Definitions from the Deluding of Gylfi - Das Kettenhund

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DEFITINITIONS & DESCRIPTIONS
From the Deluding of Gylfi
Alfheim
Literally "Elf Home". It is the place where light elves are from. There are two kinds of
elves, one is light and the other is dark. The light elves are fairer than the sun to look
upon, whereas the dark elves are as black as pitch. Each type differs from the other both
in appearance and character. This is also Frey's home.
Ali
Vali. A son of Odin and Rind; he is bold in battle and a very good shot. It is said that he
will avenge Baldr by killing Hoth.
The horses which drew the chariot, driven by Sun. Literally the names mean Early-
Arvak & Alsvii) waker and All-strong. Under the shoulder blades of the horses the gods put two bellows
to cool them, and in some poems that is called iron-cold (literally Iron-coal).
Literally "Ash" or Ash tree. When Bor's sons were going along the sea-shore, the son of
Bor found two trees and they picked these up and made humans from them. The first
Ask
gave them spirit and life (Odin) the second, understanding and power of movement
(Vili) the third, form, speech, hearing, and sight (Ve), Embla or Elm tree, was the first
woman, and from them have sprung the races of men who were given Miogaro to live
in.
A cow which was formed as the frost thawed. 4 rivers of milk ran from her teats which
Auohumla
fed Ymir the frost ogre. Auohumla lived onsalty ice blocks which upon the evening of
the first day of licking the blocks, appeared a man's hair. On the second day a man's
head, until finally after 3 days the whole man was there. He was called Buri.
Baldr is known as the most beautiful of the gods. His face is so fair and bright that a
splendor radiates from him. He is the wisest of the gods, and the sweetest spoken, and
Baldr
the mostmerciful, but it is a characteristic of his that once he has pronounced a
judgment It can never be altered. He lives in a place called Breioablik and nothing
impure can enter there. Forsetti is the son ofBaldr
second son, (also Beldeg).
and Nanna. Baldr is also Odin's
Bestla Daughter of the giant (frost ogre) Bolthorn.
Quivering Roadway. A bridge from earth to heaven. Seen as a rainbow. It will break
Bifrost
when the sons of Muspell ride over it. The Spring of Uro (See Uro) is on the other side
of this bridge and every day the Aesir ride up over Bifrost to hold their court of justice.
The red you see in the rainbow is flaming fire, There is a place called Himinbjorg
(Mount-of-Heaven) whichis located where Bifrost joins heaven. Heimdall sits there to
guard the bridge from the cliff giants. (See Heiindall)
He is famous for wisdom andmostof all for eloquence and skillwith words; he knows
Bragi
most about poetry, and from him poetry gets its name, (one of the old Icelandic words
for poetry is "bragr") and from his name the man or woman who can use words better
than others is called a poet. His wife is Ioun (One who renews). She keeps in her box
the apples the gods have to eat when they grow old to become young again, and so it
will continue up to Ragnarok (Twilight of the gods).
Brelnablik
Gleaming-far-and-wide. It is said than no other place is as beautiful. Nothing impure
can be in this place. It is Baldr's home.
Buri
Man who was uncovered from ice by Auohumla. He was handsome tall and strong. Buri
had a son called Bor, husband to Bestla, and father to Odin, Vili, and ve.
The Dwarfs had first emerged and come to life in Ymir' s flesh, and at that time were
maggots. But by the decree of the gods they acquired human understanding and the
Dwarfs appearance of men, although they lived in the earth and in rocks. In the Edda's
M60sognir was the most famous, and next to him Durin. In Sibyl's Vision it states all
Earth
their names or at least most of the names of the families and/or tribes of Dwarfs.
The mother of Thor, as well as Rind (unknown validity of the connection to the giantess
Rind that Odin had relations with to get the "memory mead") which is Vali's mother, is
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Eire
reckoned amongst the goddesses.
A goddess. The best of physicians.
Ellvagar Rivers-whipped-by-passing-showers.
The son ofBaldr and Nanna, Nep's daughter. He owns the Hall in heaven known as
Forsetti Glitnir. Without exception all who come to him with legal disputes go away reconciled
that is the best court known to gods and men.
Frey is an exceedingly famous god; he decides when the sun shall shine or the rain
come down, and along with that the fruitfulness of the earth, and he is good to invoke
Frey for peace and plenty. He also brings about the prosperity of men. Frey's messenger is
Skirnir. Frey owns the ship Skiodladnir which was given him by the sons of Ivaldi
which were dwarfs. Alfheim was given to Frey as a "tooth-fee".
