The tree of life has been in almost every culture and belief in various forms throughout time. Humans throughout the world have always recognized trees as firmly connected to our health as a species. Without trees, it is doubtful that other plants would be able to carry the burden of CO2 conversion on the earth. This belief is reinforced when we see the results of deforestation in the world, and we are still cutting them down. To commemorate what we have clearly forgotten, I bring you the Trees of Life Series, we look at the trees of life throughout history.
For one article I choose my favorite tree of life, the Yggdrasil Tree.
The Yggdrasil tree is a well-known version of the tree of life and originated in Germanic paganism and Norse lore. Odinists and other worshipers of the Norse gods still honor Yggdrasil today.
Yggdrasil is commonly called a giant yew tree, or ash tree. The tree contains nine worlds or planes of existence.
In the branches of the Yggdrasil tree is the kingdom of the gods, which holds the three worlds. First, Asgard is where the Aesir gods live, as well as Valhalla, the home of fallen warriors. Also the source of fate in Asgard where the Norns weave fate. Norns also water Yggdrasil from the waters wells’. The second world, Vanahiem, is the home of the Vanir. There are also Vanir gods. The Aesir and Vanir were at one point different warring nations, but in the end they were united into one group of Gods. The last world in the branches of the Yggdrasil tree is Alfhiem, home of the Dryads. Dryads were said to be guardians of nature and were themselves minor gods.
At the base of Yggdrasil is the kingdom of mortals, which also contained three worlds. The first link to Asgard through the bridge rainbow, is Midgard where we humans live. The middle is also sometimes called Middle Earth. Also we have Jotunheim, the land of cold and rock giants. The giants are the enemies of both men and the gods of Asgard. The well of knowledge is located in Jotunheim, guarded by a giant of course. Those who drink from the well will acquire all the knowledge of the world, Odin gave the eye to the fountain of wisdom. The last world is Svartalfheim. In Svartalhi, the dark elves live underground. Some believe that these “black hives” are actually dwarfs. Epics are blacksmiths and warriors.
The last realm that lies at the roots of the Yggdrasil Tree is the realm of the dead, which again contains the three worlds. Niflheim is said to be nothing but a frozen wasteland. Niflheim is one of the primordial worlds, which leads us to the second world of Muspelheim, where the fire giants live. There are projects between Niflheim and Muspelheim, which was born of ice and fire. The last world is Hel or the home of those who have not died honorable deaths and go to Valahalla. Aeni’s roaring well is situated in Hel, which is the source of all the world’s rivers.
The Yggdrasil tree is also home to various animals. At its peak an eagle sits between the eyes of a hawk. These birds guard all the worlds. Four deer run among the branches of the trees, and eat leaves from the trees. The four stags represent the four seasons, and the moon. Interwoven with the roots of Yggdrasils, a giant dragon living above the Roaring Well is named Níðhöggr, who gnaws the roots of trees. . Níðhöggr is said to fly and attack the Gods at Ragnarok, or the end of the Gods, and the rebirth of time. The last name is the red squirrel The rat who carried the birth of the evil tidings between the eagle and the dragon. Some feel that it is a metaphor for humanity running between evil and good.
The tree Yggdrasil itself is a metaphor for life, time, the human soul, and the connection of all things; and no wonder, the Norwegians chose a tree.
Be sure to check out the two articles in the Tree of Life series about the sacred trees of India.
