Sometimes called Allfather, Odin played a central role in myths about the
creation and destruction of the world. He was the god of battle and also of
wisdom, magic, and poetry. His name means "fury" or "frenzy," the quality of
fierce inspiration that guided warriors and poets alike. Odin probably
originated in the myths of early Germanic peoples, who called him Wo3anaz.
The name of the fourth day of the week, Wednesday, comes from Woden's-
day, the god's Old English name. Odin was married to Frigg, the guardian of
marriage.
Odin spanned the history of the Norse mythic world from its creation to its
destruction. Before the world existed, he and his two younger brothers, Vili
and Ve, killed the primal frost giant Ymir. They used Ymir's bones, blood, and
flesh to form the universe. Odin arranged the heavens for the gods, the middle
world for humans and dwarfs, and the underworld for the dead. He then
created the first man and woman from an ash tree and an elm tree.
Odin was credited with great wisdom, including knowledge of magic and
divination. He had paid a high price for this gift, however, giving one of his
eyes in exchange for a drink from the well of Mimir. The waters of this well,
which seeped from among the roots of the World Tree Yggdrasill, contained
great wisdom. Another myth says that Odin stabbed himself with his magical
spear, called Gungnir, and hung from Yggdrasill for nine days and nights in a
living death. This self-sacrifice gave him knowledge of the runes, the Norse
symbols used for writing and fortune-telling. Yet although Odin was wise, he
could also be sly and treacherous. It was not unusual, for example, for him to
break his word or to turn people against each other to start conflicts.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla (from Old Norse Valhöll "hall of the slain is a
majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen
by Odin, half of those that die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by
valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja's field Fólkvangr. (See
goddesses of the world Freyja). Valkyries are demigoddesses created by Odin
from the souls of women warriors and beautiful women that Odin favored, to
snap up dead warriors and serve them in the afterlife.
Valhalla is Odin’s Heavenly Holiday Inn. It is located in Asgard and has room
service like you've never seen on Earth. Dead Norse warriors treated to an
afterlife rich in booze, punch-ups and uncouth language.
Although brochures of the warrior's paradise Valhalla are readily available,
what goes on in Thrudheim and the remaining halls is out of bounds. The
Gods seem to do most of their carousing at their local club, a banqueting hall
called Gladsheim and debate things.
Confused? Don’t worry! Even the most ancient legends contradict each other
on the subject. We would guess that after enough beer it all makes sense.
Here in the upstate of South Carolina we have a city named Walhalla. In the
German language 'W; is pronounced 'V'. The locals have become so
Christianized they have forgotten their German roots and call Walhalla "The
Garden of the God's"
Gods of the World Odin
Odin
is Father of the
Gods, King of
ASGARD, Ruler
of the AESIR and
the Lord of War,
Death and
Knowledge.
One would think
that a wise
one-eyed Norse
cowboy on an
eight-legged
horse would be
easy to
recognise. Ha!
ODIN is a
shape-changer,
and his range of
disguises make
Sherlock Holmes
look like Miss
Marple.
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