Odin

Also known as: Alfather / Alfodr / Bolverk / Bölverk / Farmatyr / Gagnrâd / Herjan / Hnikar / Hroptatyr / Hrôptatyr / Hærfather / Rafnagud / Valfather / Valfödr / Vegtam / Vodin / Ygg · Family: Æsir · Role: god · First appears: Elder Edda · The Vala's Prophecy · Part 1

In the Vala’s Prophecy, Odin came with Hoenir and Lodur and gave Ask and Embla spirit; he gave the Vala rings, a necklace, discourse, and divining spirit. The Vala saw Valkyriur ready to ride, and Odin cast his spear among the people, beginning the first warfare. She foretold Balder’s hidden fate and that Odin would go to fight the wolf, while Balder would fall. In the Lay of Vafthrudnir, Odin and Vafthrûdnir pledged their heads on who spoke wisely.

In the Lay of Grimnir, Odin and Frigg wagered over whether Geirröd was inhospitable. Geirröd had Odin, then disguised as Grimnir, tortured between two fires for eight nights; Agnar (son of Geirröd) alone offered him a drink. Odin revealed himself, blessed Agnar (son of Geirröd) to rule the land of Goths, and Geirröd rose to remove him from the fires. In the High One’s Lay, Gunnlod gave Odin a draught of precious mead and aided his escape; he took the mead from Suttung and made Gunnlod weep. In Odin’s Rune-Song, he hung wounded with a spear on a tree for nine nights, learned runes and potent songs, obtained mead, and then began to grow and know many things.

Odin gave Hermod (hero) a helm and corslet, and Dag a spear for vengeance. He punished Sigrdrifa for defeating Hialmgunnar, condemning her to sleep and denying her victory in battle; he also enclosed Brynhild with shields and ordained that a fearless man should break her sleep. In Snorri’s Foreword, Odin fled Asia and journeyed north, subjugated Saxland, established sons in lands he conquered, and founded a burg at Sigtuna. Gylfe offered him whatever he desired in his kingdom.

In the Fooling of Gylfe, Odin was the son of Bor and Bestla, and brother of Vile and Ve. With his brothers he slew Ymir and made the earth, seas, sky, and Midgard from the giant’s body. Odin left an eye as a pledge for a drink from Mimer’s well, was married to and fathered Jord, with whom he begat Thor, and sent Valkyries to battles to choose the slain and determine victory. Har foretells that at Ragnarok Odin will ride first against the Fenris-wolf, which will swallow him; Vidar will avenge him. In Brage’s Talk, Odin worked for Bauge to obtain Suttung’s mead, escaped with it, and gave it to the Æsir and verse-makers.