Yggdrasil - There is a tradition familiar all Norse poets: namely, the tradition that depicts the entire world as a tree of prodigious dimensions - a tree on which was supported the universe. This tree whose foliage was always green was the ash tree Yggdrasil. It is the Ever Green, the axial pole of the World, the Mighty Ash, the fountain of life, eternal life and immortality. There is no distinct myth anywhere pointing to the creation of Yggdrasil. The roots of the great ash tree tied together the three tricentric levels or planes, which made up the existing world. The three planes consisted of: Asgard, Vanaheim, and Alfheim(being the constitution of the first level), Midgard, Jotunheim, Nidavellir, and Svartalfheim(being the second level). The third level housed Hel and Nifelheim. There was a space which separated each of these planes as well. Its trunk drove ever upwards, passing from underworld depths; on through the world of men, where it united the waves, soil, and sky; and on above to overshadow Valhalla. One of Yggdrasil's roots reached down into the depths of the subterranean kingdom and its mighty boughs rose to the heights of the sky, where the infinite expanse of the universe was rested upon its branches. In the poetic language of the skalds Yggdrasil signified the 'Steed of the Redoubtable' (Odin) and the gigantic tree received its name because, they said, Odin's charger was in the habit of browsing in its foliage. Near the root which plunged into Niflhel, the underworld, gushed forth the fountain Hvergelmir, the bubbling source of the primitive rivers, where time was measured in its laughter. Beside the second root, which penetrated the land of giants, covered with frost and ice, flowed the fountain of Mimir, in which all wisdom dwelt and from which Odin himself desired to drink even though the price demanded for a few draughts was the loss of an eye. He even hung himself for nine nights from Yggdrasil; this act applying to a rejuvenation sacrifice symbol. Finally under the third root of Yggdrasil - which according to one tradition was in the very heavens - was the fountain of the wisest of the Norns, Urd. Every day the Norns drew water from the well with which they sprinkled the ash tree so that it should not wither and rot away.

In the highest branches of the tree was perched a solar(or golden) cock, representing vigilance, surveyed the horizon and warned the gods whenever their ancient enemies, the Giants, prepared to attack them. The boughs gave hold to the eagle and serpent as well - who as light and darkness, were in perpetual conflict. There continual battles created the dichotomy of the days; light usurping darkness, but falling to it ever the same. The squirrel known as Ratatoskr, known as the mischief maker, constantly created strife between the two warring powers. Under the ash tree the horn of the god Heimdall was hidden. One day this trumpet would sound to announce the final battle of the Aesir against all those who wished to cause their downfall. Near the vigorous trunk of the tree there was a consecrated space, a place of peace where the gods met daily to render justice. In its branches the goat Heidrun browsed; she gave Odin's warriors the milk with which they were nourished.

Malevolent demons continually schemed to destroy the ash Yggdrasil. A cunning monster, the serpent Nidhogg, also known as the Dread Biter, lurked under the third root and gnawed at it ceaselessly - representing the malevolent forces of the universe. Four stags wandered among its foliage and nibbled off all the young buds. There among the lower branches, the stags became the four winds, creating the sweeping winds upon the earthly lands. There most concentrated efforts to clean the tree of green buds were stifled, as new ones would spring forth at each moment. Thanks however to the care and attention of the Norns the tree continued to put forth green shoots and rear its indestructible trunk through the center of the earth.

Symbolic interpretations applied to Yggdrasil are many. It is a subject of constant decay and renewal. The immortal beasts enact this cyclic play in the woven mesh which constitutes its branches. This stage also sets the groundwork for universal notions in life, time, and destiny - in linear and cyclic proportions. "Decay is the beginning of all birth, the midwife of very great things. This is one of the deepest mysteries." Christian religion would see this as being the definition of a miracle; this union of life and death is the most profound aspect, ". . .which God has revealed to men." (From Paracelsus: Selected Writings, edited by Jolande Jacobi)

Not much longer until we see how Yggdrasil touched other cultures - and also, we will talk of the battles between the giants.

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