Freyja and the Falcon

I have always been fascinated by animal symbolism within myth and culture, so I decided to do some research about the falcon, an animal perhaps more closely associated with Freyja than any other. This is largely in part to her famous falcon cloak, which she uses as a magical tool to travel the worlds. The connection made me wonder what one might glean about our Goddess Freyja by examining the common myth and history of a bird present within many cultures, both ancient and modern.
All birds, and the falcon especially, are connected with the idea of transcendence. They represent the link between the earth and the sky, which often becomes a metaphor for the mundane world and the spirit realm. In some cultures this also translates to viewing them as a sort of protective guardian from malevolent spirits.
Probably the earliest recorded and well known association with the falcon comes to us from Egypt, in the deity of Horus, the falcon headed god. In this culture, Horus was a protective figure, thanks to his defeat of Seth, in which he lost an eye for the price of success. This symbol, the eye of Horus, or the udjat or wadjat eye, is perhaps one of the best know symbols of Ancient Egyptian lore and culture. It’s powers of protection and wisdom are legendary.
Another association with the falcon is that of the messenger. Falconry is an art that has ancient origins within a number of cultures worldwide. Peregrine falcons are the most well-known example, but many varied species of falcon and raptor have been used successfully as messengers as well as hunting companions throughout history.
This also leads to the concept of speed itself, or swiftness. The peregrine falcon in modern times has been clocked at the fastest speed of any bird on earth. It was this swiftness of purpose that helped falcons become a reliable method of distance communication within the cultures which practiced falconry.
Another association of the falcon is its connection to the sun, as well as magic and witchcraft. Circe, the famous Greek goddess/sorceress was daughter to Helios (The Sun) himself. In myth, Circe is a well-known sorceress with a vast knowledge of herbs and pharmacopeia. Her potions give her the ability to transform mortal men into swine, or any other variety of animals.
In medieval Christian texts, the falcon became a symbol of the human soul through its association with the Sun. The falcon was supposedly drawn to the warmth of the Sun, which caused the bird to molt and grow new feathers, thereby being transformed. The falcon here represented the transformation of the soul through its contact with the Divine (God) as the Sun.
Magic can also be associated with the falcon through the figure of Merlin the Magician, whose very name is taken from a species of raptor/falcon.
The falcon has also become a symbol of medieval love and status, due to the use of falcons as hunting birds in medieval cultures. There is much medieval age love poetry which uses the falcon as a symbol of love, the passion of which has always been compared to the sport of the hunt itself. As a status symbol, a falconer’s wealth and status could often be determined simply by the species of falcon he owned and trained as a hunting companion.
These are just a few of the more common associations within many cultures attached to the falcon.

Protection
Transcendence
Spirit travel
Messenger
Speed/Swiftness
Solar connection
Magic and Witchcraft
Wealth
Status
Love (Wooing)

Do you believe these connections are relevant to Freyja? Which ones and why? What can we learn from the Goddess by examining the animals she is so closely associated with?