Thirteen handmaidens?

[Nitefalle]

To all the Norse recons and just plain Norse-knowledgeable, I have read on a couple of websites about Freyja's thirteen handmaidens and how each one had a specific duty or role. Could anyone pass on a more comprehensive source of information on these lovely ladies, other than just a footnote? I would be most grateful!!!

[Rick]

I rather doubt that there exists much more than a footnote. Check out http://northvegr.org ... if it isn't there, then you're probably not going to find it, at least not info that's based in the Lore.

[Gyda]

http://www.wyrdwords.vispa.com/goddesses/freyja/index.html
http://www.wyrdwords.vispa.com/goddesses/frigg/index.html

You may find something here or it may lead to you a page that could answer it better also make sure she not being mixed up with Frigg many people see them as interchangable when they are different Goddesses.

Gyda

[KellyP]

I am not sure about the reference to the thirteen handmaidens of Freyja. However, I did find reference to thirteen maidens which included Frigga. The thirteen names mentioned are Frigga, Vor, Saga, Hlin, Syn, Sjofn, Gna, Fulla, Lofn, Var, Eir, Snotra and Gefjun. Reading Snorri's Edda as translated by Anderson and available at the link below, you will find these names listed among the goddesses of Asgard (Asynjes). Freyja is also listed in that paragraph along with comment on her marriage to Oder and their daughter. For some reason those that listed the thirteen maidens did not see fit to include Freyja. Perhaps because Freyja is Vanir while the others are assumed to be Aesir?

Read the material at http://www.northvegr.org/lore/prose2/010.php.