The Way of Fire and Ice: The Living Tradition of Norse Paganism

by Ryan Smith

only three of the Vanir—Freyr, Freya, and Njord—are discussed in this book, there are probably many more,

As gods associated with the space between society and the natural world, it is not surprising that some of the Vanir passed out of written record, compared to the well-documented Aesir.

They urge you to consider the deeper connections between you and your environment.

Where the Aesir challenge you to consider society,

the Vanir push you to examine the broader ecosystem...

Freyr

is a god of fertility, understanding the land and natural cycles.

Freyr is associated with masculine fertility, desirab...

many statues from ancient times depicting him with a ...

Freyja’s twin brother, the son of Njord and one of the Vanir who was sent to the Aesir as a hostage following the end ...

King of the Alfar, a group of spirits closely tied to the natural world, in and is ha...

Freyr represents a more nurturing and empathetic form of masculinity.

Even in defeat, what Freyr represents does not die with him. A new green world springs up from the ashes of Surtr’s blaze just as new life follows ferocious wildfires. You could say the fertility Freyr embodies is served through this sacrifice.

Freyr is associated with peace and abundance. His wisdom is useful when starting a new project, working with plants and animals, or cultivating new possibilities.

very strongly tied to masculine energy, male fertility, and masculine-identified people.

Freyr is often honored in seasonal rites, particularly at the time of the Spr...

Some of his other names are the Bringer of Plenty and Peace, the Peace-Giver, ...

most common symbols are ant...

and the plant life of spring ...

Freyja

Freyr’s twin sister, is one of the most famous of the Norse gods.

Fiercely independent, with ties to war and sorcery, Freyja embodies all

passions.

embodiment of feminine power, understands her own desires, and always stan...

symbols of her power is her chariot, which is drawn ...

Freyja is said to have had many lovers, all of her own choosing, yet she lives alone on her own terms.

Amber is also associated with her, as it is believed to come from her tears falling to Midgard, making it a popular gift between lovers.

Queen of the Valkyries, a group of spirits who stalk every battlefield, Freyja gets the first choice of any of the slain brought before the gods by these fierce battle spirits. Odin then takes the rest for Valhalla.

most important aspects of Freyja is her mastery of the arts of seiðr, a form of Norse magic.

Freyja also wears a feathered cloak that she uses to shapeshift into the form of hawks and falcons.

Freyja’s wisdom lies in the power you hold by standing strong on your own terms.

She offers guidance in these matters, especially for women and feminine-identified people.

Her most common names are the Lady of the Slain, the Giver, and Sea Brightener.

common symbols are cats, birds of prey, the seiðworker’s staff, amber, and gold.

Njord

is associated with the sea, ocean waves, and sailing.

He lives in his hall of Noatun, by the water.

Njord offers especially keen guidance for any who live on or by water, work in maritime trades, or whose lives depend on their ship coming in.

offers the wisdom of charting a course through difficult conditions, pressing on in the face of great uncertainty and finding ways to bring in critical wealth for those in need of it.

also called the Giver and is associated with navigational and maritime tools, fish hooks, items us...

the Jötnar are nature itself in all its unbridled fury and mystery.

Closely tied with elemental forces like the ocean depths, the Earth itself, and the fury of flame, the Jötnar are all that lies beyond humanity in every sense of the word.

the Jötnar are gods of the deeper wisdom that lies beyond the limits of knowledge and comfort.

It was from Ymir that the first of the frost giants came into existence, spawning from the primordial giant’s arms, legs, and torso.

Ymir’s bones, flesh, and organs to build Midgard and all of physical reality as we know it.

everything comes from something else; nothing comes from nothing.

Things can be taken and reshaped into new, more beneficial forms for the present and future.

Ymir, as is shown in many other sagas, is a clear example of the evils of greed, hoardi...

Reality is not a fixed, unalterable creation. It can be changed, refashioned, and rebuilt into new forms by deliberate, decisive action.

Surtr dwells in Muspelheim, the land of eternal fire and