Norse Mythology 2: Yggdrasil and the Nine Realms/Races.

Hello again imgur! We're all here for another great round of Norse Mythology, this time is Yggdrasil and the ever confusing Nine Realms and their denizens. A disclaimer beforehand, I am not a mythologian and may err while writing this. I am also not Nordic and am too lazy for accent marks. Yes I am using the anglicized versions of the names instead of the more traditional languages. Some of the pronunciations may seem off to some of you but they are Old Norse as I understand and your languages may have developed slightly since then. And as always there are different versions for different regions like Odin, Woden, Wotan, Wodan, and Wodanaz. Another note, once this series is done I will be doing an Egyptian mythology series.

Yggdrasil (Eeg-drah-sill) and The Confusion of Origin

The entire Norse cosmos is held on the branches and in between the roots of the mighty Yggdrasil, The World Tree. This great Ash stands at the heart of Ginnungagap and is made of destiny and the three tenses of time: past, present, and future. The question is, however, where did this all important tree come from and why is it here? Because of the razing or Christianity there are many differing opinions on the origin of Yggdrasil. The most popular of these is that the leftover corpse of Ymir grew into this Ash as it fits with the creation though another states it sprouted when Ymir was killed and his entrails were spread among the branches to create the realms. Whatever the case is, Yggdrasil exists as the center

The Well of Urd (Erd or Oord)

At the very base of Yggdrasil there is a deep and magical well, called the well of Urd. Here is where the water of destiny gathers and the Norns (Same as spelled) guide the fate of all creatures and things by carving runes, weaving tapestries, and singing songs. There are three Norns who represent Past, Present, and Future in that order being Urd, Verdani (Vur-dah-knee), and Skuld (Skull-d). They are the most powerful beings in the cosmos for they dictate everything. However, interestingly, Norse fate is not an inescapable road, it is something that is actively shaped. All of your actions travel up the world tree to the leaves, where they become dew and fall back down into the well. These intentions and actions not only shape destiny but will shape the destiny of the next cosmos after Ragnarok, leaving open the hope of ending the Cycle.

The Nine Realms...Sort Of

There is much controversy of the Nine Realms. Norse Cosmology can be confusing as there seems to be variants on what they are. For instance, in some Niflheim and Helheim (Hel-hame) are two totally different realms despite Hel being thrown into Niflheim to make her realm. In others Svartalfheim (Sv-art-alf-hame) is the home of the Dark Elves AND the Dwarves and in others the Dwarves get their own realm called Nidavellir. I have patched together what I find to be the most true cosmology and present them as Niflheim, Muspelheim, Midgard, Asgard, Svartalfheim, Nidavellir, Jotunheim, Vanaheim (Van-ah-hame), and Alfheim (Alf-hame).

Niflheim, Land of Fog, Ice, and Death

Niflheim is the primordial realm of elemental Ice and a great root of Yggdrasil sits, drawing water from Hvergelmir the first spring making it the lowest realm of all. Here barely any life is save for small icy creatures and horrific shadows, this is fitting for below the ground and encircled by the dread river of poison, Gjoll (Gu-yoll), there sits Helheim the Realm of the Unglorified Dead. The disfigured goddess, Hel, the daughter of Loki (Low-key), rules here and accepts all those that have died outside of battle. Here they become vicious wights that slave at her behest and build the death ship, Naglfar, that is built with dead fingernails and toenails and will be complete and sail at Ragnarok. It is said that not even the gods can escape Helheim once in for Gjoll encircles and never allows pardon.

Muspelheim, Land of Fire, Demons, and Destruction

Muspelheim is the primordial realm of elemental fire where nothing not born here can live naturally. Here rules Surtr, the giant Fire Demon who is the enemy of all living things. He sits and forges his giant fire sword that he will use to cleave Yggdrasil in twain and set it spiraling into nothingness. Here also lives demons and unutterable horrors along with Fire Jotnar (Yot-naar) (Sorry for Jotuns last post, plural is Jotnar.) There never was a very good thing that came from Muspelheim and never would be.

