Gefjon was one of the Aesir, a race of warlike deities who were very similar to the Greek deities of Mount Olympus. She was a goddess of agriculture and fertility. She is associated with the skill of plowing. Her name seems to be connected with the root meaning 'to give' and She herself lives up to Her name by functioning as a goddess of good fortune and prosperity.
Gefjon was also one of the maidens in Frigga's palace, and to Her were entrusted all those who died. To the Northern Germanic people, She was the goddess of virginity, and it has been said that all women who die virgins go to Her hall. However, according to some authorities, Gefjon did not remain a virgin herself, but married one of the giants.
According to one myth, Gylfi, the King of Sweden, told a beggar woman that She could have as much of Sweden as She could plow with four oxen in one day. What he didn't know was that this unknown woman was none other than the goddess, Gefjon, who had learned Her magic from the Vanir. The four oxens She harnessed the plow were, in reality, the four sons whom She had by a giant who lived far off in the icy regions. She returned to Sweden in Midgard with Her sons and plowed all of the land which is now known as Zealand so it became part of Denmark, thereby tricking Gylfi.
0 comments:
Post a Comment