Bafur - A soil-dwelling Dwarf.

Balder, Baldr, Baldur (bal-der) - ("The Bright One") Æsir son of Odin and Frigga, who was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe shot by the blind God Hodor (who was tricked by Loki) and resurrected. His wife is Nanna, his son, Forseti. Known as the Shining God; the Bleeding God. Sacred wells sprang from the hoof marks of his horse. He represents light, advice, reconciliation, beauty, gentleness, reincarnation, wisdom, harmony, happiness. Balder will return from Helheim after Ragnarok and will rule as one of the new Gods.

Balder's Bane - A kenning for Mistletoe, which was the the sole entity that did not swear to never harm Balder. Loki tricked the god Hodur into shooting Balder with an arrow made of Mistletoe, causing Balder's death.

Bale - Poison.

Baleyg - ("Flame-eyed One") Another name for Odin.

Bane - Slayer.

Bane of branches - A kenning for fire.

Bane of Shields - A kenning for the sword Tyrfing.

Bara - ('Big Wave') One of Aegir and Ran's nine wave-daughters who are said to be the mothers of Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost bridge.

Bari - A Dwarf that was instrumental in the building of Mengloth's hall, Lyr .

Barri Woods - ("The Leafy") A peaceful place known to Freyr and others where Gerd was to meet Freyr for marrage.

Barrow-mound - Burial mounds where the dead were placed.

Baugi - ("The Stooping") An Etin Giant, Suttung's brother and son of Gilling. Odin, disguised as Bölverk, tried to get some of the Mead of Poetry by working at Baugi's farm. The name After Odin had spent all year working for Baugi, he took him to Suttung, but Suttung denied Odin (as Bölverk) any Mead. Baugi then took Odin to the mountain of the mead and bored a small hole, with Rati, his auger. It was just big enough for Odin, in the shape of a snake, to enter. Having second thoughts, Baugi tried to stab Odin as he slithered through, but he was too late. Later Bölverk seduced Gunnlöd and stole the Mead of Poetry.

Bearers of Fate - These are the entities who are attached to an individual and carry that individual's fate (ON ørlög), thus influencing his or her life and actions. Entities that belong to this group include the fetch (ON fylgja) and the lesser Norns (ON nornir), as well as in certain instances Valkyries (ON Valkÿrjur) and Dises (ON Disir).

Beli - ("Moaning") Gymir's and Aurboda's son and brother to Freyr's wife, Gerd. He is the leader of the barking Giants. Freyr was unarmed when he and Beli fought at Ragnarok, but Freyr killed him with a stag antler.

Beli's Bane - A kenning for Freyr, who killed the Giant Beli.

Belt of Strength - The god Thor's magical belt which can double his strength.

Beowulf - An Anglo-Saxon hero, noted for fighting the Grendl monster; an epic poem of the same name.

Berchta, Perchta - A Germanic Goddess, wanders through the fields during Yuletide bringing them fertility and also causing harm. She has bulging eyes, wrinkles and tangled hair.

Bergelmir [pronounced "Bare-ghel-mere"] - The Deluge Giant Bergelmir is Thrudgelmir's son and Ymir's grandson. He and his wife were the only two Giants to survive the flood of Ymir's blood. In that way he kept the Giant race from dying. He is called Father of all Giants.

Berling - Berling forged the Love Goddess Freya's Brising necklace together with the Dwarves Alfrik, Dvalin and Grer. The payment was that she spent one night with each of them. He is a Dwarf son of Ivaldi .

Berserkers - ("Bear Shirts") Men who could turn themselves into bears (like werewolves) in battle. They were seized with an uncontrollable madness for bloodshed.

Bestla - ("The little sauna woman")The Frost Giantess Bestla married Buri's son, Bor, and gave birth to the three Gods; Odin, Vili and Ve. She is daughter to Bolthorn and Ymir, and sister to Mimir.

Beyla - ("Bee") Beyla is Freyr's servant. She is married to Byggvir and they live together with Freyr and Gerd on the farm Alfheim. Her major task there is to milk the cows.

Biflidd, Biflindi - ("Spear-shaker") Another name for Odin.

Bifrost - [pronounced "beye-vrurst"] The rainbow bridge from earth to heaven, guarded by Heimdall. It is a bridge that only the gods can cross. It is covered with flames to stop the frost ogres and cliff giants from scaling heaven. It will break when the sons of Muspell ride out over at Ragnarok.

Bifur - A soil-dwelling Dwarf.

Bil & Hjuki - The Moon-God, Nepur, took these children from Byrgir Well while they carried mead from the well with Sœg ("Tub") & Simul ("Carrying- pole"). They followed the moon on its way until their father, Ivaldi, battled with Nepur and reclaimed them. Bil later becomes Saga. Idun is their sister.

Bileyg - ("One whose eye deceives him, i.e. one-eyed") Another name for Odin.

Billing - ("Twin") 1) Elf of the twilight or west. 2) The Giant Billing is the master of the Vanirs. He is Gilling's brother, Rind's father and Vali's grandfather. His warriors protects Sol and Mane.

Bilskirnir - [pronounced Bill-skier-near] - ("Lightning") Thor's hall at Thurdvang. It is the biggest building ever built, with six hundred and forty floors.

Birdwood - Where the red cockerel All-Knower comes from, perhaps a by-name of Yggdrasil.

Bjart - ("Shining One') One of the Love-Goddess Freya's eight sisters. The God of storm and fishing, Njord is her father. The fertility God Freyr is her brother.

Blid - ("The one who is mild') Blid is one of the Love-Goddess Freya's eight sisters. The God of storm and fishing, Njord is her father. The fertility God Freyr is her brother.

Blodighofi - ("The one with blood on the hoofs") Blodighofi is Freyr's horse, which was given to Skirnir, when he rode to Jotunheim to get Gerd for him. The horse wasn't afraid of either fire or smoke.

