Freyja and Freyr and Life Today
Personally, I am not comfortable with doing things in relation to Freyja and Freyr that feel out of date to me. I get that for some folks learning dead languages, how to use ancient weapons, wearing ancient style clothing, and having rituals that use ancient things like wagons is meaningful. However, for me all of that stuff feels, well, out of date and old.
To me the use of out of date and old things feels like an escape from the reality of the world I live in now- the world of living languages, modern weapons, contemporary clothing, electricity, computers and automobiles. When I imagine doing a ritual with a wagon or sword or using words from a dead language I cannot help but ask myself, "Is this really the vehicle Freyja and Freyr use today? Do they ride boars or drive cat-drawn chariots today? When they defend themselves and those dear to them today do they use knives, bows and swords? Do they wear "Viking" clothes?
Freyja and Freyr always appear to me naked. The only thing that Freyja wears is the Brisingamen. They always simply appear. They never come to me in a chariot or wagon. They speak English with me but I sense that they speak many languages, any language they choose. I have never seen them use an outdated weapon. When they defend me and those dear to me it is by their power. The rituals we perform together are very intimate, loving, erotic, powerful and now.
While I do find meaning in their prized possessions, the meaning is symbolic rather than literal. Even my understanding of them as a fertility goddess and god is contemporary. After all, I do not live in an agricultural community. However, there is still a real need for energy work that promotes healing, creativity and life-all elements of fertility.
So, while I respect the practices of others I also have to be honest about my own. I have to honest about what is meaningful to me and what is not.
To me the use of out of date and old things feels like an escape from the reality of the world I live in now- the world of living languages, modern weapons, contemporary clothing, electricity, computers and automobiles. When I imagine doing a ritual with a wagon or sword or using words from a dead language I cannot help but ask myself, "Is this really the vehicle Freyja and Freyr use today? Do they ride boars or drive cat-drawn chariots today? When they defend themselves and those dear to them today do they use knives, bows and swords? Do they wear "Viking" clothes?
Freyja and Freyr always appear to me naked. The only thing that Freyja wears is the Brisingamen. They always simply appear. They never come to me in a chariot or wagon. They speak English with me but I sense that they speak many languages, any language they choose. I have never seen them use an outdated weapon. When they defend me and those dear to me it is by their power. The rituals we perform together are very intimate, loving, erotic, powerful and now.
While I do find meaning in their prized possessions, the meaning is symbolic rather than literal. Even my understanding of them as a fertility goddess and god is contemporary. After all, I do not live in an agricultural community. However, there is still a real need for energy work that promotes healing, creativity and life-all elements of fertility.
So, while I respect the practices of others I also have to be honest about my own. I have to honest about what is meaningful to me and what is not.