What is a Fylgja?
What is a Fylgja?
Fylgja means "follower" or "to accompany" in Old Norse. A fylgja is a female protector spirit who appears in the shape of a woman or a wild animal and accompanies a person throughout their life. Every fylgja is unique represents a person's future as well as their nature. Like fate, a fylgja can't improve or act on her own and is unchangeable. Whatever happens to the person happens to the fylgja, as the fylgja is not truly a separate individual and can be seen as another dimension of the self. When the person the fylgja is attached to dies, she can separate and continue existing on her own, maybe attaching herself later on to a newborn relative of the deceased. A person can have one fylgja or multiple fylgjur.
What is the purpose of a Fylgja?
A fylgja shares the mind and personality of the Seidr practitioner/person she is attached to and be sent forth to do tasks on their behalf.
Can I adopta a Fylgja?
No, fylgjur attach themselves to you when you are born and can not be changed. Back in the day, the fylgja of a person was thought to be the an animal of the same species as the one that ate their afterbrith. This is why they commonly appear as canines, felines, mice, birds of prey and other meat-eating animals. It has also been said that a fylgja or multiple fylgjur can be inherited as a sort of reincarnation following a family lineage.
Can I contact my fylgjur?
Yes, it is possible for people with extrasensory gifts to see other people's fylgjur. It is a bad omen to see your own.