SJOFN LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, HANDMAID OF FRIGGA

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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.

 

Sjofn (Briefly)

Snorri writes Sjofn “who is much inclined to direct people’s hearts to love.” Sjofn could be considered a Goddess of Love. Not simply erotic love, She oversees all kinds of love. In fact, one of her duties is to heal quarrels between families and communities.

 

In the Gylfaginning (The first part of the Prose Edda), Snorri Sturluson describes Sjofn as “who is fond of turning men’s and women’s hearts to love, and it is from her name that love is called Sjafni.” Little else is written about Sjofn other than it is surmised that this Goddess guards marriages. One can regard Sjofn as a firthweaver (peacemaker). She inspires people to go beyond the bonds of romance to that of goodwill and affection.

 

Sjofn protects the relations between people. By keeping the attachments of love safe, She supports them. Sjofn inspires tenderness between family members and between husbands and wives. Touching a person’s soul at the deepest level, She matches it with an equally deserving soul. Caring and protective, Sjofn embraces both friendship and partnership in love.

 

My experience with Sjofn has been the durability of my marriage. She leads my husband and me to tenderness and kindness. People watch us take our daily walks together, taking slow steps. (My husband uses a cane.) They will stop and tell us how loving we make them feel.

 

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).