Frigga’s Court [View all]

Who are the Handmaidens of Frigga?

Norse Goddesses whose names are Fulla, Sjöfn, Snotra, Lofn, Gefjon, Vár, Hlín, Sága, Eir, Syn, Vör and Gná.

The Ásynjur court is composed of twelve Goddesses led by Frigga, just as the Aesir court is composed of twelve Gods led by Odin. Specifically, the Handmaidens are Goddesses of Asgard who have no husband, owe allegiance to no man, and hold Queen Frigga as their highest authority. According to Snorri Sturluson (author of the Prose Edda and not a feminist by any stretch of the imagination) they are every bit as holy and powerful as their male counterparts:

“I must now ask thee,” said Gangler, “who are the gods that men are bound to believe in?”

“There are twelve gods,” replied Har, “to whom divine honours ought to be rendered.” “Nor are the goddesses,” added Jafnhar, “less divine and mighty.” [Gylfaginning, Prose Edda,1906 Blackwell tr.] (1)

While the Gods have two entire books devoted to their adventures (the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda), these unmarried Goddesses only get a total of about two pages. Most have but a single sentence as the sum of their surviving lore.

http://lofnbard.wordpress.com/handmaidens/