Discovering Odin: A Deity Deep Dive

I remember when the first Thor movie came out for the MCU. I was so excited, I’d already been doing research into Norse Mythology for a while, and I had a very good knowledge of most of the major, and some minor, myths. Needless to say, Marvel doesn’t hold too close to actual myths, which has only gotten worse as they go farther, but I have learned to enjoy most of the movies (I HATE Thor Ragnarök).

Welcome to Deity Deep Dive! Today we get to learn about Odin All-Father.

First and foremost! Odin never adopted Loki! They were friends, blood brothers (they shared blood and formed a particularly close bond from it). Frigg isn’t Thor’s mother, Jörð(Jord?) is. Jörð(Jord?) is the Norse personification of the earth, think like Gaia. Hela (Hel) has no relation to Thor or Odin save for her father Loki. She’s not Thor or Loki’s sister, she’s not Odin’s first born, no. Thor is also a redhead, not blonde. Many depictions of Loki give him red hair too. 

I’ve been waiting to have that rant… anyway, yes, there are a lot of depictions and stories involving Odin and it’s overwhelming to sort through it all. 

The story of the Allfather

The fires of Musplehiem met the ice of Nifleheim, and Ymir the giant, and Adhumla the cow sprang into existence. Adhumla fed Ymir while licking salty ice, after 3 days Buri was freed. That’s all the context you get until Odin, Vili, and Ve are born. Are they Tripplets? I couldn’t find anything that stated age order. All that’s said is that the three brothers kill Ymir, and from his body build the universe(I’m sort of imagining Ymir more or less being the seed of Yggdrasil). Then Vili and Ve give two pieces of wood, blood, and sense, Odin giving the breath of life and spirit. Those pieces of wood become the first humans, Ask and Embla. 

Odin instructs Ask and Embla to look to the wolves for guidance, then left to wander the realms for as much knowledge as he could find. He takes two wolf companions with him, Geri, ravenous, and Freki, greedy. They got all Odin’s food scraps. He also finds and keeps two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, thought and memory. The birds would fly Midgard every day and tell Odin what they saw and heard.

At some point Odin met, and befriended Loki. They were known as blood brothers, but were essentially best friends. It’s not clear how they met, I found one place that suggested Odin killed Loki’s father, but it’s possible people believed they were blood brothers since the beginning of time. 

Eventually Odin’s thirst for knowledge led him to the Well of Mimir, in a root of Yggdrasil. There Odin gouged out an eye to drink from the well to gain divine wisdom. The first instance of the lengths he went to get his knowledge. 

Now I’m guessing on the timeline a little, but based on what I know of Norse myth next would come the War between the Aesir and Vanir Gods. It all started because the Vanir thought the Aesir should pay them tribute as the older Gods. Obviously that wasn’t taken well and they went to war. There was no true victor, but I read that the Gods got tired of the fighting and bloodshed and decided to sign a truce and exchange hostages. Asgard got Njord and his children Freyr and Freyja, the Vanir got Hoenir and Mimir. 

Sometime in all this Odin marries Frigg(sometimes thought to be another name for Freyja) and kids are born. Odin wasn’t as faithful a husband as he could have been. While Baldr, Hodr, and Hermodr(Gods I hate trying to spell these names) are Frigg’s sons with Odin, Thor’s mother Is Jörð(Jord?) . He also had at least two other children with different giantesses. Again, no age orders or anything of the sort, but I digress.

Odin learns the prophecy of Ragnarok from a völva he summons. This prophecy, called the Völuspá in real life, tells about the beginning, end, and rebirth of the world. Odin becomes very paranoid about Ragnarok, to the point where he imprisons the children of his blood brother, Loki. Frigg takes precautions to protect Baldr, the first to die. In the end none of his attempts to change the fate of the world means anything. He will be swallowed whole by the wolf Fenrir.

Symbols and Attributes

Odin is often depicted as an elderly man with a long beard, wearing a cloak and a wide-brimmed hat. He carries Gungnir, a spear that never misses its target, and is accompanied by two ravens, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), who fly across the world each day and report back to him. Additionally, he has two wolves, Geri and Freki, and rides an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir, one of the fastest and most powerful creatures in Norse mythology.

Odin’s Role in Magic and Shamanism

Unlike many war gods, Odin is also deeply involved in magic and mysticism. He is considered the master of Seidr, a form of Norse magic associated with altering fate and divination. His association with the runes further ties him to magical knowledge, as the runes were not just a writing system but also a means of magical expression and power.

Odin in Modern Culture

Odin’s presence is still seen today in pop culture and spiritual practices. He appears in modern fantasy and comic books, most famously in Marvel’s Thor series. Heathenry, a modern pagan movement, often regarding Odin as a deity of wisdom and war, and some practitioners engage in rituals to honor him, seeking his guidance and inspiration.

Additionally, Odin’s influence can be seen in our language—Wednesday (Woden’s Day) is named after him. His legacy continues to inspire seekers of wisdom, various kinds of warriors, and those drawn to the mysteries of magic and fate.

Honoring Odin Today

For those who feel called to honor Odin, offerings of mead, poetry, or acts of personal sacrifice, such as dedicating time to learning or physical endurance, are common ways to connect with him. Meditative journeys, rune work, and deep intellectual pursuits align well with his frequency.

Odin remains a compelling figure, embodying the balance between wisdom and war, sacrifice and gain, power and knowledge. Whether as a deity to be revered, a mythological archetype, or a symbol of relentless pursuit, the Allfather’s influence endures across time and culture.

Call to Action

How do you connect with Odin’s energy? Do you honor him in your spiritual practice, or do you find inspiration in his relentless pursuit of knowledge? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss the many ways Odin continues to influence our world today!