My Goddess

Eir’s name means “help” or “mercy.” She is one of the handmaids of Frigga, and is also listed as one of the handmaids – or Valkyrjur – of Óðin. She is named as a goddess who oversees childbirth.

As a Valkyrie, Eir accompanied her battle-sisters. While the other Valkyries chose the slain, Eir would choose who would live and recover and return to health. As a chooser of life and death, she is sometimes associated with the Norns. Although Snorri does not explicitly name her as one of the asunjar, he does not name every goddess counted in this number. He does however go on to say that Eir is among the most important of all goddesses.

Her name is a commonly-used kenning for “woman” and “women”, which is intriguing when one considers that in proto-Heathen times, the realm of healing was by and large honoured as the realm of women. Folk tradition holds that Eir was invoked in healing rituals using a white flower known as Eirflower. She is associated with copper, which was used in healing rituals and ceremonies.

Eir is implied to be counted among the Asujnur. Her distinction as a servant of both Frigga and Óðin, as well as her sphere of influence, have earned her a place of great esteem among modern Heathens. There are several other deities are sometimes called upon for help with healing: Frigga for home-remedies and midwifery, Jörð and Iðunn with rejuvenation, and Máni for spells for healing. Eir however is the preeminent and principal healing goddess in Northern tradition. She may be called upon for any area of healing covered by other deities, as well as areas which are unique to her, such as surgery and mental health.

As a handmaid of Frigga, she can be invoked by asking her mistress to send her. All of Frigga’s handmaids work very closely with her, however Eir is one of the more independent ones and may be called upon and worked with directly. Like her mistress, Eir is not particularly “chatty.” One of her titles is the “Silent Healer,” and many Heathens experience her as a quiet, somewhat stern, albeit compassionate goddess.

Before the rise of the male dominated medical institutions of Europe, the healing and medical care of the community in Norse and Germanic countries was largely the sphere of women. Although the Sagas record several male healers, during the pagan period the role of doctor, or director of health, was women’s work, while men were usually nurses or helpers.

Eir is thought by modern Heathens to be first and foremost concerned with preventative health and natural remedies. Her guidance is likely to be around taking steps to ensure longevity and long-term health and wellness. She is widely called upon, however, to assist with all forms of healing, including allopathic medicine and surgery. As a Valkyrie battle-field medic, Eir is considered helpful to call upon in all kinds of health crisis and trauma.

Further, Eir is the goddess of all health-care workers. She is a patron and helpful guide for anyone working in healthcare, including nurses, naturopaths, therapists of all kinds, including counselors and mental health workers. Eir is a goddess who helps heal addictions and mental health problems as well.

Healing methods among the proto-Heathens included: healing through prayers, magic, midwifery practices which were more advanced than those that followed after, surgery, herbalism, home remedies, healing methods using copper bracelets, and detoxes using saunas.

Modern scholars compare her with the Greek goddess of healing, Hygieia. She may be related to the Indo-European Swiss goddess, Erecura, known to the Celtic people as Aerucura.

Associated Names

Iaer, Aer, Eira, Eria, Eyra, and Eil.