Born to the Vanir race of deities, Freyja, her brother Freyr, and Njordr were sent to live with the Aesir as part of a truce agreement between the two warring groups of deities.

The Vanir were believed to practice witchcraft, and when Christians later denounced her as ‘Queen of Witches’, any woman who venerated her was also branded as a witch. Freyja’s rites did of course include magickal practice, shamanism, and divination. Freyja also embodied female autonomy, something the church abhorred and attempted to wipe out in Europe. But their efforts only seem to cause her adherents to dig in deeper and some scholars think that by continuously attempting to stamp out her worship, the Church only made her worship stronger, making her one of few European goddesses to survive obscurity.

According to Judika Illes, the Vanir were “shapeshifters associated with magic, creative energy, the sea, prophecy, eroticism, fertility, and shamanism.”

From Freyja, Odin learns the magick of seidr, a practice reserved exclusively for women. She may have also taught Odin the meanings of the runes, but sources vary on this story. Diana L. Paxson thinks it more likely that the Norns taught Odin about the runes.

Freyja (known as Valfreya as leader of the Valkyries in her warrior aspect) is also a psychopomp, who leads the souls of the dead to the next realm. She has first choice of the dead, with Odin choosing second. Those chosen by Freyja are taken to Folkvangr, a flower filled meadow, with a hall named Sessrumnir, where love songs are played. Freyja is also one of the deities who survives Ragnorak.

Suitable magick wherein Freyja is invoked and/or honored: beauty spells, love and sex magick, cat magick, shapeshifting, fertility, war, divination, rune work.

For this blend I chose spring flowers gathered near my home, including evening primrose, meadowsweet, catnip, rose petals, strawberries, and other herbs, resins, and botanicals.

This purchase is for one pair of handmade beeswax candles. Candles measure 8 inches long and 1 inch wide at the base.

Do not leave candles burning unattended. Do not burn near children, pets, or flammable materials. I recommend burning on a plate style candle holder to catch wax drips or any bits of herbs that may burn. Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch to promote even, efficient burning.

These candles are crafted for ritual use. I do not add any artificial or synthetic scents and feel that the natural smell of beeswax, herbs, and resins are best suited for magickal purposes.