Boar - An animal sacred to Freyr. His boar, Gullinbursti, has golden bristles.

Bodn - One of three bowls used by the dwarves Fjalar and Galar when they were making Kvæsir's blood into the Mead of Poetry.

Blodughadda - ("With blood in the hair") One of Aegir and Ran's nine wave-daughters who are said to be the mothers of Heimdall. the guardian of the Bifrost bridge.

Boe - In Saxo's account of the Baldr story, the son of Rind is called Boe instead of Vali.

Bolthorn - ("Evil Thorn") Odin's grandfather, a Giant. Bolthorn is father to Bestla, Bor's wife and mother of Odin, Vili and Ve. He is also the father of Mimer.

Bolverk (Boll-verk) - The Giant disguise used by Odin to get the Mead of Poetry.

Bombor - Soil dwelling Dwarf.

Bor, Borr - ("The Son") A supernatural man, son of Buri, a Giant who was created when the cow Audhumbla licked at a stone. He is married to the Giantess Bestla and is the father of Odin, Vili and Ve.

Bragi, Brage [pronounced "brah-yih"] - God of poetry, eloquence, and boasting. Son of Odin and Gunnlod; married to Idhuna. He greets new arrivals to Valhalla with songs of their deeds. His virtues are wit, cunning, wisdom, music, writing, the arts. He is the patron of skalds and minstrels.

Breidablik - ("Broad Shining") Baldr's and Nanna's hall in Asgard; a magnificent palace. No unclean thing is permitted to be there.

Brimer - 1) Brimer (Ymir?) is a Giant that owns the island Ókolnir. There he has his feast hall in which the Giants celebrates when Ragnarok is coming. 2) A hall located in Ókolnir. In it there is plenty of good drink. A refuge to those finding it after Ragnarok.

Brimir Hall at Gimle, Sindri Hall at Nidafioll, Nasatrands, Hvergelmir - Places the remaining Gods will be sent to after Ragnarok.

Brisingamen, Brising - ("Fire-Jewelry")The Brisingamen necklace belongs to Freya. It was forged by four dwarves and to get it she had to spend one night with each of them. This ornament can be worn either as a belt or a necklace depending upon how Freya plans to use it. Loki once stole it.

Broadland - Another name for Vidar's hall. Also called Landvidi ("Whiteland").

Broadview - Another name for Balder's Hall.

Brokk - A Dwarf; superb smith and jeweler, son of Ivaldi. He was pictured as small and blackened from the smithy. With his brother Eitri he made Sif's golden hair, the spear Gungnir, the ship Skidbladnir. Loki wagered his head that Brokk's brother Sindri could not forge greater magical items than these. So, Loki, in the form of a gadfly, stung him on the hand, neck and eyelids to prevent him from helping with the forge's bellows and winning the bet, but Loki failed. His brother Sindri created the boar Slidrugtanni for Freyr and Freya, the ring Draupnir for Odin, and a new hammer for Thor, a hammer which would be impossible to steal, because it would always return to its owner. Loki ran but was caught by Thor. Loki said, "You can have my head but not my neck". So Brokk pierced holes in Loki's lips with an awl and sewed them up as a lesson not to brag.

Brynhild, Brynhildr - ("Byrnie of Battle" or "Mail-coat of Battle") A Valkyrie and servant to Odin; a shape-shifter who often used a swan disguise. This beautiful being fell in love with the hero Sigurd. She is daughter to king Budle and sister to Atle and Bekkhild. She was punished by Odin, but Sigurd Fafnisbari saved her. She married King Gunnar but really loved Sigurd. When Sigurd was killed, she threw herself into the fire and burned to death.

Budli - Father of Atli (Attila the Hun) and Brunhild.

Buri, Bure [Boo-ree] - ("Good-looking" or "Great and Huge") Supernatural being licked from the salty rocks of Ginnungagap by Audhumla, the primal cow. Father of Bor, who is father of Odin, Vili and Ve. Bure died of old age, as the golden apples of Iduna had yet to appear.

Byggvir - Companion God of Freyr. The God of ale/beer and corn, Byggvir is married to Beyla. He is Freyr's servant and lives at Freyr's farm Alfheim. His task is to take care of the world-mill and its grist.

Byleist - ("Lightning") The Storm-Giant Byleist is Farbauti's and Laufey's son. He has two brothers, the trickster Loki and the Water-Giant Helblindi.

Bylgja - ('Big Breaking Wave') One of Aegir and Ran's nine wave-daughters who are said to be the mothers of Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost bridge.

Byrgir - A well found in the kingdom of Ivaldi, probably connected to Mirmir's Well, since its water gave the gift of poetic power and ecstasy . Ivaldi tried to keep this secret, and sent two of his children in the dark of night to empty out the well and bring back the mead. From this mead he allowed the Gods to drink as much as they wanted. Nepur, the Moon-God spied the youngsters on their way back home with a pail full of mead, and abducted them and the mead. But Ivaldi fought Nepur as he passed through the underworld and reclaimed them.

Coiler - A kenning for the Midgard-Serpent.

Dain - A ruler of the Elves.

Damp With Sleet - Another name of Hel's hall. Also called "Eliudnir".

Darkdale - The dwelling place of the dwarves, in the north, covered with gold.

Daughters of Aegir - 1) The waves of the sea. 2) The "undines", Aegir's and Ran's nine daughters, born of the waves.

Day - 1) At the creation, the gods sent Day and Night to race across the sky in chariots drawn by swift horses. 2) Day is the father of the Light Elves and the personification of the daylight. He is Night's (Nott's) son in her third marriage, with Delling. He controls the days on his horse Skinfaxi.

Dead Man's Shore - A hall in Hel where no sunlight reaches, covered by serpent skins and dripping venom. This is the destination after death of murderers, traitors, adulterers. Nidhögg sucks blood from the bodies of the dead.

