A Complete Guide to Mímir, God of Wisdom and Knowledge

Like many religions, Norse deities were a reflection of the culture in which they were born and were viewed as vital forces that held together and sustained order in the cosmos. While their power was immense, it was by no means total, with each god and goddess having a distinct personality and role. Each god had strengths and weaknesses, so no one god was superior to the  others. This had a direct impact on how humans historically interacted with them both as metaphorical and literal beings. The Norse viewed their gods as anthropomorphic, meaning they viewed them as human-like but with more "power," who were as much a part of our physical world as you and me. The gods routinely interacted with humankind, from reproducing with humans, thus producing royal families to the exchanging goods and services through ritual sacrifice. Furthermore, the gods were viewed as divinity in nature. It's not just that Thor is the god of thunder, but he is also the divine nature of thunder. This does not apply to all of nature, however, with many aspects not having a divine counterpart. Needless to say, the gods were an integral part of society and influenced the day-to-day lives of the Nordic people.

I recently posted an A to Z List of Norse Gods and Goddesses in which I very briefly introduced major Norse deities. Like all lists, it is a snapshot of each god and goddess with no context. While such lists are great in a pinch, they tell you nothing of substance about the gods, how to work with them effectively, or their importance in the cosmos. In this series, I will be exploring these deities in much more detail by examining and analyzing their portrayal in the Eddas. Each "profile" will include my analysis of the Eddas and Sagas, their cultural significance, correspondences, how to work with them, offerings, invocations, and prayer suggestions. I have also included printable "cheat sheets" on each deity which summarize all the important details for your Book of Shadows or Grimoire, starting with Mímir (pronounced Mee-mir).

It may seem odd starting this series with Mímir and not a more famous god, but I can assure you it is with purpose. With students returning to the classroom over the next several weeks, I felt it very fitting to discuss the god of knowledge and wisdom.

Mímir's Portrayal in the Eddas & Sagas

Mímir, while not as prominent as other gods like Odin, is mentioned multiple times in the Skaldic verses, eddic poems, and sagas.

Starting with Nafnaþulur, which is part of the Prose Edda (believed to have been written before the Poetic Edda), Snorri lists the jötnar or giants, with Mímir appearing third.

"Giants I
I will make a listing of the giants; Ymir, Gangr and Mímir, Iði and Þjazi, Hrungnir, Hrímnir, Hrauðnir, Grímnir, Hveðrungr, Hafli, Hripstoðr, Gymir."

This mention solidifies Mímir as a jötun, even though he later becomes part of the Æsir. In general, the jötnar were larger than humans and the Æsir, having a voracious appetite, whether it be for food, bloodshed, or knowledge. Like the Æsir, the jötnar also had magical powers, of which Mímir's is near-omniscient knowledge, an idea reinforced by multiple passages throughout the Eddas and sagas.

In Gylfaginning or The Doom of the Gods, Snorri makes a reference to Völuspá 28 in his commentary in which he states:

"But under the root that runs towards the frost-giants is Mímir's Well, in which wisdom and understanding are hidden, and he whose well it is is called Mímir. He is full of knowledge, because he drinks from the well out of the horn Gjallarhorn. All-Father came there and asked to have a drink from the well, but he did not get it until he had given his eye as a pledge. So it says in the Völuspá:

I know where Othin's | eye is hidden,

Deep in the wide-famed | well of Mimir;

Mead from the pledge | of Othin each morn

Does Mimir drink: | would you know yet more?"

From these two passages, we see that 1) Mímir is referred to as a "frost-giant," and 2) Mímir has a Well of Knowledge (Mímisbrunnr) beneath Yggdrasil's three roots, specifically the one reaching into Jotunheim. This again suggests that Mímir is a jötun, specifically from Jotunheim. These passages also suggest that Mímir himself is the keeper of knowledge and wisdom and that he drinks from the Mímisbrunnr every morning. It is implied that by drinking from the well daily, Mímir is able to maintain his vast knowledge, thus reinforcing his role as a source of wisdom. Furthermore, Mímir's knowledge is not given freely. In order to obtain the knowledge of his impending doom, Odin has to sacrifice his eye, suggesting that all knowledge comes at a price.

Despite the evidence that Mímir is jötun by birth, he is also believed to be Æsir by affiliation, like several other Æsir gods. This is supported in the Ynglinga saga which describes the Æsir-Vanir war. In chapter 4, we find a description of the exchange of hostages that concludes the first war. The Æsir agree to send two of their own, Hœnir and Mímir, in exchange for Njord and his children. Hœnir, who is the quintessential warrior but not very bright, quickly becomes the leader of the Vanir. When the Vanir realize Hœnir is unable to make decisions without Mímir, they behead Mímir and send his severed head back to Odin.

"Then they took Mímir and beheaded him and sent the head to the Æsir. Odin took the head and smeared it with herbs so that it should not rot, and chanted spells over it and put such power into it that it spoke with him and told him many hidden matters... Odin had Mímir's head with him, and it told him many tidings from the Otherworld."

Here we see Mímir is considered one of the Æsir, even though he is jötun by birth. It would have been odd and uncouth to send someone that was not considered Æsir. As for the beheading of Mímir, some have interpreted it as the Vanir's inability to make use of Mímir's knowledge. Only after his head is severed and enchanted by Odin is the knowledge now "free" to be made use of. 

Odin consistently consults with Mímir over important matters including his attempt to forestall Ragnarok as seen in Völuspá 46 and Sigrdrífumál 14:

"Loud blows Heimdallr,

his horn is aloft;

Odin speaks

with Mímr's head"

 (Völuspá 46)

"He stood on the cliff

with Brimir's blade,

he had a helm on his head;

then Mímr's head

spoke a first wise word

and talked of true lore." 

(Sigrdrífumál 14) 

These passages further reinforce Mímir's ties to knowledge and wisdom and his importance to Odin as an adviser. Etomoglically speaking, Mímir comes from the Proto-Indo-European verb (s)mer meaning "to think, recall, reflect, and worry over" as well as the Latin memor meaning "memory or mindful." However, in some versions, these passages refer to Mímir as Mímr or even Mim, which has caused some confusion. How can Mímir be both the guardian of Mímisbrunnr and beheaded counselor to Odin? Are they two separate beings? 