Lady. She is the most renowned of the goddesses. She owns that homestead in heaven
known as F6lkvangar (Field-of-warriors), and whenever she rides into battle she has
half the slain and Odin half. Her hall Sessnimnir (With-many-seats), is large and
beautiful. When she goes on a journey she sits in a chariot drawn by two cats. Freya is
as distinguished as Frigg. She is married to a man called 00; their daughter is Hnoss;
she is lovely and whatever is beautiful and valuable is called "treasure" from her name.
Freya (The old Icelandic for "treasure" is hnoss). 00 always left to go on long journey's and
Frigg
Freya weeps for him, and her tears are red gold. Freya also has many names because
when she left to go look for 00 she went among people she didn't know. Such names
are: Mardoll, Horn, Gefn (Giver), and S)'r (Sow). Freya owns the necklace of the
Brisings (given to her after sleeping with all the dwarfs - origin of the Snow White
tale.) and is also called the divinity of the Vanir. She enjoys love poetry, and it is good
to call on her for help in love affairs.
Daughter of Fjorgyn. Odin's wife and mother of Frigga. From Odin & Frigg came the
family that inhabited ancient Asgaro and those kingdoms belonging to it. The members
of that family are called the Aesir.
FuUa
Another virgin goddess. She wears her hair loose and a golden band around her head.
She carries Frigg's little box and looks after her shoes and knows her secrets.
A goddess. She is a virgin and women who die unmarried serve her. In the beginning of
the Deluding of Gylfi it states that king Gylfi gave land to a begga-woman as a reward
Gefjon for entertaining him. This was Gefjon. From north of Giantland she took 4 oxen and
yoked them to a plough, but those were her sons by a giant. It is unsure whether or not
these two are the same because one is a virgin and the other has 4 sons.
Her parents are Gymir and Aurbooa. She is an exceedingly beautiful woman. When
Frey saw her, he fell into a deep depression because he couldn't have her. He gave his
sword to Skirnir, his messenger, as payment to find her and bring her to him whether
Ger6
her father wished it or not. Then Skirnir went to her and convinced her to marry Frey,
but Frey would have to wait "nine whole days". At hearing the news Frey said:
"One night is long,
Long is a second,
How shall I three endure?
Shorter to me
Has a month oft' seemed
Than this half bridal-eve."
Geri & Freid
Greedy & Gluttonous respectfully. These are Odin's wolves and he gives them what
food is on his table because Odin lives always only on wine.
Lee-of- fire. This is in the southern end of heaven and is the most beautiful hall of all. It
is brighter than the sun, and will stand when both heaven and earth have passed away.
Glmle
Good and righteous men will inhabit that place for a time. It is said that there is another
heaven to the south of and above this one called Andlang (outstretched) and there is yet
a third heaven above these which is called Vioblain (Wide Blue) and it is said that this
is where the hall Gimle stands. It is inhabited only by the white elves.
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Ginnungugap Open void. Before anything existed this is all there was.
Radiant Home. The largest temple in which there were seats for the appointed rulers. 12
Glaosheim
seats in all apart from the high-seat of the All-Father. It was constructed in Ioavcll
and outside as well as inside was like pure gold.
When the gods needed to tie the Fenrir's wolf down they constructed 3 fetters. The first
was Loeoing, and they took it to the wolf and bade him to try his strength against it.
This fetter broke with ease so the Aesir made another fetter twice as strong which they
called Dromi, and asked the wolf to test his strength against that and that he'd be
extremely renowned ifhe could break loose. So the wolf tried and it broke easily. After
that the Aesir feared that they would never be able to get the wolf bound, Odin sent one
called Skirnir, Frey's messenger, down to the world of dark elves to some dwarfs, and
Gleipnir
had made the fetter called Gleipnir. This was made from six things: the noise a cat
makes when it moves, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, the sinews of a
bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird. With this fetter they bound the Fenrir
wolf. (In addition to this rope they took the chain that was fastened to it - Gelgja - and
drawing it through a great boulder called Gjoll (again the name for the hom of Heimdall
and Mimir is mentioned) drove the boulder into the ground. Then they took a huge stone
called Thuiti and sank it still deeper into the earth as a fastening peg. The wolf opened
its mouth and they shoved a sword into it so that the hilt was in its lower jaw and the
point in the upper. He howls horribly, and the slaver running from his mouth forms the
river called Von (Possibly the River Don in Russia) There he will lie until Ragnar6k.)
