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The Vanir: The Ancient Deities of Fertility and Magic in Norse Religion

In Gods and Creatures by Skjalden

The Vanir gods are one of the oldest gods in Norse mythology. They are considered fertility gods, representing the power behind the cycle of nature. The greatest of them is Njord, who represents the sea. He is known for his knowledge of fishing and is considered a form of eternal youth because he always returned to his children.

The Vanir and Their Magic

The Vanir tribe from Norse mythology practiced different kinds of magic. They used magic to create a balance between the gods and humans and are particularly known for assisting with magic that helped maintain peace and harmony. Their magic is closely linked to nature and has been described as being about worshipping, healing, and honoring the elements that surround them. Their magic is also used to create a connection between the gods and humans, such as inviting the gods to attend important celebrations.

Vanaheim: The Home of the Vanir

The Vanir has its own home among the nine realms called Vanaheim. Unfortunately, there is no source that thoroughly describes this realm. The realm has been described as beautiful, and with its association with fertility in mind, it must be a clean and green place that has lots of trees, plants, and wild animals.

The Truce between the Aesir and the Vanir

The only known Vanir by name is Njord, Freyr, and Freya, who all were part of a truce between the Aesir and the Vanir after the war between them ended. The truce was of great benefit to the Aesir, as it was the Vanir who taught them how to use magic (Old Norse: seiðr). One figure that really should be highlighted in this connection is Freya, who by many mostly is referred to as the goddess of love, but she is actually also extremely skilled in the art of magic, it was her that introduced Odin to magic and taught him everything she knew.

The Vanir and Fertility Worship in Viking Age Scandinavia

At this point, the knowledge about the Vanir is very thin, their association with fertility seems to have been worshipped by most people during the Viking Age. Freya and Freyr are prevalent in Scandinavia, particularly in and around Uppsala in Sweden. Freya and Freyr have both been worshipped in connection with harvest, fishing, and wealth. Additionally, Freya is worshipped as a female fertility goddess for those who wanted to become pregnant, and her brother likewise for males who wanted to impregnate a woman. The Vanir and their association with fertility were worshipped by most people during the Viking Age.

The Story of Mimir and Kvasir

The Aesir sent Hönir and Mimir in turn to the Vanir, but when they noticed that Hönir was unable to fulfill his role without constantly consulting the wise Mimir, they decided to chop off Mimir’s head and send it back to the Aesir. Mimir did not die, and Odin was able to preserve his head with the use of magic in a ritual. Odin and Mimir have developed a close bond between them, and Odin often walks around for hours holding Mimir’s head while asking him for counsel. Another part of the truce was a ritual where all the gods spat into the same tub, and from their saliva, a being who was named Kvasir was created.

The story of Mimir and Kvasir is a unique one, and it highlights the importance of wisdom and knowledge in Norse mythology. It is also an example of how Vanir and Aesir could work together to create something new, despite their previous conflicts

Sources: 

Jesse Byock (2005) Snorri Sturluson, The Prose Edda. 1st. edition. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd. ISBN-13 978-0-140-44755-2

Anthony Faulkes (1995) Snorri Sturluson, Edda. 3rd. edition. London, England: Everyman J. M. Dent. ISBN-13 978-0-4608-7616-2

Lee M. Hollander (1962) The Poetic Edda. 15th. edition. Texas, USA: University Research Institute of the University of Texas. ISBN 978-0-292-76499-6

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