I am inclined to believe they are one and the same. How exactly Mímir came to live among the Æsir is not mentioned in any text, but it cannot be ruled out considering Odin's unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Furthermore, severed heads being connected with wells of knowledge is prominent across many European cultures, most notably Bran in the Mabinongion. Snorri makes a note in Gylfaginning saying, "Odin rides to Mímir's Well and takes counsel from Mímir." suggesting that Mímir might not actually be carried around as a head by Odin, but instead kept in the well where Odin consults with him. Either way, none of this changes Mímir's function: source and guardian of wisdom.

Apart from the aforementioned references to Mímir, there are a number of poetic metaphors known as kennings referencing him. In Skáldskaparmál, Odin is described as a "Friend of Mímir," emphasizing Odin's reliance on Mímir's counsel. Also in Skáldskaparmál we find "mischief-Mímir" at least 3 times, which is a well-known kenning for jötun, further suggesting Mímir is jötnar. 

In Vafþrúðnismál 45 Yggdrasil is called "Hoddmimir's wood" meaning Mímir's Tree, a reference to Mímir using his well to water Yggdrasil. Sigrdrífumál 13 may also reference Mímir.

"from the liquid

which oozed out of Heithdraupnir's skull

and out of Hoddrofnir horn."

Hoddrofnir, meaning "Treasure-Opener" resembles Hoddmimir from Vafþrúðnismál 45, suggesting the "treasure" is hidden knowledge that Mímir can bestow on those worthy. "Heithdraupnir's skull" is often interpreted as Mímir's skull bobbing in the well of knowledge, the liquid oozing from the skull being the mead referenced in Völuspá 28. It oozing from the skull further implies that the liquid is knowledge.

Needless to say, these references all suggest that Mímir is

1. jötun by birth, but Æsir by association
2. friend and respected counselor of Odin
3. keeper and source of knowledge and wisdom
4. the divine representation of wisdom

Mímir's Cultural Significance

Mímir's representation in the Eddas and sagas is a direct reflection of Norse culture. From the passages that mention Mímir, we can garner two things: 1) the pursuit of knowledge was extremely important and 2) seeking knowledge often requires great sacrifice. The latter statement is supported by Odin giving up an eye as well as the lengths Odin went to restore life to Mímir's head. Odin's continued interactions with Mímir demonstrate the Norse's belief that knowledge requires dedication and humility. Odin is often viewed as a god of wisdom as well, so the fact that he is seeking counsel from another shows he was willing to admit he did not know everything. The importance of knowledge in Norse society is further supported in the Hávamál, where wealth is described as "brief...as the winking of an eye, most faithless ever of friends" (Hávamál 77) while wisdom "never waxes" (Hávamál 78).

Furthermore, Mímir's Well is often viewed as a metaphor for inaccessible or secret knowledge. If the references in Sigrdrífumál 13 do in fact refer to Mímir, then we can assume that the Norse viewed knowledge as treasure, something of great value and worth. While there is no archaeological evidence to support that Mímir's Well existed in the real world, there is evidence that wells and springs held significant value to the Norse as both a source of life and wisdom. Hot spring baths constructed by the Norse still exist today and a number of sacred and sacrificial wells and springs are well noted across Scandinavia, such as Odin's Well in Old Uppsala and Lake Tissø (Tyr's Lake) in Zealand, which are accompanied by ritual and celebration halls.

Mímir's Correspondences

It should be noted that general correspondences are not mentioned in any Nordic text. Instead, these are a best guess based on experiences from both myself and others. In fact, most of these are of modern invention, pulling inspiration from Wicca. As with all correspondence lists, you can add and subtract based on your experiences.

Mímir is known as the Æsir god of wisdom, friendship, and good counsel. As such, anything related to wisdom, knowledge, etc can correspond with him.

• Element: Air
• Cardinal Direction: West or East (depending on where you place Air)
• Planet: Jupiter
• Colors: yellow, blue, white
• Animals: mockingbird
• Plants: ash, sage, rosemary
• Crystals: peridot, topaz, citrine, howlite
• Symbols: well, fountains, pool of water
  
  

How to Work with & Honor Mímir

As with any deity, how you work with and honor Mímir is entirely up to you. However, Mímir, unlike others, is particularly demanding. He does not give up wisdom and knowledge easily, and you will have to work to gain insight from him, sometimes through great sacrifice. You can read more about this in "Suggested Offerings for Mímir." Below is a list of ways you can potentially work with and honor Mímir.

1. Invoke Mímir when studying or learning something new.
2. Engage in shadow work, asking Mímir to shed light on hidden aspects.
3. Create a small offering bowl with water. Meditate on your desire for wisdom and knowledge, asking Mimir to guide you to new insights and understanding.
4. Create an altar dedicated to Mímir.
5. Donate books to your local library.
6. Continue learning new things.
7. Write prayers, poems, and stories dedicated to Mímir.
8. Help clean up local rivers and streams.

Suggested Offerings for Mímir

Unlike correspondences, there is one mention of an offering made to Mímir, Odin's eye. While I am certainly not suggesting you gouge out your own eye in the pursuit of knowledge, Odin's sacrifice does suggest that Mímir wants something of value from us before he is willing to help. What that something is will be between you and Mímir, but there are some general offerings he seems to like. These offerings include secrets and stories, mead or dark beer, and blood.  He may also ask you to perform a task that may seem easy at first but will demand your time and effort. Other offerings include honey, water, and bread. Whatever it is you give up, it needs to be something of value to you, otherwise it is not a true sacrifice.

Invoking Mímir

One of the best ways to begin writing an invocation or prayer to any deity is to find their epithets, the names and words used to describe a deity. In the Eddas and Sagas, you will find multiple nicknames and adjectives to describe major figures. Mímir is referred to as Mím, Míme, Mímr, Hoddmímir (referring to Mímir Wood aka Yggdrasil), Móðsognir (mead-drinker), Hoddrofnir (treasure), Gauta spjalli (counselor of Odin), and Fimbulþulr (the great teacher). Other descriptors not directly stated in the Eddas but are still useful include the rememberer, keeper of wisdom, well guardian, Odin's friend, wise one, and thinker.

When writing your own invocations and prayers, it's always best to speak from the heart. If you are not sure where to start, I have included my own invocation below.