Delling - ("Day-Spring" or "Dawn") Red Elf of the dawn or east; lover of Nott (Night). Day is their son. Delling is the guard at Breidablik. His name means 'the one who is light-complexioned'

Dis (ON dis), Disir, Desir (ON dis; disir) - Plural of dis. - Ancestral female spirits to whom Winter Nights and Disting are holy. They watch over the family in general but more particularly the person who will carry on the line.The Disirs work under Freya. The Valkyries are Disir.

Disease - Disease was brought into the world by the birth of Hela, Loki's daughter.

Disting- One of the Great Blessings between Yuletide and Easter. Local Things are often held at this time. Freya and Vali are often honored during this blessing as well as the Dises and Alfs.

Dokkalfar - The Dark Elves, who dwell in mounds, hillocks and rocks. They have much in common with the Disir, being thought to be in some aspects the masculine counterparts of these beings. They are great magicians and teachers of magic, and it may have been to their abodes that Odin refers when he says that he learned his wisdom from the "men, very old men / who dwell in the wood of the home". Blessings may be made to the Dokkalfar in one's own home, or one may seek out a place where they dwell if one wishes to ask a favor of them. The best time to approach them is at sunset, for they are not fond of daylight. The appear as very beautiful, though pale, human-like wights in noble clothes. The term "Dark Elves" refers to their abodes, and not to their appearance or moral character.

Dolgthvari - Rock dwelling Dwarf.

Dori - Rock dwelling Dwarf.

Draugr, Draug, Draugar - The undead, or animated corpse, also called aptrgangr ("after-goer"). Draugrs are extremely strong and as such can be very dangerous. They were said to commonly kill the living by applying a massively strong slap to the head. Draugr's should never be looked at directly as it is said that they can steel vital önd from a person by gazing at them alone. Runes are carved on gravestones to prevent the dead from rising and walking again among men.

Draupnir - ("The Dropper") Odin's gold arm-ring, forged by Brokk. Every ninth night eight new rings, as heavy as the original, drop from it. Odin gave the ring to Balder, but he gave it back. Odin later laid it on Balder's funeral pyre. Balder sent it back from Hellheim with Hoenir.

Dromi - ("The Real Chain") The second chain the Gods used to tie up the Fenrir wolf. The first was Loding, and the third was Gleipnir. The chains were forged by the dwarves.

Draumkonur - ON. Dream women, able to foresee and interpret through their dreams, a witch or volva

Drop-to-Destruction -The name of the stone door leading into Hel.

Duneyr - ("Rest") A deer which lives in the world tree Yggdrasil together with three other deer. The second dear is Duratror and the other two are Dwarves in deer shape.

Durathor - ("Slumber") The deer Durathor lives in Yggdrasil with three other deer. The second deer is Duneyr and the other two are Dwarves in deer shape.

Durin - One of the most mighty dwarves, from the start of time. He knows the destiny of the old dwarves. Together with Dvalin he forged the magic sword,Tyrfing. He is Mimir's first son, the eldest of Dwarves. He helped his father build the World-Mill to create the fertile soil needed for life on Midgard.

Duva - ("The Hiding") One of Aegir and Ran's nine wavedaughters who are said to be the mothers of Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost bridge.

Dvalin - A ruler of the dwarves. Dvalin is one of the most powerful dwarves. He was also a skilled smith and able to read runes before any other Dwarf was. He forged the Brising necklace and Tyrfing, the magic sword.

Dvergar - Another name for the Svartalfar or Dwarves.

Dwarf's Ship - A kenning for intoxication, so called because the dwarves Fjalar and Galar ransomed a ship in exchange for the Mead of Poetry.

Dwarves - See Svartalfar or Dvergar. Dwarves were Ivaldi's sons, but the Elves were Mirmir's sons. The Dwarves are short and greedy beings that were magots in the prehistoric Giant Ymir's body. Like goblins they fear the sun. The Dwarves are often evil-minded, but they are talented smiths and they have forged mostly of the Æsirs' treasures. They live in knotholes and caves, some of them in Svartalfheim. Nyi, Nidi, Nordri, Sudri, Austri, Vestri, Althiolf ("Mighty Thief"), Dvalin, Nar, Nain, Niping, Dain, Bifur, Bofur, Nori, Ori, Onar, Oin, Modvitnir ("Mead-Wolf"), Vig, Gandalf ("Magic Elf"), Vindalf ("Wind Elf"), Thorin, Fili, Kili, Fundin, Vali, Thror, Throin, Thekk, Lit, Vitr, Nyr, Nyrad, Rekk, Radsvinn ("Swift in Counsel"), Draupnir, Dolgthvari, Hor, Hugstari, Hlediolf, Gloin, Dori, Duf, Andvari, Heptifili, Har, Siar, Skirpir, Virpir, Skafinn, Ai, Alf, Ingi, Eikinskialdi ("Oak Shield"), Fal, Frosti, Finn, Ginnar.

Edda - Both the name of a woman and the title of Snorri's Skalding (poetry) primer. The woman Edda bears a son by Rig (Heimdall), who has paid a visit to Midgardhr to foster a new race of humans. The boy is named Thrall and becomes ancestor for the lowest class of people, the serfs.

Eggther - ("Sword Guarder") The watchman of the Giants, guard of the Giants' world, Jotunheim. Eggther lives in the forest Galgvid. He is also the the guardian of Volund's sword of revenge. He plays happily on his harp when he hears the rooster tell that Ragnarok is coming.

Egil - Father of Thjalfi, Thor's servant, married to a Valkyrie. Brother of Volund the smith, and Slagfin.

Eikinskjaldi - ("Oak Shield") The Dwarf Eikinskjaldi was a skillful artist.

