SUPERNATURAL POWERS & DEITIES
Norse religion is a polytheistic religion, resulting in the belief of many deities. Nordic gods and goddesses were highly regarded as ‘transcendent forces’ that the believers looked up to, as role models and for guidance. In the Nordic faith, the Norse believed that there were two races of deities: Aesir and Vanir. These races were regarded as being constantly at war with each other in lust for each other's abilities and powers. These deities preserved two realms at the top of the Nordic world-tree. The Norse not only worshipped and bonded with their spirits, but also ghosts and giants. Along with other transcendent figures and beings, their predominant deities included but were not limited to:
Odin, Thor, Loki, Freya and the Valkyries.
The god, Odin, was the most highly regarded and considered as the holiest of the Nordic gods. He was the god of universal wisdom and victory, which the Norse principal beliefs were centered around. Odin was also associated with war and prophecy and was believed to inspire a lust for battle within warriors. He was portrayed as a middle aged man with lengthy hair and a beard, only having one eye; he traded his other eye to drink from the well of wisdom and gained infinite knowledge.
Loki was the father of monsters and was known as the troublesome go, which the trouble he caused he would then rectify. He gave the fishing net to the Nordic people, explaining that he was capable of being and causing both good and evil. The figure of Loki later in history, was linked and thought through society to be associated with the christian figure the devil.
Freya was the Nordic goddess of fertility and was worshiped in felids of warfare, love affairs, beauty, prophecy and the arts. Along with her, the Valkyries were goddesses within the Norse religion and were the foster daughters of Odin. They were scared omens, as supernatural women who held the spirits of those who had past in war by being ‘sheild maidens’.
Below: Artistic renditions of some of the Norse gods
The son of Odin, Thor was the second most highly regarded god. Thor was the god of thunder, lightning and storms. He defined strength within the Norse society. He was also the protector of Midgard (the land of mortals). He was depicted as being a tall male, with a muscular figure and held great authority to the Nordic believers.