Radiant Place. Its walls and posts and pillars are of red gold but its roof is silver. This is
Glitnir
Forsetti's Hall. Without exception all who came to him with legal disputes go away
reconciled. It is the best court known to gods and men.
Frigg sends her on her errands. She has a horse that runs through the air and over the sea
Gna
called Hoof-flourisher. Once when she was riding, some Vanir saw her riding in the air
Harts
and were amazed. From Gna's name what soars high is also called "towering".
There are 4 in the sagas that leap around Yggdrasil and eat the shoots. There names are
Dain, Dvalin, Duneyr, and Durathr6r.
He is called the white god. Nine maidens gave birth to him, and all of them were sisters.
His horse is also known as Hallinskioi and Goldtuft because he had teeth of gold. He
lives in a place called Himinbjorg (Cliffs-of-heaven) by Bifrost, He is the warder of the
HeimdaU
gods and sits there at the end of heaven to guard the bridge from the cliff giants. He
needs less sleep than a bird, and can see a hundred leagues in front of him the same at
night as he can during the day. He can hear the grass growing on the earth and the wool
on sheep, and everything that makes more noise. He has the trumpet known as the hom
Gjoll, and its blast can be heard over all the worlds.
Lord or Raider - one of many of Odin's names. There are 12 names total in ancient
Asgaro including All-Father. They are in this order:
• All-Father
• Herran or Herjan (Lord or Raider)
• Nikar or Hnikar (Spear-thruster)
• Nikuz or Hnikuo (Spear-thruster)
Herjan
• Fjolnir (much knowing)
• Oski (fulfiller of desire)
• Omi (One whose speech resounds)
• Biflioi or Biflindi (Spear shaker)
Hlioskjalf
• Svioar
• Viorir (Ruler of weather)
• Jalg or Jalk (Gelding)
Hall of many doors or hall with one big doorway. Odin sat there on his "high seat" and
saw over the whole world and what everyone was doing. This is also where Frey was
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sitting when he looked into the world of the giants and saw Gero, who later became his
wife. (See Sldrnir)
She is appointed to protect those men Frigg wants to save from dangers, hence the
Hlin proverb that "he who is protected 'leans"', Hlin's second grief is when the Fenrir wolf
devours Frigg's husband Odin.
He is blind, but immensely strong. The gods would rather there were no need to
Hoo mention his name, since his handiwork will long be remembered amongst gods & men.
There is no other mention of him in the Prose Edda.
The names of the horses of the gods are as follows:
• Sleipnir (Odin's horse, he has eight legs)
• Glao (shining-one)
• Gyllir
• Glen
• Skeobrimir (Fast-galloper)
Horses of the
Gods •
•
•
Silfrintopp (Silver Forelock)
Sinir (Strong-of-sinew)
Gils
•
•
Falh6fnir (Shaggy fetlock)
Gulltopp (Golden Forelock)
Lettfeti (Lightfoot)
Baldr's horse was burned with him, and Thor walks to the court wading through waters.
Corpse-swallower. He is a giant who sits at the northern end of the sky in the shape of
Hraesvelg an eagle and when he spreads his wings for flight a wind arises from under them, which
is the cause for wind.
Hrimfaxi
Frosty-mane. Name of a horse which Day rides. The whole earth and sky are
illuminated by his mane.
These are Odin's ravens. Thought and Memory respectfully. They sit on his shoulders
Hugin & Munin and bring to his ears all the news that they see or hear. He sends them out at daybreak to
fly over the whole world, and they come back at breakfast time.
Bubbling Cauldron. Before the earth was created a place called Niflheim was made. In
the midst of it sprang this well. From it flow 11 rivers, the last of which is next to Hel's
gate. The rivers names are as follows:
1. Hvergelmir (Bubbling Cauldron)
2. Svol (cool)
3. Gunnthra (Battle-Defiant)
4. Fjorm
Hvergelmir 5.
6.
Fimbulthul (Land-bubbling)
sue (Fearsome)
7. Hria (Storming)
8. Sylg
9. Ylg
10. Via (Broad)
11. Leipt (Fast-as-lightning)
12. ojen (Fire)
Plain that renews itself or Plain-of-activity. This is where Odin appointed rulers, who
I()avoll along with him, were in control of the destinies of men, and decide how the stronghold
should be governed. Ioavoll is located in the middle of the stronghold.