Eikthrynir, Eiktyrnir - ("Oak Thorn") The stag on roof of Valhalla, that feeds on the World Tree. Dew drips from his horns and flows into Hvergelmir and then into the rivers

Einherjar - (""Single Combatants") Army of all men who fall in battle, they are adopted as Odin's sons. He allots to them the halls Valhalla and Vingólf. There they await Ragnarok, when they will join the Gods in fighting the Giants. They spend most of their time fighting, eating, and drinking.

Einmyria - ("Ashes") A daughter of Loki ("Fire") and Glut ("Glow"). Her sister is Eisa ("Embers").

Eír - ("Mercy") Goddess of healing and medicine. One of Frigga's handmaidens, with Vor and Var. She is one of Freya's eight sisters and Njord's daughter. She probably lives in the hall Skimmer with the rest of the sisters.

Eisa - ("Embers") A daughter of Loki ("Fire") and Glut ("Glow"). Her sister is Einmyria ("Ashes").

Eitri [Prounounced Ay-tree] - A Dwarf and metal worker. With Brokk he made the gold boar, Gullinbursti, Odin's arm-ring and Thorr's hammer Mjollnir. He was pictured as small and blackened from the smithy.The Dwarf Eitri is son of Ivaldi and brother of Brokk and Sindri.

Eldir - ("Fire-Kindler") Eldir is Aegir's cock. During one of Aegir's feasts, Eldir tried to prevent Loki from getting in, because he knew everybody said bad things about him.

Eldhrimnir - ("Soot From Fire") The kettle which was used by the cook Andhrimnir to boil the boar Saehrimnir. The meat is given to the hungry einheriars in Valhalla every night.

Elf-Candle - A kenning for the sun.

Eliudnir - Hel's Hall. Her dish is called Hunger, her knife, Famine, her servant, Ganglati.

Elivagar - Usually spoken of as a river, it is really a narrow stretch of ocean separating Midgard proper from Jotunheimur in the north. This arrangement exactly parallels the Underworld geography: Niflhel is separated from Hel proper by mountains (and perhaps a narrow stretch of underworld ocean as well).

Elli, Elde - Utgardh-Loki's grandmother. She was asked, as a part of a friendly game, to wrestle Thor because she was the weakest of giants in Utgardh-Loki's. She wrestling Thor down to his knees. A trick, since the thin but very strong Giantess Elli represents old age.

Elves. Alves - Elves are the sons of Mirmir, while Dwarves are the sons of Ivaldi. See Alfar.

Embla & Askr - Origin of humanity , the first man and woman. The first man, Askr, was made from an Ash tree. His wife, Embla, was an Elm.

Eostre, Ostara - Saxon lunar goddess, patron of springtime and hares (Easter Bunny). The Christian holiday for the resurection of Jesus usurped Ostara's celebration, and is now called "Easter". An aspect of the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora.

Erda, Earth, Jörd- ("Earth") The Earth-Goddess Erda is the mother of Thor, with Odin. Erda is daughter to the Night-Disir Natt/Night and her second husband of three, Annar.

Erilaz - pl., eriloz. A vitki and runemaster who is also a priest (godhi). See Erulian.

Erulian - Member of the ancient gild of runemasters who formed an inter-tribal network of initiates in the Germanic mysteries.

Etin - Developed from OE eoten and ON jötunn. A type of Giant known for its strength. Also a generic name for Giant (in ON Jötunheimr, etc.), which is a living entity of great age, strength, and often great occult knowledge. Etins are usually friendly to the Gods, while Jotuns are unfriendly.

Etin-Home - (ON Jötunheimr) The eastern world, home of all giants.

Etin-Wife - A female Etin taken in magical marriage.

Everfrost - Banquet hall of the giant Brimir. Brimir is probably another name for Yimir.

Falcon Coat - The magical feathered coat of the goddess Freya. When worn it turned the wearer into a falcon.

Fafnir, Fåvne - Fafnir is the son of Hreidmar and brother of Otter and Regin. He was killed as a dragon by Sigurd Fafnisbari when he guarded his gold treasure.

Fáfnir's Lair - A kenning for Gold, because of the great hoard of gold found in the lair of this dragon.

Fal - A Dwarf.

Falhofnir - ("Shaggy Forelock") Horse of the Æsir used to ride to Gladsheim, their Court of Justice, each day.

Fallfordarv - The doorstep in the death Goddess, Hel's stronghold Eljudnir in Nifilhel. Nifelhel is the place that welcomes people who have died unhonored in battle.

Famine - Famine is the Death Goddess Hel's knife.

Farbauti - ("Cruel Smiter") A Fire Giant. He is married to Laufey and is the father of Loki, Byleist and Helblindi. Laufey gave birth to Loki while being struck by a bolt of fire from Farbauti.

Faring Forth - The Seidh practice of leaving the physical body to travel forth in spirit to other realms. Travel out of the body, astral projection.

Farmagud - ("God of Cargoes") Another name for Odin.

Feathercoat - A feathercoat transforms the user into a bird. Freya has a falcon coat that Loki often borrows. Odin and the Giant Tjatsi each have an eagle coat.

Fenja - One of the two Jotun giantesses who are able to produce gold with the giant mill "Grotte".

Fenrir, Fenris, Fenrisulven - Monster wolf offspring of Loki with Giantess Angrboda, brother of Hel and the World Serpent. The Gods raised the wolf in Asgard but only Tyr had the courage to feed it. Soon the gods grew concerned, seeing how fast it grew daily. Nothing could bind him until the Dwarves manufactured a chain that was made out of the roots of a mountain, the noise of a moving cat, and the breath of a fish. Fenrir bit off Tyr's left hand when the Gods tricked him into being bound with the fetter, Gleipnir. They tied the chain to a great boulder (Gjöll) and drove it deep into the earth. Then, to make sure, they covered that rock with another huge boulder (Thviti) and sank it on top as a fastening peg. As a gag for the howling wolf, they shoved a sword into his mouth so that the hilt was in its lower jaw and the point in the upper. Still he howls horribly. There he will lie until Ragnarök At Ragnarok he will kill Odin and then will be slain by Vidar, son of Odin. He is father to Hati.

