Gylfaginning The Deluding of Gylfi Page Three Back to Page One Back to Source Texts Index

Then Gangleri asked: 'Where does the wind come from? It is so strong that it stirs up great seas and fans fire into flame yet, strong as it is, it can never be seen so marvelously is it made.' High One said: 'I can easily tell you that. At the northern end of the sky sits the giant called Hræsvelg (corpse swallower). He has the form of an eagle, and when lie spreads his wings for flight a wind arises from under them, as it says here: "The one who squats at the end of the sky is known as Engulfer-of-corpses, a giant in eagle form; they say from his wings comes the wind of this world."' Then Gangleri asked: 'Why is there such a difference between hot summer and cool winter? High One said: 'A well informed man would not ask this. Everyone knows why. However, if you are the only person so ill-informed as never to have heard, I'll admit it is better for you to ask once in your foolishness than for you to go on any longer in ignorance of what you ought to know. The father of Summer is called Svásuð (agreeable), and he has such a joyous life that whatever is pleasant is called so from him. But Winter's father is called by turns Vindlóni or Vindsval (wind cool). He is the son of Vásað (damp cold). These kinsmen are grim and cold-hearted and Winter has their disposition.' Then Gangleri asked: 'Who are the gods men ought to believe in? High One replied: 'The divine gods are twelve in number.' Just-as-high added: 'The goddesses are no less sacred and no less powerful.' Then Third said: 'Óðin is the highest and the oldest of the gods. He rules all things and, no matter how mighty the other gods may be, they all serve him as children do their father. His wife is Frigg and she knows the fates of all men, although she does not prophesy, as is said here, when Óðin himself was speaking to that god known as Loki: "You're insane, Loki, and out of your senses, Loki, why don't you desist? I think that Frigg knows the whole of fate although she herself says nothing." Óðin is called All-father because he is the father of all the gods. He is also called Valfather because all who fall in battle are his adopted sons. He allots to them Valhalla and Vingólf, and then they are called Einherjar (one-harriers). He is also called Hangaguð (god of the hanged), Haptaguð (god of the gods), Farmaguð (god of cargoes), and he named himself in many other ways when he came to King Geirröð: "I am called Grím (Masked-one) and Gangleri (Waywont), Herjan, (Raider) Hjálmberi, (Helmeted-one) Thekk (Pleasant-one), Thriði (third), Thuð (Thin-one), Uð, Helblindi (One-who-blinds-with-death), Hár, (high one) Sað, Svipall (Changable-one), Sanngetall (One-who-guesses-right), Herteit (Glad-of-war), Hnikar, ( [Spear]-thruster ) Bileyg (One-who's-eye-deceives-him, ie: One-eyed), Báleyg, (Flame-eyed), Bölverk (Worker-of-evil), Fjölnir, Grímnir (Masked-one), Glapsvið, Fjölsvið (Very-wise-one), Síðhött (Deep-hood or Broad-hat), Siðskegg (Broad-beard), Sigföð (Father of victory), Hnikuð ( [Spear]-thruster), Allföð (All-father), Atríð (Attacking-rider), Farmatýr (Cargo-god), Óski (Fulfiller-of-desire), Ómi (One-whose-voice-resounds), Jafnhár (Just-as-high), Biflindi (Spear-shaker), Göndlir (Wand-bearer), Hárbarð (Grey-beard), Sviður, Sviðrir, Jálk (gelding), Kjalar (Keel-rider i.e.: Sled-rider), Viður, Thrór, Ygg, (Terrible one) Thund, Vak, (Alert one) Skilving, Váfuð, Hroptatýr, Gaut (One-from-Gotland), Veratýr (God-of-men or God-of-being). Then Gangleri said: 'You have given him a tremendous number of names and, upon my word, it would show great learning to know and cite in each instance the events that had given rise to them.' Then High One said: 'It would take a vast amount of knowledge to go over them all. It will, however, be quickest to tell you that most of these names have been given him because the many different nations in the world, all speaking different tongues, felt the need of translating his name into their several languages in order to worship and pray to him. Some incidents giving rise to these names, however, took place on his journeys, and these have been made into tales, and it will be impossible for you to be called a well-informed person if you cannot relate some of these great events.' Then Gangleri asked: 'What are the names of the other gods How do they occupy themselves What have they done to distinguish themselves ?' High One said: 'Thór, who is called Ása-Thór or Thór-the-charioteer, is the foremost of them. He is strongest of all gods and men. He rules over that kingdom called Thrúðvangar, (plains of power) and his hall is called Bilskirnir; (strong) in that building are six hundred and forty floors - it is the largest house known to men. As it says in the Lay of Grímnir: "Bilskirnir with its winding ways I know has more than six hundred and forty floors, of