Frigga: Norse Queen. Hearth Mother. Sky Goddess.

In a recent post, I wrote about what it is like to work with more than one goddess. My witchcraft and devotional practice include Hekate, Brighid, and Frigga. And as of a couple of months ago, I am now also working with the Cailleach.

One thing I’ve come to notice is all of these goddesses are mothers in one way or another. Each one also has an “Earth Mother” vibe for me which makes sense as my primary path is Green Witchcraft. So, I thought I’d share what I’ve come to learn and understand about Frigga and working with Her.

Goddess: Who is Frigga?

Known as Frigg or Frigga (anglicized and the version I use) is the daughter of Fiorgyn and sister of Jörd. She is the wife of Odin, mother of Baldur and Queen of the Aesir. She is the Norse All-Mother. As queen, Frigga alone sits in Asgard’s throne when Odin is absent (which according to lore is quite frequent). Some sources say Frigga and Freya (who is of the Vanir) may have originated from an early Germanic goddess known as Frija. This is debated among scholars.

Frigga is a practitioner of magick known as seidr. She is a seer and goddess of wisdom, a weaver of fate or “wyrd”, although Frigga rarely reveals or interferes with what will come to pass. She is a patroness of marriage, diplomacy, the keeping of hearth and home, spinning and fiber arts, and divination. Her name means beloved. She is a sky goddess, the clouds often indicating her mood.

Frigga is depicted as tall and beautiful, wearing white or dark clothes with keys hanging from a golden belt around Her waist in keeping with her role as a Norse wife and mother goddess. Keys were a symbol of status, wealth and management of the home in Norse culture. She has her own hall called Fensalir in the wetlands or place of mists, where Frigga works at spinning the clouds. Thus She can be responsible for the fertility of crops through sunshine or rain.

Goddess: Frigga’s Hand-Maidens

As a queen, Frigga has hand-maidens or attendants who assist Her. These include Fulla, Lofn, Hlín, and Gná. Each maiden has different tasks to which they attend. Fulla cares for Frigga’s ashen box, shoes and keeps Her queen’s secrets. Lofn arranges marriages based upon Odin and Frigga’s wishes. Hlín is sent to protect from harm those whom Frigga deems worthy. Gná goes into the world to carry out Frigga’s wishes.

Goddess: A Weeping Mother

Frigga understands grief through the loss of Her son, Baldur, well-loved of all the gods and goddesses. According to the story, Baldur began to have dreams of his death. Concerned, Frigga goes to everything in the world asking for a vow not to hurt her son, which all the things agree to with a sacred promise, thus convincing all the other deities that Baldur can not be killed.

It is said that Loki asks Frigga if she missed anything in her quest to protect her son. Frigga answers that mistletoe is too small and harmless for worry. Loki then goes and fashions a spear out of mistletoe. And during a contest where Baldur plays the target, Loki convinces Hodr to throw the weapon. Pierced in the chest by the mistletoe projectile (which made no promise of protection), Baldur dies.

This tragic tale may be why Frigga does not often share what she reads in divination, as a Seer, or offers interference with fate. As a result,  Frigga is a goddess who can be called upon during grief, especially in connection with the death of a child or loved one. She may also be considered a goddess to call upon for those experiencing fertility issues.

Goddess: Working With Frigga

There are a variety of ways in which one might work with Frigga. For instance, I am devoted to her as a Hearth Goddess and as a Seer. Ode interacts with Frigga as the Norse Queen deity. For me, Frigga’s energy is warm, kind, capable, and filled with wisdom. Ode tells me they experience Frigga as a more distant, regal presence.

However one approaches her, Frigga is a goddess of power, authority, and great love. She is not one to suffer fools but in my experience does have great patience as well.

Correspondences include:

Orion’s Belt, also known as Frigga’s Distaff.

Fehu is one of the runes associated with Frigga (as well as Frey and Freya).

Ravens, hawks, falcons, goats, and geese are associated with her.

White, ivory, and blue (although I’m inclined to include black or gray as part of my own UPG).

Spindle, needle, fiber craft instruments such as crochet hook or knitting needles, spun wool, hearth, keys.

Blue calcite, moonstone, snowflake obsidian.

Motherwort, shepherd’s purse, chamomile, flax, broom, borage, birch, thyme, wild rose, marsh and swamp flowers.

Working with Frigga

Keeping the home tidy and clean is important to Her, so housework can be used as an act of devotion.

Helping others through working with women and children, midwifery, volunteering at food pantries, homeless shelters, learning or teaching fiber crafts, etc., are all acts of service that can be done in Frigga’s honor.

Divination is one of Frigga’s areas. Before I do any readings, I ask Frigga’s guidance and help that I may know when to speak and when to keep silent.

Offerings can include honey mead, milk, baked goods, etc.

Gardening can also be an act of devotion to Frigga or one where you ask for her blessing, especially herbs and other plants used to care for the family. Hence the “Earth Mother” vibe I feel from Her.

Days that honor Frigga includes May 15, 17 or 27th, Modranhiht. There may be others but these are the ones of which I’m aware.

Goddess: Would You Know More?

Hopefully, this little introduction of Frigga has been helpful. I’m not a Heathen practitioner, so I do not know enough about the tradition to answer questions. Ode is the Heathen in our family. Rather, I’m a Witch who honors and works with a goddess of my German, Norweigan and Danish ancestry as one of my primary deities.

Through this Norse Queen and All-Mother, I have found a deeper connection to my heritage and in what it means to care for my home and family. She has also taught me valuable lessons on what it means to be a Seer and Oracle.

Perhaps you are interested in working with Frigga as well? I hope you will take the time to know Her. In my experience, She is welcoming to all who approach with honesty and respect. Based on my own reading, there is not a lot of information about Frigga available (as compared to some of the other deities in the Norse pantheon). However, I have found there is enough for getting to know Her. And She is more than capable of sharing anything else you need to know.