Fensalir - Frigga's hall in Asgard.

Fetch, fylgja - The fetch is an independent form, a soul aspect, that is attached to a person though not actually a part of the person. It appears to the mind's eye in a variety of forms- in the form of an animal (fetch-deer) or of the opposite sex (fetch-wife or fetch-man), even in a purely geometrical shape. Its purpose is to assist the person it is attached to in other realms.

Field of Warriors - Another name for Freya's hall, also called "Folkvang".

Fili - Soil-dwelling Dwarf

Fimbulwinter - ("The Mighty Winter") The three-year-long winter that will proceed Ragnarok.

Finn - A Dwarf.

Fire Giants - The inhabitants of Muspellheim, sworn enemies of the gods.

Fjalar [Fyah-klar] -1) Fjalar is a mean Dwarf, who with the help of his brother, Galar, kills the Giant Kvæsir. They make the Mead of Poetry from his blood, but they later are forced to give it away. 2) The cock whose crowing wakes the Giants for the final struggle of Ragnarok.

Fjölkunnig kona - ON. A wise woman in ancient Iceland. A cunning-woman or witch, but not necessarily in a derogatory sense.

Fjölkunnig madhr - ON. A wise man in ancient Iceland.

Fölkyngi - ON. Skilled in the magical arts, literally "much knowledge". Traditional word for "witchcraft."

Folkvang - The domicile of Freya. Half of all warriors who die in battle arrives here, the others become eternal warriors in Valhalla.

Fjolnir - Minor God of wisdom and learning. Possibly another name for Odin.

Fjölsvid - ("One Who is Very Wise") A by-name of Odin.

Fjolvar - The Giant Fjolvar owns the island Allgron, where he and Odin spent five years seducing seven foolish girls.

Fjörgynn - Weather God, father of Frigga.

Flærdg-stafir - ON: deception runes (galdrastafir).

Folkvang, Folkvangr - (""Folk-field"") Domain of Freya, which is also called "Field of Warriors". Her hall is Sessrúmnir. Half of all warriors who die in battle arrives here, the others become eternal warriors in Valhalla.

Forfeit-horn - Thor could not finish drinking the water in it. It was magically attached to the ocean. Thor's drinking created the tides.

Formáli - pl. formalár. ON: Formulaic speeches used to load action with magical intent.

Forn Sedh - In Sweden and some other Northern European counties, Ásatrú is known by this name.

Forseti - ("The Presiding One") Axe-God of justice, savior of the devout, winner of just lawsuits. He represents justice, good laws, arbitration, peace, fairness, good judgment. Son of Balder and Nanna. His hall is called Glitner.

Foster Parents - Fathers often used to pay to send their sons to be looked after by foster parents. This was considered the best way to train youngsters.

Framsynn - ON. Far-sighted. Blessed with the gift of seeing into the future.

Franang's Falls - A waterfall in Midgard where Loki, who shape-shifted as a salmon to hide from the gods, was captured.

Freki - ("Ravenous") One of Odin's two wolves. The other one is Geri. They get all the meat that is served to Odin in Valhalla because he himself prefers wine.

Freyr (fray-er), Frey, Fro, Ingve-Frey - ("The Lord") Vana-God, brother-consort of Freya; son of Njord and Njord's sister, Nerthus. Fertility and creativity God; God of Yule; God of wealth and peace and contentment. Blood was not allowed to be spilled through violence, nor where weapons or outlaws allowed on or in his holy places. He owns the boar, Gullinbursti, the ship, Skidbladnir, and a magic sword, that moves by itself through the air. Gerd, a Giantess, is his wife. Sensual love, fertility, growth, abundance, wealth, bravery, horses, boars, protector of ships and sailors, peace, joy happiness, rain, beauty, weather, guarantor of oaths, groves, sunshine, plant growth, sex. He ruled over the land of the light elves, Alfheim. He is also the ancestor of the royal bloodline of the Yngling family, early rulers of Norway/Sweden/Denmark.

Freya, Freyja - ("The Lady") Member of the Vanir who lives with the Æsir, daughter of Njord, sister-consort of Freyr. Her emblem is the necklace Brisingamen. Hers is the magic of reading runes, trancing and casting spells. She is said to have taught Seidh to Odin. She owns a falcon cloak, takes dove form, rides in a chariot drawn by two cats, or rides a boar. As leader of the Valkyries, she takes half those slain in battle and is traditionally associated with death and sexuality. She was married to the God Od, perhaps identical to Odin, who mysteriously disappeared. Freya had two daughters, Hnoss and Gersimi, with Od. She weeps tears of gold, which become amber, called "Freya's Tears".

Freya's Tears - A kenning for Amber. When she could not find her husband Od, Freya shed tears of gold. The tears that hit trees turned into amber.

Frid - ("The Good-Looking") Frid is one of the Love-Goddess Freya's eight sisters. The God of storms and fishing, Njord is her father. The Fertility God Freyr is her brother.

Friagabis - ("The Free Giver") Saxon goddess of plenty.

Frigg, Frigga, Frija - (The Loving) Frigga is the clairvoyant mistress of Asgard.She know the fates of all men and gods, although she does not desire to prophesy. Daughter of Fjorgynn and Fjordgyn. She is Odin's wife, with whom she has six sons and one daughter, including Balder and Hodur. Æsir Goddess of settled civilization, she represents married sexuality. Her hall is Fensalir. She is the Goddess of childbirth, sun symbolism, and is an aspect of fate.

