Freyja as THE EMPRESS
Discovering Freyja: The Norse Goddess of Love, Beauty, and War
In the vibrant tapestry of Norse mythology, few figures shine as brightly as Freyja, the captivating goddess of love, beauty, and war. Her multifaceted nature, enigmatic allure, and rich mythological significance have captured the imagination of scholars and storytellers for centuries.
Origins and Mythological Significance
Freyja, whose name translates to "Lady" or "Mistress," is one of the principal goddesses in Norse mythology, revered by both the Aesir and the Vanir, the two tribes of deities in Norse cosmology. She is the daughter of the sea god Njord and is often associated with fertility, abundance, and the natural world.
According to Norse mythology, Freyja resides in the heavenly realm of Asgard, where she dwells in her magnificent hall, Sessrúmnir. Here, she welcomes slain warriors who are chosen by the Valkyries and offers them solace and companionship in the afterlife.
The Goddess of Love and Desire
Freyja is perhaps best known as the goddess of love and desire, embodying the passionate and sensual aspects of romantic relationships. She represents the intoxicating allure of physical attraction and the deep emotional bonds that unite individuals in love.
But Freyja's domain of love extends beyond mere romance; she also embodies the broader concept of desire, encompassing the pursuit of pleasure, fulfillment, and self-expression. As the goddess of love, Freyja inspires mortals and gods alike to embrace their desires and pursue their passions with courage and abandon.
The Patroness of Beauty and Seiðr
In addition to her role as a goddess of love, Freyja is also revered as a patroness of beauty, enchantment, and magic. She is a skilled practitioner of seiðr, an ancient form of Norse magic associated with prophecy, divination, and shamanic journeying.
Freyja's mastery of seiðr grants her insight into the mysteries of the past, present, and future, making her a potent and formidable figure in Norse mythology. Through her magical arts, Freyja navigates the realms of consciousness and spirit, unlocking hidden truths and shaping the course of fate.
The Warrior Goddess
Despite her association with love and beauty, Freyja is also a fierce and formidable warrior, renowned for her bravery, skill in battle, and unyielding resolve. She rides into battle on a chariot pulled by two majestic cats and wields a powerful necklace called Brísingamen, forged by the dwarves, as well as a cloak of falcon feathers that grants her the ability to shape-shift.
In times of conflict, Freyja leads the charge alongside her fellow gods and goddesses, inspiring courage and valor in those who fight by her side. Her presence on the battlefield is a testament to her strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to defending her people and their way of life.
THE EMPRESS - T Howell, 2024
Honoring Freyja Today
In modern times, Freyja continues to inspire devotion and reverence among those who seek to connect with her timeless wisdom, beauty, and strength. Devotees of Freyja often honor her through acts of creativity, sensuality, and self-expression, as well as by cultivating deep connections with nature and the divine feminine.
Freyja's influence extends beyond the realm of myth and legend, touching the lives of those who seek her guidance, inspiration, and protection. Whether invoked in moments of love, war, or spiritual seeking, Freyja remains a potent and enduring symbol of the enduring power of the divine feminine and the boundless depths of human experience.
In the pantheon of Norse mythology, Freyja stands as a luminous and complex figure, embodying the dualities of love and war, beauty and strength, passion and wisdom. As a goddess of profound depth and resonance, Freyja continues to captivate the hearts and minds of those who seek to explore the mysteries of the Norse cosmos and the enduring power of the divine feminine.
Below is the painting of Freyja as The Empress, Final Version for the Olensdottir tarot deck.
Freyja as The Empress, THowell, 2025
In the Olensdottir Tarot, the Empress card is brought to life through the Norse goddess Freyja, depicted in a lush, fertile setting with her sacred cat at her side and a crown of blooming flowers adorning her head. Rooted in the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, the Empress traditionally symbolizes abundance, nurturing, and the creative life force, often portrayed as a regal woman seated in a verdant landscape with wheat and a heart-shaped shield. Here, Freyja embodies these qualities with a warm, maternal presence surrounded by a garden of vibrant flora. This illustration draws from Norse mythology, where Freyja, goddess of love, fertility, and seiðr (magic), rules over Fólkvangr, a realm where half the slain warriors reside, blending nurturing with warrior-like strength—a unique fusion of creation and power that enriches the card’s traditional meaning.
