Changes

The complex cosmology of these myths asserts nine worlds (not to be confused with planets) that are connected by a gigantic ash tree called Yggdrasil.

The complex cosmology of these myths asserts nine worlds (not to be confused with planets) that are connected by a gigantic ash tree called Yggdrasil.

One of these nine worlds is [[Midgard]], the world of men. In the Norse creation myth as we know it today, Midgard was made from the dismembered body of a huge giant named Ymir, who was killed by the god brothers [[Odin]], [[Vili]], and [[Ve]] in revenge for his predations on their ancestors. The progenitors of humanity are named Aske and Embla, who were made from two pieces of driftwood found by these gods on the shore of Midgard's ocean. "Middle Earth" in [[Tolkein]]'s [[Lord of the Rings]] is a name adapted from "Midgard"; many of the names and concepts in his works were adapted or taken directly from Norse myths.

One of these nine worlds is [[Midgard]], the world of men. In the Norse creation myth as we know it today, Midgard was made from the dismembered body of a huge giant named Ymir, who was killed by the god brothers [[Odin]], [[Vili]], and [[Ve]] in revenge for his predations on their ancestors. The progenitors of humanity are Aske and Embla, who were made from two pieces of driftwood found by these gods on the shore of Midgard's ocean. "Middle Earth" in [[Tolkein]]'s [[Lord of the Rings]] is a name adapted from "Midgard"; many of the names and concepts in his works were adapted or taken directly from Norse myths.

There are two kinds of gods in these myths: Aesir and Vanir (these are plural names, much as the ''-im'' ending in Hebrew denotes plurality). The world of the Aesir is called [[Asgard]] (pronounced more like OWS-gard); the Vanir have their own world called Vanaheim, but a few of them live in Asgard. Norse myths are primarily about the inhabitants of Asgard.

There are two kinds of gods in these myths: Aesir and Vanir (these are plural names). The world of the Aesir is called [[Asgard]] (pronounced more like OWS-gard); the Vanir have their own world called Vanaheim, but a few of them live in Asgard. Norse myths are primarily about the inhabitants of Asgard.

The full roster of worlds is argued by scholars, as the source materials are fragmentary and sometimes contradictory. Some of the other worlds are Alfheim (Elf-home), Svartalfheim (Dark Elf or Dwarf-home), Jotunheim (Giant-home), Muspellheim (Uncertain translation but might as well be Fire-home) and Niflheim (Fog-home).

The full roster of worlds is argued by scholars, as the source materials are fragmentary and sometimes contradictory. Some of the other worlds are Alfheim (Elf-home), Svartalfheim (Dark Elf or Dwarf-home), Jotunheim (Giant-home), Muspellheim (Uncertain translation but might as well be Fire-home) and Niflheim (Fog-home). The Germanic pronunciation of the ''-heim'' suffix rhymes with ''time'', while the Icelandic pronunciation rhymes with ''flame''; you are likely to hear both. The accent on all of these names is always on the first syllable.

The Norse creation myth is fundamentally different from the Abrahamic (Christian) creation story found in [[Genesis]]. In the Abrahamic story, consciousness (God) creates existence and life, but in a common interpretation of the Norse story, a cyclic existence creates or recycles life and consciousness. For example, at the beginning of the Norse story, the fire giant Surt is already imprisoned in Muspellheim. No explanation is given for this situation, but his eventual escape is foretold and not to be looked forward to. The ice giant Ymir is spontaneously generated from the cold vapors of Niflheim, and Buri, grandfather of Odin and his brothers, is released (apparently not generated) from the ice to take up life. Once again, no explanation is given for his being there. One can only imagine, but some preceding cycle of existence is implied.

The Norse creation myth is fundamentally different from the Abrahamic (Christian) creation story found in [[Genesis]]. In the Abrahamic story, consciousness (God) creates existence and life, but in a common interpretation of the Norse story, a cyclic existence creates or recycles life and consciousness. For example, at the beginning of the Norse story, the fire giant Surt is already imprisoned in Muspellheim. No explanation is given for this situation, but his eventual escape is foretold and not to be looked forward to. The ice giant Ymir is spontaneously generated from the cold vapors of Niflheim, and Buri, grandfather of Odin and his brothers, is released (apparently not generated) from the ice to take up life. Once again, no explanation is given for his being there. One can only imagine, but some preceding cycle of existence is implied.

At the other end of the myths is [[Ragnarok]], a great battle in which the gods and their favored human warriors fight the various giants and their allies. Most of the gods die in this battle, but a few survive, along with two humans, who then begin the next cycle of existence. In the Viking culture, dying in battle was considered highly desirable, as only these warriors might be selected to fight and die (again) with the gods at Ragnarok. Most people who do not die in battle are consigned to spend forever in Niflheim with the death goddess Hela (the origin of the modern English word "hell"). This fate is considered morally neutral: it is not associated with punishment or torment, and the food in Niflheim is reputedly quite good. Truly evil people are sent to a place called Nastrond. Descriptions of Nastrond vary, but it is a place you really don't want to be.