Mímir, keeper of the well of knowledge,

Friend and counselor to Odin, 

Móðsognir and rememberer,

Thinker and Hoddrofnir,

The great teacher of our ancestors.

I call upon thee for assistance.

Bless me with your wisdom,

For I am not afraid to pay the price.

Prayers to Mímir

Much like writing an invocation, prayers to Mímir should include his epithets and come from the heart. While I have included an example of a prayer below, it's always best to write your own. 

Hail Mímir

Guardian of the well of knowledge

Friend and counselor to Odin

You who reside in Jotunheim

Thinker, knowledge keeper, and teacher

You who drinks from Mímisbrunnr

Who was resurrected by Odin

Wise beyond measure

I honor you and bless you

Hail Mímir

***

Whew! That was a lot to get through, but hopefully, you stuck with me! To truly understand any divine being, you have to understand the culture from which they arose. By looking at the Eddas and Sagas, we see that Mímir is not just the god of wisdom, but also a counselor, friend, and guardian of knowledge. He is a thinker and rememberer, a teacher and mead-drinker. He also demands sacrifice, telling us that knowledge requires hard work and humility. Below you will find a printable, cheat-sheet that includes a summary of all important information that you can incorporate into your Book of Shadows or Grimoire.

Click the image below to download your free cheat sheet for your Book of Shadows or Grimoire.

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

The Aesir and Vanir: An A to Z List of Norse Gods and Goddesses

In Norse mythology, there are two distinct groups of deities spoken of in the Eddas: The Æsir/Ásynjur and Vanir. The Æsir (gods) and Ásynjur (goddesses) were the original inhabitants of Valhalla and are commonly viewed as the gods of battle and war. The Vanir, on the other hand, are typically viewed as nature gods, ruling over the sea, wind, forest, agriculture, and fertility. This, however, is an oversimplification, as there is plenty of overlap between the two groups. For example, both Odin and Thor (Æsir) are linked to fertility while Freyja (Vanir) is associated with war. 

Prior to the Æsir-Vanir War, the two groups remained relatively separate. However, after the Æsir tortured Gullveig, the Vanir demanded reparations and to be treated as equals. Instead, the Æsir waged war on the Vanir, and after multiple defeats, the Æsir finally agreed to grant the Vanir equality and the two have been at peace since.

There are numerous deities mentioned in the Eddas, a collection of Old Norse poems and stories recorded during the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. Below is a list of many of these deities in alphabetical order. For each deity, I have included a basic description, weapon or domain of power, responsibility, symbols, associated animals, and preferred offerings. This is not a comprehensive list nor a comprehensive look at each deity, but instead a snapshot to be used in a pinch. As with any deity list, this list is an oversimplification and will likely look much different in practice. In the coming months, I plan to write more detailed posts exploring their myths through an analysis of the Eddas, cultural significance, invocations, and more, so keep an eye out for those. They will also be linked here for future readers to learn more.

A | B | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | R | S | T | U | V

A

Ægir

• Primordial god of the sea
• Weapon/Domain of Power: sea
• Symbols: waves, trident, helm (Aegishjalmur)
• Associated Animals: kraken
• Preferred Offerings: fish, salt, polished stones, bread, wine, mead, shells, coins, craft beer

Back to top

B 

Baldur/Baldr

• Æsir god of light, beauty, nobility, learning, and war
• Weapon/Domain of Power: wisdom, grace
• Symbols: Ships (Hringhorni), sun, light, mistletoe, bonfires
• Associated Animals: golden eagle, swan
• Preferred Offerings: chamomile, lit candles, meat, mead, honey, flowers, wine

Beyla

• Ásynjur goddess of agriculture
• Weapon/Domain of Power: agriculture, bees
• Symbols: bees, beans, cow, honey, hives
• Associated Animals: bee
• Preferred Offerings: mead, honey, flowers, water, wine, fruit, beans, milk, cheese, yogurt, sweets

Bragi

• Æsir god of verse and rhyme
• Weapon/Domain of Power: words
• Symbols: harp, book
• Associated Animals: nine songbirds (a black-capped chickadee, a boreal chickadee, a purple finch, a snow bunting, a pine grosbeak, three different northern wood warblers, and a hermit thrush)
• Preferred Offerings: music, poetry, mead, wine, honey

Búri

• Primordial god of creation, father of all gods
• Weapon/Domain of Power: father of all
• Symbols: circle, ice, all elements, seeds
• Associated Animals: cow (Ginnagagap)
• Preferred Offerings: milk, cheese, yogurt, salt, water, mead, meat

Back to top

D

Dagr

• Æsir god of day
• Weapon/Domain of Power: day, light
• Symbols: day, sun, light, sunflower, time, chariot
• Associated Animals: horse (Skinfaxi)
• Preferred Offerings: honey, mead, sunflowers, wheat, baked goods, grains, vegetables, meat, ale, beer, wine, gold, cheese, butter

Back to top

E

Eir

• Ásynjur goddess of healing
• Weapon/Domain of Power: mortar and pestle, healing herbs
• Symbols: mortar and pestle, healing instruments, bandages
• Associated Animals: gray jay
• Preferred Offerings: healing herbs and oils, honey

Back to top

F

Fjörgyn/Jörd

• Personification of earth
• Weapon/Domain of Power: stone, earth, and soil
• Symbols: stone, soil, mountains, hills, wilderness, bees
• Associated Animals: snapping turtle, toad, rock vole
• Preferred Offerings: stones, water, milk, honey, mead, wine, dried berries, leaves, flowers

Forseti

• Æsir god of law and justice
• Weapon/Domain of Power: double-headed axe, gold, silver
• Symbols: scales, lute
• Associated Animals: gray wolf, hawk
• Preferred Offerings: savory foods, beer, mead, apples
  

Freyja/Freya

• Vanir goddess of destiny, fate, fertility, love, battle, and hunting
• Weapon/Domain of Power: Brisingamen (her necklace), runes, falcon cloak, chariot drawn by two cats
• Symbols: cats, chariot, jewelry, gold, 
• Associated Animals: cats
• Preferred Offerings: apples, mead, honey, cat figures, perfume, chocolate, amber, gold, beeswax