those buildings I know to be roofed I know my son's is the largest." Thór has two goats known as Tooth-gnasher and Gap-tooth, and the chariot he drives in. The goats pull the chariot, and for this reason he is called Oku-Thór (Driver-Thór). He also owns three precious things. One is the hammer Mjöllnir (Crusher), which the frost ogres and cliff giants know when it is raised aloft, and that is not surprising since he has cracked the skulls of many of their kith and kin. His second great treasure is a belt of strength, and when he buckles that on his divine might is doubled. And he owns a third thing of great value in his iron gauntlets; he cannot do without these when he grips the handle of the hammer. But no one is well-informed enough to be able to recount all his mighty deeds. I can, however, tell you so many things about him that it would take a long time before all I knew had been related.' Then Gangleri said: 'I would like to hear about more of the gods.' High One said: 'Another son of Óðin's is called Baldr, and there is (nothing but) good to be told of him. He is the best of them and everyone sings his praises. He is so fair of face and bright that a splendour radiates from him, and there is one flower so white that it is likened to Baldr's brow; it is the whitest of all flowers. From that you can tell how beautiful his body is, and how bright his hair. He is the wisest of the gods, and the sweetest-spoken, and the most merciful, but it is a characteristic of his that once he has pronounced a judgment it can never be altered. He lives in the place in heaven called Breióablik; nothing impure can be there, as it says here: There where Baldr has built his dwellings they call it Breiðablik; in that land where I know there are fewest evil things. 'The third god is the one called Njörð. He lives in heaven at a place called Nóatún (Ship-yard). He controls the path of the wind, stills sea and fire, and is to be invoked for seafaring and fishing. He is so wealthy and prosperous that he is able to bestow abundance of land and property on those who call on him for this. Njörð is not one of the Æsir. He was brought up in Vanaheim, but the Vanir gave him as a hostage to the gods and accepted as a counter-hostage one called Hœnir. He brought about a reconciliation between the gods and the Vanir. 'Njörð has a wife called Skaði, daughter of the giant Thjazi. Skaði wanted to have the homestead her father had had, on some mountains in the place called Thrymheim, (Stone home) but Njörd wanted to be near the sea. They came to an agreement that they should be nine nights in Thrymheim and then another nine at Nóatún. When Njörð came back to Nóatún from the mountain, however, he said this: "Mountains I loathed, no longer than nine nights did I stay there, the howling of wolves seemed ugly to me compared with the hooping of swans." Then Skaði said this: "I could not sleep by the shore of the sea for the noise of the mew that awakened me, the bird that flew each dawn from the deep." 'Then Skaði went up the mountain and lived in Thrymheim, and she goes about a great deal on skis and with her bow and arrow shoots wild animals. She is called Snow-shoe-goddess, or Snow-shoe-divinity. As it is said: "Thrymheim's the name of Thjazi's place, that giant of monstrous frame; his daughter wed with one of the gods Skaði, now, the fair of face, lives there in her sire's old home." Njörð of Nóatún had two children after this, a son called Frey (Lord) and a daughter Freyja (Lady). They were beautiful to look at, and powerful. Frey is an exceedingly famous god; he decides when the sun shall shine or the rain come down, and along with that the fruitfulness of the earth, and he is good to invoke for peace and plenty. He also brings about the prosperity of men. But Freyja is the most renowned of the goddesses. She owns that homestead in heaven known as Fólkvangar, (Field-of-warriors) and whenever she rides into battle she has half the slain and Óðin half, as it says here: "Fólkvangar's where Freyja decides who shall sit where in the hall; half the slain every day she chooses and Óðin has half." 'Her hall Sessrúmnir (Many-seated) is large and beautiful. When she goes on a journey she sits in a chariot drawn by two cats. She is most readily invoked, and from her name derives the polite custom of calling the wives of men of rank Frú (Madam). She enjoys love poetry, and it is good to call on her for help in love affairs.' Then Gangleri said: 'The Æsir appear to me to be very powerful, and it is not surprising that you have great authority, since you possess such understanding of the gods and know how each should be prayed to. Are there more gods still ?.' High One said: 'There is a god called Týr. He is the boldest and most courageous, and has power over victory in battle; it is good for brave men to invoke him. It is a proverbial saying that he who surpasses others and does not waver is "Týr-valiant". He is also so well informed that a very knowledgeable man is said to be "Týr-wise". Here is one proof of his daring. When the gods tried to persuade the wolf Fenrir to allow the fetter Gleipnir to be placed on him, he did not believe that they would free him until they put Týr's hand in his mouth as a pledge. Then, when the Æsir would not loose him, he bit off the hand at the place now known as the "wolf-joint" (the wrist). So Týr is one-handed and he is not called a peace-maker.' 