Odin

o'din, in northern mythology, the ruler of the earth. In partnership with two brothers, he made the earth and the mountains and the heavens. Odin regulated the periods of day and night and established the seasons. He gave life and soul to man. He dwells in Asgard, a city of golden and silver palaces. His own palace is Gladsheim, home of gladness. Valhalla is his banquet hall. He site on a throne holding a spear, the scepter of the world. Two wolves lie at his feet. A pair of familiar ravens, Thought and Memory, perch on the back of his chair, one at each shoulder. They fly to all parts of the world and bring tidings of what man is doing. The hall is filled with heroes who love to fight and feast. In the morning they go out to hack and hew each other. At evening, they return to the hall to feast. Their wounds are made whole. When Odin himself goes forth he rides upon his horse Sleipnir. Sleipnir has eight feet. He uses four for traveling like other horses. When he is weary Odin turns him over and he travels on his other four feet. Each day Odin sends his messengers, warlike virgins with helmets, shields, and spears, to bring to Valhalla the souls of mortals who have distinguished themselves in fight. When these messengers, the Valkyrior, ride forth, the northern sky is filled with a flickering light which mortals call Aurora Borealis. Odin is the father of Thor, the Thunderer. Odin is identical with Woden of the Saxons and Wuotan of the Old High Germans. See Wednesday; Mythology; Scandinavian; Valkyrior