Associated with war and battle, magic, runes, wisdom, poetry and death.

Name(s): Odin’s name is said to derive from the Proto-Germanic *Wōðanaz which refers to a frenzy or state of possession.

Parents: Odin is the son of Borr and the jotun Bestla.

Spouse: Frigg.

Children: Baldr (with Frigg); Thor (with Jord)

Affiliations: Odin is one of the Aesir.

Tales: In the Poetic Edda Odin, with his brothers Vili and Ve, are said to kill the giant Ymir, using the parts of his body to create the earth.

In the Voluspa Odin, with Hœnir and Lóðurr, are responsible for the discovery of and gifts given to Ask and Embla, and this to the existence of humanity.

In Origo Gentis Langobardorum, Frigg and Odin are asked for help by the two sides in a war (Frigg by the Winnili and Odin by the Vandals); in this story Frigg tricks Odin into favoring her side, who are known from then on as the Langobards.

In Grimnismal Frigg and Odin make a wager as to the hospitality of the king Geirrod; when Odin travels to the king do see whether the rumors are true, Frigg arranges for Odin’s arrest by the king.

In the Havamal Odin tells of how he hung from Yggdrasil for nine days in order to gain the wisdom of the runes.

Following the Aesir-Vanir War and the death of Mimir, after which Mimir’s head was embalmed and placed in a well beneath Yggdrasil; this well is a source of great wisdom.

In some traditions Odin is said to lead the Wild Hunt (a retinue of the dead) through the night sky in the winter.

Hall: Odin’s hall is Valhalla, where half of those slain in battle reside.

Other details: Odin goes by many different names depending on the occasion.

Our modern word “Wednesday” bears her name—it translates to “Woden’s day.” (Woden is the Old English name for Odin).

The early Anglp-Saxon kings claimed Odin (as Woden) as an ancestor, to support their authority.

According to Grimnismal, Odin does not eat but drinks only wine.

Odin’s spear is Gungnir; his horse is the eight-legged Sleipnir. He receives information from his two ravens Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), and has the wolves Geri and Freki as companions.

The Old English Rune Poem may refer to Odin’s role in granting language and wisdom to humanity.

The Second Merseburg Charm suggests that Odin (as Woden) has healing abilities.

The Havamal consists of various bits of Odin’s wisdom.