The Aesir-Vanir War

Author: Traditional Norse

Time Period: 1001 CE–1500 CE

Country or Culture: Scandinavia

Genre: Myth

PLOT SUMMARY

Two of the nine worlds within the universe, Asgard and Vanaheim, are occupied by two races of the gods (the Aesir and the Vanir, respectively). The Aesir and the Vanir coexist in relative harmony, but long ago, such was not the case. The two races entered into a brutal war, a conflict started over the Vanir goddess Freya (Freyja).

One day, Odin, the highest god, was monitoring the nine worlds for evil when his son Heimdall came to him to share his discovery of Vanaheim. The Vanir, he divulged, are peaceable gods who use magic and witchcraft to defeat their enemies rather than the strength of arms and muscle. Heimdall was concerned that the magic the Vanir practice, seidr (which could alter the destiny of those against whom it was used), could be a threat to Asgard. Heimdall suggested that he go to meet Freya, the daughter of Njord, the ruler of the Vanir, as Odin’s emissary in the hope that the two races of gods could coexist peacefully.

Seidr is a dark and unsavory form of magic only practiced by women. In fact (unbeknownst to Heimdall), Odin had met Freya while Heimdall was traveling and, disguised as a woman, had received training in seidr. Despite its disreputable connotation, seidr captured the attention of many in Asgard. The Aesir were drawn to Freya’s powers, putting aside their own virtues and honor to be with Freya and to learn her craft. Fearing that Freya and seidr would destroy Asgard, Odin dubbed her Gullveig (meaning “gold greed”) and decided to put Freya to death. The Aesir attempted to execute her three times, but like Odin, Freya has the power of resurrection: she rose repeatedly from the ashes of the fire into which she was thrown.

Meanwhile, the Vanir, seeing the brutal fashion in which the Aesir attempted to kill Freya, grew angry with the Aesir. The two races of gods entered into a brutal war that lasted many years. The Aesir used their physical skills and weaponry against the Vanir, while Freya’s people utilized dark magic. Neither side gained a major advantage, however. Eventually, the two war-weary parties agreed to a truce. The Aesir and Vanir exchanged “hostages”: Freya, her brother Freyr, and the great Njord were sent to Asgard, while Odin sent the timid Hoenir and the very wise Mimir to Vanaheim. Additionally, as a sign of their accord, the Aesir and Vanir agreed to meet and spit into a cauldron. The saliva was used to create a new god, Kvasir, who represents long-standing harmony between the Aesir and Vanir.

While Njord, Freya, and Freyr are seen as valuable contributors to Asgard (although Freya has romantic relationships with many of the Aesir, including Odin), Hoenir and Mimir did not fare as well in Vanaheim. Hoenir rarely spoke up when consulted by the Vanir leaders and, even when he did, offered little. The Vanir decided that their end of the arrangement was unfair and beheaded Mimir. They sent the head back to Asgard. Odin preserved it, however, and Mimir’s head continued to counsel Odin thereafter. Eventually, Hoenir became a great leader among the Vanir.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Norse myth about the war between Asgard and Vanaheim is one of greed, paranoia, and brutality. These characteristics are common among humans, but what is significant is that the gods of Asgard demonstrate them. The Aesir are expected to demonstrate nobility and honorable behavior, but their discovery of the Vanir (who, according to the story, are peaceful) inspires them to abandon their traditions and to seek knowledge about seidr, a form of witchcraft that they knew to be dark and disreputable. Even Odin, the greatest of the Aesir, allowed himself to be bewitched by Freya’s magic.

The story also shows the degree to which the Aesir fear losing their high status among the known worlds in the Norse universe. The Aesir constantly monitor the other worlds to ensure that they pose no threat to Asgard before they find Vanaheim. Despite the fact that the Vanir are perfectly content to coexist with Asgard in peace, Odin and the Aesir see a potential threat from the Vanir and therefore seek access to seidr to counter this perceived threat.

At the center of the war is Freya. Throughout Norse mythology, she is seen as a figure who is both attractive and disruptive. For example, when Heimdall reports on the Vanir to Odin, he includes an alleged romantic link between Freya and her brother, Freyr. After she joins the Aesir following the war, she is romantically connected to several Aesir, including Odin. Furthermore, although the Vanir women are all seemingly capable of practicing seidr, the Aesir are particularly interested in Freya’s abilities.

The war that erupts between the two races of gods begins when the Aesir brutally torture and kill Freya, whom Odin accuses of attempting to take the precious belongings of the Aesir. The war is drawn out and exhausting for both the Aesir and the Vanir. Neither race can claim an advantage, a fact indicative of the relative parity between the two. After the war’s conclusion, the Aesir and Vanir exchange hostages, a tradition in the Norse world, and create Kvasir. Other tales of the Aesir and Vanir that take place after this war indicate that the two races remain in relative harmony with one another thereafter.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davidson, H. R. Ellis. Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. New York: Penguin, 1964. Print.

Grimes, Heilan Yvette. The Norse Myths. Boston: Hollow Earth, 2010. Print.

Lindow, John. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. New York: Oxford UP, 2002. Print.

Littleton, C. Scott. “Vanir.” Gods, Goddesses and Mythology. Tarrytown: Cavendish, 2005. 1404–7. Print.

McCoy, Dan. “The Aesir-Vanir War.” Norse Mythology. Norse Mythology, 2013. Web. 9 Jun 2013.