the Norse Mythology, was transmitted and altered by Christian medieval historians, the actual role, Heathen practices and worship of the goddess are uncertain.

In the Eddas, Freyja is portrayed as a goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Blonde, Freyja is described as the fairest of all goddesses, and people prayed to her for happiness in love. She was also called on to assist childbirths and prayed to for good seasons.

Freyja was also associated with war, battle, death, magic, prophecy, and wealth. She is cited as receiving half of the dead lost in battle in her hall Fólkvangr, whereas Odin would receive the other half at Valhalla. And the origin of Seid was ascribed to Freyja.