The Northern Traditions

The Northern Traditions

The Northern Traditions, being an essay on the beliefs and magic of Vinland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

Asgard
(Old Norse Asgarthr, from ass, ' god ', and garthr, ' enclosure ') The realm of the Aesir or the Northern Gods. It is said to be situated in the centre of the Universe and to be accessible only by the rainow bridge, Bifrost.

Aesir
(Old Norse æsir, ' gods ') The collective name of the 12 Gods of Scandinavia, who lived in Asgard. Their composition varies, one such list includes: Odin, Thor, Tiu, Balder, Brag, Vidar, Hoder, Hermoder, Hoenir, Odnir, Loki, and Vali.

Asynja
The Goddesses of Asgard, the feminine counterparts of the Aesir. The list includes Freyja (the goddess of fertility), Frigg (Odins wife), Sif (Thors wife), Idun, Brunhild , Eostre, Freya, Frigga, Frigga's Handmaidens, Hel, Indun, Nerthus, and the Norns .

The main Asyniur
Frigg (One of the Vanir)
Wife of Odin. Goddess of marriage, fertility and childbirth.

Idun (One of the Vanir)
Wife of Bragi. Goddess of youth and spring.

Freya
(One of the Vanir). Goddess of love, beauty, fertility, magic, war and death.

Sif, wife of Thor. Goddess of corn and fertility.
Gefjon, patron goddess and protectress of virgins after death. Goddess of agriculture.
Fulla, Frigg's sister and handmaiden.
Thrud, daughter of Thor and Sif. Goddess of power and strength.
Alfrodul, goddess of the sun.
Nanna, wife of balder.
Signy, wife of Loki.
Fjörgyn, Goddess of the earth.

Other less known Goddesses

Gerd, wife of Freyr.
Saga, dwelt in large hall called Sokkvabekk.
Eir, Goddess of healing or physician.
Siofn, Goddess of love or affection.
Lofn, Goddess of union or agreement between man and woman (engagement?).
Var, Goddess of agreement, as well as answering prayer of private oaths.
Vor, Possibly the goddess of intelligence or wisdom.
Syn, Goddess of doors to hall. She was supposed to prevent intruders from disrupting assembly, by keeping the doors closed.
Snotra, Goddess of wisdom. Snotra was also the goddess of courtesy.
Hlin, attendant of Frigg, and her duty was to rescue anyone that Frigg wished to save. Hlin was also the goddess of refuge.
Gna was another assistant of Frigg, and was probably the messenger-goddess for Frigg. Norse.