Born of very different parents
I believe the norns are,
they do not share kinship.
Some are of the Æsir,
Some are of the elves,
Some are the daughters of Dvalin.’
(The Lay of Fafnir. 13)
Then Gangleri said, ‘If the norns decide the fates of men, then they do so in a terribly uneven manner. Some people enjoy a good and prosperous life, whereas others have little wealth or renown. Some have a long life, but others, a short one.’
High said: ‘The good norns, the ones who are well born, shape a good life. When people experience misfortune, it is the bad norns who are responsible.’
16. THE CREATURES OF THE ASH TREE YGGDRASIL
Then Gangleri said, ‘What more of importance can be said about the ash?’
High replied, ‘There is much to be told. An eagle sits in the branches of the ash, and it has knowledge of many things. Between its eyes sits the hawk called Vedrfolnir [Wind Bleached]. The squirrel called Ratatosk [Drill Tooth] runs up and down the ash. He tells slanderous gossip, provoking the eagle and Nidhogg. Four stags called Dain, Dvalin, Duneyr and Durathror move about in the branches of the ash, devouring the tree’s foliage.1 In Hvergelmir there are so many serpents with Nidhogg that no tongue can count them. As it says here:
The ash Yggdrasil
endures hardship,
more than men know.
A stag bites from above
and its sides rot;
From below Nidhogg gnaws.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 35)
‘So it is said:
More snakes
lie under the ash Yggdrasil
than any old fool imagines.
Goin and Moin,
they are Grafvitnir’s sons,
Grabak and Grafvollud, and
Ofnir and Svafnir
will always, I believe,
eat away the tree’s shoots.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 34)
‘It is also said that those norns who live beside Urd’s Well draw water every day from the spring and that they splash this, mixed with the mud that lies beside the well, over the ash so that its branches will not wither or decay. That water is so sacred that all things which come into the spring become as white as the membrane called skjall [skin] which lies on the inside of the eggshell. As it says here:
I know an ash,
it is called Yggdrasil,
a high, holy tree,
splashed and coated with white clay.
From it come the dews
that fall in the valleys.
It will always stand
green over Urd’s Well. (The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 19)
‘People call the dew, which falls to the earth, honey dew, and bees feed on it. Two birds nourish themselves in the Well of Urd. These are called swans, and from them comes the species of bird with that name.’
17. THE HIGH ONE TELLS OF OTHER PLACES IN HEAVEN
Then Gangleri said, ‘You know much to tell about the heavens. Are there other significant places besides the one at Urd’s Well?’
High said, ‘There are many magnificent places there. One is called Alfheim [Elf World]. The people called the light elves live there, but the dark elves live down below in the earth. They are different from the light elves in appearance, and far more so in nature. The light elves are more beautiful than the sun, while the dark elves are blacker than pitch. One place is named Breidablik [Gleaming Far and Wide], and no place there is more beautiful. There also is the place called Glitnir [Radiant Place]; its walls, columns and pillars are of red gold, and its roof is of silver. Then there is that place called Himinbjorg. It stands at heaven’s end, right at the far edge of the bridge where Bifrost enters heaven. There is also the great place called Valaskjalf; it belongs to Odin. The gods built it and roofed it with pure silver. Inside this hall is Hlidskjalf, as this throne is called. When All-Father sits in this seat, he sees over all the world.
‘At the southern reaches of heaven’s end is a hall, the most beautiful of them all and brighter than the sun. It is called Gimle. It will remain standing when both heaven and earth are gone, and good and righteous men will inhabit that place through all ages. As The Sibyl’s Prophecy says:
I know a hall, standing
fairer than the sun
better than gold
at Gimle.
Worthy men
will live there
through the days of all time
enjoying happiness.’
(The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 64)
Then Gangleri said, ‘What will protect this place when Surt’s fire burns heaven and earth?’
High answered: ‘It is said that a second heaven lies to the south and above this heaven. It is called Andlang [Long and Wide]. Still further up, there is a third heaven called Vidblain [Wide Blue]. We believe that this region is in heaven, but now only the light elves live there.’
18. THE ORIGIN OF THE WIND
Then Gangleri said: ‘From where comes the wind? It is so strong that it whips the great oceans and stirs up fire. But as strong as it is, no one can see it, so wondrously is it made.’
High said, ‘I can easily tell you that. At the far northern end of heaven sits a giant named Hraesvelg [Corpse Gulper]. He has the shape of an eagle, and when he beats his wings to take flight, the winds blow out from under them. As is said here:
Hraesvelg, he is called,
who sits at heaven’s end,
a giant in eagle’s shape.
From his wings,
it is said, the winds
blow over all men.’
(The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 37)
19. SUMMER AND WINTER
Then Gangleri asked, ‘Why is there such a difference between the heat of summer and the cold of winter?’
High answered, ‘A wise man would not have asked, because everyone can answer this. But if you are a man of such little learning that you have not heard this before, then I would rather that you, in your ignorance, ask than continue to be unaware of what one ought to know. Svasud is the name of the father of Summer. He is a man so content that from his name comes the expression “it is svasligt”, referring to what is pleasant. The father of Winter is alternately called Vindloni or Vindsval [Wind Chill]. He is the son of Vasad [Damp Cold]. These are cruel and cold-hearted kinsmen, and Winter takes its nature from them.’
