neptunesdolphins | LOFN: FORBIDDEN LOVE, FRIGGA HANDMAIDEN

At her hall of Fensalir, Frigga, the Norse All-Mother, has twelve Handmaidens (Note 1) or ladies-in-waiting to attend to Her. Not much is known about who these Handmaidens were since the Lore is scanty about Norse Goddesses in general. Much of what is known today is by Group Verified Gnosis.

Lofn (Briefly)

Snorri writes Lofn “who is so kind and good to pray to that She gets leave from the All-Father or Frigga for people’s union… even if before it was refused.” Lofn shows the way to love for those who cannot. She can be called on to bless unions not permitted by society.

In the Gylfaginning, Snorri Sturluson writes, Lofn “who is kind and good to those who call upon her, and she has permission from Alfather or Frigg to bring together men and women, no matter what difficulties may stand in the way; therefore ‘love’ is so called from her name, and also that which is much loved by men.”

From what Snorri writes, Lofn is the Goddess who finds a way for love to triumph. She could be thought of as the Goddess of Star-Crossed Lovers. Both Odin and Frigga have commissioned Lofn to guide people to each other in spite of numerous obstacles that lie between them.

Frigga has three Handmaidens who oversees love in all its forms. Lofn governs forbidden love, while Sjofn keeps the peace within families. Although not usually considered to be a Goddess of Love, Syn does judge the disagreements between lovers. Meanwhile, Lofn settles quarrels between Gods.

Compassionate and powerful, Lofn will mediate the affairs between Gods, Jotuns, and Others. She is best at working on the behalf of lovers facing hurdles to marrying. For example, Lofn enabled the God Freyr to wed the Giantess Gerd.

In modern times, Lofn has become more than the Goddess of Forbidden Love. She is the Goddess of Love in All Forms, which champions “love beyond traditional boundaries.” Today, Lofn blesses LGBTQ relationships and marriages. According to this Goddess, all love is worthy of divine protection.

Notes:

Note 1. Saga (seer), Eir (healer), Gefjun (unmarried girls), Fulla (plenty), Sjofn (love), Lofn (forbidden love), Var (oaths), Vor (wisdom), Syn (truth), Hlin (protector), Snorta (diplomacy), Gna (travelers).