Frija, ruler of Fensalir, Hlidskjalf's Lady, Asadis.

 

Hail to Frija,      Fensalir's ruler,

       weaver of wisdom's threads

Bright queen of household,      holy wyrd kenner,

       seeress, spindle turner,

       hail for care and kin! (Our Troth vol 2 p.413)

 

Until undertaking this altarproject, Frija has been something of an enigma to me. Maybe some of that has to do with her enigmatic character, while some of it has been because my attention has been on others. However, for some time while I was first thinking about undertaking an altarproject she kept popping into my consicousness to the point where it became impossible to ignore. I didn't know why at the time however as I write this in final preparation to installing the altar I have a few ideas. After much consideration, I installed this altar on the public verge outside my front gate.

 

Frija holds keys to knowledge as much as she holds keys to hearth. She is substantially more complex than the 'stay at home mum' image implied in some commentary and portrayals. Her role in the context of Hearthruler implies substantial authority within the borders of her land and a capacity to organise, manage and control the work and function of her property. Running a hearth involves people skills as well as provisioning and logistics skills! The hearth is a place of safety, a symbol of strength and protection and a place of belonging. For some reason, lavender was one of the things that kept cropping up when I was reflecting on this altar. I know that lavender is a mediterranean plant and not one traditionally associated with Frija, but it provided an interesting point to ponder. As well as having  associations with homey things and my strong-willed grandmother, lavender has multiple medicinal properties, including antiseptic and antidepressant qualities. However is not necessarily universally benign, as it has also recently been found to have a feminising hormonal influence when used topically on a daily basis by boys! I include lavender here to represent Frija's rule over hearth and home, along with the candle.

 

Birth and marriage were (and arguably still are) important transition times for women (and men). Transition times were not only times of danger needing warding but also times from which wisdom could be won. Frija watches over these times of transition, transformation and change, which often require a 'key' to move from one state to the next. They show the delicate and transitory nature of life - able to be torn like a single strand of tissue - yet when woven with other strands becomes stronger. The "keys" in this altar are woven using the 4 straw plaiting method for creating a 'countryman's favour'. The tissue is remarkably fragile (and nearly tore several times during construction when I was not taking care) but becomes stronger with the braiding together.

 

Frija has access to knowledge and wisdom, for which I wondered why we don't use the kenning Asadis. So I'm using it here. Frija's wisdom is hinted at in many places, and each of these hints are followed with the observation that she is prudent in giving out this wisdom, not letting on what or how much she knows. Given that she has the smarts to outwit Woden on more than one occasion and get her way into the bargain, she shows a keen wit, a knowledge of strategy and patient cunning.

 

Frija journeys through the Worlds, holding the keys to many places. We have tantalising hints that she is as well-travelled as Woden, not the least of which being when she journeys and extracts promises from nearly every being and inanimate object with the aim of protecting her son Baldr. Keys open doors, passwords allow entry. They can take you all manner of places, and let you back in when you get home. Keys can unlock hidden knowledge and the act of applying a key captures the idea of a process holding as much significance as a result.

 

Frija's wisdom seems to have hidden depths, including the way things are done – process - as well as knowledge of things themselves - content. The secret of control involves both of these things. Learning with Frija has involved many silences, observing and intuiting connections – paying attention.