The Norse Pantheon OdinGod of Poetry Battle and

The Norse Pantheon

Odin-God of Poetry, Battle, and Death The All-Father Has only one eye Always wears a blue cloak and wide hat to escape recognition Carries a magic spear called Gungnir The ravens Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) sit on his shoulders Sleipnir is his eight-legged horse.

Thor-god of thunder and lightning Born from Odin and Earth Most loved and respected of the gods Represented order and used Mjollnir to keep the giants at bay Strong enough to handle the world serpent Jormungand Quick tempered, slow witted, strong and dependable

Freyr-god of plenty Fertility god; son of Njord; brother of Freya He is who to invoke for peace and plenty He also brings prosperity to men Decides when the rains fall and the sun shines Had a sacred ship (Skidbladnir) and boar (Gullinbursti) which are both symbols of fertility

Heimdall Associated with the sea and was the son of nine maidens Reputed to need less sleep than a bird and can see 100 leagues in front of him by night and day. Able to hear grass growing. Guard of the Bifrost; owner of the horn Gjall which could be heard through 9 worlds

Tyr- bravest of the gods Sacrificed a hand so Fenrir could be bound This ensued the safety of the gods until Ragnarok

Forsetti-God of Justice Son of Balder and Nanna

Bragi-god of poetry and eloquence Son of Odin

Ull Invoked during duels Particularly concerned with archery and skiing

Vali Son of Odin and mistress Rind, who avenged Balders death killing his unwitting murderer

Vidar Son of Odin and the giantess Grid who will avenge Odin’s death

Three other male inhabitants in Asgard Honir-very indecisive; associated with Odin and Loki. After Ragnarok he will be Odin’s successor Hermod-son of Odin, he travels to the underworld in an attempt to recover his dead brother Balder

Balder-gentle and beloved Son of Odin and Frigg Killed by Hod or Hoder, his blind brother whose aim is guided by Loki

Loki The son of two giants but somehow the foster brother of Odin. Sneaky, handsome, conniving, manipulative. Can change shape to take on animal form. One minute he helps the god, the next he loses the golden apples of youth. He has 3 children: Jormungand, the wolf Fenrir, and Hel (half alive/half dead).

Goddesses-Freyja Goddess of love Also associated with war-rides into battle with a chariot pulled by two cats Mistress of magic and witchcraft

Goddesses Gefion-agriculture and plowing Eir-goddess of healing Sjofn and Lofn-matchmakers Var-marriage oath and punisher of cheaters Vor-nothing hidden from her Syn-invoked by defendants at trial Snotra-self discipline

Goddesses Saga-Odin’s drinking partner Lin, fulla, and Gna- handmaidens to Odin’s wife Frigg Idun- custodian of the apples of youth Sif-wife of Thor; famed for long golden hair