Frith - Fruitful peace, happiness. The true Teutonic word for "peace" which carries with it the implication of "freedom".

Fro - ("Lord") Byname of Freyr.

Frodi - A Vanir god whose name means "The Fruitful One"

Fródleikr - ON: wisdom or learning. Magical learning from which all other abilities come. See Framsynn (farsight), Ófreskir (insight into the otherworld), Bregda Sér (shapeshifting, the power to confuse and disorient one's enemies), Hamfarir (shapeshifting, traveling in animal form), Rammaukinn (possession of supernormal strength).

Frosti - A Dwarf.

Frowe - ("Lady") By-name of Freya.

Frost-Giants - Most of the Frost Giants drowned in Ymir's blood when the gods killed him, and their souls migrated down into the northernmost part of the Underworld, the dark and foggy Niflhel. A few of the youngest Frost-Giants barely escaped, and crawled onto the beach of the northernmost part of the Earth, which is called Jotunheimr

Fulla - ("The Filler") Sister of Frigga, also called Volla. She carries the coffer of life and death. Although a virgin, she represents aspects of sexuality. Fulla was also known as Abundia, or Abundantia in some parts of Germany, where she was considered the symbol of the fullness of the earth. Nanna sent her a finger ring from Hel. She is described as an Æsir Goddess with long hair and a golden snood.

Fundin - Soil-dwelling Dwarf.

Fylgja - A manifestation of a part of a person's soul that can take on independent action as it can contain portions of a persons hughr and minni. The fylgja can also be used by the person in times of need for such things as travel to one of the nine worlds. Being able to take the form of the fylgja can be developed over time. The fylgja generally takes on the form of an animal or of the opposite sex of the person that it is attached to. It can and often is passed along ancestral lines. See also "fetch".

Gagnrad - ("Gain-counsellor") The name Odin chose to call himself when visiting Vafthrudnir.

Galar - A mean Dwarf and brother of Fjalar. They killed Kvasir and mixed his blood with honey in pot called Odrerir and then vats called Son and Bodn, created the Mead of Poetry.

Galdalf - Gandalf is told to be the eighteenth of the prehistoric Dwarves. The name means 'magician'.

Galdr, Galdor - The use of runes for magical purposes, specifically verbal incantations. A ritual to perform magical song and poetry in a high, shrieking voice. Odin is considered the foremost practitioner.

Galdrakona - ON. A woman who practices galdor magic, a witch or volva. Magic chant singing done by a woman.

Galdramyndur - [gald-ra-minn-dur] ON. Literally this means a "magical sign".

Galdrastafr, Galdor-stave - pl., galdrastafir. ON. Literally "stave of incantations". A magical sign which may or may not have its origin as a bind-rune.Originally they were made up of bindrunes which were then stylized for magical purposes. Used as a focus for complex magical operations.

Gamanrúnar - ON: joy runes.

Gambantein - ("Magic Branch") A magic wand given to Odin by the Giant Hlebard. When Odin had got the wand he made Hlebard lose his mind.

Gand, Gandr - (ON gandr) A magic wand. Projected magical power and the wand, staff, or stave which contains or expresses it.

Gandalf - ("Magic Elf") A Dwarf.

Gang - Giant Gang is Olvalde's youngest son and brother to Tjatsi and Ide. When the father had died the brothers rapidly shared his beer. This was the first time they were all quiet.

Ganglati - ("Tardy") Giant Ganglati is is one of the servants of Death-Goddess Hel and lives with her underground. Ganglati was so slow that no one ever could tell he was moving.

Gangleri - Another name for Odin.

Ganglot - Serving maid of Hel.

Gap-tooth - The name of one of Thor's goats that pulls his divine chariot through the sky.

Gardrofa - ("One Who Pulls Fences") The mare Gardrofa and the horse Hamskerpir are the parents of Gna's grey horse Hoof-flourisher.

Garm - Hel's monster wolf dog, who guards the island where Loki and his wolf-son, Fenrir, are chained. Hound of the Underworld, the most evil dog, he is bound with iron chains to guard the entrance Gnipahellir until Ragnarok. In Ragnarok he and Tyr will kill each other. Also called Mánagarm.

Garth - A yard, enclosure, homestead.

Gaut - By-name of Odin.

Gaut's Gate - A kenning for a shield. This is because Odin's gate, the gate to Asgard, shields Asgard from its enemies.

Gefn, Gefjun, Gefjon - Vanir Goddess of gift-giving, the All-Giver. She is associated with sowing of fields, crop and human fertility, celebrated with wagon rituals and plough rites at the New Year. As an aspect of fate, she is called in oath taking. Goddess of unmarried women, also one of the maidens in Frigga's palace. To her were entrusted all those who died unwedded, whom she received and made happy for ever. She did not remain a virgin herself, but married a Giant, by whom she had four sons. Odin sent her to Gylfi, king of Sweden to beg for some land which she might call her own. The king, amused at her request, promised her as much land as she could plough around in one day and night. Gefjon changed her four sons into oxen, harnessed them to a plough and cut a wide and deep furrow all around a large piece of land. She forcibly wrenched it away and made her oxen drag it down to the sea, where she made it fast and called it Seeland. Gefjon then married Skjold, one of Odin's sons, and became the ancestress of the royal Danish Skioldungs.

Geirahöd - ("Spear of Battle") A Valkyrie who serves ale to the Einheriar in Valhalla.

Geiravor - A Valkyrie.

Geirdriful - A Valkyrie.

Geirolu - A Valkyrie.

Geirrod - ("The one who bloods the spear") A cunning Giant and ironsmith, he caught Loki, who flew into his castle as Frigga's falcon and got stuck. He locked Loki in a chest and starved him for three months. He forced Loki to bring Thorr to his farm. For fun, Geirrod used tongs to pick up a lump of molten iron and threw it at Thorr, Thorr used iron gauntlets to catch it, then flung it back. It crashed through pillars, Geirrod, walls, and and into ground outside. Geirrod and his daughters, Gjalp and Greip, were killed.

