Loviatar (pronounced lo-VEE-at-ar) is the Finnish Goddess of plagues. She is the blind daughter of Tuonetar and Tuoni, Goddess and God of the Underworld. The Kalevala calls Loviatar “black in heart and soul and visage,” and tells of her impregnation by the east wind. When she went into labor, Loviatar went to Louhi, Goddess of sorcery, who helped her to give birth to nine sons. The first eight of these sons she named Pistos (consumption), Ähky (colic), Luuvalo (gout), Riisi (rickets), Paise (ulcer), Rupi (scab), Syöjä (cancer), and Rutto (plague). The ninth, who personified envy, was not named. Loviatar’s name is also seen as Louhiatar, Louhetar, Loveatar, Lovetar, and Lovehetar.

Tuonetar (pronounced TWOAN-et-ar) is the Finnish Goddess of the underworld. She is the wife of Tuoni, God of the underworld, which is called Tuonela. Her appearance is that of a hag, and her touch could pull a mortal’s soul from their body and send it to the underworld. Tuonetar is the mother by Tuoni of a number of other dark Gods and Goddesses, including Loviatar (Goddess of plagues), Kipu-Tytto (Goddess of illness), Kivutar (Goddess of disease), and Vammater (Goddess of pain). In one myth in the Kalevala, the hero Väinämöinen journeyed to the underworld, and Tuonetar greeted him with a stein of beer in which frogs and worms were swimming. She told him that he would not be allowed to leave the underworld and had him caught in an iron net. Väinämöinen, however, was able to change shape, and he changed himself into a snake and escaped. Tuonetar’s name means “queen of the dead.”

Nehalennia is the Germanic Goddess of commerce. She was worshipped in the area that is now the Netherlands, and was prevalent when the Romans arrived in the area. Shrines to Nehalennia depicted her holding a basket of fruit and accompanied by a large dog, and sometimes standing on or next to the prow of a ship or holding an oar. Votive inscriptions often thanked her for safe passage across the North Sea, confirming her identification with trade and commerce. Nehalennia’s name, which is thought to mean “seafarer” or “steerswoman,” is also seen as Nenhellenia.

Vár is the Norse Goddess of marriage vows. She is one of Frigg’s handmaidens, and is responsible for making sure that those who pledge their hearts in marriage are true to their vows. She also punishes those who break their oaths. Vár’s name means “pledge.”

Syn is the Norse Goddess of vigilance. She is one of Frigg’s handmaidens, and she stands guard at the door of Frigg’s palace, refusing entrance to any who are not invited. Syn also defends the weak, and she is called upon by those who have been wrongly accused of crimes to aid them in their battles. Her name means “denial.”

Snotra (pronounced SNOW-tra) is the Norse Goddess of prudence. She is one of Frigg’s handmaidens, and she is said to have been a master of all knowledge. She was called on by those who wished to be as virtuous and self-disciplined as she. Snotra’s name means “wise.”

Sjöfn (pronounced SYO-fn) is the Norse Goddess of harmony in marriage. She is one of Frigg’s handmaidens, and it is her job to turn the minds of humans to thoughts of love and passion. She also ensures happy marriages by stopping fights. Sjöfn’s name, which means “affection,” is also seen as Vjöfn or Sjofna.

Sól is the Norse Goddess of the sun. She is the sister of Máni, God of the moon. Sól drives a chariot across the sky each day, pulled by the two horses Alsviðr (”all swift”) and Arvakr (”early riser”). She is chased by a wolf named Sköll, and her brother Máni is chased by another wolf, Hati. It is said that at Ragnarök (the battle at the end of the world) Sköll and Hati will catch their prey, and Sól will be replaced by her daughter. Sól’s name, which means “sun,” has a number of kennings and heiti (alternate names), including:
Daughter of Mundilfari
Sister of the Moon
Wife of Glenr
Fire of Heaven and of the Air
Álfröðull (elf beam)
Alskír (all bright)
Dvalins leika (Dvalin’s playmate)
Eyglóa (ever glow)
Fagrahvél (fair wheel)
Ifröðull (doubtful beam)
Líknskin (healing ray)
Mylin (luminary)
Röðull (glory)
Sunna (sun)
Sýni (sight)

Saga is the Norse Goddess of poetry and history. She is one of Frigg’s handmaidens, and possibly a daughter of Odin. She lives in a hall called Sokkvabekk, which means “sunken benches,” next to a flowing stream. She drinks daily with Odin from golden goblets. Saga’s name means “seeress,” and has come to mean any great telling of history.

Lofn (pronounced LAW-ven) is the Norse Goddess of forbidden love. She is one of Frigg’s handmaidens, and serves Frigg (who is the Goddess of marriage) by removing the obstacles that lovers face. She also presides over the marriage of the two that she has brought together. Lofn’s name, which means “praise,” is also seen as Lofna, Lofe, and Lofua.