Freya and Venus rites
Freya (Freyja), the Norse goddess of love, beauty, seiðr magic and war, and the Roman Venus were already linked in antiquity. Friday, dies Veneris, was rendered in Germanic languages as "Frigg's or Freya's day".
Historical sources
- Freya appears in the Prose Edda (Gylfaginning 24, 35), the Poetic Edda (Lokasenna, Þrymskviða, Hyndluljóð), and in Eiríks saga rauða ch. 4, which gives the fullest account of a seiðr séance. She rides a chariot drawn by cats, owns the necklace Brísingamen, and receives half of the battle-slain at Fólkvangr.[1]
- Roman cult of Venus: the Veneralia (Apr 1), the Vinalia (Apr 23, Aug 19), and the temples of Venus Genetrix and Venus Erycina. The Homeric Hymns to Aphrodite and Lucretius' invocation (De Rerum Natura I.1–43) are key texts.
Helian rites
Tradition / belief Suggested modern rites, which are reconstructions and not attested ancient practice:
- When: Fridays; when Venus is at greatest elongation (Evening Star = Vesper, Morning Star = Lucifer); at Venus–Jupiter conjunctions, trines and sextiles; at the Veneralia; on Winter Nights and Dísablót. Avoid starting new love vows during Venus retrograde. See Helian calendar.
- Offerings: roses, myrtle, apples, honey, mead or wine, amber, copper, and gold.
- Form: light a green or rose candle at dusk facing Venus. Recite Lucretius' hymn or a Freya invocation. Make the offering, state the petition, and sit in silence. Close with thanks, then pour the drink out on the earth.
- Seiðr and trance practices should be approached carefully. The rites are for adults (18+).