Northern mythology

NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY. 159
idea of property arose, a distinction between mine and
thine, and Heidi (HeiJ^i, from lieiSr_, honour, dignity) or
riches awakened desire.
Odin is Allfather, the universal ruler over all, his nature
is, therefore, manifold. He is the world^s creator, the
father of time, the lord of gods and men, and of all nature,
the god of heaven, the king of the year, the god of war,
and giver of victory. He operates through heaven and
earth, but, at the same time, allies himself with the giants
and powers of the deep, as the spirit that operates throughout
the material world. And from all these relations his
sons proceed, who are a part of his essence. He is heaven ;
his eye, the sun, looks out over all on earth, and at night
beholds all in the deep. He has connection mth Earth,
and becomes the father of Thor, the thunder. He who
quickens all nature has intercourse with the giant powers,
and begets the unperishing Vidar^ As god of time and
king of the year, he with Frigg^ begets Baldur^, the
bright summer. Hod also, the dark nights of winter, who
slays Baldur"^, and Yali^, the forthcoming new year, who
avenges him, are likewise his children. As lord of the
intellectual world he is father of Bragi^, the god of eloquence
and poetry. As god of war, or father of hosts
(Heriafo^r), he begets Hermod^, the spirit, who goes on
his messages ; sends Ty^, the god of valour and honour,
into the heat of battle ; and his maidens, the Valkyriur,
choose the heroes that shall be his guests in Valhall, the
hall of the chosen. He is the heavenly image of earthly
kings, surrounded by his men, the ^Esir, with his skald,
Bragi^, and his supreme judge, Forseti^. As ruler of
heaven, he dwells in Valaskialf^, and sits on a throne in
Hlidskialf 9. As the Einheriar^s prince, he dwells in Glads-
1 Pages 29, 84.