Now that the cosmos has been created, It's time to dive deeper into the lives of the gods. We start with the Chieftain of the Aesir gods. Odin now sits on his throne In the paradise of His creation. Asgard is a land more fertile than any other, it was rich with precious metals, especially gold, and Sparkling gems. The skies here were always blue and the sun never failed to shine. The People of Asgard were known to be more beautiful, and possessing of more strength and talent than could be found anywhere else in the nine worlds.
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Through the center of the cosmos rose the mighty Yggdrasil. The immense ash tree that connected the nine worlds. The branches of the world tree towered far up into the heavens, and its three massive roots descended deep into the underworld where it would nourish itself. One root drank from the spring known as Kverghjelme, another to Urd’s well and one to the well of Mimir.
However Yggdrasil was in fact far more, it was a world unto itself. Home to the great stags Dainn. Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Durapror. The lengthy dragon Niohoggr lived under the tree of life biting and chewing at it's roots. while atop lived a beautiful eagle, and the Hawk known as Veorfolnir. Ratotoskr the mischievous squirrel wold run up and down the tree delivering messages between the three. He would tell them gossip and lies. Ratatosk would inform the giant eagle of Niohoggr's contempt, and plotting against him. He would then casually skitter down the tree and tell the dragon the same, alway's sure to add his own juicy details. This would lead to a seething hatred, causing them to each vow to kill the other when Ragnork comes, all over things that neither had heard the other say in person. It was only a matter of time before tempers would explode and worlds would die... What else could you expect from a skittish squirrel?
In the well at the base of the Yggsdrasil there was Urd’s well, swirrling with clear shimmering water and rich in magic. Urd herself, was one of the weird sisters of fate known as Norns. She came to the well with her sisters, Veroande and Skuld. They were powerful maiden giantesses that ventured to the well after leaving Jotunheim. They would take sand and water from around the well and care for the roots of Yggdrasil, so it’s branches would remain healthy and strong. They would also carve the The destinies of children in the trunk of the mighty tree using powerful Runes. The Norns Themselves were magical beings, they had the power to weave fate and destiny and this they did for us all. Quite unaware however, they were being intently observed.
Odin was tall and well built, with long flowing white hair. He would sit on his thrown from which he could see in any direction as far as he desired. As it would turn out, only Odin could sit in his throne, as for anyone else it could lead to dire consequences... and in time it would.
From Asgard, Odin could see the Norns’ activity, but couldn't discern the mysterious carvings. He envied this knowledge mightily, and decided to take on the task of finding the runes’ meaning. Knowing the runes only revealed themselves to those who were worthy, Odin hanged himself on the tree, pierced himself with a spear, and denied any sustenance or help from other gods. Odin peered upon the runes with an intense focus, and after teetering and swinging from the tree, and drifting between life and death for nine days and nine nights, and perhaps even dying a little bit, Odin beheld their secrets. In spite of his pain and exhaustion, he then let out a great, beastly yell. After this, he became stronger in intellect, and wielded a number of magical powers. He would eventually share this knowledge with humanity. It was the gift of language, and the magic held within, they would give us greater say in the course of our own destiny.
http://www.graphicsbuzz.com/graphics/initiation-into-graphics-573e3d.html
Odin was not alone in Asgard, he had a wife named Frigg, the foremost of the goddesses, and she was lovely. Beautiful flowing golden hair, kissed with the red tones of sunset, and sparkling eyes that belied a great sadness, and fear. She lived in great fear of the loss she knows she will have to bear, with the coming of Ragnorok, the twilight of the gods. Frigg would spend most of her time trying to find a way to subvert the inevitable calamity that will befall the gods... and perhaps her most of all. Frigg was often quite lonely, as Odin would be away often in his never ending pursuit of wisdom and greater knowledge. He would often disguise himself, and he took many different names. He would travel the Bifrost bridge to Midgard, and interfere in the workings of the world of man. He would inspire war, and bloodshed among the mortals. After all, he was building an army.
Odin had Ragnorok In the back of his mind when he created man. After the golden age of the gods had passed, his chief concern was gathering the fallen heroes and champions, all the greatest warriors of Midgard who died bravely in battle. He would send his Valkyries the fierce immortal warrior maidens, and choosers of the slain. They would fly their winged horses to transport only the most Valliant of them back to the Great hall of Valhalla in Asgard.
Here they could spend their days in bloody battle to the death. There would be grand feasts every night and the food and drink would revive those who were slain that day to perfect health. This was Viking heaven. They could spend every day training, killing and being killed, sharpening their skills for the coming of Ragnorok.
All Vikings worshiped Odin but none were more feared by men nor more loved by the Allfather, than the Berserks.
They charged into battle wearing the skin of wolves, they could crush their enemies with a single blow. The threat of steel or wood from lesser men meant nothing to them. Berserks were truly ferocious, they were fearless, they loved the roar of battle and the scent of death. These warriors lived for killing, wishing only too be killed, and go to Odin and worship him in the great Hall of Valhalla as a reward for their courage. The average warriors job was to protect the back of the berserker, which would often prove a fatal duty, for when taken into their all consuming rage, they often failed to distinguish friend from foe, and many a warrior died in their appointed task from the indiscriminate fury of Odins chosen. These men would lead Odin’s army into the ultimate battle between good and evil, They would hold the front lines, fighting Hel's army of the dead, next to THEIR god. The god of wisdom, the god of magic, the god of war, the god of death. The father of gods, the father of us all! This was Odin... The Allfather.
http://mythdancer.blogspot.in/2014/11/odin-all-seeing-all-knowingallfather.html
Thanks for reading! Next time will be Odin part 2: Odins eye! If you want to read The Creation section you can find it here. Postcards from Asgard Part 1 Part2 Part 3
And just for fun Here is the original Edda (poem) for Odins sacrifice. Translated by Benjamin Thorpe:
I know that I hung on a wind-rocked tree,
nine whole nights,
with a spear wounded, and to Odin offered,
myself to myself;
on that tree, of which no one knows
from what root it springs.
Bread no one gave me, nor a horn of drink,
downward I peered,
to runes applied myself, wailing learnt them,
then fell down thence
See you next timeI