'One (god) is called Bragi. He is famous for wisdom and most of all for eloquence and skill with words; he knows most about poetry, and from him poetry gets its name, (bragr is Old Icelandic for poetry) and from his name the man or woman who can use words better than others is called a poet. His wife is Iðun. (One-who-renews) She keeps in her box the apples the gods have to eat, when they grow old, to become young again, and so it will continue up to Ragnarök (the twilight of the gods).' Then Gangleri said: 'It seems to me that the gods trust rather a lot to the care and good faith of Iðun.' Then High One answered, laughing: 'It did nearly result in misfortune once. I can tell you more about that, but first you shall hear the names of more of the gods. 'One is called Heimdall. He is called the white god, and he is great and holy. Nine maidens gave birth to him, and all of them sisters. He is also known as Hallínskíði and Goldtooth, he had teeth of gold. His horse is called Goldtuft. He lives in a place called Himinbjörg (Cliffs-of-heaven) by Bifröst. He is the warder of the gods, and sits there at the end of heaven to guard the bridge from the cliff giants. He needs less sleep than a bird, and can see a hundred leagues in front of him as well by night as by day. He can hear the grass growing on the earth and the wool on sheep, and every-thing that makes more noise. He has the trumpet known as the horn Gjöll, and its blast can be heard over all the worlds. A name for the head is Heimdall's sword. So it is said: "Himinbjörg's said to he the name of Heimdall's house; there the warden of the gods glad at his gracious home drinks the good mead. And further he says himself in Heimdall's Spell: "Of nine mothers I'm the son and son of nine sisters too." 'Höð is one of the gods. He is blind; He is immensely strong too, but the gods would rather there were no need to mention his name, since his handiwork will long be remembered amongst gods and men.' 'Víðar is the name of one of them, the silent god. He has a stout shoe and is almost as strong as Thór. The gods rely greatly on him in all difficult situations.' 'Áli or Váli is the name of one, a son of Óðin and Rind; he is bold in battle and a very good shot.' 'Ull, Sif's son and Thór's stepson, is one (too). He is such a good archer and ski-runner that no one can rival him. He is beautiful to look at as well and he has all the characteristics of a warrior. It is also good to call on him in duels.' 'Forseti is the son of Baldr and Nanna, Nep's daughter. He owns the hall in heaven known as Glitnir (Glittering). Without exception all who come to him with legal disputes go away reconciled; that is the best court known to gods and men. As it says here: "There's a hall called Glitnir with pillars of gold it's also roofed with silver; there Forseti spends all day long settling all suits-at-law." 'Also reckoned amongst the gods is one that some call the Mischief-monger-of-the-Æsir and the Father-of-lies and the Disgrace-of-gods-and-men. He is the son of the giant Fárbauti and his name is Loki or Lopt. His mother's name is Laufey or Nál, and Býleist and Helblindi are his brothers. Loki is handsome and fair of face, but has an evil disposition and is very changeable of mood. He excelled all men in the art of cunning, and he always cheats. He was continually involving the Æsir in great difficulties and he often helped them out again by guile. His wife's name is Sigyn; their son (is) Nari or Narvi. 'Loki had still more children. There was a giantess in Giantland called Angrboða. (Boder of sorrow) Loki had three children by her, the first was the wolf Fenrir, the second, Jörmungand -- that is the Miðgarð Serpent -- and the third, Hel. Now when the gods knew that these three children were being brought up in Giantland and had gathered from prophecy that they would meet with great harm and misfortune on their account (and they all anticipated evil, first from the mother and still worse from the father), All-father sent some of the gods to capture the children and bring them to him. And when they came to him, he flung the serpent into the deep sea which surrounds the whole world, and it grew so large that it now lies in the middle of the ocean round the earth, biting its own tail. He threw Hel into Niflheim and gave her authority over nine worlds, on the condition that she shared all her provisions with those who were sent to her, namely men who die from disease or old age. She has a great homestead there with extraordinarily high walls and huge gates. Her hall is called Éljúðnir (Damp-with-sleet); her plate, Hunger; her knife, Famine; her manservant, Ganglati (Slow-moving); her maid-servant, Ganglöt (Slow-moving); the stone at the entrance, Drop-to-destruction; her bed, Sick-bed; its hangings, Glimmering Misfortune. Hel is half black, half flesh-colour, and is easily recognised from this; she looks rather grim and gloomy.' 