She is so gentle and good to invoke that she has permission from Odin and Frigg to
Lofn bring together men and women for whom marriage was forbidden or banned. From her
name comes the word "permission", also what is much praised by men.
Loki
There is much to be said of Loki. Some call him the mischief-monger of the Aesir. He is
the son of the giant Farbauti. His mother's name is Laufey or Nal, and Byleist and
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Helblindi are his brothers. Loki is handsome and fair of face, but has an evil disposition
and is very changeable of mood. He excelled all men in the art of cunning, and he
always cheats. He was continually involving the Aesir in great difficulties and he often
helped them out again by guile. His wife's name is Sigyn; their son is Nari or Narvi.
Loki had still more children. There was a giantess in Giantland called Angrbooa (Boderof-sorrow)
and Loki had three children with her. The first was the wolfFenrir, the
second, Jormungand - that is the Miogaro Serpent - and the third, HeI. Loki had a great
deal to answer for after causing Baldr's death and then preventing him from being freed
from HeI. When the gods had become as wrathful as might be expected, Loki ran away
and changed himself into a Salmon to escape. The gods finally caught Loki using a net.
When they finally caught him they put him in a cave. Taking three flat stones, the gods
set them up on end and bored a hole through each. Then Loki's sons were captured. The
Aesir changed Vali into a wolf and he tore asunder his brother Narfi. The Aesir took his
entrails and with them bound Loki over the edges of the three stones - one under his
shoulder, the second under his loins, and the third under his knees - and these bonds
became iron. Then Skaoi took a poisonous snake and fastened it up over him so that the
venom from it would drop onto his face. Loki's wife Sigyn, however, sits by him
holding a basin under the poison drops, and whenever the basin gets full she goes to
empty it. While she is gone venom continues to drop onto Loki's face and he shudders
violently. This is called an earth-quake. Loki will stay this way until Ragnar6k.
The three which were born to Angrbooa. They were the wolfFenrir, the Miogaro
serpent, and HeI. Odin sent some of the gods to capture the children and bring them to
him. Odin flung the serpent into the deep sea which surrounds the whole world, and it
grew so large that it now lies in the middle of the ocean round the earth, biting its own
tail. He then threw Hel into Niflheim and gave her authority over nine worlds, on the
condition that she shared all her provisions with those who were sent to her, namely
Loki's Children
men who die from disease or old age. She has a great home~tead there with
extraordinary high walls and huge gates. Her hall is called Eljtumir (Damp-with-sleet)
her plate, Hunger, her knife, Famine; her man servant, Ganglati (Slow-moving); her
maid servant, Ganglot (Slow-moving); the stone at the entrance, Drop-to-destruction;
her bed, Sick-bed; its hangings, Glimmering Misfortune. Hel is half black, half fleshcolor,
and is easily recognized from this; she looks rather grim and gloomy. Now the
Fenrir wolf was brought up by the gods at their home, but only Tyr had the courage to
feed it. Once the gods saw how fast it was growing, and new it was prophesied to cause
them harm, the Aesir adopted a plan of making a very strong fetter to tie the wolf down.
(See Gleipnir) After three attempts they finally did so but at the cost of Tyr's hand.
Lur
Boat made from a hollowed-out tree trunk; it can also mean "coffin". Bergelmir
the flood which flowed from Ymir's wounds, on his Lur.
escaped
Managarm
The most powerful of the family of wolves that came from the troll giantess known as
the Iron-woodite. He gorges on the flesh of all who die, and he will swallow the moon
and bespatter the sky and all the air with blood. Because of this the sun will lose its
brightness, and the winds will then become wild and rage on every side.
Mi()gar()
This is the stronghold which Bor's sons (Odin, Vili, and Ve) made out ofYmir's
remains.
Spring of Mimir. Mimir is actually the name of the owner of the spring. He is full of
wisdom because he drinks from the spring out of the horn Gj611. (See Heimdall) Odin
went there and asked for a single drink from the spring, but did not get it until he had
given one of his eyes as a pledge. During Ragnar6k, after Heimdall blows a great blast
Mimir with the horn Gj611,Odin will ride to Mimir's spring and ask Mimir advice for himself
and his company. This contradicts the myth about Odin using Mimir's head after the
Vanir cut it off. Likewise there seem to be conflicting uses of the horn. One to drink, one
to blast. Keep in mind the meanings involved here. In relation to the horn Gjoll, whose
meaning is unclear, it can be assumed that Mimir no longer needed the horn after the
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Vanir cut offhis head, and so itfollows that Heimdall uses it now. Also keep in mind
that the horn was used at the Well of Mimir for knowledge; Heimdall blasting that horn
at Ragnarok could mean the same as a reconnaissance team sharing intelligence with
their unit commander.