20. ODIN THE ALL-FATHER
Then Gangleri said, ‘Which Æsir ought men to believe in?’
High answered, ‘There are twelve Æsir whose nature is divine.’
Then Just-as-High added: ‘The goddesses are no less sacred, nor are they less powerful.’
Then Third said, ‘Odin is the highest and oldest of the gods. He rules in all matters, and, although the other gods are powerful, all serve him as children do their father. Frigg is his wife. She knows the fates of men, even though she pronounces no prophecies. So it is said here, when Odin himself spoke with one of the Æsir called Loki:1
“You are raving, Loki,
and out of your mind,
why, Loki, do you not stop?
Frigg knows,
I believe, the fate of all,
though she herself says nothing.”
(Loki’s Flyting. 21, 29, 47)
‘Odin is called All-Father, because he is the father of all the gods. He is also called Father of the Slain [Val-Father], because all who fall in battle are his adopted sons. With them he mans Valhalla and Vingolf, and they are known as the Einherjar. He is also called Hanga-God [God of the Hanged], Hapta-God2 [God of Prisoners] and Farma-God [God of Cargoes], and he named himself in many other ways on his visit to King Geirrod:
“I call myself Grim
and Gangleri,
Herjan, Hjalmberi,
Thekk, Thrid,
Thunn, Unn,
Helblindi, Har,
Sann, Svipal,3
Sanngetal,
Herteit, Hnikar,
Biley
g, Baleyg,
Bolverk, Fjolnir,
Grimnir, Glapsvid, Fjolsvid,
Sidhott, Sidskegg,
Sig-Father, Hnikud,
All-Father, Atrid, Farmatyr,
Oski, Omi,
Jafnhar, Blindi,
Gondlir, Harbard,
Svidur, Svidrir,
Jalk, Kjalar, Vidur,
Thror, Ygg, Thund,
Vak, Skilfing,
Vafud, Hroptatyr,
Gaut, Veratyr.”’ (The Lay of Grimnir. 46–50)
Then Gangleri said, ‘You have given him a large number of names. Truly,4 it would be a mark of great learning to be able to relate all the events that lie behind each of these names.’
Then High said, ‘To go carefully through all of that requires much wisdom. Nevertheless, it can quickly be said that most names were given, because, with all the different branches of languages in the world, each of the peoples needed to change his name to their own tongue to worship and to pray. But some names derive from events that took place on his travels. They have formed into tales, and you will never be called a wise man if you are unable to recount these great events.’
21. THOR
Then Gangleri said, ‘What are the names of the other Æsir? How do they occupy themselves? What have they done of importance?’
High replied: ‘Thor is the foremost among them. Called Thor of the Æsir [Asa-Thor] and Thor the Charioteer [Oku-Thor], he is the strongest of all gods and men. He rules at the place called Thrudvangar [Plains of Strength], and his hall is called Bilskirnir. There are five hundred and forty living spaces1 in the hall, and it is the largest building that men have erected. So it says in The Lay of Grimnir:
Five hundred rooms
and forty more are found,
I believe when counted in Bilskirnir.
Of those residences
whose roofs I recognize,
my son’s I know is largest.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 24)
‘Thor has two male goats called Tanngniost [Tooth Gnasher] and Tanngrisnir [Snarl Tooth]. He also owns the chariot that they draw, and for this reason he is called Thor the Charioteer. He, too, has three choice possessions. One is the hammer Mjollnir. Frost giants and mountain giants recognize it when it is raised in the air, which is not surprising as it has cracked many a skull among their fathers and kinsmen. His second great treasure is his Megingjard [Belt of Strength]. When he buckles it on, his divine strength doubles. His third possession, the gloves of iron, are also a great treasure. He cannot be without these when he grips the hammer’s shaft. No one is so wise that he can recount all of Thor’s important deeds. I myself can tell you so many significant tales about him that hours would pass before I have said all I know.’
22. BALDR
Then Gangleri said, ‘I would like to hear about the other Æsir.’
High said, ‘Odin’s second son is Baldr, and there is much good to tell about him. He is the best, and all praise him. He is so beautiful and so bright that light shines from him. One plant is so white that it is likened to Baldr’s brow.1 It is the whitest of all plants, and from this you can judge the beauty of both his hair and his body. He is the wisest of the gods. He is also the most beautifully spoken and the most merciful, but one of his characteristics is that none of his decisions is effective. He lives at the place called Breidablik. It is in heaven, and no impurity may be there. As is said:
Breidablik it is called
where Baldr has
made for himself a hall,
in that land
where I know there are
the fewest perils. (The Lay of Grimnir. 12)
23. NJORD AND SKADI
‘The third god is named Njord. He lives in heaven at the place called Noatun [Enclosure for Ships]. He rules over the movement of the winds, and he can calm sea and fire. One invokes him in seafaring and fishing. He is so rich and prosperous that he can grant wealth in lands or valuables to those who ask for his aid. Njord is not of the Æsir family. He was brought up in Vanaheim, but the Vanir sent him as a hostage to the gods. In return they took as a hostage from the Æsir the one called Hoenir, and his exchange contributed to the peace between the gods and the Vanir.