Freyr

• Vanir god of love, fertility, hunting, and harvest
• Weapon/Domain of Power: Gullinborsti (golden-bristled boar), Skidbladnir (ship), magic sword
• Symbols: phallus, Inguz/Ingwaz rune, boar, sickles, seeds, pollen, rain
• Associated Animals: boar, feral pig
• Preferred Offerings: apple, cider, gold, coins, grain

Frigg(a)

• Ásynjur goddess of love, fertility, wisdom, and war
• Weapon/Domain of Power: foresight, wisdom
• Symbols: spindle, spinning wheel, keys,
• Associated Animals: great-horned owl
• Preferred Offerings: wool, milk, mead, pastries, fruity wines

Fulla

• Ásynjur goddess of abundance and fertility
• Weapon/Domain of Power: fertility, prosperity, abundance
• Symbols: golden headband, shoes/sandals
• Associated Animals: N/A
• Preferred Offerings: preserved or dried foods, mead, sweet wines, chamomile

Back to top

G

Gefion/Gefjon/Gefjun

• Vanir goddess of fertility, virginity, agriculture, virtue, and the unwed
• Weapon/Domain of Power: shape-shifting, plow
• Symbols: plow
• Associated Animals: wood ducks, oxen
• Preferred Offerings: grain, bread, potatoes, ankle bells, ale

Gersemi/Semi

• Ásynjur goddess of sisterhood, familial love, and treasure
• Weapon/Domain of Power: sisterhood, friendship, love
• Symbols: jewels, gold, treasure
• Associated Animals: otter
• Preferred Offerings: precious gems, gold, flowers, honey, mead, gems, anything you find beautiful

Gullveig

• Vanir goddess of magic
• Weapon/Domain of Power: magic, witchcraft, second-sight, sorcery, seidr
• Symbols: gold, fire
• Associated Animals: serpent
• Preferred Offerings: gold, cinnamon, ginger, spiced alcohol

Back to top

H

Heimdall

• Æsir god of guardianship, vigilance, protection, and light
• Weapon/Domain of Power: Gjallarhorn (horn), watcher of the Bifrost
• Symbols: horn, horses, eyes, sirens, alarms
• Associated Animals: horse (Gulltoppr)
• Preferred Offerings: lamb, mutton, coffee, caffeinated drinks, mead

Hel

• Ásynjur goddess of death and the netherworld
• Weapon/Domain of Power: life and death, Helheim
• Symbols: dark horses, ravens, graveyards, corpses, tombs, brooms, rakes
• Associated Animals: black hound (Garm)
• Preferred Offerings: tea, chocolate, dried meats, preserved flowers, mead, raw honey

Hermóðr

• Æsir messenger for the gods
• Weapon/Domain of Power: honor, bravery, messages
• Symbols: winged scroll, horses
• Associated Animals: Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse
• Preferred Offerings: incense, feathers, mead, meat, honey

Hlin

• Ásynjur goddess of consolation and compassion
• Weapon/Domain of Power: compassion, mercy
• Symbols: shield, wooden bucket and ladle, water scoop
• Associated Animals: red-tailed hawk
• Preferred Offerings: water, flowers, candles, coffee, mead

Hnoss

• Vanir goddess of beauty, love, lust, desire, sisterhood, and treasure
• Weapon/Domain of Power: beauty, charisma
• Symbols: jewels, gold, treasure
• Associated Animals: otter
• Preferred Offerings: precious gems, gold, flowers, honey, mead, gems, anything you find beautiful

Höðr/Hodur

• Æsir god of darkness and winter
• Weapon/Domain of Power: mistletoe dart, tragedy, winter
• Symbols: blindfolds, closed eyes, darkness, shadows, cold, mistletoe
• Associated Animals: bat
• Preferred Offerings: whole grains, bread, nuts, beer, mead, cheese, butter, hearty meals, root vegetables

Hœnir

• Æsir god of reason, honor, holiness, and sanctity
• Weapon/Domain of Power: silence, omens
• Symbols: stork, silence, ash, elm
• Associated Animals: stork, walrus
• Preferred Offerings: mead, dark beer, honey, iron

Back to top

I

Iðunn/Idunna

• Ásynjur goddess of youth, immortality, and rejuvenation
• Weapon/Domain of Power: basket of life-giving apples
• Symbols: apples, fountains, spring, dawn
• Associated Animals: owl
• Preferred Offerings: apples, cider, anything made from apples

Back to top

K

Kvasir

• Born from the spit of both Vanir and Æsir
• Weapon/Domain of Power: wisdom, intelligence, creative inspiration
• Symbols: books, writing utensils, cups, chalices, poems, mead, saliva/spit
• Associated Animals: N/A
• Preferred Offerings: saliva/spit, mead, bread, honey, milk, meat, water, poetry, blood

Back to top

L

Lofn

• Ásynjur goddess of forbidden love
• Weapon/Domain of Power: affairs, adultery, and secret unions
• Symbols: key, open doorway, archway, rose
• Associated Animals: pair of wood ducks
• Preferred Offerings: sweet wine, milk and honey, roses, baked goods, flowers

Loki

• Æsir god of chaos, fire, destruction, lies, deceit, and misfortune
• Weapon/Domain of Power: trickery, shape-shifting, lies, deception
• Symbols: snakes intertwined to form an S, fire, torches
• Associated Animals: snake, serpent, wyrm
• Preferred Offerings: cinnamon, mulled wine, coffee with sugar, tobacco, sweets (especially sour ones)

Back to top

M

Magni/Magnur

• Æsir god of brotherhood and strength
• Weapon/Domain of Power: strength
• Symbols: mountain, sword, hammer
• Associated Animals: weasel, pine marten
• Preferred Offerings: bread, mead, strong beer, tobacco, meat, blood

Meili

• Æsir god of travel
• Weapon/Domain of Power: travel
• Symbols: ships, vehicles 
• Associated Animals: N/A
• Preferred Offerings: incense, bread, mead, water, 

Mimir/Mim

• Æsir god of wisdom, friendship, and good counsel
• Weapon/Domain of Power: Well of Knowledge
• Symbols: well, fountains, pool of water
• Associated Animals: mockingbird
• Preferred Offerings: prayer, secrets, stories, blood, water, dark beer, bread, meat

Móði/Modin

• Æsir god of brotherhood and strength
• Weapon/Domain of Power: family loyalty, brotherhood
• Symbols: shield, helm, weapons
• Associated Animals: pine marten
• Preferred Offerings: blood, meat, mead, beer, bread