In Norse belief, Freyja is a multifaceted deity, associated with beauty, sensuality, and the cycles of life and death. Her connection to seiðr, a form of shamanic magic, adds a layer of intuitive wisdom, while her ownership of the necklace Brísingamen symbolizes divine femininity and material abundance. The cat, a symbol of her independence and mystical insight, reinforces her role as a sovereign of both nature and spirit. This portrayal aligns with the Empress’s theme of growth and creativity, reimagining her as a goddess who nurtures through both gentle care and fierce protection, reflecting the Norse reverence for life’s interconnected cycles.
The illustration’s color palette enhances its symbolic richness. Warm golds and oranges in Freyja’s hair and the floral crown evoke abundance, vitality, and the life-giving sun, embodying the card’s theme of fertility. Rich greens in the vines and garden signify growth, renewal, and the earth’s nurturing embrace, grounding her maternal energy. Soft pinks and reds in the flowers and her robe highlight love, passion, and emotional warmth, while subtle blues in the background suggest intuition and the mystical depths of seiðr. This blend of warm and cool tones mirrors the Norse balance of earthly prosperity and spiritual insight, evoking the radiant Scandinavian summers.
Adhering to the traditional Empress card’s essence, Freyja’s serene yet commanding pose and the flourishing garden parallel the RWS wheat fields and shield, symbolizing prosperity and protection. The cat at her side complements the shield as a guardian of her domain, while the floral crown echoes the crown of stars, signifying her divine authority. Though more dynamic with her warrior undertones than the static RWS figure, this Norse interpretation invites readers to embrace the Empress as a source of creative and protective strength, blending love with resilience. In the Olensdottir Tarot, the Empress is a celebration of life’s abundance, forged in Freyja’s dual nature as nurturer and warrior.
Color Symbolism
Warm Golds and Oranges: Represent abundance, vitality, and the life-giving sun, symbolizing Freyja’s role as a source of fertility and energy.
Rich Greens: Signify growth, renewal, and the earth’s nurturing power, grounding the card’s theme of natural abundance.
Soft Pinks and Reds: Evoke love, passion, and emotional warmth, reflecting Freyja’s sensuality and maternal care.
Subtle Blues: Convey intuition, mysticism, and spiritual depth, tying to her seiðr magic.
Thematic Symbolism
Abundance and Fertility: The lush garden and floral crown symbolize Freyja’s dominion over growth and the life cycle, mirroring the Empress’s creative force.
Nurturing and Protection: Her maternal presence with the cat suggests a protective love, blending gentleness with strength.
Mystical Wisdom: The seiðr connection and cat’s presence highlight intuitive insight, adding a spiritual layer to her nurturing role.
Dual Nature: Freyja’s warrior aspect (ruling Fólkvangr) and sensuality reflect a balance of power and beauty, enriching the card’s depth.
Cycles of Life: The interplay of flora and her death-related role ties to the Norse view of life, death, and rebirth.
Comparison to Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Empress
Abundance and Growth: Both feature fertile landscapes—RWS with wheat, this with a garden—symbolizing prosperity and creativity.
Nurturing Figure: The RWS woman’s serene motherhood aligns with Freyja’s maternal energy, though Freyja’s includes a warrior edge.
Divine Authority: The RWS crown of stars mirrors Freyja’s floral crown, both signifying sovereignty over nature and spirit.
Differences in Tone: RWS is purely nurturing and static; Freyja adds dynamism with her nurturing plus magical and martial qualities.
Symbolic Companions: The RWS shield is replaced by a shield and a cat, shifting from passive defense to active, mystical guardianship.
Norse Ideals the Card References
Fertility and Prosperity: Freyja’s association with growth reflects the Norse reverence for the land’s bounty and survival.
Balance of Forces: Her dual role as nurturer and warrior embodies the Norse harmony between peace and conflict.
Seiðr (Magic): The mystical wisdom ties to the Norse value of spiritual insight and connection to the unseen.
Honor in Death: Ruling Fólkvangr links to the ideal of valor, where even in death, one’s legacy endures.
Feminine Power: Freyja’s strength and beauty highlight the Norse recognition of women’s agency and divine influence.