Geirromul - A Valkyrie.

Geirrondul - A Valkyrie.

Geirskigull - A Valkyrie.

Gerahod - A Valkyrie.

Geri - ("Greedy") Geri is one of Odin's two wolves. The other one is Freki. They get all the meat that is served to Odin because he only drinks wine.

Gerd, Gerdh - ("Fence") A Frost Giantess who married Freyr. Freyr's servant Skirnir was sent to woo her for him. It was only after threats of curses death and suffering in Hel that she agreed to marry Freyr . The beautiful Gerd is Gymir and Aurboda's daughter and Beli's sister. She is known for her shining beauty. When she raises her arms everything shines.

Geri & Freki - ("Ravenous" & "Greedy") Two of Odin's wolves. He feeds them the food from his table.

Gersimi - Goddess of beauty, Freya's daughter with Od. The beautiful Hnoss is her sister. The name Gersimi means 'jewelry'

Gestumblindi - In the contest of riddles with King Heidrek the Wise, the last riddle about Odin's whisperings to Balder reveal that Gestumblindi is actually Odin.

Giants & Giantesses- In Old Norse the word risi meant a true Giant of great size, capable of intermarrying with humans; they were usually beautiful and good. The jotnar, singular jötunn, had great strength and age and were also called etins. The thursar, singular thurs, were antagonistic, destructive, and stupid. The Giants in Northern mythology (such as the Frost Giants, the Mountain Giants and the Fire Giants) represent the raw forces of Nature in their primitive form. The Giants are often big, clumsy, magic-skilled, and sometimes evil-minded creatures. The worst enemy of the Giants is Thor, with his powerful hammer Mjollnir. Most Giants live in Jotunheim. There are also Fire Giants who follow Surt in Muspelheim and Rimthursar (Frost Giants) who came from the ice-cold Niflheim. All Giants originally came from Ymir. It may be that the Giants were the Gods of the Stone Age, the Vanir the Gods of the Bronze Age and the Æsir the Gods of the Iron Age.

Gilling - ("Huge Cod") The Giant Gilling is Billing's brother. Gilling and his wife were killed by the evil Dwarves Galar and Fjalar, who brewed the Mead of Poetry. His son, Suttung took revenge.

Gils - Horse of the Æsir used to ride to Glasheim, their Court of Justice, each day.

Gimli - ("Hall of the Blessed") Located to the south and above Asgard in another heaven called Andlang, it is a building with a golden roof. It is the fairest hall of all and brighter than the sun. It will survive Ragnarok, and will be where good and righteous men go to upon death.

Ginar - A Dwarf.

Ginnungagap - The great void between Muspellheim and Niflheim before the creation. An enormous canyon that divides red-hot Muspelheim to the south and icy Nivlheim to the north. The creation of the world began at Ginnungagap, with Ymir the Giant and the primal cow, Audhumla. The Gods kill Ymir, place the body such that it fills the gap and finally create the world out of the carcass.

Gjallarhorn, Gjall, Gyall - ("The Recalling Horn") Heimdall's mighty horn. Its blast can be heard all over the nine worlds. It shall be blown at Ragnarok.

Gjallarbru (Gyall-ar-broo) - ("Resounding Bridge") The bridge crossed by Hermod on his way to Hel's realm in search of Balder.

Gjalp - ("Yelling") The Giantess Gjalp is Geirod's daughter and Greip's sister. She tries to stop Thor from passing a lake by flooding it with urine.

Gjoll - 1) The Hel Bridge. It is thatched with gleaming gold and the maiden who guards it is called Módgud. From the bridge over the river Gjöll the road to Hel lies downwards and northwards. 2) The boulder to which the wolf Fenrir was chained. It was fastened with another boulder called Thviti.

Glad, Gyllir, Glœr, Skeidbrimir, Silfrtopp, Sinir, Gils, Falhofnir, and Lettfeti - The Æsir's horses

Gladsheim - ("Glad-land") One of the names of Odin's hall, also called "Shining Home", "Hlidskjalt", and "High Seat". It lies on the plain of Ida.

Glapsvid - Another name for Odin.

Gleaming Bale - The name of Hel's curtains.

Gleipnir - The fetter (chain) used to bind Fenrir, made by the Svartalfar from the sound of cat's footfall, a woman's beard, a mountain's roots, a bear's sinews, a fish's breath, a bird's spittle. The other two chains were Dromi and Loding.

Glen - ("Shine") Glen is the Light-Disir Sun's husband. Before Ragnarok they gave birth to a daughter who they named Sunna. She took over her mother's task in the new world.

Glimmering Misfortune - The Death-Goddess Hel's bed hangings. It is in her stronghold in Nifilhel.

Glitner - The silver and gold hall of Forseti, in Asgard.

Glódhker - ON. A fire-pot or brazier used in ritual workings.

Gloin - A rock dwelling Dwarf.

Glut - ("Glow") One of Loki's wives.

Gna - Frigga's swift messenger, mounted on her steed Hofvarpnir ("Hoof-Thrower" or "Hoof-Flourisher" ), would travel through fire and air, over land and sea, and was therefore considered the personification of the refreshing breeze. She saw all that was happening on earth and told her mistress all she knew.

Gnipahellr - The cave in front of Niflhel where the monster hound Garm is chained.

Gnita Heath - The place where the dragon Fáfnir guarded the hoard of gold stolen from the Dwarf Andvari.

Goat - The animal sacred to Thor. His chariot was drawn by two he-goats.

God of the Shield - By-name for Ullr.

Goin - One of many serpents who gnaw at the roots of the great tree Yggdrasil.

Golden apples- Every year Idunna gives each god and goddess a golden apple to keep them young. They are the apples of immortality.