Back to top

N

Nanna

• Ásynjur goddess of heavenly beauty, joy, and peace
• Weapon/Domain of Power: devotional love
• Symbols: sunflower, wedding rings, moon
• Associated Animals: mourning dove
• Preferred Offerings: sunflowers, mead, honey, gold, dried fruits, flowers, rings, jewelry

Njörðr/Njord

• Vanir god of the sea, wealth, fair weather, summertime, and fertility
• Weapon/Domain of Power: sea, sea travel
• Symbols: ships, ports, seashells, fishing nets, silver, gold
• Associated Animals: gull
• Preferred Offerings: dark beer, seafood, poke, gold, shells, tobacco

Nótt

• Vanir goddess of the night
• Weapon/Domain of Power: night
• Symbols: darkness, shadow, stars, moon
• Associated Animals: nocturnal animals
• Preferred Offerings: root vegetables, dark ale, beer, honey, meat, incense, nocturnal flowers, bonfires,

Back to top

O

Odin

• Æsir god of creation, wisdom, magic, healing, war, and the king of gods
• Weapon/Domain of Power: All-father, wisdom
• Symbols: triple horn, ravens, spear, horned helmet
• Associated Animals: ravens Muninn and Huginn, wolves Freki and Geri, steed Sleipnir
• Preferred Offerings: meat, red wine, poetry, asparagus, rye bread

Óðr

• Vanir god of divine madness, ecstasy, frenzy, love, desire, and inspiration
• Weapon/Domain of Power: desire, wishes
• Symbols: sun, gold, 
• Associated Animals: bluejay
• Preferred Offerings: mead, honey, blood, pork, baked goods, rum

Back to top

R

Ran

• Ásynjur goddess of lakes, springs, and rivers
• Weapon/Domain of Power: freshwater
• Symbols: lakes, rivers, springs, ships, sailors, nets
• Associated Animals: water birds, blue heron
• Preferred Offerings: fish, shells, wine, coins, jewelry, wine, honey

Back to top

S

Saga

• Ásynjur goddess of history, poetry, records, and stories
• Weapon/Domain of Power: books, knowledge, recordkeeping
• Symbols: books, poetry, records, parchment
• Associated Animals: owl
• Preferred Offerings: dried meat, porridge, nuts, mead, aster, bread, incense, stories, poetry

Sif

• Ásynjur goddess of earth, beauty, strength, family, marriage, autumn, harvest, peace-keeping, and civil discourse
• Weapon/Domain of Power: Migard, peace-keeping, family
• Symbols: golden hair, gold, wheat
• Associated Animals: pair of swans
• Preferred Offerings: wheat, beer, honey, mead, gold, wine, corn, amber

Sigyn

• Ásynjur goddess of compassion, kindness, and loyalty
• Weapon/Domain of Power: loyalty, devotion
• Symbols: key, bowl, cup, heart, star
• Associated Animals: red fox
• Preferred Offerings: sweets, cakes, cookies, chocolate, sweet wines, honey, mead, yogurt, cheese

Sjöfn

• Ásynjur goddess of romance, love, missives, communication, and law
• Weapon/Domain of Power: matchmaking, courtship
• Symbols: heart
• Associated Animals: pair of wood ducks
• Preferred Offerings: cookies, milk and honey, roses, lilies, hearts

Skaði

• Vanir goddess of hunting, winter, and skiing
• Weapon/Domain of Power: winter, untamed nature
• Symbols: bow, arrow, skis, snow, pine, mountains, snowshoes
• Associated Animals: silver fox, wolf
• Preferred Offerings: raw meat, jerky, wild berries, vodka

Snotra/Syn

• Ásynjur goddess of lawful war, guardianship, thresholds, protection, and law
• Weapon/Domain of Power: thresholds, law, upholding the truth
• Symbols: doorways, thresholds, archways, scales 
• Associated Animals: red-tailed hawk
• Preferred Offerings: bread, wine, mead, honey, meat, the truth, keys
  
  

Back to top

T

Thor

• Æsir god of thunder, storms, lightning, strength, and war
• Weapon/Domain of Power: thunder, lightning, power
• Symbols: Mjolnir (hammer), lightning
• Associated Animals: goats
• Preferred Offerings: goat, pork, cookies, dark beers, goat's milk, mead, hammer, anything struck by lightning

Thrud/Þrúðr

• Ásynjur goddess of storms, beauty, and battle
• Weapon/Domain of Power: storms, hurricanes
• Symbols: sword, mace
• Associated Animals: black bear
• Preferred Offerings: mead, flowers, honey, beeswax, oak leaves, meat

Týr/Tiw

• Æsir god of lawful conflict, righteous battle, order, justice, and rule of law
• Weapon/Domain of Power: victory and justice
• Symbols: sword, shield, chains, scales
• Associated Animals: wolf
• Preferred Offerings: beef, pork, red wine, port, dark ale
  
  

Back to top

U

Ull(r)

• Æsir god of friendly competition, athletic ability, good sport, oaths, promises, and contracts
• Weapon/Domain of Power: sports, games, hunter and archery
• Symbols: ring, bow, arrow, snow, skis, snowshoes
• Associated Animals: polar bear
• Preferred Offerings: meal, ale, mead, dried berries, blood, arrow heads

Back to top

V

Váli

• Æsir god of vengeance, war, and regret
• Weapon/Domain of Power: vengeance
• Symbols: bow and arrow, knife, warriors
• Associated Animals: northern shrike
• Preferred Offerings: meat, dark ale, mead, bread, tobacco, blood

Vár

• Ásynjur goddess of oaths, promises, and agreements
• Weapon/Domain of Power: oaths and agreements
• Symbols: oath-ring
• Associated Animals: Moose
• Preferred Offerings: promises, wine, fruit, bread, milk, honey, mead

Vé

• Æsir god of creation
• Weapon/Domain of Power: creation, world-building, construction of the Nine Realms
• Symbols: axe, helm, seeds, world tree
• Associated Animals: walrus
• Preferred Offerings: meat, cheese, milk, honey, dried berries, mead, beer, ale, wine, seeds, grain

