Monday, April 11, 2011

ITCHY FOR IDUN



There have been alot of posts during this challenge on Gods and Goddesses. I thought that I might scratch this itch by providing you with some Norwegian Mythology, and tell you a story about the beautiful Goddess Idun, keeper of the golden apples. Minnie is back  and as usual she has something she wants to say.



In norwegian mythology, Idun  was the goddess of spring and rebirth. She and her husband Bragi, the god of music and poetry, lived in Åsgard, which was the home of the gods. Iduns most important duty was to be the keeper of the golden apples. These she carefully protected in a basket which she opened each day allowing all of the gods to take and eat one. Doing so kept them youthful, beautiful and immortal.

The prose "Edda" which is a book of Norwegian legends written in the 11th century, contains a story about Idun and the magic apples. One day Loki, the trickster god, was captured by a giant named Thiassi. The giant refused to free Loki until he agreed to bring Idun and the apples to Thiassi's home. Loki gave his word and sped off to Åsgard.

He invited Idun to bring her apples and walk into the forest, where he knew of some even more precious apples. Eager to compare her special fruit with that mentioned by Loki, Idun joined the trickster.  As soon as they reached the forest Thiassi in the form of an eagle, dove from the sky and seized the goddess and her apples.

Without Idun's apples, the gods  began to age. Horrified by this they demanded that Loki rescue Idun from Thiassi. Loki flew to the giant's home disguised as a falcon and once he arrived there he changed Idun into a nut, and  hid her in his claws. It didn't take long for Thiassi to discover this, so he became an eagle again and followed Loki. As soon as Loki and Idun were inside Åsgard, the gods lit the walls on fire.  Thiassi's wings caught on fire as he crossed the flames and once he dropped to the ground the gods killed him.

Hope you enjoyed the story, maybe I will tell you more about Norwegian mythology another day.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW...the Norwegian gods sure do play for keeps :-) Did the goddess turn back into a beautiful woman from being a nut? See that is what we American's are missing...we have no legends like that except for Daniel Boone :-)

Hart Johnson said...

Oh, what a fun little tale! I don't know a lot of Norse Mythology, but it seems every time I hear a new story, I really love it. I AM familiar with Loki, but I didn't know about Idun.

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

I LOVE this story. I can't wait to tell it to my girls.

Luana Krause said...

There's a lot we can learn from mythology. Love the story.

Unknown said...

The Norwegian Gods and Godesses must be really miffed about being so overlooked in the mythology unit in middle school lit classes.

Lucy

Anonymous said...

I love mythology. I'm with Jeff. Mythology is not part of our American culture like most other countries. Maybe this is why i find it so fascinating. Yes I want to read more Norse Mythology for sure!

Laura Eno said...

Please do. I love mythology. I'm not as familiar with Norse as with Greek so it would be a delightful experience!

Bob Scotney said...

I lived in Stavanger for almost 10 years and enjoyed reading about Norse mythology. Thanks for reminding me.

Anonymous said...

You're jealous of my awsome teeth arn't you? lol That was my daughters 16th birthday party and we all dressed up like hilly billy fairies. It was so fun!

Unknown said...

I devoured Norse God tales when I was a kid - I remember Loki now. Great tale. I'd love to hear more in other posts.

Btw Siv Maria - I did read about your haunted house and I put a link to it in my post today. Hope that's OK.

N. R. Williams said...

Yummy apples, I'll never look at Golden Delicious Apples the same. I'd love to learn more about Norse gods.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

~Sia McKye~ said...

I love mythology! I liked the story of Idun and always shook my head at Loki's shenanigans. that he survived at all is a wonder, lolol!

Say, I don't suppose you have an apple to spare do you?

Susan Kane said...

Norse mythology is amazing--it isn't all lush like Greek/Roman myths are. Those Norse gods were a hardier lot.

Regards to Minnie.

J.L. Campbell said...

I like myths and in particular, stories about gods and goddesses.

Talli Roland said...

That's a great myth! Please share more. :)

Ellie Garratt said...

I'm learning so much from your posts. Thank you!

Ellie Garratt

walk2write said...

I wonder if that's where "an apple a day" prescription for good health came from! Maybe Thiassi's to blame for exorbitant healthcare costs. Stealing all of those apples...

Emily Rose said...

Oh I love it!

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

Interesting and so appropriate to talk about the goddess of spring and rebirth at this time.

renate said...

oh! how you make me smarter every day:) thank you for taking the time to educate me:)I love your blog! r

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Jan Morrison said...

whoa! don't mess with those gods, man! They'll make short work of you! Thanks...
Jan Morrison

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Gotta love mythology :)

Sue said...

Yes, please do share more mythology, it's great to learn these stories that are so different to those of my childhood. Sue@JumpingAground (Alliteration & drabbles)
Sue@traverselife(Workplace bullying)

Unknown said...

Very cool! I'd be all for more Norwegian myth. Awesome A-Z post!

EJ

Tracy said...

Really cool! Thanks for sharing your expertise and part of your heritage/culture! I loved it!

http://sbpra.com/tracyspaine/

KM Nalle said...

I know more Greek mythology than Norwegian, so by all means, please keep telling these types of stories.

Ella said...

I enjoyed this; thanks for sharing~

Unknown said...

I loved this. I'm not too familiar with Norse mythology and I hope that you will post more.

Tony Payne said...

A lot of Norse mythology has a lot in common with Roman, Greek and even Sumerian tales. I wonder if they were handed down through the Romans, or passed down through other paths through the centuries.

The story of sacred apples and the gods is very reminiscent of the Garden Of Eden, the birthplace of mankind according to the Sumerians.