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Sister of Frey, a god of the elements.
The sixth day of the week, Friday, is derived from her name.
Freyja was a goddess of fertility, and of the dead. She was entitled
to half the souls of the warriors killed in battle; the rest were taken
by the Valkyries for Woden.
By nature Freyja was flirtatious and loved ornaments and jewellery.
She longed to own a golden necklace made by four dwarfs skilled in working
metal. As their mines already gave them access to limitless of precious
metals, Freyja didn't hesitate to pay with another sort of currency,
her sexual favours. Freyja obtained her necklace but Loki, the malevolent
god of fire, told Woden, the chief god, what she had done. Woden ordered
Loki to steal the necklace from Freyja and when she attempted to retrieve
it Woden also had his price. This was to help him stir up a battle between
two powerful kings.
Four white cats pulled Freyja’s carriage and she possessed a robe
of feathers which enabled its wearer to fly. The goddess was so desirable
it caused many wrangles between gods and giants.
Freyja is often confused with other goddesses, mainly Frigga, who is
the wife of Woden.
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