Moon governs the journeying of the moon and decides the time of its waxing and
waning. Two children accompany Moon as may be seen from earth. They are Bil &
Moon Hjuki, (The folk rhyme of "Jack & Jill") Moon took them from earth as they were
coming from a well called Byrgir and carrying a pail called Sceg and the pole Simul.
Their fathers name was Viofinn.
He had two children. One was called Moon and the other, a daughter, called Sun. He
Mundilfari married Sun to a man called Glen but the gods were angered at his arrogance
the brother (Moon) and sister (Sun) and put them up in the sky.
and took
The first world to exist. It was in the Southern Hemisphere of Ginnungagap (open void).
MuspeU It is extremely hot and constantly burns so that those who do not belong to it cannot
endure it.
Striker-that-destroys. This serpent gnaws at the roots ofYggdrasil. A squirrel called
Niclhogg
Ratatosk (Gnaw-tooth) runs up and down the ash tree and conveys words of scorn
between Niohogg and the eagle in the branches. (See Veorfolnir) Niohogg bedevils the
bodies of the dead.
Niflhel
Abode-of-Darkness.
world. (See Hel)
Wicked men go here through Hel which is down in the ninth
He lives in heaven at a place called Noatun (Ship-yard). He controls the path of the
wind, stills sea and fire, and is to be invoked for seafaring and fishing. He is so wealthy
and prosperous that he is able to bestow abundance of land and property on those who
Njorcl
call on him for this. Njor5 is not one of the Aesir. He WaS brought up in Vanaheim,
the Vanir gave him as a hostage to the gods and accepted as a counter-hostage one
but
called Hoenir. He brought about reconciliation between the gods and the Vanir; Njor5
has a wife called Skaoi, daughter of the giant Thjazi. Njoro has two children, a son Frey
(Lord) and a daughter Freya (Lady). The text is not clear on who the mother is.
Also Narfi. He had a daughter named Night. She was dark and swarthy like the family
to which she belonged. Her first marriage was with Naglfari and they had a son named
Norfi
Auo. Next she was married to Annar, their daughter was called Earth. (Not to be
confused with Fjorgyn - Mother Earth - Thor's Mother) Finally, her last husband was
Delling (Shining One) which made him family of the gods. Their son was Day. Odin
took Night and her son Day, and gave them two horses and two chariots and put them
up in the sky so that they ride around the world every 24 hours.
The Noms are maidens which carry out specific tasks. The 3 most common are Ur5,
Veoandi, and Skuld (Past, Present, and Future) which shape the lives of men. There are
others that come to every child that is born in order to shape its life. Others belong to
Norns
the family of the elves and a third group belongs to the family of the dwarfs. The good
Noms who come from good stock shape good lives, but those who meet with
misfortune owe it to the evil Noms. This can easily be interpreted in two ways. The first
is that our fate is set by the Norns. The second is that our fates are developed (shaped)
by the Norns. This is a matter of independent vision.
Odin
Odin is the highest and the oldest of the gods. He rules all things and no matter how
mighty the gods may be, they all serve him as children do their father. (This only in
later times) His wife is Frigg and she knows the fates of all men, although she does not
prophecy. Odin is called All-Father because he is the father of most of the gods. He is
also called Val father because all who fall (actually only half) in battle are his adopted
sons. He allots to them Valhalla and Vingolf and then they are called Einherjar
(Belonging-to-an-army) He is also called Hangagnd (God-of-the-hanged), Haptaguo
(God-of-the-gods) Farmaguo (God-of-cargoes) and he named himself in many other
ways when he came to king Geirroo, It would take a vast amount of knowledge to go
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over all the names and how he got them. It would be quickest to say that most of
these names (more than 50) have been given him because of the many different
nations in the world, all speaking different tongues, felt the need of translating his
name into their several languages in order to worship and pray to him. (This is
however doubtful and seems to be a later - perhaps 13 th name.)
century - version of Odin's
Rind (see Earth)
Curved-prow. The name ofBaldr's ship. It was a very large ship. The gods wanted to
launch it and to build Baldr's funeral pyre on it, but it was too heavy to move. A giant
named Hyrrokkin launched it in such a way that the rollers burst into flames and the
whole world trembled. Then Baldr's body was carried out on to the ship and when his
wife Nanna saw that she died of grief. Then she was carried onto the pyre and it was set
Ringhorn aflame. Thor was standing by and consecrating it with Mjollnir when a dwarf called Lit
ran in front of Thor's feet. Thor tripped him and kicked him into the fire and he was
burned to death. Odin laid Draupnir on the pyre which was a gold ring made in such a
way that every nine nights there dropped from it eight rings of equal value. Baldr's
horse and harness were also set on the pyre. All this was done so that Baldr would have
these things in the afterlife.
