Birch Grove

Gna is typically characterized as a handmaiden of Frigg. She is rarely mentioned in the Eddas. In fact, though she is listed by Snorri Sturlason as one of the major Goddesses, she is only mentioned as a handmaiden and only takes part in one tale (that I know of). She is elusive. Sort of like the wind. *grin*

Gna is a messenger Goddess and she rides Hofvarpnir (transl: Hoof-Thrower) through the air. Hofvarpnir doesn’t fly, mind you, but can simply ride off the end of Bifrost (the rainbow bridge) and out across the air (and water).

Gna is Frigg’s emissary, messenger, and lookout. In the only known tale about her, she reports to Frigg that King Rerir in Hunaland was lamenting his wife’s inability to bear a child. So Frigg sends Gna with a golden apple (of immortality, perhaps?) to give to the king, and from the sky she tosses it into his lap. He gives a piece to his wife, who east it, and becomes fertile.

Now for the fun stuff; my own interpretation:

It is implied that Gna’s task for Frigg is to simply voyage about and report what she sees. This leads me to believe that Gna has a wanderlust in her, and a curiosity, but also an aloofness. She can get involved in people’s affairs, but not directly.

Gna and Hofvarpnir ride the winds, so the fresh breezes and strong gusts are directly associated with her. So are horses, to some extent, and perhaps birds? Since there is so little written about her, one can only use conjecture.

I see Gna as medium-height and athletic with long, dark brown hair she wears loose. She wears a tunic and trousers and tall boots and rides Hofvarpnir with no saddle or bridle. She has a razor-sharp memory and also seems like a bridge between Midgard and Asgard. For this reason, some associate her with shamanism, but I am not sure on this one. It makes sense, but doesn’t quite feel right.

Like many of the Gods I am drawn to, Gna is a mystery as so little that was written about her survives. But perhaps that is part of the reason why she is so appealing.