"Freyja is the most renowned of the goddesses; she has in heaven the dwelling called Fólkvangr, and wheresoever she rides to the strife, she has one-half of the kill, and Odin half, as is here said:

Fólkvangr 't is called, where Freyja rules Degrees of seats in the hall; Half the kill, she keepeth each day, And half Odin hath.”

– Gylfaginning, Translated by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur

Freyja is such a fascinating goddess, both as a goddess of love and of death. She rides into battle, and is the patron of many a shield maiden; but is also the goddess to turn to for matters of the heart.

In this painting Freya is depicted in her in her furious battle aspect, riding atop her battle swine, Hildisvíni, with her winged cloak spread wide, out to collect the souls of the battle dead, that are her due!