Saga She is a goddess who lives as Sokkvabekk and that is a large estate.
Serpents
Along with Niohogg in Hvergelmir it is told that there are too many serpents to count. It
further goes on to state that they will destroy forever that As-tree (Yggdrasil).
Daughter of Vol sung and sister of Sigmund in the Volsungasaga of the Elder Edda or
Signy
Poetic Edda. Her husband slew Volsung by treachery and captured his sons. One by one
he chained them at night to where the wolves would find them and devour them. When
the last, who was Sigmund, was brought out and chained. Signy had devised a way to
save him. She freed him and the two took a vow to avenge their father and brothers. The
story leads into incest as Signy went to Sigmund in disguise for 3 nights and had a child
by her brother who did not know it was her. She sent the son named Slnfiotli to
Sigmund where he was raised. All this time Signy lived with her husband bearing him
children all the while waiting for the time to come. The time came. Sinfiotli and
Sigmund killed all of Signy' s children and shut her husband in the house and set fire to
it. When all was done she told them they had gloriously
entered the burning house where she died.
avenged the dead and then
Sjofn
A goddess who is much concerned with turning the minds of people, both men and
women, to love. From her name love is called sjafni.
This is the best ship and built with the greatest skill. Naglfari is the biggest ship,
however, Skiobladnir is so big still that all the Aesir with weapons and armor can find
Sklobladnir room in it and wherever it is going a breeze springs up as soon as its sail is hoisted. The
ship is so big, yet built with such cunning and skill, that when it is not being used it can
be folded together like a cloth and kept in one's pouch.
One of the wolves in the Edda's that chases the moon. This one chases the sun. The
other, Hati Hr60vitnisson chases the moon. They both come from an aged giantess in
Skoll the east or to the east of Miogaro. There, troll women known as Iron-woodite's live in
that forest. The giantess gave birth to many sons all of them in the shape of wolves.
Managarm (Moon's Dog) became the most powerful in that family.
A giant which Thor met on his journeys. The name means "Big Fellow". Thor and Loki
along with Thor's bondservants all slept in Skrymir's glove thinking it was a cave. As it
Skrymir
turned out Skrymir had used magic and deception into deceiving Thor and making Thor
believe that Skrymir was stronger than he. Utgard was where Skrymir was from and
Thor and Loki along with the bondservants traveled there. They came upon a stronghold
and entered a huge hall beyond the gate. There were a large number of men and most
were giants. The king of the hall took notice and thought that Thor was small fro a man
with so much strength and challenged them to three competitions. At any rate, deception
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and magic was used to cheat Thor and his companions and when they left the hall Thor
Snotra
was told that the king's name was Skrymir and he had tricked him this whole time out
offear.
A goddess who is wise and gentle mannered. From her name a man or woman who is
self-controlled is called "Snotra" (prudent).
Sol Sun (See Norfi)
This spring is the one in which the Noms who live near it go to draw water from
everyday, and along with it the clay that lies around the spring. Then they sprinkle the
ash (Yggdrasil) so that its branches shall not wither or decay. The water from this spring
Spring of UrO is so sacred that whatever comes into the spring becomes as white as the film (which is
called "skin") that lies within the egg-shell. The dew which falls from the spring to the
earth is called honey-dew, and the bees feed on it. There are two birds that are nourished
Sun
in the spring that are called swans. From them come all other birds of that name.
Sun drives the chariot of the sun and governs its course. (See Mundilfari)
Surt sits at the edge of the land - or world - of Muspell guarding it. He has a flaming
Surt sword, and at the end of the world he will come and vanquish all the gods and bum the
whole world with fire.