Víðarr

• Æsir god of silence, retribution, anger, war, and revenge
• Weapon/Domain of Power: retribution, avenge Odin's death
• Symbols: boot, iron shoe, silence
• Associated Animals: wolverine, wolf
• Preferred Offerings: leather, iron, mead, beer, meat, bread, a sacrifice

Vili/Lothur

• Æsir god of sworn agreements, loyalty to friends and family, oaths, and promises
• Weapon/Domain of Power: oaths and pacts
• Symbols: helm, mace, double-headed axe
• Associated Animals: caribou
• Preferred Offerings: meat, cheese, milk, honey, dried berries, mead, beer, ale, wine, seeds, grain
  
  

Back to top

***

Again, this is by no means a complete list or guide to these deities. Correspondence lists, like this one, show a very superficial and surface-level understanding. Truly understanding them requires an in-depth study of the Eddas as well as building a relationship with them. For example, while Skaði is often reduced to a huntress, she is so much more. Reading her story and working with her, you will find she is also a goddess of feminine strength and rage. She is a protector of women and a survivor, even in the worst of conditions. This is something you will not learn from a correspondence list.

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

5 Deities to Aid in Hedge Riding and Astral Travel

Hedge riding is the act of purposely entering an altered state of consciousness and traveling to the Otherworld to seek wisdom, work with spirits, and perform magic. It's the defining characteristic of the hedge witch, and this form of astral travel has been performed across multiple cultures for centuries. For some, it can be difficult to cross the hedge, the boundary that separates our reality from the Otherworld. Invoking the aid of a deity may help lessen the burden of travel and open the doors to new opportunities, wisdom, and magical lessons. But who can you call on for aid? Below are five deities that can aid you in your travels to the Otherworld and beyond!

Freya & Odin

Yes, these are two deities, but they are both equal masters of seiðr, a form of Nordic shamanism used to divine the future, shape fate, and traverse the Otherworld, much like modern hedge riding and hedgecraft. Seiðr was historically a highly gendered practice so Odin acted as a model for men and Freya for women, although some texts suggest it was 'unmanly' for men to practice as it was considered 'woman's work.' Odin defied these gender norms by learning seiðr from his wife, Freya/Freyja, and engaging in the practice to learn the magic of the runes, divine the future, and engage in spirit communication. Both Freya and Odin can be called upon to aid in hedge riding, by men, women, and nonbinary folks alike. I suggest including a distaff in your work, the tool most often used in seiðr to connect with the World Tree.

Hekate

Hekate is the goddess of witches, magic, necromancy, and otherworldly travel. It was Hekate, along with Hermes, who led the search through the Underworld for Persephone, her torch lighting the way through the darkness. As such, she is deeply associated with traversing the Otherworld, safe travels, and crossroads, and is said to be easily found in liminal places, such as the hedge. Call upon Hekate to lend you her torchlight and guide you on your way through the Otherworld safely. 

Brigid

Brigid may seem like an odd choice, but understanding her history sheds light on her liminal nature. Brigid is traditionally associated with Imbolc, the time between winter and spring. Furthermore, she walked between worlds, both fairy and mortal, and later was the bridge between Celtic paganism and Christianity. Her liminal nature, and her willingness to cross between realms, make her an excellent guide and travel partner for those engaging in hedge riding. 

Áine

Áine's history is riddled with contradictory folklore, but one thing is for certain, she was assaulted by Ailill Aulom, King of Munster, and bit off his ear during the assault, rendering him unfit to be a king. As the goddess of sovereignty, Áine holds the ability the grant and remove someone's power to rule. However, it's her association with Midsummer and lakes that are of particular interest to the modern hedge witch. Midsummer is believed to be a liminal time for the fae who actively cross between realms during this time to celebrate the Sun. Lakes, like hedges, are also liminal places, acting as portals to the Otherworld. Áine is just one of many Lady of the Lakes found throughout the United Kingdom and was said to emerge each Midsummer to bask upon her favorite spot. Her power is particularly potent on and around Midsummer, and the modern hedge witch can call upon her services to guide them safely through watery portals.

Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga is among the most infamous witches found in Slavic folklore. According to legend, Baba Yaga engages in nightly flights in her mortar, using her pestle to guide her along her way. She shares many traits with Hekate, sometimes being viewed as a triple aspect, while other times being represented by the matronly crone. No matter how you view her, Baba Yaga often extends a helping hand to those who seek her out, although she is often harsh in her tone and words. Call upon her to guide your way through the darkness and into the Otherworld, meet spirits, and even make your way to the Witch's Sabbath. If you treat her with respect and offer her a spot of alcohol or some tobacco, she'll be more apt to oblige. 

***

Of course, this list is not exhaustive by any means. There are multiple other deities that are associated with astral travel and the Otherworld, but remember to be culturally sensitive when choosing a deity to work with. Before invoking a deity for hedge riding, be sure you have developed a relationship with them first. If you wouldn't ask it of a friend, let alone a stranger, then don't ask it of a deity. Furthermore, just because you have built a relationship and asked for their aid, doesn't necessarily mean the deity will show up. They are not there to serve your every need and if you run into a non-responsive deity, try another time.

How you ultimately invoke one of these deities is completely up to you. Once you have an established relationship, you will know how to ask for their aid, thank them for their service, and what offerings they prefer. Go with your gut. I promise you'll know the way when the time comes.

Happy traveling!

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Living the Mother/Father Aspect When You Aren't a Parent

If you haven't read it already, I encourage you to read my article Should We Rethink The Triple Goddess?, which not only applies to our concept of the Triple Goddess but also the Triple God or Holy Trinity if you will. Both consist of three phases; three phases I don't believe work well in witchcraft as you'll find if you read my previous article on the subject. However, no matter how you look at it, whether you support three or four phases, the second is always a parental archetype: Mother and Father.

In today's world, more and more young adults are choosing not to have children. I am one such witch. In fact, I had surgery last year to remove my tubes, making the permanent choice to not birth a child. On discussion boards and forums I come across more and more witches choosing not to have children and wondering how the Mother and Father aspect fit into their lives. Many argue it doesn't, and such gender roles, especially for women, are outdated, rooted in patriarchy, and transphobic. I see where they are coming from. The original concept of the Triple Goddess and the roles of a woman are dated, rooted in patriarchy, and pretty transphobic, but that doesn't mean we have to look at them that way today. Much of what witchcraft practitioners are doing now is fighting gender stereotypes, reclaiming divine power, and throwing patriarchy and toxic masculinity out the window. These are great things we are doing, so why not do the same for the aspects or phases of both women and men?