‘Njord has a wife called Skadi, the daughter of Thjazi the giant. Skadi wanted to live in the home that her father had owned up in the mountains at Thrymheim [Thunder Home]. But Njord wanted to be near the sea. They came to an agreement that they would stay nine nights in Thrymheim, and the next three nights at Noatun.1 But when Njord returned to Noatun from the mountain, he said:
“Hateful for me are the mountains,
I was not long there,
only nine nights.
The howling of wolves
sounded ugly to me
after the song of swans.”
‘Then Skadi said this:
“Sleep I could not
on the sea beds
for the screeching of the bird.
That gull wakes me
when from the wide sea
he comes each morning.”
‘Then Skadi went up to the mountains and lived in Thrymheim. She travels much on skis, carries a bow and shoots wild animals. She is called the ski god or the ski lady, as is said:
Thrymheim it is called
where Thjazi lived,
the mighty giant.
But now Skadi,
pure bride of gods,
lives in her father’s old house.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 11)
24. FREY AND FREYJA
‘After this, Njord of Noatun had two children. The son was called Frey and the daughter Freyja. They were beautiful and powerful. Frey is the most splendid of the gods. He controls the rain and the shining of the sun, and through them the bounty of the earth. It is good to invoke him for peace and abundance. He also determines men’s success in prosperity. Freyja is the most splendid of the goddesses. She has a home in heaven called Folkvangar [Warriors’ Fields]. Wherever she rides into battle, half of the slain belong to her. Odin takes the other half, as it says here:
Folkvang it is called,
and there Freyja decides
the choice of seats in the hall.
Half the slain
she chooses each day,
and half belong to Odin.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 14)
‘Her hall, Sessrumnir [With Many Seats], is large and beautiful. When she travels, she drives a chariot drawn by two cats. She is easily approachable for people who want to pray to her,1 and from her name comes the title of honour whereby women of rank are called frovur or ladies.2 She delights in love songs, and it is good to call on her in matters of love.’
25. TYR
Then Gangleri said, ‘The Æsir seem to me to be very powerful, and it is not surprising that there is so much strength in you, since you know so much about the gods and are aware of to whom each kind of prayer should be directed. Are there still more gods?’
High answered: ‘Tyr1 is the name of another of the Æsir. He is the boldest and most courageous, and it is very much up to him who wins in battle. For men of action, he is good to invoke. The expression goes that a man is Tyr courageous if he is the type who advances out in front, never losing his courage. Tyr is so wise that a clever person is said to be Tyr wise. It is a mark of his daring that when the Æsir tried to lure the wolf Fenrir in order to place the fetter Gleipnir on him, the wolf would not trust the gods to free him until finally they placed Tyr’s hand as a pledge in the wolf’s mouth. Then, when the Æsir refused to free him, the wolf bit off the hand at what is now called the wolf joint. Because of this, Tyr is one-handed, and men do not think of him as a peace maker.
26. BRAGI
‘One of the gods is called Bragi. Though renowned for his wisdom, he is mostly known for his eloquence and his way with words. He is the most knowledgeable about poetry, and because of him poetry is named brag. From his name comes the usage whereby a person, more skilled with words than others, is called bragr
or the foremost of men or women.
‘His wife is Idunn. In her private wooden box1 she keeps the apples which the gods bite into when they begin to grow old. They all become young again, and so it will be right up to Ragnarok.’
Then Gangleri said, ‘It seems to me that the gods are greatly dependent upon Idunn’s care and good faith.’
High said, as he laughed, ‘Misfortune once came close. I could tell you about those events, but first you shall hear the names of still more Æsir.
27. HEIMDALL
‘Heimdall is one. He is called the white god and is powerful and sacred. Nine maidens, all sisters, gave birth to him as their son. He is also known as Hallinskidi and Gullintanni [Gold Toothed], as his teeth are gold. His horse is called Gulltopp [Golden Forelock]. He lives near Bifrost at a place called Himinbjorg. He is the watchman of the gods and sits at heaven’s end, where he keeps watch over the bridge against the mountain giants. He needs less sleep than a bird, and he can see equally well by night or by day a distance of a hundred leagues. He hears the grass growing on the earth and the wool on sheep, as well as everything else that makes more noise. He has the horn known as Gjallarhorn, and its blast can be heard in all worlds. Heimdall’s sword is called a head. It is said:
Himinbjorg it is called
and there Heimdall
rules over sacred places.
There the watchman of the gods
drinks in his comfortable lodgings,
happily, the good mead.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 13)
‘Further, he himself says in Heimdall’s Chant:1
“Of nine mothers I am the child,
of nine sisters I am the son.”
28. HOD
‘Hod is the name of one of the gods. He is blind and immensely strong. The gods would have wished to avoid mentioning the name of this member of the Æsir, because the work of his hands will long be remembered1 by gods and men.
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