'The gods brought the wolf up at home, and only Týr had the courage to go up to it and give it food. But when the gods saw how fast it was growing daily, and all prophecies foretold that it was doomed to do them injury, the Æsir adopted the plan of making a very strong fetter which they called Lœðing, and they took it to the wolf and bade him try his strength against it. But the wolf thought that it would not be too difficult for him (to snap it) and allowed them to do as they would; and the first time the wolf strained against it the fetter broke, so he got free from Lœðing.' 'Then the Æsir made another fetter twice as strong, which they called Drómi, and bade the wolf test himself again against that fetter, saying that he would become very famous for strength if such a strong chain would not hold him. The wolf, however, was thinking that, although the fetter was very strong, he had grown in might since he had broken Lœðing; it also occurred to him that he would have to expose himself to danger in order to become famous, so he let the fetter be put on him. When the Æsir said they were ready, he shook himself, knocking the fetter against the ground, and struggled against it, digging his feet in so hard that the fetter broke into pieces which flew far and wide; so he got himself out of Drómi It has since become a proverb when anything is extraordinarily difficult that one gets loose from Lœðing or battles out of Drómi.' 'After that the Æsir feared that they would never be able to get the wolf bound. Then All-father sent one called Skirnir, Frey's messenger, down to the World-of-dark-elves to some dwarfs, and had made the fetter called Gleipnir. This was made from six things: the noise a cat makes when it moves, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, the sinews of a bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird. Now, although you may not have known this before, you can easily prove that you are not being told a falsehood since you will have observed that a woman has no beard, a cat makes no noise when running, a mountain has no roots and upon my word, everything I have told you is just as true, although there are some things that you can't put to the test.' Then Gangleri said: 'I can certainly understand it's true. I can see (that from) these things you have taken as examples, but how was the fetter made?' High One replied: 'I can easily tell you that. The fetter was as smooth and soft as a ribbon of silk, but as trusty and strong as you are now going to hear. When the fetter was brought to the Æsir they thanked the messenger very much for carrying out his mission. Then the Æsir, calling to the wolf to go with them, went out on to an island called Lyngvi in a lake called Ámsvartnir. They showed him the silken band and bade him break it. They said it was a bit stronger than it appeared to be from its thickness and passed it from one to the other, testing its strength with their hands, and it did not break. They said, however, that the wolf would be able to snap it. The wolf's answer was: "This ribbon looks to me as if I could gain no renown from breaking it it is so slight a cord; but if it has been made by guile and cunning, slender though it looks, it is not going to come on my legs." Then the gods said that he would soon snap so slight a ribbon of silk, when he had broken great fetters of iron before, "and if you don't succeed in snapping this cord you need not be afraid of the gods; we will set you free again." The wolf said: "If you bind me so that I can't get free, then you will sneak away so that it will be a long time before I get any help from you. I don't want to have that ribbon put on me. But rather than be accused of cowardice by you, let one of you place his hand in my mouth as a pledge that this is done in good faith." Each of the gods looked at the other then and thought that they were in a fix, and not one of them would stretch forth his hand, until Týr put out his right hand and laid it in the wolf's mouth. Now when the wolf began to struggle against it, the band tightened, and the more fiercely he struggled the firmer it got. They all laughed except Týr; he lost his hand. When the gods saw that the wolf was well and truly bound, they took the chain that was fast to this fetter and which was called Gelgja, and drawing it through