VIDAR, BALDUR and HEIMDALL - VIDAR (top center) is the son of Odin and the Giantess Grid. He is both strong and taciturn also considered by the ancients to be a personification of the primaeval forest and the forces of nature. Vidar surnamed "The

VIDAR, BALDUR and HEIMDALL - VIDAR (top center) is the son of Odin and the Giantess Grid. He is both strong and taciturn also considered by the ancients to be a personification of the primaeval forest and the forces of nature. Vidar surnamed "The Silent" was destined to survive the destruction of the gods and rule over a regenerated earth. His habitation is in Landvidi (the wide land) situated in the midst of an impenetrable primaeval forest where deep silence and solitude reign. Vidar is large in stature, clad in armour, shod with great iron or leather. This is Vidar"s protection when he fights fire on the last day. Odin and Vidar journeyed to the Urdar fountain where Odin questioned the three Norns about Vidar's future and destiny. The three sisters answered; "Early begun" "Further spun" "One day done" To this their mother Wyrd the primitive goddess of fate also added "With joy once more won" The goddess then went on to explain that as time progresses all must change. Even if the father fell in the last battle his son Vidar would be the avenger and live to rule over a regenerated world after having conquered all his enemies. After hearing this Vidar said not a word and slowly returned to his palace in Landvidi where he pondered long about eternity and the future. If he understood their secrets he never revealed them. Vidar is also a symbol of resurrection and renewal. The armour he wore was to be his protection against the wolf Fenris (Fenrir Sulfur). After destroying Odin the great wolf then directed his wrath against Vidar. The old Northmen declared that Vidar braced his foot against the wolf's lower jaw, seized the upper and destroyed Fenris. - BALDER (bottom left) is the son of Odin and Frigga. He is also the twin brother of Hodur the god of darkness. The twin brothers were as dissimilar in appearance as they were in character. Baldur was worshipped as the pure and radiant god of innocence and light. Also known as the sun god and was beloved by both gods and men. Baldur rapidly attained his full growth and was early admitted to the council of gods. The god of light was well versed in the science of runes and herbology. The only thing hidden from his eyes was his fate. One day the gods became greatly troubled when the noticed a change in Balder, the light died out of his eyes , his face became worn, his step was heavy and slow. When Odin and Frigga implored him to reveal what troubles him, Baldur confessed he had been haunted by strange and dark dreams that left him feeling fear when he awoke. This troubled Odin and Frigga greatly for they too were oppressed by strange forebodings. Believing that Baldur's life was threatened, Odin and Frigga took action. They sent servants in every direction with strict instructions to have all living creatures, plants, metals, stones, everything animate and inanimate to swear a solemn vow not to harm Baldur. All creation took the oath for nothing on earth did not love the radiant sun god. The servants returned to Frigga telling her all had sworn the oath save for the mistletoe growing upon the oak at the gate of Valhalla believing such a puny inoffensive thing could offer any harm. Odin however had resolved to consult with one of the dead Vala prophetesses. To do this he rode Sleipnir his eight legged steed over the rainbow bridge Bifrost and took the dreary road that leads to Giallar, Nifilheim and straight into Hel's dark abode. Here Odin began to chant solemnly and trace runes to raise the dead. The tomb opened and a prophetess rose asking who dared to raise her. Odin not wanting to reveal his identity claimed he was Vegtam son of Valtam and said he had awakened her to inquire for whom Hel had prepared her couches and a festive meal. The prophetess confirmed Odin's fears and stated the guest will be Balder who is destined to be slain by his brother Hodur the blind god of darkness. Odin then inquired who would avenge Balder, for revenge and retaliation are sacred duties of the northern races. The prophetess predicted that Rinda the earth goddess will bear Odin a son named Vali who will neither wash his face nor comb his hair until he avenged Balder's death. Odin then asked "who will refuse to weep at Balder's death?" This question showed knowledge of the future that no mortal could possess and the prophetess immediately realized she was speaking to Odin. Refusing to answer anymore questions she returned to her tomb stating none will raise her again until the end of the world. Odin now mounted Sleipnir and began his miserable journey back to Asgaard. Meanwhile on the playground of the gods that was situated on the green plain of Ida and was called Idavold, here the gods learned that Balder could not be harmed by any manner of weapon or object, etc. No matter how hard they tried, for everything vowed not to harm Balder. An old woman passing by watching all this was none other than Loki himself in disguise. Loki became jealous of Balder for he was so greatly loved by everyone and everything while Loki was feared and avoided as much as possible. Then Loki still disguised as the old woman saw Frigga and asked why nothing will harm Balder. Frigga then stated that all things living and inanimate swore a vow not to harm Balder except the mistletoe for it was too small and weak to be feared. This was all the information that Loki needed and found the mistletoe growing by Valhalla's gate and using magic he transformed the object to an unnatural hardness and size. Loki then fashioned an arrow from the mistletoe and headed to Idavold where the gods were still throwing weapons and objects at Balder. here he saw Hodur leaning against a tree looking miserable and inquired why the melancholy. Hodur then told Loki that he is unable to participate in the fun due to his blindness. Loki then put the mistletoe arrow into Hodur's hand and led him into the middle of the circle, guiding Holdur's hand holding the bow in the direction of Balder and then instructed to release the arrow. Holdur to his dismay expecting laughter instead heard cries of horror from everyone as Balder fell dead to the ground after being pierced by the mistletoe arrow. When Frigga saw the terrible event that happened she implored