This is the horse that belonged to the builder who made a wager with the Aesir to build
a stronghold in 18 months (three-winters time), The gods were amazed at the size of the
huge boulders the horse hauled, and it performed twice as much of that tremendous task
as the builder. As winter drew to an end the building of the stronghold was nearly
complete and the gods then sat down in their judgment seats and sought for a way out,
SvaOilfari
asking who had given the advice to troth Freya into Giantland if the builder completed
the task in 18 months, and so to ruin the sky by taking the sun and moon with him. They
all agreed it was Loki, and so they captured him and told him he would have to devise a
plan so that the builder would loose his bet. Loki, fearing for his life, went and changed
into a mare and when the stallion Svadilfari knew what kind ofhors that was, it became
frantic and broke off into the woods after the mare. The builder did not want to loose his
horse so he chased after it. Now when the builder saw that the building would not be
finished he went into a rage and became a giant and the god's seeing that the builder had
tricked them and was a giant all along, called on Thor. He came at once and smashed
the builder's skull into pieces. Svaoilfari and Loki however, had had such dealing with
Svafnir
each other that some time later Loki bore a foal. It was grey and had eight legs and was
the most powerful horse known to the gods. This horse is known as Sleipnir. Odin's
stead.
War God i.e. Odin
SvasuO
The father of Summer. The name means "agreeable"
whatever is pleasant is called so from him.
and he has such a joyous life that
Syn
Denial. She guards the door of the hall and shuts it against those who are not meant to
enter. She is also a appointed defending counsel at trials in cases she wishes to refute,
hence the saying that "Syn is brought forward," when anyone denies an accusation.
Son of the farmer who ate with Thor and Loki. Also the daughter of the farmer Roskva
was there. Thjalfi, after Thor had placed the bones of his goats on the skins, took one of
the bones and broke it to get the marrow out. The next day Thor got up and raised his
hammer Mjollnir and consecrated the goatskins. When the goats came alive Thor
Tbjalfi noticed that one of them had a broken leg and so blamed the farmer and his household
for this. When the farmer saw Thor's rage about to fall on him and his household he
pled for mercy, offering in compensation everything they possessed. So in
reconciliation
bondservants.
Thor took their children Thjalfi and Roskva and they became his
Asa- Thor or Thor-the-charioteer. He is the strongest of all the gods and men. He rules
ThOr over a kingdom called Thniovangar (Plains-of-Power) and his hall is called Bilskirnir
(Strong) in that building are six-hundred and forty floors - it is the largest house known
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to man. Thor also has two goats known as Tooth-gnasher and Gap-tooth, and the chariot
he drives in is pulled by these goats. He owns three precious things; his hammer
Mjollnir (Crusher) which the frost ogres and cliff giants know very well since he has
cracked the skulls of many of their kith and kin; his belt of strength, that when buckled
doubles his strength; and his iron gauntlets which allow him to use the hammer with
unparalleled skill and accuracy.
He is the boldest and most courageous, and has power over victory in battle; it is good
for brave men to invoke him. It is a proverbial saying that he who surpasses others and
does not waver is "Tyr-valiant." He is also so well informed that a very knowledgeable
Tyr
man is said to be "Tyr-wise." When the gods tried to persuade the wolfFenrir to allow
the fetter Gleipnir to be placed on him, he did not believe that they would free him until
TYr"offered his hand to be placed in the mouth of the wolf as a pledge. Then, when the
Aesir would not loose him, he bit off the hand of TYr"at the place known as the "wolfjoint"
(the wrist). So TYr"is one-handed and he is not called a peace-maker.
un
Sirs son and Th6r's stepson. He is such a good archer and ski-runner that no one can
rival him. He is beautiful to look at as well and he has all the characteristics of a
warrior. It is also good to call on him in duels.
Urn, Vernandi, Past, Present, and Future. These maidens shape the lives of men and we call them
Skuld
Noms. There are, however, more Noms.
Vafcruontr From the Shorter Sibyl's Vision a giant. Strong-in-difficult-riddles.
Valaskjalfi
This hall is owned by Odin, which the gods built and roofed with pure silver. The high
seat known as Hlioskjalf is in this hall, and when Odin sits on this seat he sees over the
whole world.
