Some people seem to think there are too many gods and do everything they can to reduce the number of gods and goddesses in Asatru as much as possible. The look long and hard for similarities, which they then say prove that a group of gods or goddesses were one and the same.
One such example is Freyja. She has many names, as the other major players in the pantheon, but I don’t think that justifies saying she’s the same as Frigg, Gullveig or Heið. The reasons for the Freyja-Frigg connection seems to be:
- their sexuality
- their association with fertility
- their use of magic
- the falcon hamr
- and their husbands, Oðinn, and Oðr
There are many arguments against them being one and the same, for example, the fact that Freyja is of the Vanir, and Frigg of the Æsir. The reasons for the connection to Gullveig seems to be that she was of the Vanir, and the name Gullveig is connected to gold. As for the connection to Heið, the only thing connecting them seems to be Seiðr. Another example of this is people saying Oðr and Oðinn are one and the same. The reason here seems only to be etymology. These are my own opinions, based on my own research. I don’t claim to be an expert in this field. What’s your opinion on this? Should we look for these similarities and try to reduce the total number of Gods and Goddesses, or should we let them be separate personas?
This post is part of the Pagan Blog Project, created by Rowan Pendragon.
I think a parent of it is that scholarship is such high importance in Asatru and so revered that people are trying to “out scholarship” each other with their findings and conclusions. Always trying to find a new insight or angle to share with the community.
As a follower of heathenry one needs to look at hoe they view the gods and their relationship to even see if it matters with so and so are the same. It may really not.
I’m sure that’s part of it
Let them be I say! There are as many gods and goddesses as there are spirits in the universe imo. And that’s a LOT! 🙂
Leave them be is my point exactly 🙂
I say let them be. People act as if their can’t be similarities in people. Hmmm I sing, so I must be Amy Lee, I write so I must be LKH. Rather silly I think.
there not their
No problem 🙂
Agreed!
I say let them be, as well. People seem to be always trying to combine gods, especially cross-pantheon. If I say that I honor Aphrodite, people assume I mean Venus, too. Nope, two different goddesses to me. I understand how religion ends up transcending regional boundaries, but that doesn’t mean that every fire goddess is Brid/Hestia/Vesta. Let them be!
I think you should work it the best way it works for you. If ‘letting them be’ works for you, then roll with it. If condensing them works better then go for it. I think its all a personal preference.
Kourtney
http://paganpagesbloghop.blogspot.com/
Of course. What bugs me is when someone insists that their way is THE way.
Hello! Just want to say thank you for this interesting article! =) Peace, Joy.
Thanks 🙂 I’m glad you liked it