Here's the thing; despite its history, the Mother and Father aspect have never been solely about childbirth and child-rearing. I know from the outside that's what it looks like. Heck, that's the first thing everyone thinks of when you hear the words "mother" and "father." It isn't wrong to associate children with motherhood and fatherhood, but there is so much more to it than just children. In fact, you can transition into the Mother and Father aspects without ever having children, despite the idea that you have to to fill those roles.

The Mother and Father phases are about actualizing your ego. By this I mean you transition from being self-serving to recognizing your strengths and their ability to help others. For both women and men, the "parental" stage of their life is transitioning their focus from only on themselves to others. They are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good, at least within their own families, if not in their community as well. Furthermore, it is a time for women and men to bring forth creation, but that doesn't necessarily mean life. This is a time when women and men take the dreams of the Maiden and Stag (or Warrior if that's what you prefer) and manifest them into reality. They mean so much more than popping out a couple of screaming kids and raising them for 20 years.

So how can you live this phase without children? Begin by serving and caring for others, whether it be a significant other, your community, or society as a whole. Your actions can be as small as caring for your SO when they are sick, bringing flowers to a grieving neighbor, or picking up trash along the sidewalk or as large as running for public office, joining the Peace Corps, or starting a non-profit, and everything in between. For me, this meant becoming a teacher. Despite not having children of my own, I help raise about 200 every year just by being their science teacher. I make a huge difference in many of these kids lives. I'm a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with, an enforcer of boundaries, and an ear to listen with. If that isn't living the Mother aspect, I don't know what is!

Next, begin manifesting those dreams. As young adults, we often have great plans, but no idea how to implement them. As we grow older, we develop the skills necessary to complete our goals, but often forget to come back to them. Write them down in a journal, BOS, on a sticky note on your mirror, or create a vision board to help remind you that you have a (possibly outlandish) goal your younger Maiden/Stag self wished to accomplish. Transitioning into Mother and Father isn't about growing up and losing your inner spark. It's the exact opposite. The Maiden and Stag teach us the beauty of play; the Mother and Father teach us how to use play to further our lives and the lives of others. Chase those dreams your younger self had. Manifest them into reality.

And finally, bring forth creation through art, music, dance, writing, poetry, and the like. Create beautiful masterpieces without a care for what others may think. Sing like no one can hear you and dance like no one is watching. When you release your inhibitions, you release your soul. This is the true meaning of the Mother and Father aspects.

For those of you currently in Mother/Father without children, how do live the aspect? Please share in the comments below.

Should We Rethink the Triple Goddess?

I've said it a thousand times here that I don't believe in any of the deities, but I will admit I like the idea of them. I find them fascinating and believe they can exist within our own minds, but not outside of it. That being said, the Triple Goddess is a beautiful representation of the phases of a woman's life, the changing seasons, and the moon phases, but is it perhaps time to redefine her?

After reading Hedge Witchcraft by Harmonia Saille, my feelings regarding the use of the Triple Goddess changed. The Triple Goddess is supposed to represent the changing seasons, the phases of the moon, and the stages of a woman's life, but Harmonia suggests using four because in reality we have four seasons, four moon phases, and women have four stages in their life.

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter are all very distinct seasons with certain sabbats falling within each to represent those seasons. We don't really see too much of spring or fall here in Georgia, but the traditional associations are still there. Using only three goddesses to represent these four seasons seems a bit odd. Which do we lump together into one? Furthermore, fall really doesn't match the crone phase, but it doesn't match the mother phase either. The same goes for the moon phases. We have Waxing, Full, Wanning, and Dark. The crone doesn't really fit in the waning moon phase in the three-phase system, but she fits quite well in the dark or new moon phase. So viewing the seasons and moon phases as a set of four means we are missing a Goddess form.

Photo Credit: Catherine Noble Beyer

Today, people are living longer, meaning women transition into their Crone stage much later than before. However, many women move on from their Mother phase well before becoming a Crone. My mother is one of these women. She has left her Mother phase but isn't quite in her Crone years either. So what is she? This phase is the autumn of life. In the three-phase system, postmenopausal women are left out, but by switching to a four-phase system we create an archetype to fill this gap. Harmonia calls her the Harvest Queen. After doing a bit of research, several others have also used the word queen to describe this portion of a woman's life as well. I think this name is suiting because queens are wise, independent, and strong, yet still nurturing and young at heart. When I think of the word queen I see Queen Elizabeth I, a woman who was known for having fun but being strong and independent as well. Queen suits postmenopausal women in the autumn of their lives quite well in my opinion.

So by creating this new archetype and therefore Quadruple Goddess, we have a Goddess for each season and moon phase as well as for each element and direction. So, with this system:

Maiden-Spring-Waxing Moon-Air-East

Mother-Summer-Full Moon-Fire-South

Queen-Fall-Wanning Moon-West-Water

Crone-Winter-Dark/New Moon-Earth-North

This system works beautifully and includes women who have otherwise felt left out. If you would like to read more on this subject, Donna Henes wrote a great piece on the topic of the Queen while Wind Hughes posted an article from Sowell Magazine (2000) about the four phases of a woman's life, their meanings, and their "light and dark" sides.

The Holly King

With Yule right around the corner, I can't help but be reminded of the Holly King who will be his strongest on the winter solstice. Yule is the time to celebrate the Holly King and recognize that the Sun has been reborn and soon the Oak King will come knocking.

As I mentioned in an earlier post on the Oak King, this story fascinates me. It's a lovely combination of death and rebirth that matches up nicely with the seasons. This will be a story I tell my future child one day to coincide with the sabbats. I'll go into more detail of the battle between the two in a later post, but today I would just like to focus on the Holly King.

    Image by renphoto/Vetta/Getty Images

The Holly King, Lord of Winterwood, is the dark twin of the Oak King. At Samhain, the Holly King defeats the Oak King, allowing darkness to reign until Beltane the following year. The days begin getting shorter while the nights get longer. The weather shifts from warm to cold and the Earth goes to sleep. However, it's not all doom and gloom. The Holly King is a god of transformations and new beginnings which is why we make New Year's Resolutions during this time. The Holly King helps us shed our old ways and give rise to new ones. Furthermore, Saturn reigns over this time of year, making the Holly King the bringer of gifts and merriment as well in respect to Yule. As I mentioned in my Yule, Traditions and Lore post, Santa comes from a mixture of beginnings. The Holly King is very likely one of the inspirations for Santa.