One of Odin's halls. Men who have fallen in battle since the beginning of the world
come to this hall. The boar Scehrimnir is boiled every day to feed the fallen warriors but
returns to life every evening. The cock's name in Andhrimnir (sooty-face) and the
cauldron is called Eldhrimnir (fire-sooty). A goat called Heiorun stands up in Valhalla
biting the buds off the branches of the tree called Laerao. From her teats runs the mean
with which every day she fills a cauldron, which is so big that all the Einherjar can drink
from it. The hart Eikthyrnir stands in Valhalla devouring these branches and such a
Valhalla
huge stream comes from its horns that it falls down into Hvergelmir and thence flow the
rivers called: (see Hvergelmir). These flow about the dwellings of the gods. There are
640 doors in Valhalla and in each door 960 men (614,400) will tramp, champions
advancing on the monster (Fenrir wolf). Every day after they have dressed, the Einherjar
amuse themselves by putting on armor and go into the courtyard and fight and kill one
another. That is their play, and, when it is breakfast time they ride to the hall refreshed
and renewed, to eat and drink. (This goes along with the eastern philosophy of "dying
every day" so that when the time comes for death you will not fear it because you have
already died so many times.)
There duty is two fold. One, they carry the drink round and look after the table service
and ale-cups in Valhalla. Odin also sends them to every battle and they choose death for
the men destined to die, and award victory. Gud (Conflict) an Rota and the youngest
Nom Skuld, always ride to choose the slain and decide the issues of battle. Other
Valkyries include:
Valkyries
• Hrist
• Mist
• Skeggjold
• Skogul
• Hild (Battle)
• ThrUo
• Hl6kk (Din-of-battle)
• Herfj6tur (Fetterer-of-an-army)
• G611
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• Geirahoo
• Randgrio (Shield Destroyer)
• Raogrio
• Reginleif
These bear ale to the Einherjar,
She listens to the vows and compacts made by men and women with each other; for this
Var reason such agreements are called varar (promises). She also takes vengeance on those
who break their vows.
Vei}rfOlnir
Weather-bleached
Yggdrasil.
one. This is the hawk that sits between the eyes of the eagle in
The silent god. He has a stout shoe which has been in the making since the dawn of
time. It consists of the strips of leather men pare off at the toes and heels of their shoes,
and for this reason people who want to help the Aesir must throwaway these strips.
Vioar is almost as strong as Th6r and will stride forward and place one foot on the
lower jaw of the Fenrir wolf and take the wolfs upper jaw in one hand and tear his
Vii)ar throat asunder which will be the wolfs death. He will do this at Ragnar6k to avenge
Odin's death by the Fenrir wolf. Vioar along with Vali will survive Ragnar6k and will
go on to rule over the next heaven and earth where everything will be renewed. They
will inhabit Ioav611 where Asgaro used to be and the sons of Th6r will come to control
his hammer. Grio (thought to be that same as Frigg) is ViCar's mother. The god's rely
greatly on him in all difficult situations.
Vindloni
Or Vindsval (Wind-cool) He is the father of winter. Vasad (Damp-cold)
These kinsmen are grim and cold-hearted and winter is their disposition.
is his father.
Vingolf
This was another Hall that was built by Odin and the appointed rulers, that was the
sanctuary of the goddesses. After this Hall was built they made many tools including a
hammer and tongs, and went on to work in metals stone and wood, including gold. That
age was called the "Golden Age."
Von
Expectation. River formed by the slaver running from the Fenrir wolfs
(See Gleipnir)
gapping mouth.
vs-
She is a goddess who is so wise and searching that nothing can be concealed from her. It
is a proverb that a woman becomes "aware" of what she gets to know.
Chief place of sanctuary of the gods. By this tree every day, the gods have to hold a
court. It is the best and greatest of all trees, for its branches spread out over the whole
world and reach up over heaven. The tree is held in position by 3 roots that spread far
out. One of these roots is among the Aesir, the second among the frost ogres where once
Yggdrasil there was Ginnungagap, and the third extends over Niflheim. Under this last root is the
well Hvergelmir (See Hvergelmir); but Niohogg (See Niohogg) gnaws at the root from
below. Under the root that turns in the direction of the frost ogres lies the spring of
Mimir, (See Mimir), in which is hidden wisdom & understanding. The root which is
among the Aesir runs over the Spring of Uro where the gods hold court.
A frost ogre. He came out of the drops of running fluid which flowed from the ice in
Niflheim. The other frost ogre's call him Aurgelmir. All the families of frost ogre's
Ymir
come from him. While Ymir slept he began to sweat and there grew under his arms a
man and woman, and one of his legs got a son with the other and that is where the
families of frost ogre's come from. Odin and his brothers killed Ymir along with the
whole tribe of frost ogre's except for Bergelmir and his household. After they killed
Ymir they carried him to the middle of Ginnungagap and made the world from him.
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