The Religion of the Northmen
THE GODS AND THEIR ABODES
In heaven is Ásgarð, the abode of the Gods. In its midst is the Field of Ida (Iða-völlr), the Assembling-place of the Gods, and Odin's High-Seat Hliðskjálf, from whence he looks forth over all the worlds. But above the heaven of the Æsir reaches a higher heaven, and in the highest stands the imperishable gold-roofed hall, Gimli, brighter than the sun.
Odin or Alfaðir is the highest and eldest of the Æsir; his wife is Friga, the daughter of Fjörgyn; from them descends the race of Æsir. Odin's hall is the great Valhalla (Valhöll). Spears support its ceiling, with shields it is roofed, and coats of mail adorn its benches. Thither, and to Vingólf, the hall of the Goddesses, Odin invites all men wounded by arms, all in battle fallen; therefore he is called Valfaðir, the Father of the Slain; and his invited guests are called Einherjar. It is their pastime to fight and slay each other every day; but they revive again before evening, and ride home reconciled to Valhalla, where they are refreshed with the flesh of the boar Sæhrímnir, and where the Valkyrjur reach them mead. By the side of Odin stand two wolves, Geri and Freki; upon his shoulders sit two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, which regularly fly out and return with tidings from the whole world. His horse is the gray eight-footed Sleipnir. Odin's names are manifold; for he never calls himself by the same name when he journeys among the people.
Thor (Þórr) is the second of the Æsir, a son of Odin, and his own daughter Jörð (Earth). He is the strongest of the Gods; his dwelling is Thrúðvangar or Thrúðheim; his hall the immense Bilskirnir. To him come bondsmen after death. Thor drives in a car which is drawn by two goats, and is therefore called Öku-Þórr---the Driving Thor. He is also called Hlórriði---the Fire-Charioteer. The mountains shake and are riven asunder, and the earth burns beneath his chariot. Fire flashes from his eyes when he is angry. The Belt of Strength (megin-glörð) redoubles his Asa-might. Unceasingly he fights against the Jötuns, who tremble at his hammer Mjölnir, smithied by skillful Dwarves. His wife Sif, with golden hair. The boy Thjálfi and the girl Röskva, brother and sister, go with him on his travels.
Baldur is a son of Odin and Friga. He is so beautiful that all things are made light by him; he is beloved by all and is the Comforter of the unfortunate. His wife is Nanna and his dwelling is Breiðablik, where nothing impure is found.
Njörð was born in Vanaheim among the wise Vanir, but was received among the Æsir when the Vanir, in a treaty with the latter, gave him as a hostage and received Hænir in his stead. Njörð rules the course of the winds, stills the sea and fire, and deals out riches among men. He is invoked in Sea-faring and Fishing. His wife is Skaði, daughter of the Jötun Thjassi. But Njörð and Skaði agree not together. Njörð dwells in Nóatún, by the sea; Skaði keeps to her father's dwelling at Thrymheim, where she runs upon snow-shoes over the mountains, and shoots the wild beasts with her bow.
Frey is the son of Njörð, and rules over rain and sunshine and the earth's fruitfulness. He is invoked for fruitful seasons, for peace and riches. He is bland and good; he causes sorrow to no one, but delivers the bondsmen from their chains. His dwelling is Alfheim. He drives with the boar Gullinbursti (Golden Bristles), or sails in the noble ship Skiðblaðnir, a work of the Dwarves. In order to obtain the Jötun-daughter Gerða, whom he loved, he gave away his good sword, and hence he is weaponless in the Æsir's last battle.
Týr, the One-Handed, is the boldest among the Æsir; brave men are to invoke him.
Bragi, with the flowing beard, a son of Odin, is the God of Poetry. His wife is Iduna, who keeps the apples of which the Gods partake, that they may never grow old.
Heimdall, the white God with the golden teeth, the son of nine Jötun-virgins, is the Watcher of the Gods, and dwells in Himinbjörg, which stands where Bifröst's bridge approaches Heaven. He is more watchful than a bird, and sees a hundred miles away. When he blows in his trumpet Gjallarhorn it resounds throughout all worlds.
The rest of the Æsir are: the blind, powerful Höður, a son of Odin; Viðarr, with iron shoes, Odin's son by the Jötun-woman Griða, is called the Silent God. Next to Thor, he is the strongest, and dwells in the desert Landviði. Ali or Vali, the sure marksman, is a son of Odin and Rinda, born in the western hall. Ullur, Thor's step-son, the God of hunting and snow-shoe running, is invoked for success in the duel; his dwelling is in Ýdalir. Forseti, the son of Baldur, settles all disputes among gods and men; he dwells in Glitnir, whose roof of silver rests on golden columns.
Of the Goddesses (Ásynjur, sing. Ásynja) Friga is the highest. She is the daughter of Fjörgyn, and the wife of Odin. Her dwelling place is in Fensalir.
Next to her is Freyja, Njörð's daughter, sister of Frey, the Goddess of Love. Two cats draw her chariot. Her dwelling is Fólkvangar, her hall, Sessrymnir. When she rides out to battle, she shares half the fallen with Odin. Her husband Óður travels far away; Freyja weeps golden tears of longing after him. She is called Vanadís---the Vanir-goddess, and has many other names besides, which she received as she wandered about among unknown tribes, seeking her lost Óður.
Saga dwells in the great Sökkvabekk under the cool waves; there she drinks with Odin every day from golden vessels.
There are besides those many Goddesses of inferior dignity, some in Friga's service and some in Freyja's.
The Valkyrjur are sent by Odin to every battle, to choose guests for Valhalla and to turn the victory. Among their number is Skuld, the youngest of the Nornir. Surrounded by lightning's glare and bearing bright spears, they ride in bloody armor through the air and over the seas. When their steeds shake their manes dew falls in the deep valleys and hail upon the high forests.
The ruler of the sea is Ægir, also called Gýmir and Hler. He is a Jötun, though a friend of the Æsir. When the latter visit him, his hall is illuminated with shining gold. His wife is Rán. She has a net with which she catches seafarers. The daughters of Ægir and Rán are the Waves: they are unfriendly to voyagers and strive to overturn ships.
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