a great boulder called Gjöll drove the boulder deep down into the earth. Then they took a huge stone called Thviti and sank it still deeper in the earth, and used this stone as a fastening peg. The wolf opened his mouth to a frightful width and struggled violently, wanting to bite them. Then they shoved a sword into his mouth so that the hilt was in its lower jaw and the point in the upper; that is his gag. He howls horribly, and the slaver running from his mouth forms the river called Vón. (expectation) There he will lie until Ragnarök.' Then Gangleri said: 'Loki had very evil children, but all these brothers and sisters have great power. Why didn't the gods kill the wolf, since they anticipated evil from him?' High One replied: 'The gods set such store by their sanctuary and temple that they would not pollute them with the wolf's blood, (even) although prophecies foretold that he would be the death of Óðin.' Then Gangleri asked: 'What goddesses are there?' High One replied: 'The foremost is Frigg. She owns that dwelling known as Fensalir, and it is most magnificent. 'Saga is another; she lives at Sökkvabekk, and that is a large estate. 'The third is Eir; she is the best of physicians. 'The fourth is Gefjon; she is a virgin, and women who die unmarried serve her. 'The fifth is Fulla; she, too, is a virgin and wears her hair loose and a golden band round her head. She carries Frigg's little box and looks after her shoes and knows her secrets. Freyja is as distinguished as Frigg. She is married to a man called Óð; their daughter is Hnoss; she is so lovely that whatever is beautiful and valuable is called "treasure" from her name(hnoss is Old Icelandic for ‘treasure’). Óð went away on long journeys and Freyja weeps for him, and her tears are red gold. Freyja has many names, and the reason for this is that she gave herself several when she went to look for Óð among peoples she did not know. She is called Mardöll and Hörn, Gefn (Giver) and Sýr (Sow). Freyja owns the necklace of the Brísings. She is also called the divinity of the Vanir. 'The seventh goddess is Sjöfn; she is much concerned with turning the minds of people, both men and women, to love. From her name love is called sjafni. 'The eighth is Lofn; she is so gentle and good to invoke that she has permission from All-father and Frigg to bring together men and women for whom marriage was forbidden or banned. From her name comes the word "permission", also what is much praised by men. The ninth is Vár; she listens to the vows and compacts made by men and women with each other; for this reason such agreements are called várar (promises). She also takes vengeance on those who break their vows. The tenth is Vör; she is so wise and searching that nothing can be concealed from her. It is a proverb that a woman becomes "aware" of what she gets to know. The eleventh is Syn; (Denial) she guards the door of the hall and shuts it against those who are not to enter. She is also appointed defending counsel at trials in cases she wishes to refute, hence the saying that "Syn is brought forward" when anyone denies an accusation. 'The twelfth is Hlín; she is appointed to protect those men Frigg wants to save from dangers, hence the proverb that "he who is protected 'leans' ". 'The thirteenth is Snotra; she is wise and gentle mannered. From her name a man or woman who is self-controlled is called snotr (prudent). 'The fourteenth is Gná; Frigg sends her on her errands. She has a horse that runs through the air and over the sea called Hoof-flourisher. Once when she was riding, some Vanir saw her riding in the air and one said: "What is flying there, faring there and gliding through the air?" She answered: "I am not flying, although I am faring gliding through the air on Hoof-flourisher." From Gná’s name what soars high is called "towering". 'Sól (sun) and Bil are reckoned among the goddesses, but their nature has been described before. 'There are, moreover, others whose duty it is to serve in Valhalla, carry the drink round and look after the table service and ale-cups. Their names in the Lay of Grimnir are as follows: Hrist and Mist I want to bring me the horn, Skeggjóld and Skögul, Hild (Battle) and Thrúð, Hlökk (Din-of-battle) and Herfjötur, (Fetterer-of-an-army) Göll and Geirahoð, Randgríð (Sheild destroyer), Ráðgríð, and Reginleif These bear ale to the Einherjar. These are called Valkyries. Óðin sends them to every battle, and they choose death for the men destined to die, and award victory. Guð and Rota and the youngest norn Skuld always ride to choose the slain and decide (the issue of) battles. 'Earth, the mother of Thór, and Rind, Váli's mother, are reckoned amongst the goddesses.' Continue... ___________________________________________________________________________ Gylfaginning Page 4 Page 1 Page 2 Page 5 Back to Top Back to Source Texts Index Back to Woden's Harrow Home