Freyr and Freyja of the Vanir

“Njord’s daughter Freya was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the Asaland people the magic art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanaland people.”

5. Ydalir it is called, where Ullr has himself a dwelling made. Alfheim the gods to Frey gave in days of yore for a tooth-gift.

Gylfaginning says Njörðr had two children at Nóatún, a son Freyr and a daughter Freyja, both beautiful and mighty. Freyr is one of the most celebrated gods, presiding over rain, sunshine and the fruits of the earth; he is called on for good harvests and peace, and gives wealth. Freyja is the most propitious of the goddesses, and her hall is Fólkvangr, where she takes half of the slain each day.

Grímnismál says the gods gave Freyr Alfheimr as a tooth-gift. In Skírnismál Freyr sits in Hliðskjálf, sees a maiden in the giants’ land, and falls into a sorrow that drives the story. Gerðr says in that poem that she never thought she would love one of the Vanir race, and in Gylfaginning Freyr gives away his sword to win her. Ynglinga saga says Freyja taught the Æsir the magic of the Vanaland people.

Ynglinga saga makes both children the offspring of Njörðr and his sister among the Vanir; Gylfaginning does not name their mother.

Ynglinga saga is the only source used here that says Freyja taught the Æsir this magic (in Old Norse, seiðr). It makes it a custom of the Vanaland people that she brought with her; none of the sources names a school or a shrine for it.

Their father Njörðr has his own entry, and Alfheimr is a realm page of the Lorebook. The Skírnismál story is the poem’s own and is told here only in outline.