At the other end of the myths is [[Ragnarok]], a great battle in which the gods and their favored human warriors fight the various giants and their allies. Most of the gods die in this battle, but a few survive, along with two humans, who then begin the next cycle of existence. In the Viking culture, dying in battle was considered highly desirable, as only these warriors might be selected to fight and die (again) with the gods at Ragnarok. Most people who do not die in battle are consigned to spend forever in Niflheim with the death goddess Hela (the origin of the modern English word "hell"). This fate is considered morally neutral: it is not associated with punishment or torment, and the food in Niflheim is reputedly quite good. Truly evil people are sent to a place called Nastrond. Descriptions of Nastrond vary, but it is a place you really don't want to be.

Along with gods, men, giants, elves, and dwarves, a variety of other types of beings are mentioned. Most notable are dragons, trolls, and land-spirits (wights).

Along with gods, men, giants, elves, and dwarves, a variety of other types of beings are mentioned. Most notable are dragons, trolls, and local land-spirits (wights). The practice of heathen religion tends to have as much to do with wights as with gods.

==Odin==

==Odin==

'''Odin''' is usually said to be the leader of the gods. He has many alternate names, and many areas of interest, including [[war]] and [[death]], [[poetry]] and [[art]], and wisdom in general. Also, Odin is credited with the creation of [[human|humans,]] along with two other gods, either his brothers Vili and Ve, or his friends Hoenir and Lodur, depending on which mythological source you happen to read.

'''Odin''' is usually said to be the leader of the gods. He has many alternate names (Bolverk, Wegtam, Gandalf, Ygg, Valfather, to name a few), and many areas of interest, including [[war]] and [[death]], [[poetry]] and [[art]], and wisdom in general. Also, Odin is credited with the creation of [[human|humans,]] along with two other gods, either his brothers Vili and Ve, or his friends Hoenir and Lodur, depending on which mythological source you happen to read.

In the myths, Odin is easy to recognize, even when he is disguised as Wegtam the Wanderer. He traded one eye for a drink from the Well of Wisdom, so he wears a large floppy hat pulled low over his face, or drapes his long gray hair over the missing eye. He is said to wear a blue or gray cloak. Of course, as things tend to go in myths, the humans he encounters don't usually know who he is when he arrives on their doorsteps dressed this way. Some people treat their visitor poorly, while others treat him well, with predictable results.

In the myths, Odin is easy to recognize, even when he is disguised as Wegtam the Wanderer. He traded one eye for a drink from the Well of Wisdom, so he wears a large floppy hat pulled low over his face, or drapes his long gray hair over the missing eye. He is said to wear a blue or gray cloak. Of course, as things tend to go in myths, the humans he encounters don't usually know who he is when he arrives on their doorsteps dressed this way. Some people treat their visitor poorly, while others treat him well, with predictable results.

Odin is said to have children by several different giantesses, including his most famous son, [[Thor]]. His wife, however, is [[Frigga]], the goddess of marriage, motherhood, and the home. Odin and Frigga have a son named [[Balder]].

Odin has children by several different giantesses, including his most famous son, [[Thor]]. His wife, however, is [[Frigga]], the goddess of marriage, motherhood, and the home. Odin and Frigga have two sons, named [[Baldr]] and Hodr.

When Odin goes to war, his special [[weapon]] is a spear named Gungnir. He sometimes travels on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir. He knows what's happening in the world of men because his two ravens Hugin and Munin (Thought and Memory) fly over the world each day, then come home to tell him what they've seen and heard.

When Odin goes to war, his special [[weapon]] is a spear named Gungnir. He sometimes travels on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir. He knows what's happening in the world of men because his two ravens Hugin and Munin (Thought and Memory) fly over the world each day, then come home to tell him what they've seen and heard.

One of Freya's noteworthy attributes is her necklace, ''Brisingamen''. She bought the necklace from four "dark elves", masters of the making of things, and she paid a very high price for it: among other things, it cost her her beloved husband.

One of Freya's noteworthy attributes is her necklace, ''Brisingamen''. She bought the necklace from four "dark elves", masters of the making of things, and she paid a very high price for it: among other things, it cost her her beloved husband.

Freya's brother is Frey, who is closely associated with the mythic history of the kings of [[Sweden]]. He is a male "love god" counterpart to his sister, and also a god of agricultural fertility.

 

 

Freya's brother is '''Frey''' (also spelled Freyr), who is involved with the mythic history of the kings of [[Sweden]]. He is a male "love god" counterpart to his sister, and also a god of agricultural fertility. He is closely associated with the richness of summer. Although he is a great warrior, he is also one of the most benign of the gods. In the early Old English ''Caedmon's Hymn'', the Christian god is described partly by analogy with Frey.

There is an ongoing debate among people who study this [[mythology]] about whether the modern English word "[[Friday]]" was originally "Freya's Day", or if it is "[[Frigga]]'s Day", named after [[Odin]]'s wife.

The words ''Frey'' and ''Freya'' are actually titles, not names. They translate directly as ''Lord'' and ''Lady''. Scholars argue over their proper names, but this is mostly guesswork.

==Thor==

==Thor==