Golden Kingdom - Another name for Asgard, also called "the White Kingdom".

Goldtooth - Another name for Heimdall as he had teeth of gold.

Göll - ("Loud Cry", "Battle Cry") A Valkyrie who serves ale to the Einheriar in Valhalla.

Gollinkambi, Gullinkambe - The cockerel in Yggdrasil, waits to signal the Gods and the warriors of Valhalla for the final battle of Ragnarok.

Göndul - ("Magic Wand" or "Enchanted Stave" ) Gondul with Hildr and Skögul, are the most noble Valkyries in Asgard. Their task is to choose the men permitted to go to Valhalla. She is often associated with war magic.

Gondlir - Another name for Odin.

Grabak - One of many serpents who gnaw at the roots of the great tree Yggdrasil.

Grafrollud - One of many serpents who gnaw at the roots of the great tree Yggdrasil.

Gram - ("Grim") A sword, forged by Volund, given by Odin to Sigmund. When it broke, the Dwarf Regin forged it together and gave it to Sigurdr Fafnisbari who killed the dragon Fafnir with it.

Grane, Grani - Grane is Sigurdr's grey horse, the son of Sleipnir. Grane will not bear any other rider than Sigurdr. When Sigurdr dies even Grane dies. Grane has runes carved into his chest.

Grendel - The monster that was slain by Beowulf.

Grer - Dwarf Grer forged the love Goddess Freya's beautiful Brising necklace, together with Alfrik, Berling and Dvalin. To get the jewelry she spent one night with each of them

Greip - ("Strong Grip") daughter of Geirrod who, along with the other daughter Gialp, tried to push Thorr's seat to the ceiling to crush him. Thorr used Grid's magic pole to push back down and broke their backs.

Grid ("Greed" or "Peace") - The Giantess who warned Thorr against Geirrod and Loki. She gave Thorr his magic strength-belt and iron gloves. Grid is a friendly Giantess who had a son, Vidar with Odin.

Gridarvol - The iron rod Gridarvol belongs to the Giantess Grid. Once when Thor was going to see the Giant Geirod, unarmed, she lent him Gridarvol and her iron-gloves.

Grim - ("The Masked One") A by-name of Odin.

Grimnir - A disguise Odin used when visiting a king's court. He appeared wearing a blue cloak and large hat. The king's dogs would not bark at him.

Grjotunagardar - ("Stone-Fence House") The place where the boasting giant Hrungnir arranged to fight the god Thor.

Groa - The wife of Aurvandil the Bold, a sorceress who chanted spells until Hrungnir's whetstone started to come loose from Thor's head, but Thor interrupted her with story of Aurvandil's toe getting frozen off while Thor carried him a basket across Elivagar river. Groa got distracted and couldn't finish the spells, so the whetstone stayed in Thor's forehead.

Grotte - The "World Mill" belonging to the Danish king Frode, a grind-mill of gold and a controller of the stars' movements. The millstones are so enormous that they may only be moved by the giant sisters Fenja and Menja.

Gudr - A Valkyrie.

Gullfaxi (Gool-fax-ee) - ("Golden Mane") The horse of the Giant Hrugnir, who raced against Odin riding Sleipnir, and lost. Thorr obtained him when he killed the Giant, but he gave the horse to his son Magni.

Gullinbursti - Gullinbursti is one of two boars that drag Freyr's chariot. The other one is Slidrugtanni. Gullinbursti's golden bristles light up the dark. It was forged by the Dwarf-smith Brokk.

Gulltop [Gool-top] - ("Gold Fringe") Heimdall's horse with a golden mane. He can fly with great speed. Heimdall only rides him at formal ceremonies, for example when they were going to burn Balder's dead body.

Gullveig, Gollveig, Heid - ("Gold Might" or "Gold Thirst") Also called "Golden Branch", "Gleaming One". A member of the Vanir who came to live with the Aesir. She was a handmaiden to Freya and taught her seidr. The gods considered her to be an abomination who did not deserve to live. Three times she was thrown into the fire in Odin's hall and emerged whole and shining. The attempts to kill her sparked the war between the Aesir and Vanir. Because they could not kill her, the Gods banished her to Ironwood, where she is magically bound until Ragnarok. Gullveig may be the Giantess Agnriboda, who bore with Loki the monsters Hel, Fenrir and the Midgard Serpent.

Gungne, Gungnir - ("Swings When Riding") Odin's magical spear, forged by the Dwarf Brokk. When Odin threw the spear over an army, it meant that they were going to die in battle and lose the war.

Gunnlod, Gunnlauth, Gunnloed - Jotun-Giantess, daughter of Suttung. She guards the Mead of Poetry in an underground cavern. After Odin spent three nights with her, she let him taste it. Odin swallowed it all in three gigantic gulps, jumped into his eagle suit and flew back to Asgard with the angry Suttung on the chase. Nine months later Gunnlod gave birth to Bragi.

Gunnr - ("Battle") Gunnr and Róta and the youngest norn, called Skuld, ride to choose who shall be slain and to govern the killings.

Gybu auja - Give (bring) good luck.

Gylfi - king of Sweden. He gave a beggar-woman a plough-land, the size four oxen could plough in a day and a night, as a reward for the way she had entertained him. This woman, Gefjon, was of the family of the Æsir. From the north of Giantland she took four oxen (her sons by a giant), yoked them to a plough. The plough cut went westwards and cut so deep that it rent the land in two. Gefjon called it it Zealand.

Gyllenkamme - Rooster in the top of Yggdrasil. He has a gold crest. His task is to count to sixty, sixty times twelve and then wake up the Norns sleeping around the Urdawell.

Gymir [guy-meer] - The Mountain Giant Gymir is Aurboda's husband. Together they have the son Beli and the daughter Gerd, a beautiful Giantess who married Freyr.

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