Most people celebrate the the death of the Oak King at Midsummer and the death of the Holly King at midwinter, but if you think about it, it doesn't make much sense astrologically. I'll touch more on this later, but I would like to go ahead and get you thinking about it.

I love Yule, and I love the story of the two kings. Whenever I think of Santa, I picture the Holly King, in all his glory; his cheeks flush, long white and grey beard, a wren on his shoulder, and a crown of holly atop his head. This Yule give him your thanks, write those resolutions, and celebrate the birth of the Sun once again.

Deity Introduction: Ganesha

Note: This post contains potentially problematic practices or language, cultural appropriation, or misinformation. I have been working diligently to decolonize my practice, for which you can learn more about in my article Decolonizing Witchcraft: Racism, Whitewashing, and Cultural Appropriation in Witchcraft and How to Decolonize Your Practice. I believe in documenting my journey in witchcraft and that my readers can learn from my mistakes, so the posts will remain as a learning opportunity.

Ganesha, the elephant-headed Lord of Prosperity, Wisdom, and Obstacles, stands out among the crowd as the most beloved Hindu deity. He is personally one of my favorite deity mythos, and I am not entirely sure why. I have encountered Ganesha several times in history lessons and literature, but he stood out most brightly to me in the book The Book of Dreams by O.R. Melling. I'm going to be honest; I started the book 5 years ago and haven't finished. I should probably start it over, but I digress. In the book the main character Dana, the light-bearers daughter, sets out on a quest with a half wolf French dude to find the Book of Dreams and saved the world and the world of faerie from dark forces. On her journey, she meets many obstacles and at one point Ganesha appears to guide her on her way. He tells Dana that he is helping her in her quest only because one of his daughters, Dana's stepmother, honors him and by helping Dana and he returning his love to Dana's stepmother. He then tells her not to expect his help again as he is not her deity or part of faerie. I found this very intriguing that a deity would reach out to help another who did not honor him. Today I'd like to share a brief history of Ganesha and how you can call upon him to clear obstacles from your path.

Ganesha is the son of the primal deities Shiva and Parvati. He was born in his father's absence and grew up completely devoted to his mother. One day while he stood guard while his mother bathed, Shiva returned unexpectedly and demanded to see his wife. Ganesha, having never met his father, barred his way. Shiva ended the argument by cutting off Ganesha's head, but when it was revealed that Ganesha was his son, he vowed to replace his head with that of the first creature he saw: an elephant. Because he no longer appeared "godlike," Shiva decreed that no prayers would begin without first invoking Ganesha. The letter or symbol Om or Aum found at the beginning of almost all mantras is a tribute to and invocation of Ganesha. Today Ganesha is invoked before beginning any new endeavor or project so he will open the way.

During August or September, the holiday Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated to honor Ganesha. Depending on when it falls it can last between 5-7 days or 10-12 days (usually 10 days). The festival involves placing clay images of Ganesha in public pandals, temporary shrines, and worshipping them with a variety of plants and leaves. At the end of the festival, the leaves are immersed in a body of water, usually the a lake, to purify the water. In the early years of the tradition, the water was their drinking source. Placing the blessed and medicinal leaves in it was believed to protect people from infections and viral diseases in the water.

You can request Ganesha's assistance with new projects and ask for his guidance on old projects you are stuck on. Offer him peanuts, golden raisins, and candy. You can also offer him leaves from 108 different plants to unblock your path. The most common mantra to invoke Ganesha is "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah," which means "Priase be to Ganapati." This is his mula or root mantra which is commonly used for yoga sadhana to merge oneself with Ganesha during practice. "Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah" or " Praise to Lord Ganesha" is the mantra used for invocation, adoration, and worship.

And to add an extra little tidbit, Ganesha's brother Skanda rides a peacock. Just so you know.

I hope this has been informative. Do you use Ganesha in your magic or yoga practice?

The Oak King

Welcome to those reading from The Pagan Blog Project! This was going to be my post last week, but as you know I was rather ill.

Of all the trees in United States, Great Britain, and Ireland, the oak is considered the king. Even today it is synonymous with strength, endurance, abundance, and steadfastness. The classical world regarded the oak as the "Tree of Life" as its roots run deep and its branches touch the sky.

The word oak derives from the Anglo-Saxon word ac and the Irish word duar. Some scholars believe this is where the term druid arose since druids revered the oak, using the tree as a place of worship and a symbol of the God. When combined with the Indo-European root wid (to know), druid may actually literally translate to "knowledge of the oak."

The oak tree litters classical mythologies, but the most notable in the pagan community is the story of the Oak and Holly King. This is probably one of my favorite stories in the pagan tradition as it corresponds directly with which tree dominates each season. The Oak King is often referred to as the "Lord of the Greenwood" or the "Green Man". He is the golden twin of the waxing year and rules from Beltane to Samhain. At Samhain he goes to battle with his twin, the Holly King and is slain, allowing darkness to cover the Earth. At Beltane, the Oak King slays the Holly King and spends the next 6 months ruling over Earth in light. The Oak King reveals himself as the Vegetation God, who must die each year so that life can be renewed. It is therefore not surprising that images of the Green Man carved in medieval churches show oak leaves growing out of his head.

The oaks connection with sacrifices rings throughout many stories, including the story of Cuchullian and Curoi (the forerunner of the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight) and the Welsh story Math, son of Mathonwy. It's reputation as a tree of strength and endurance depends on its yearly death and rebirth, which is personified in these stories. In fact, its reputation is so strong King Charles II, when fleeing from the Roundheads after the battle of Worcester, took refuge in the branches of a great oak, knowing he would be protected. After his restoration to power on May 29, 1660, the day was henceforth celebrated as "Royal Oak Day."

The oak continues to be one of the most prominent figures in paganism, not only as the representation of the dual aspect of the God, but also for its magical uses. I find oaks to be my second favorite tree, as they tell the best stories. To learn more about the magical and herbal uses of the oak, please refer to the Herbarium: Oak page.