Rhonda Tharp
Active Member
Ok, so Hermes was born of Maia and Zeus and was able to join the pantheon... does anyone know why Odin admired Loki and was able to "join" the pantheon even though he was born of a giant?
I believe Odin had a close relationship with Loki even before he produced Sleipnir. In one version of the creation, Odin, Loki and Hoenir walked along the shore and saw two trees: the ash and the elm. From the ash they made man and from the elm, woman. Each god gave them an attribute:Odin gave breath, Hoenir gave spirit and Loki gave the vital spark and ruddy complexion (Voluspa). In the Prose Edda the creation story is told before the Sleipnir story, with Vili and Ve taking the places of Hoenir and Loki. (the stories seem to follow a chronological manner).Ok, so Hermes was born of Maia and Zeus and was able to join the pantheon... does anyone know why Odin admired Loki and was able to "join" the pantheon even though he was born of a giant?
I've got a copy of the Icelandic Sagas, would that be similar to the Prose/Poetic Eddas? Have you read translations of Snorri Sturluson's Eddas? Thanks that helped a lot!!!I believe Odin had a close relationship with Loki even before he produced Sleipnir. In one version of the creation, Odin, Loki and Hoenir walked along the shore and saw two trees: the ash and the elm. From the ash they made man and from the elm, woman. Each god gave them an attribute:Odin gave breath, Hoenir gave spirit and Loki gave the vital spark and ruddy complexion (Voluspa). In the Prose Edda the creation story is told before the Sleipnir story, with Vili and Ve taking the places of Hoenir and Loki. (the stories seem to follow a chronological manner).
In a book by H. A. Guerber, the writer states that in the early days of the universe, Odin and Loki became sworn blood-brothers. As to why Odin did this I'm not sure. She quotes from Saemund's Edda, which I believe is what the Poetic Edda used to be called. But I can't seem to find it in my English version.
Hi RhondaI've got a copy of the Icelandic Sagas, would that be similar to the Prose/Poetic Eddas? Have you read translations of Snorri Sturluson's Eddas? Thanks that helped a lot!!!
I really enjoyed Myths and Legends of the Norsemen by Helene Guerber. It is easy to read and contains just about all of the important myths.I have trouble with Norse Mythology as well. I don't know where to start with learning it either, anyone have any suggestions? I want to start with the basics first, if possible.
What I've always found curious about Hermes (and his admission into the Olympian pantheon) is that he was the only immortal child of Zeus among the ones sired upon Pleiades. Zeus had at least four children by Maia's sisters Taygete and Elektra, but weirdly, none is immortal like both parents (and Hermes). Other major gods consorted with the other Pleiades but they too produced mortal offspring. So I figure either that Maia was extraordinary among her sisters or that Hermes must've done some special thing to become not only immortal but also one of the twelve great gods.Ok, so Hermes was born of Maia and Zeus and was able to join the pantheon... does anyone know why Odin admired Loki and was able to "join" the pantheon even though he was born of a giant?