that the gods must go to Nifilheim and meet with Hel to persuade her to release Balder. The journey to Nifiheim was miserable and painful to the extreme therefore none of the gods volunteered to go. When Frigga promised that she and Odin would reward and love the messenger above all the Aesir, Hermod agreed to go. Odin lent Hermod Sleipner. The noble steed would not let anyone on his back except for Odin, let Hermod on his back without hesitation. During Hermod's ten day journey to Nifilheim the gods had prepared a massive and glorious funeral pyre upon the deck of Balder's ship Ringhorn. It was greatly attired with tapestry hangings, weapons, objects of great wealth and flowers. One by one the gods bade their last farewell, when Nanna bent over Balder her heart broke and she fell lifeless by his side. Seeing this the gods laid her by his side so she may accompany her husband even in death. Odin was now the last of the gods to approach and added to the offerings his magic ring Draupnir. The gods now prepared to move the ship and found it was so massive they could not move the ship an inch. Therefore they had to summon the storm giantess Hyrrokin. She soon appeared riding a giant wolf guided by a bridle made of writhing snakes. After dismounting she set her shoulder against the stern and with a tremendous effort sent the ship rushing into the water. The weight was so massive the earth shook and the rollers the ship glided on caught fire from the friction. When Hermod arrived at Hel's banqueting hall on the tenth night he found Balder pale and dejected and his wife Nanna sitting beside him. Hermod in vain informed Balder he had come to redeem him Balder shook his head and said no. For he know he should remain in this cheerless realm until the last day but implored Hermod to take Nanna for this was no place for her. Hearing this Nanna clung even closer to her husband's side vowing nothing will make her part from him and that she'll stay with him forever even in Nifilheim. Hermod then sought Hel and implored her to release Balder as she sat in silence listening to the request. Finally Hel declared she will allow Balder's release providing all things animate and inanimate show their sorrow by shedding tears. Hermod then journeyed back to Asgaard carrying with him the ring Draupnir Baldur sent back to Odin along with a carpet from Nanna to Frigga and a ring for Fulla. When Hermod returned to Asgaard the Aesir sent heralds to every part of the world to bid all things animate and inanimate weep for Balder. North, South, East and West all beings and things both living and inanimate shed tears with the exception of a Giantess named Thok. When bade to shed tears she mocked the heralds, as she returned to her cave she declared that no tear shall fall from her eyes and that she cares not if Hel keeps Balder forever. - HEIMDALL (bottom right) is the son of Odin and the nine daughters of the sea goddess Ran. Walking along the sea-shore Odin beheld nine beautiful giantesses, the wave maidens Hevring, Blodughadda, Himinglava, Hronn, Duva, Unn, Kolga, Bylgia and Bara. The Allfather was so charmed by their beauty he wedded all nine of them and they combined into one to bring forth a son named Heimdall. The watcher of the gods and guardian of the rainbow bridge Bifrost. "Born was I of mothers nine, Son I am of sisters nine." ( Saemund's Edda, Thorpes tr.) The nine mothers nourished their son on the strength of the earth, the moisture of the sea and the heat of the sun. This diet was so strengthening that Heimdall acquired full growth in a very short period of time and quickly joined his father in Asgaard. Here he found the gods proudly contemplating the rainbow bridge Bifrost, which they had constructed from fire, air and water. These materials can be plainly seen in its long arch, the three colours glowing. Red representing fire, blue the air and green the cool depths of the sea. This bridge connected Asgaard to both Vanaheim and Midgaard (heaven and earth) and ended under the shade of the cosmic ash tree Yggdrasil beside the fountain where Mimir kept guard. Bifrost needed to be well guarded from the ever present threat of the frost giants making their way over it to gain entrance into Asgaard. The gods had decided to appoint a new guardian and hailed Heimdall as the one well suited for the position. Gladly Heimdall accepted this honour and kept vigilant watch day and night over the rainbow bridge into Asgaard. To enable their watchman to detect any enemy approach from afar the gods bestowed upon Heimdall senses so great he could hear the grass grow on the hillside, the wool on a sheep's back, to see one hundred miles as plainly as night by day and requied less sleep than a bird. Heimdall was also gifted with a magic flashing sword called Hufuth and a great trumpet called Giallar-horn which Heimdall would blow whenever enemies approached. It's sound would rouse all creatures in the god worlds, earth and Nifilheim, its last dreaded blast would announce the last day, Ragnarok. Giallar-horn was a symbol of the crescent moon, which Heimdall would either hang from the branches of Yggdrasil or sank in the waters of MImir's well where it lay beside Odin's eye which was an emblem of the moon at full. Heimdall was always depicted in immaculate white armour and was also known as the bright god or the light, innocent and graceful god. All names which he deserved. Connected on his mother's side to the sea he was also included with the Vanas. To the ancient Northmen especially in Iceland the surrounding sea appeared to be the most important element. They fancied all things that had risen out from it. They attributed to Heimdall all-embracing knowledge and wisdom like his father Odin. Heimdall was further distinguished by his flashing golden teeth therefore his surname was Gullintani (golden-toothed). He had a swift golden-maned steed named Gull-top which he rode many times over the rainbow bridge, especially early in the morning as herald of the day. He was also known as Heimdellinger.

Mythology and Artwork

MUNINN HUGINN GINNUNGA-GAP

YGGDRASIL ODIN SLEIPNIR

THOR and JORMUNGANDR MJOLLNIR

VIDAR BALDER and HEIMDALL

NJORD FREYJR FREYJA

TYR FENRIR RAGNAROK

HEL ANGRBODA and LOKI

RAN EIR HULDA

VALKYRIE DISIR RUNES

 

About

Welcome to Muninn’s Eyes my name is Eric Nordkvist a.k.a. Muninn. I’m a Digital Multimedia Artist located in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada.