More men turned to the Vanir, aggrieving the Aesir. Heimdall of the Aesir, calling himself Rig, travelled through Midgard, begetting thralls, yeomen and highborn. These classes worship the Aesir. Heimdall's grandsson (I think), Con, became the first king after training by Heimdall.
Gullveig, also known as Heid, the Shining One, came from Vanaheim, sowed discord in Midgard and crossed Bifrost to Asgard. When the Aesir tried but failed to kill her, she returned to Vanaheim and incited the Vanir against the Aesir. The Vanir waged war, won many battles and damaged the walls of Asgard but were beaten back. War between the gods continued for years and caused wars between men. Odin travelled to Mimir's Well under the second root of the Tree in Jotunheim and gave one eye for wisdom. Mimir accompanied Odin to Asgard and advised him to go beyond death to seek the runes, which he did. Thus enwisened, Odin made peace. Aesir and Vanir now shared offerings and lordship.
The Vanir accepted Hoenir and Mimir as hostages.(The text summarizes the myth that Odin, Hoenir and Lodur - in another version, Odin, Vili and Ve - carved the first man and woman from ash and elm logs.)
The Aesir accepted Njord, his son Freyr and his daughter Freyja as hostages -
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
A mythological explanation of how two different pantheons of gods were accommodated with one another.
Ad astra! Sean
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