An Introduction to Norse Mythology
Norse mythology is a fascinating body of stories that doesn’t just speak of how worlds are created—but also of how they end. These myths ask the deepest of questions: What brings a world into being? And what tears it apart?
To begin understanding the Norse cosmos, it helps to first picture the worlds it describes. In total, there are nine realms, each woven into the fabric of the mythic universe. But for now, three take centre stage. There is Midgard, the world of humans, often referred to as Middle Earth. Then there is Jotunheim, home of the giants and trolls—a realm more chaotic, more wild. And finally, there is Asgard, the realm of the Aesir gods, beings of immense power and divine presence. From this triad—the world of humans, the world of giants, and the world of gods—the mythic journey begins. The other six realms will emerge as the stories unfold.
Norse mythology, like Irish mythology, begins in darkness. This may reflect the geography of the north—harsh winters, long nights, and a climate where storytelling and firelight provided warmth against the cold. But the darkness is not just environmental—it is also existential. These myths do not offer neat resolutions. They end in destruction, in the fall of gods and the ruin of worlds. Even the gods themselves are mortal, destined to struggle and eventually perish. They are not moral exemplars, nor are they perfect. They are flawed, conflicted, and bound to fate—much like humans.
These stories don’t preach. There are no commandments, no fixed codes. Instead, they offer ambiguity and paradox. They present a world where opposites often coexist: light and dark, life and death, loyalty and betrayal. And within that contradiction, meaning emerges.
When we step back, we see that Norse mythology is a vast tapestry of interconnected stories. Each myth reflects the larger worldview of a people deeply attuned to both nature and uncertainty. At the centre of it all stands a great ash tree—Yggdrasil—the cosmic spine that holds the nine worlds together. But even this mighty tree is not eternal. If Yggdrasil falls, so too does everything else. The fragility of the world is a constant presence, a quiet truth humming beneath every tale.
As we travel deeper into these myths, we will meet many forces. There are those that destroy, lurking in shadows and gnawing at the roots. But there are also those that heal, renew, and bring life. The characters in these stories often embody those larger forces. But they are rarely fixed in their roles. A hero can falter. A monster can transform. No one is only one thing.
How, then, do we move through such a world? We listen to the stories. We let them guide us. These tales carry symbolic wisdom and offer us archetypes that help navigate the unknown. They won’t give certainty—but they do offer something better: a way to find balance amid chaos.
Through them, we are invited to notice what restores, what nourishes, and what grounds us. And just as importantly, we learn to see what threatens, even when it wears a different face.
This is what gives Norse mythology its enduring power. It speaks to times of upheaval, to moments when the world feels unsteady. And in doing so, it offers a form of wisdom—not rigid or absolute, but resilient and alive. It is a wisdom forged in a post-Ice Age world, but one that still resonates in our post-industrial age.
So—welcome to these remarkable stories.
Welcome to the mythic world of Norse Mythology.
