In Norse mythology, there is a giant ash tree, Yggdrasil, supporting
the universe. This tree roots travel
from the underworld, Niflheim
into the land of the giants, Jotunheim and a third
into the Gods home, Asgard.
Urdarbrunnr
or the Well of Fate, Mimibrunnr
or Well of Wisdom and Hvergelmir
or Roaring Kettle. These three wells at
the bottom was said to give the knowledge of Odin. It is said that Odin gave one of his eyes for
this knowledge.
Sometimes depicted as a tree with large branches and roots
that mirror them, Yggdrasil is often used in pendants and tattoos. I’ve seen it with the words of the Wiccan
rede around it and “As above so below”.
This is Yggdrasill, the World Tree, Tree of Life or Laerad.
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| Photo Credit - Elijah Olson - Tattooist |
Within the tree four deer live in the branches and eat the buds
representing the four winds. Also in the
tree is a snake (Vidofnir) a rooster and a squirrel (Ratatosk) noted for gossip.
The roots of the tree are chewed upon by Nidhogg.
In the myth, demons are trying to destroy Yggdrasil this represents
the constant power struggle between good and evil.
On the day of Ragnarok, or the end of
the world, a fire giant named Surt will send fire in all directions and the
nine worlds held up by Yggdrail will burn causing the earth to fall into the
sea.
I had read this several years ago and even played an online
role playing game that referenced this story.
We always had to get back to the tree!
Namaste and Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
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