Mímir

The third stands over Niflheim, and under that root is Fergalmir, and Nidhogger gnaws the root from below.

But under that root which turns toward the Rime Giants is Mimir's well, wherein wisdom and understanding are stored.

And he is called Mimir who keeps the well.

He is full of ancient lore, since he drinks of the well from the Gjallarhorn.

Thither came Allfather and craved one drink of the well, but he got it not until he had laid his eye in pledge.

So says Völuspá, All know I Odin where the eye thou hidest, in the wide-renowned well of Mimir.

Mimir drinks mead every morning from Allfather's wage.

What ye yet, or what? The third root of the ash stands in heaven, and under that root is the well which is very holy.

One is beside the root that grows in Jotunheim.

This is a well of knowledge, and it is guarded by old Mimir the Wise.

Whoever drinks out of this well knows of all the things that will come to be.

The other well is by the root that grows above Asgard.

Much has to be done in Midgard, the world of men.

I would change what knowledge I have into wisdom, said Odin, so that the things that are to happen will be changed into the best that may be.

You would go to Mimir's well, said Frigga.

I would go to Mimir's well, said Odin.

Your friend, Bob.

Mimir's Well, A Scandinavian Myth, by Julia Clinton-Jones In the north of Europe there is a rugged land where the winters are long and dark, with short, bright summers.

Nine hundred years ago the people there were pagans, believing in gods and giants, and their mythology is full of wonderful stories.

As these myths, or sacred fables, tell of strange adventures, I think you will like them quite as well as even the Arabian Nights.

Such a marvelous place as this was! It had a golden roof that reflected light over all the earth, just like the sun, and its ceiling was supported by spears, while millions of shields formed its walls, over which were draped coats of mail.

a huge wolf stood before its immense gates through which eight hundred men could march abreast around the walls flowed a deep river through whose waves odin's guests were forced to wade but i cannot tell you now of odin's feast which was always being held in valhalla nor of his guests the heroes whom the beautiful battle-maidens brought there on bloody shields from the earth asgard was overshadowed by the mighty tree this tree was more marvellous than any of which you ever heard no cork nor indiarubber nor banyan tree could begin to compare with it for this was the life tree and had been growing before creation the horrible dragon death gnawed constantly at its roots but three sisters the nornas watering them daily from the life-spring kept the tree flourishing seated under its shade the elder sisters past and present spun away briskly at the future web of time which the youngest the future amused herself by tearing to pieces far down in giant land where the roots began to shoot was an ancient well guarded by the good giant mimir memory there the gods always went for a morning draught that should make them wise in their daily tasks since this was the well of wisdom on one occasion there was a disturbance in asgard loki a bad spirit living there in disguise had been playing tricks on the goddesses and setting the gods by the ears through his mischief-making pranks while leading them into many dangerous scrapes though as yet he had not been found out his children too were just as bad as himself his son fenris pain a hideous howling wolf being the terror of asgard while hela his daughter death was more horrible than i can describe besides these loki had brought in other bad spirits and altogether asgard was greatly disturbed odin himself did not know what to do He asked the Nornas, but they could not answer, although the youngest hinted that if her lips had not been sealed, she could have told something.

At last he determined to see Mimir and take a drink from his well.

Saddling his eight-footed horse Sleipnir, away he rode in the night, all alone, over the rainbow bridge that joins Asgard with Earth, down to dark giant land.

That is why the gods of Asgard gather here at the well for counsel.

The second route plunges into the Fountain of Mimir in Midgard.

The water in this fountain is the source of all wisdom.

Wisdom that Odin obtained in exchange for one of his eyes.

When Father Odin heard the blast of Heimdall's horn, he hastened to arm himself for the battle.

Once again, it is said that the All-Father sought wisdom at Mimir's fountain, asking to know how best to lead the Asia against their enemies.

But what Mimir said to him, no one ever knew.

For a second call sounded, from the gyla horn, and the gods, with Odin at their head, rode forth from Asgard to meet their foes.

Thor took his place beside Odin, but they were soon parted in the struggle.

“Yea,” said Frigga.

“Much has to be done in Midgard, the World of Men.” “I would change what knowledge I have into wisdom,” said Odin, “so that the things that are to happen will be changed into the best that may be!” “You would go to Mimir’s Well?” said Frigga.

“I would go to Mímir’s Well," said Odin.

My husband Go Said frigga Then they went back over that rainbow bridge that is more beautiful and more tremulous than the one that men see from the earth.

The Children of Odin, The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum.

Part Two: Odin the Wanderer.

Chapter One: Odin Goes to Mimir's Well; His Sacrifice for Wisdom.

And so Odin, no longer riding on Sleipner his eight-legged steed, no longer wearing his golden armor and his eagle helmet, and without even his spear in his hand, traveled through Midgard, the world of men, and made his way toward Jotunheim, the realm of the giants.

One is beside the root that grows in Jotunheim.

This is a well of knowledge, and it is guarded by old Mimir the Wise.

Whoever drinks out of this well knows of all the things that will come to be.

The other well is by the root that grows in Jotunheim.

This is a well of knowledge, and it is guarded by old Mimir the Wise.

This well, little Hnossa, is called Urda's Well.

And little Hnossa heard that by Urda's Well there were two beautiful white swans.

"I would leave Asgard for a while, wife of Odin," he said.

One is beside the root that grows in Jotunheim.

This is a well of knowledge, and it is guarded by old Mimir the Wise.

Whoever drinks out of this well knows of all the things that will come to be.

The other well is by the root that grows above Asgard.

"I would leave Asgard for a while, wife of Odin," he said.

"Yea," said Frigga.

"Much has to be done in Midgard, the world of men." "I would change what knowledge I have into wisdom," said Odin, "so that the things that are to happen will be changed into the best that may be." "You would go to Mimir's well," said Frigga.

"I would go to Mimir's well," said Odin.