Asgard, Home of the Aesir

Asgard is the highest realm on Yggdrasil and is a beautiful realm containing many wonderous things which will be covered in detail when it comes to stories of Odin and his ilk. The main attractions here are Bifrost, the rainbow bridge to Midgard, and Valhalla (Vahl-hall-ah). Valhalla is the hall where the half of the Honorable dead go to, those that die in battle and are called Einherjer (Ayn-her-yer). The other half of the honorable dead go to Folkvang (Foal-k-vang), the hall or plane of Freyja which may or may not be located in Asgard. Odin (Sidenote: THE BEST GODDAMNED MOST INTERESTING CHARACTER IN THIS ENTIRE MYTHOS FUCKING HELL) rules as king of the Gods and Allfather. He sits in Gladsheim (Glads-hame) his hall of joy and watches with one eye and his many pets.

Midgard, Home of Humanity

Then we come to our world, Earth or Midgard. Also known as Middle-earth. Seriously. Tolkien stole it straight from here folks. All manner of creatures, gods, monsters, beings, trolls, and faeries make mischief here on poor, unsuspecting humanity. Here too does the World Serpent, Jormungandr (Yor-mun-gander) encircle the entirety of Midgard, biting it's own tail. This serpent will release itself and battle Thor come Ragnarok.

Jotunheim, The Home of Giants

Here is a land of mountains, rocks, crags, dense forests, and a frigid sea that encircles the entire realm. The giants live here and are partially trapped by the horrible icy cliffs that keep them in from making too much mischief. It is a very low realm on Yggdrasil and constantly do the Aesir and Jotnar make war in glorious battles. It is said that the ice cliffs will be broken and the giants will battle the gods in Ragnarok. Here there is also the Well of Mimir (Meh-meer) that holds all the wisdom of the cosmos in it. Utgard-Loki is king and lives in the massive citadel of Utgard, three times bigger than the biggest Midgard mountain.

Vanaheim, Home of the Vanir (Veh-neer)

This is a mysterious land that no one knows how it looks or where it even is. It is hidden by the Vanir, who are a set of gods separate from the Aesir. The Vanir are gods of fertility, wisdom, art, and sorcery where the Aesir are war, strength, honor, and battle. The Vanir and Aesir early on had a war which the Aesir won and so the Vanir and Aesir joined into one with famous Vanir being Freyja (Fray-ah), Frey, and the king and sea god, Njoror (Ny-or-or).

Alfheim, Land of the Light Elves

Little is also known of Alfheim though a bit is known of its denizens, the Light Elves. They are ruled over by the god Frey and they are beings of beauty and light and magic. They are considered to be between mortal and god and minor spirits of immortality, magic, nature, and good spirits. They act almost as guradian angels to good people and often guard over those that are deemed worthy by them and their god. If their realm is anything like them then it is beautiful, light, and filled with nautre.

Svartalfheim, Land of the Dark Elves

Svartalfheim is a land of darkness and planes of rock. Vast underground cities exist here under the many cliffs and mountains and here also are the Dark Elves. They are said to be hideous creatures that despise the light and live underground to escape it. They often go into Midgard at night and cause mischief such as spoiling milk and giving nightmares. The sun's rays will turn any of the Dark Elves completely to stone and it is their greatest fear. All of their cities are lit by the dimest of lights and they hate their cousins, the Light Elves.

Nidavellir, The Mountains of the Dwarves

This realm is all rock, no soil or tree lives on the surface for it is nothing but stone and mountains and cliffs. The Dwarves live here and stay completely underground in their great citadels and lust after gold, gems, and precious things. They use the hearts of volcanoes to forge their weapons and halls and Hreidmar (Hr-ayd-mar) the king of Dwarves lives here as a lord and master. The Dwarves forged many magical things such as Mjolnir (Myol-neer) and Draupnir (Drowp-neer)

What Is To Come...

Thank you everyone for another read through Norse Mythology! I know the precious details have been scant but they will be described in the stories of the gods and heroes within the myths. That being said, next up is THE LITERAL BEST GOD EVER, THE ALLFATHER OF EVERYTHING BITCHES SO GET OFF YOUR DESK CHAIRS AND PUT OF YOUR DIAPERS IN PREPARATION TO SHIT YOURSELVES. Have a wonderful evening friends and be on the lookout for your dose of Norse Myth in the next few days!

Part One, Creation: https://imgur.com/gallery/ysi25

FP Edit: New Norse Mythology is up! https://imgur.com/gallery/M5N9A